Battle Hymns Read Online Free PDF Page B

could
remember how Nick tasted when they kissed. She couldn’t find the
motivation to do anything socially with her friends. She didn’t
want to go shopping, see any films, or attend any parties. All of
it seemed trivial in comparison to Nick training for war.
    On New Year’s Eve, she was listening to her parents’
old records on the Victor-Victrola with a magazine in her lap, when
her mother showed Evelyn into the sitting room.
    Evelyn wore a gold dress and red lipstick, and her
dark hair was styled into curls. She sat next to Charlotte and
embraced her. “Oh, honey. I wish you had told me Nick enlisted. I’d
have visited sooner.”
    Charlotte shifted on the sofa. She’d forgotten to
tell Evelyn and her other girlfriends about Nick in her effort to
spend as much time with him as possible. Natalie only knew about
his departure because John joined him.
    “It’s good to see you. What are you doing here?”
    “Your mother called me this morning, and I’m glad she
did. New Year’s Eve is not the time to mope. It’s the time to
celebrate, even if your beau is off to war. A new year brings the
end of the war, you know?”
    Charlotte rolled her eyes. “That’s what Nick
says.”
    “And it might very well be true. Now, I’m inviting
you to a party at Ginger’s house, and I won’t take no for an
answer. Let’s get you cleaned up.” She prodded Charlotte off the
sofa.
    The New Year’s Eve party was a
gas . . . for everyone but Charlotte. There was
raucous dancing and free-flowing champagne. She knew at least half
the men and women in attendance, either from high school, college,
or District society. But she felt she didn’t belong. She declined
offers to dance with strange men and stood to the side with a glass
of champagne in hand, all the while wishing Nick could kiss her at
midnight as he had one year ago.
    ***
    W ith eager anticipation,
Charlotte awaited Nick’s first letter. They wouldn’t know his
mailing address at Camp Upton until he arrived, so he promised he’d
write first and include the address in his letter. In the two weeks
since his departure, she checked the mail every afternoon.
    Finally, on the ninth of January, an envelope with
her name scrawled in Nick’s familiar handwriting arrived. She
laughed and held the envelope to her heart. She and Nick could
begin their correspondence at last.
    She dropped the remaining mail onto the table in the
entryway and ran upstairs to her bedroom. She plopped down on the
bed, pulled her legs beneath her, and ran a finger under the flap
of the envelope. The single page was full of his handwriting.
     
    January 1, 1942
    Upton, New York
    Dear Charlotte,
    I arrived safely at the base where we’ll be
quartered for the next few months. I’m sorry it took me so long to
write you. I promise it was my first thought when I got off the
train, but they’ve given us little downtime since we arrived. Even
now, I have to write this note in small increments throughout the
day.
    The train ride only took a few hours, but it felt so
much longer knowing I was leaving you behind. I don’t think there
was a single man on the train who wasn’t heading toward some sort
of military service. A few guys I met on the train have been in the
Army for months already, and they were finally going overseas. I
must admit, I envied them. I would much rather head straight to the
Pacific or Europe and fight than train for months. I figure the
sooner we go over there, the sooner we’ll win the war and I can
return to you.
    We all got buzz cuts a few days ago. I think the
look suits me. John hates it, and I’m sure Natalie would get a kick
out of it. Training is tough. I thought I was physically fit
before. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Everyone here seems swell
enough, and the morale is high.
    Please tell me what you did to ring in 1942. I’d
like to pretend I was there with you, celebrating. How are you? Are
you looking forward to your classes? How are your parents? I’m
looking