Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
 | 
|
|
Part LI
“So what do you think?” Faith asked her friend, after what seemed an eternity of sitting in Abby’s cozy little room. Abby looked over thoughtfully.
“I think I’d like to go. I—I’m still in shock right now,” she laughed nervously. “Had you ever thought of it? Going over there?”
“Yes. I remember that one day in Rainbow Valley with Jem, when I had planned everything out. Two years in nursing school, and then onto the Red Cross or the V.A.D. Once I came back to Redmond, though, I never even considered that seriously. It just seemed like two years of not helping at all. Then we became involved in the Red Cross, and we’ve been doing good, honest and helpful work, Abby. We’ve saved lives. Think of how many more we could save in Europe.” She looked up at the ceiling pensively. “Ever since this war started, I’ve felt so… so useless. Even here, organizing the Red Cross, I wish that I could do more. I wish that I could fight with the boys. Maybe the V.A.D would be best for us.”
“I’m writing Mother and Father tomorrow to ask their permission. I know that we still have a year, but I’d like to get their approval now.” Faith nodded in agreement.
Suddenly Abby laughed. “Faith, dear, imagine the two of us there in the trenches with Jem and Jerry and James! We would probably harass the poor boys to death.” Faith laughed and tossed a pillow at her friend. Abby broke into a peal of laughter and fell onto the bed, narrowly avoiding a collision with Faith, who lay on the bed, her hands crossed across her stomach. “Faith, no matter what happens, we must swear to be together through this war. Everyone needs someone to help them through everything, and for me, that person is you.” Faith smiled and squeezed her friend’s hand, signifying her promise.
“So in less than a year, we’ll be V.A.D. volunteers in Europe. Did you ever think that this would happen?” Abby shook her head. “I wonder what the boys will say.”
“They’ll be proud of us. Just look at how proud they are of us for working here at the Red Cross. We’ll tell Miss Black as soon as our parents have consented.”
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:06 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LII
Faith held Abby’s hand nervously as they stepped off the train and looked at their field hospital. So far, things had been far more gruesome than they could have imagined. Some of the soldiers that they had met had lost limbs. One man was blind. Faith had involuntarily shuddered when she found out. She couldn’t imagine a world in which she couldn’t see all the beauty around her. A young man came out of the hospital to greet them quickly. “Are you the two new nurses?” They nodded numbly. “Good. Come in quickly. We’ve been flooded with patients after yesterday’s battle. I’m Dr. Barry. What are your names?”
“This is Faith Meredith and I am Abby Blake,” Abby said, gesturing to her friend. The two girls followed him into the hospital, and were horrified at the sight that met them. Men were bleeding profusely, screaming in pain. Dr. Barry gestured for them to follow him to a patient’s side.
“Now this is a lot more gruesome than Red Cross work back home. If you can’t handle a situation, get out of the way for a nurse who can. Alright?” The girls nodded quickly. “Good. Now Faith, you take care of that man over there, and Abby, take that one in the corner,” he said, gesturing with his head, his eyes never leaving his patient. Faith rushed over to the man she saw, feeling like she could never do what she was asked. This man was screaming in pain from fresh wounds. The worst injuries she had seen in Kingsport had been partially healed after weeks of bandaging and recuperating. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and remembered why she was there. These men needed her, and this was the best she could do to fight in this war. She looked at the man’s leg, and began to bind it as tightly as she could.
Hours later, the soldiers had been bandaged and treated as best they could be. Faith had assisted the young doctor in two amputations, and hadn’t even flinched. Now she sat with Abby, drinking as much water as they could get, and nibbling on a few rolls of bread. She shook with emotion, unable to bear the horror that she had seen so recently. “How can people be this horrible to each other?” she asked softly.
