Mrs. Lieutenant: A Sharon Gold Novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

Wooden frame
buildings and trees dot grass lawns, almost like the Jewish camp
she attended two summers in Wisconsin, where the counselors lorded
it over the campers in probably the same way the officers lord it
over the enlisted personnel. She hates that claustrophobic feeling
of someone else being in control of one’s life, Big Brother
watching every move. And now THE ARMY controls her life.
    Before leaving Chicago Sharon read the brief
entry for "Fort Knox" in her childhood “World Book Encyclopedia.”
The post – named for Major General Henry Knox, the first secretary
of war – covers 110,000 acres 35 miles south of Louisville. Ft.
Knox houses the United States Army Armor Center as well as the
depository since 1936 of billions of dollars worth of gold.
    "Where's the building with the gold?" she
asks Robert.
    "We’ll find it later."
    Sharon inhales. "What else should I
know?"
    "Officers wear their rank on their shoulders
– or on their collars when they're wearing fatigues."
    Fatigues. The olive green shirt and pants
worn in combat. Every night on the news all of America can see men
in fatigues, often soaked in blood. The bloodstains don't show up
clearly on black-and-white television.
    Robert swats a fly away from his face.
"Second lieutenants have one gold bar. First lieutenants one silver
bar. Captains two silver bars. Majors one gold maple leaf.
Lieutenant colonels one silver maple leaf. Full colonels one silver
eagle. Generals gold stars, one for each rank – one-star general,
two star, etc."
    How confusing, and this is only the officers'
ranks. "What about enlisted men?"
    "Enlisted men always wear their rank on their
sleeves. You won't have to learn their ranks. Officers aren't
supposed to fraternize with the enlisted men."
    Just lead them into battle, often to their
deaths Sharon thinks.
    The sign indicates the housing office
straight ahead. Inside, a woman in a polyester pantsuit glances up
from her desk behind the counter.
    "May I help you, Lieutenant?" Robert has worn
his Class A uniform from ROTC to look more official. Obviously this
woman can read rank insignia.
    "I'm Lieutenant Gold and I'm reporting for
Armor Officers Basic. You have listings for available housing off
base."
    The woman stands up and walks towards the
counter. "If you were here alone, we'd quarter you in Bachelor
Officers Quarters. As you have your wife with you, we can give you
some leads on housing in the surrounding areas. I caution you, the
places may not be what you're used to." She hands Robert a manila
envelope. "Here's your information packet. Welcome to Ft.
Knox."
    "What does she think we're used to?" Sharon
asks as she and Robert return to the Fiat. "She certainly couldn't
tell from what I'm wearing – a simple summer dress. And the uniform
is the same for everyone."
    Robert grunts. "Maybe they've had complaints
from new lieutenants before." Then he grins. "Or maybe because I
didn't say 'you all.’"
    They drive back out of the post and, starting
with the first place on the list, turn onto the highway that leads
south towards Elizabethtown. Inside the town limits small and
medium-size houses line the roads. Bright flowers decorate many of
the front lawns, the air as hot as everywhere else.
    They follow the map provided by the housing
office and stop in front of a brick ranch-style house. Robert rings
the doorbell. After a few seconds a thin man in his early 50s
dressed in casual clothes answers the door.
    "Hello," Robert says. "We're interested in
the apartment listed with the housing office."
    The man looks Robert up and down. He doesn't
even glance at Sharon.
    "You wouldn't be happy here, Lieutenant."
    "I'm sure the apartment is fine," Robert
says.
    "I'm sorry, sir, but I really can't rent you
the apartment." The man closes the door in their faces.
    "We didn't even see the apartment," Sharon
says. "How does he know we wouldn't like it?"
    Robert walks back down the sidewalk without
saying a word. Sharon follows and gets into