July 14, 1944
The door to Commander Moss’s office stood open, and Sid spied him sitting behind his desk, working on paperwork. If that’s how officers spent their time, Sid would stay at his current rank. He’d rather invest in people. He rapped on the doorframe.
Commander Moss looked up. “Come in, soldier.”
“Specialist Chance reporting, sir.” Sid remained at attention in front of the desk.
“At ease, Specialist.” Commander Moss shifted some papers on his desk until he found what he wanted. “I’ve got orders sending you to the Grand Island satellite for a week. We’ve got a group of prisoners who need transport. You’ll oversee that, then report back on the camp’s status. I hear rumors of trouble and want it taken care of now.”
Sid reached for the paperwork and swallowed. If he could pick, he didn’t want to leave. Anna and he had some issues to work through. Unfortunately, the Army didn’t bother iteself about such personal issues. “When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. The prisoners report to work Monday. Take enough time to evaluate the situation. I need eyes and ears on the ground.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s all.” Commander Moss turned back to his work.
Sid snapped a salute, then spun and exited the room. There went his plans for the weekend. At least he wouldn’t spend the next few days surrounded by corn. His skin itched at the thought. He’d never been so glad to end a task in his life.
The only drawback came from missing Anna. He’d planned to spend time with her while on his A pass. He’d earned that much. Guess he’d pocket the pass for another time. Maybe he’d find someone to spend time with at the Grand Island USO. The idea didn’t excite him like he’d expected. There’d been many a day when the mere thought of spending time with a pretty gal would bring a lift to his mood. Today that didn’t happen. Anna had crept further into his mind and heart than he’d realized.
Should he take the time to pray about what to do with Anna? She remained a complete puzzle to him. A frustrating one, but one he couldn’t shake.
Anna watched Dottie throw a couple of blouses in her bag. For once, Anna would stay in Kearney for the weekend. The thought of spending the days right here, in her room, sounded wonderful.
“Sure you don’t want to come see a certain soldier?”
“There’s no guarantee he’ll come to the farm.”
Dottie snorted. “Sure. And cows are purple.”
“He didn’t seem very happy with me last weekend, anyway. Based on that, I’d be surprised if he came around while I’m there.” Anna fluffed up her pillow, then leaned against it. “I need some time alone. Time to think and pray. Figure out where I’m supposed to focus my energy and attention.”
“You mean you’ve finally heard everything I’ve said?” Dottie zipped up her bag and plopped next to Anna. “If that’s what you’re going to do, stay. Just make sure you don’t have fun without me.”
“Yes, mom.”
“I should stay and supervise.”
Anna shook her head. “No, I need solitude. At least as much as I can get in a boarding house. If I slow down awhile, maybe I’ll hear something.”
“You don’t need me for that.” Dottie hopped up and grabbed her bag. “Ta-ta. See you on Sunday.”
The door closed behind Dottie, and Anna relaxed. If she let herself, she could sleep the entire weekend. While that might feel fantastic, she really needed time to think. Could she feel so out of sorts in recent weeks because she hadn’t taken time to care for herself? The very idea seemed odd, but the more she’d prayed this week, the more she’d sensed the need—at the core of her being—to stop and reconnect with her heavenly Father.
Anna startled awake. Long shadows filled the room, and her stomach growled. She glanced at the clock. 8:00. Too late to ask Mrs. Wisdom for supper. Anna grabbed her clutch and hat and headed outside. She’d walk the couple of blocks to the café, see if they still served supper. Skipping meals hadn’t been part of her agenda.
She strolled into the café, a hole in the wall tucked between a shoe store and small grocer. Couples sat at two of the tables, and a waitress stood at a counter, smacking gum while reading a copy of Life. Anna took a seat at the counter.
“Can I help you?” The waitress didn’t look up from her magazine.
“Are you serving dinner?”
“Not anymore. Pie or coffee?”
Two slices of pie rested in the display case. “I guess I’ll have the apple.”
“Pear?”
“Fine. With a cup of coffee, please.”
The waitress slapped the pie on a plate and slid it, with a cup of coffee, to Anna. “Enjoy.”
This hadn’t been how she envisioned starting her free weekend. As the piecrust melted on her tongue, she decided it wasn’t a half-bad way after all. She paid and then walked back outside. The night felt mild, with a breeze to ease the earlier heat, as she strolled toward the Wisdoms’ home.
Images of Papa filled her mind. Without a phone at the house, she couldn’t tell him she wouldn’t come home. By now, he’d probably figured that out, if he even missed her.