“You’ll get used to it,” Dr. Barry said, walking up to them. “It’s the most horrible thing to see: such violence and destruction. I just wanted to tell you both that you were very helpful today. Many of our volunteers stay on the sides during their first few days. They come here, expecting to be tending to men the way they care for their sick brothers. When they see the horror that we see every day over here, they run in the opposite direction. I’m glad to see that you both are made of tougher stuff than that. When I came here, I thought that I could never return to life at home once the war ended. I couldn’t see treating people who haven’t suffered like this. Over here, I’ve had to turn away patients who have sicknesses like pneumonia. We send them off with a limited amount of medication and orders to stay as warm as possible. I’ve amputated limbs that could have been kept, had we had the time or resources to operate. In any case, here’s some chicken. One of our nurses managed to get some from a woman who lives nearby. Enjoy your break.” He went away without smiling, reminding Faith of the type of doctor that Jem had always disliked. He never smiled, and never used any sort of bedside manner with his patients. She could understand, though. He had spent eight years trying to become a doctor, and had to begin his practice in a world where there was no time for bedside manners, pleasantries or smiles. A lesser man, a man who did not care about his patients, would have left long ago. Instead, Dr. Barry had learned how to shove aside his compassion and empathy while he worked. Faith and Abby knew that they must do the same.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:07 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LIII
“Faith, dear. What does your letter say?” Abby asked gently. An expression of horror had crossed her friend’s face, and Abby was sure that it had little to do with the events of the day at the hospital.
“Jerry was injured. I’ve just gotten word from Father. Apparently the news came just after we’d left. He was shot in the back at Vimy Ridge. God, Abby. These past two days have been hard, adjusting to the V.A.D, but now we must work. I see that now. All these men are someone’s brothers. Rilla has written that Shirley is on his way to the front,” she said suddenly, changing the subject.
“Oh, dear. Poor Aunt Anne must be miserable. I don’t know how you girls can stand having your brothers here. Christopher is just 18, and he’s already enlisted. You have two brothers out here, and Nan and Di have all three. Dearest, have you heard from Jem at all?”
“No. It will take some time for his letters to reach me, I expect. At least we’re a bit closer to him over here. I suppose you haven’t heard from James?” Abby shook her head quietly. “He’ll write, dear. I just know it.”
“Alice had word today. Her brother was killed in battle just a few days ago.” Faith’s face paled with horror. Alice was one of the volunteers at their hospital. A sweet thing, just 19 years old, she had immediately befriended Faith and Abby. “Can you imagine?” Faith looked at Abby and simply nodded. Walter’s death, though he had been no relation to her, had hit her just as hard as Carl or Jerry’s death would have. They had grown up together, playing in Rainbow Valley for years. “Faith, do you know if Jerry will be alright?” Faith shook her head sadly.
“Father wrote that we wouldn’t know for some time yet.” Suddenly she stood up. “Abby, I need to lie down. I think I’ll go to sleep. Good night.” Abby stood and embraced her friend before letting her go.
“Faith?” The girl turned around. “Wake me up if you need me.” Faith nodded, smiling gratefully and then turned back towards the beds.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:08 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LIV
Faith brushed a lock of hair off her face impatiently. She and Abby had been in Europe for a year, and they had been transferred to London after six months. The work there was a little less trying, and they found that they had more time to themselves than when they had been at the field hospital. Her day was going slowly, and she had very few patients to tend to. She gathered the dirty linen under her arm and out of the corner of her eye, saw a young man in khaki at the station. With an irritated groan, she dropped the linen. No other nurse was around, and someone had to see to this man. She looked at him briefly before picking up a slate to write down his complaint. Something about this man was familiar, but she was too far away to pinpoint it, and he was turned to a wall, reading the charter that hung there. As she approached, it hit her. Only one person in the world had that red hair, and those hazel eyes. Her pace quickened, and she could hardly control the whirlwind of thoughts that occupied her mind. He turned when she was close, and one look confirmed what she had known. “Jem,” she said softly. He grinned at her, holding out his hand. Dropping the slate, she flew into his arms happily.
“Hello, sweetheart,” he replied, his voice full with feeling. “I’ve missed you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I could have arranged to take the day off.” He smiled crookedly at her as he pulled away.
“I wanted to surprise you. You look wonderful.” She blushed and looked down. It had been some time since she had been complimented like that.
“Stuff and nonsense, as your Aunt Marilla would have said. I’m tired, frustrated, and in a plain old nurses uniform. Don’t even think to tell me that I look better like this than I did at all those dances.” Jem laughed, thrilled to hear the same teasing tone that he had always loved. He didn’t dare tell her that the image of her working here, taking care of his fellow soldiers warmed his heart much more than any image of a girl at a dance.