She savored the freedom Kearney offered. Papa couldn’t yell that she was terrible or lazy. He would never understand how it felt to listen to his words day after day. But his silence was worse, leaving her wondering what she’d done wrong.
The thought of spending more time at home with him made her want to curl into a corner and hide. Yet, the more she prayed, the more that seemed the only solution.
Saturday Anna spent the morning in her room, reading her Bible and praying. By noon beads of sweat rolled down her cheeks. Her mind wandered as the blanket of heat weighed down on her. No matter how hard she tried to quiet her thoughts, they refused to cooperate. Instead, her ears seemed tuned to the sounds of the building. As the morning passed, her heart sank that Sid hadn’t called for her.
“Enough.” Anna threw her Bible next to her on the bed. “Time to do something.”
If she walked around a bit, she could regain her focus. Work off the malaise that sapped her strength. She pulled on her loafers and headed for the stairs.
“Anna, you’re in time.” Gillian Turner clapped her hands together. “I wanted to knock on your door, but you were so quiet I was afraid I’d wake you.”
Anna snorted. Like she’d ever slept to noon in her life. Shows how little Gillian knew her. “What did you need?”
Gillian turned to the soldiers with her. “We were headed to the USO for awhile. There’s a lunch and afternoon activities there today. Join us? We need a fourth.” She implored with eyes wide.
The two soldiers stood at ease, looking everywhere but at her. She’d seen the shorter one with Gillian before. But the taller, lanky one was new. It couldn’t hurt anything to spend time with them. Anna wondered briefly about returning to her room, but after a morning locked inside, she couldn’t stomach the idea of spending the rest of the day there.
“All right. Let me grab my bag.” She scooted upstairs long enough to get her purse and touch up her lipstick.
Gillian introduced her to the two soldiers, and they headed to the USO. Anna’s escort, Sammy Kersh, sat next to her in the car. The USO burst at the seams with soldiers and local girls. Anna wondered if she’d ever see it any way but packed. How could she feel so alone when surrounded by so many people? She caught the eyes of several soldiers watching her, but each took one look at her escort and turned around. “Do you mind giving me a little space?”
He locked his deep-brown eyes on her and grinned. “Mind?”
“I’m feeling a bit cornered.” Anna crossed her arms and met his gaze with a glare.
“I don’t know why.”
“You’re stuck to me like a burr to a steer.”
Sammy threw his head back and laughed.
Anna bit the inside of her lip to hide the smile that wanted to escape.
“How about I do something about that?”
Anna held her tongue and hardened her expression while she waited for him to elaborate.
Sammy held up his hands. “Listen, the band’s started. Let’s take a whirl around the floor. Then, we’ll grab a plate of food and eat outside, where we can find a quiet place to talk.”
He tugged her after him onto the floor. He led her through the steps with self-assurance.
Anna tried to concentrate on him and the moment, but Sid’s clear-blue eyes kept invading her mind. “What brings you to Kearney?”
“What brings anyone?” Sammy shrugged. “My crew is collecting our B-17. We’ll ship out in a week or as soon as we’ve completed all the flight checks.”
The song ended, and he led her to the tables loaded with sandwiches and salads. The conversation continued while they filled their plates. In a few moments, they settled in the shade of a large oak tree. It stood in a secluded location behind the building. Anna looked around, surprised to find no other couples had ventured out, away from the closed air of the hall.
Sam edged closer until their legs touched. She pulled her legs beneath her and eased some space between them. Sam eyed her over his meal, almost as if he wanted her for dessert. She tried to swallow a bite of her chicken sandwich, but it tasted like sandpaper.
“Come here, Anna.”
“I think we’re quite close enough.” If he got any closer, she’d leave. Coming along to the USO looked like a worse decision with each minute.
Sam siddled toward her. “Never close enough.”
“You are no gentleman.”
He laughed at her. “I never said I was.”
“I’m not interested in being any closer.” Anna pushed her plate of food in his lap and stood. “You can find someone else to spend the rest of your afternoon with.”
She shook and felt sick to her stomach as she walked to the street. Gillian could catch up with her at the Wisdoms’. Thank goodness, the walk wouldn’t take all day.
As the blocks disappeared, her heart returned to its normal patterns. One thought cycled through her mind. In all her interactions with Sid, he had never once treated her with anything less than complete respect. She rubbed her arms, trying to bring some warmth, wishing Sid were here.