“Can you come with me for lunch? We have so much to discuss.” Faith’s face fell sadly.
“I can’t, Jem. If only I had known, I could have asked Abby to take my place here.” She noticed a spark dancing in his eyes. “What is so amusing?”
“I’ve already spoken to Abby. She said that she’d take your place for the rest of your shift. You and I are going to spend some well-deserved time together.” And, just as he said, when Faith turned around, her friend was already working hard.
“In that case, give me a few minutes to get dressed. I refuse to go into town with you looking like this.” Jem laughed heartily, and nodded. When she had disappeared he looked over at Abby and smiled gratefully.
An hour later, they sat at a park, eating sandwiches from a local café, and talking about everything that had happened over the past four years. Faith could hardly keep her eyes off of him, convinced that the minute she looked away, she would find that this was all a dream, and that he was still far away, fighting the Germans. She studied his face in wonder. He looked so much older. She could barely recognize him. Suddenly she noticed something in his pocket. “Jem Blythe, do you have something pink in your pocket?” The tall soldier turned a little red. “What is that?”
“Just a little something that a girl gave me a few years ago,” he said, pulling out a dried pink rose. Faith’s breath caught in her throat. “I couldn’t bear to part with it. The boys always teased me about smelling like a rose, but I don’t mind. It’s better than having nothing.” She smiled and squeezed his hand happily. “Have you heard anything from Jerry lately?” he asked suddenly, not wanting to mar the perfect afternoon with talk of their four years away from each other.
“Yes. He was out of the fighting for some time, but he’s back now. Did you hear that he was injured a year ago?” Jem nodded.
“So much had happened. I’m afraid to go home, for fear that everything has changed. I can’t imagine life at home without Walter. That was quite a shock. I always thought that if anyone died or went missing in the war, that it would be Jerry or me first.”
“Don’t say that. I couldn’t bear to lose you. Walter was like my brother, but you are the man I’ll marry. Don’t talk of going missing.” A note of fear had crept into her voice, and Jem suddenly realized what she must have thought every time his letters stopped for a few days. He made a mental note to write something to her every day, even if it was just a note saying that he was alright, and that he would write her properly the next day. “Jem, I’m so glad you came. Just seeing you makes me feel better.” He smiled at her and kissed the small hand that he held.
That night, Faith made her way into the small apartment that she shared with Abby, and found the girl at the kitchen table, her eyes red from crying. “Abby? Abby, dear, what is it?” She saw a note next to the girl’s elbow and picked it up.
We are sad to inform you that your brother, Christopher Blake, has been reported missing in action.
“Oh, God,” she breathed in horror. “Abby, dearest. I’m so sorry. Can I do anything for you?” Abby shook her head sadly. “He’ll be alright, Abby. He’ll come back to you soon.”
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:08 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LV
Faith sat at her little kitchen table, eating the last of her dinner, when a whirlwind of energy and exuberance flew in the door at her. She looked up in confusion as a letter was thrust at her by her glowing roommate. “Abigail Anne Blake, what is so exciting that you cannot possibly walk through the door like an ordinary person?” she asked, somewhat irritated. Her letters from Jem lately had been short and of little substance, and even letters from home couldn’t lift her spirits.
“Read it! Oh, Faith, he’s alive! He’s alive and well, and he’s on his way home to Mother and Father. I haven’t been so happy in ages!” Faith picked up the letter in amazement and scanned it quickly. Chris Blake had been found, and after only a few months. Her face broke into a wide smile.
“Abby, I’m thrilled. I know what a relief this must be for you.” She stood and embraced her friend, happy that the young man she had met was well, and would live. “Now sit down, dear, and eat some dinner. You haven’t eaten properly in weeks, and I’m concerned.” Abby grinned up at her friend and took the food that Faith handed her.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:09 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LVI
Faith finished dressing the soldier’s arm just before she saw the charge nurse waving her over. With a soft smile, she patted his hand and rose. Life had been relatively uneventful lately, and she was happy to get her letters from home, and the daily note from Jem. “Yes, Miss Gordon?” The older woman looked at Faith sadly,
“Faith, this telegram has just arrived for you. It was sent from your home in Glen St. Mary.” Faith took the slip of paper fearfully. No one sent telegrams unless it was bad news. “Why don’t you take the rest of the day off, dear. Go home and rest.”
“Have you read this, Miss Gordon?” Faith asked, her voice trembling. She hesitated to turn it over. After a moment, the older lady nodded gently.
“Come, dear. You have a seat in my office. You’ll be fine, now.” Faith nodded weakly and went to the little office before turning over the slip of paper. Her breath caught in her throat, and for a moment she thought that this was some cruel joke. Someone was lying to her. “Oh, dear girl, I’ll call Abby.” Faith nodded. She didn’t know what Miss Gordon had said, yet nodding just seemed like the right thing to do. She read the note over and over, trying to make sense of it. Hot tears welled up in her eyes, and fell onto the paper.
“Faith? Faith, Miss Gordon asked me to come in here. What is it?” Abby came to sit beside her friend, wondering what had happened. Faith turned her head slowly to look at her friend.
“Jem—Oh, Abby, he’s been reported missing! Wounded and missing.” Sobs shook her entire body. In shock, Abby pulled the girl closer and embraced her. “What will I do without him? Abby, I can’t… I can’t live without Jem,” she whispered through her tears.
“They’ll find him, Faith. They found Chris, didn’t they? They’ll find Jem. I just know they will.” Faith nodded miserably, unable to speak. “Let’s go home, dear.”
That night, Abby lay in bed, hearing the soft cries from her friend’s room. Every few minutes, she would rise out of bed and then sit back down, remembering Faith’s request to be left alone for the night. She pulled the covers around her tightly and thought of Jem. She could see his face as he danced with her, laughing over her silly worries about James. She remembered how he scrutinized James, looking over the young man just as he’d look at any of Rilla or Di’s beaus. She felt several tears sliding over her cheeks as the worry for both her best friend and Jem escalated. Brushing away her tears, she reached to her bedside table for a letter. She always kept James’ latest letter on her table, and she held it to her heart as she drifted into a troubled sleep.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:10 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LVII
“Faith? Faith, dear, come to the moving picture with me. We haven’t had a day off in weeks. It’s the first time either of us is awake enough to enjoy anything. Do come out.” Faith stared at the door silently and shook her head. Abby sighed in frustration. “Faith, you must come! It’s June, and one of the loveliest evenings we’ve had. A month has passed since you heard. Sitting at the table won’t bring him back,” she said gently. With another sigh, she sat opposite her friend. “Faith, I know that you miss him, and that you worry. I know. But you must be strong, just as you promised him. We must be strong for all of them. Think how much Jem would want you to go out and enjoy yourself.” She took Faith’s hand into hers and squeezed it. “Faith Meredith, you’re one of the strongest girls I know. Use that strength now. I feel as if I’ve lost my friend along with Jem.” Faith started and looked at Abby.
“Abby, I—”
“Shh. I know that you haven’t meant it. I’m worried about you, Faith. Now I must keep my promise to Jem. I must take care of you. So you are coming out with me. Maybe a break from the hospital and this apartment are just what you need. Will you come, dear?” Faith nodded softly. “Good.”
Hours later, the two girls stumbled back into their apartment, exhausted. Faith’s spirits were a little lighter, and Abby could see some of her old spark returning. “So did you like the picture?”
“Yes,” Faith laughed. “Thank you, Abby.” She smiled over at the girl genuinely as she picked up the day’s mail from the table. “I received a letter from Susan Baker today. I wonder what she’s written.” She opened the envelope absently, and unfolded the page that it contained. Abby smiled, happy to see her friend a little closer to her old self. She was distracted by Faith’s small cry and saw the letter drop to the floor. In confusion, she picked it up and handed it back to Faith.
“Faith, what is it?” The girl smiled at Abby, her eyes shining like a light. “Faith? What did Susan say?” She was becoming a little concerned at the dual emotions playing over Faith’s face.
“She wrote me to tell me that Little Dog Monday didn’t so much as bark the night that Jem went missing.” Abby was still confused. “Oh, Abby, don’t you see? That means that he’s alive! Monday whined and moaned and howled all night when Walter was killed at Courcelette. Jem was his favorite of all the Blythes. He knows when things happen to them, and he knows that Jem is safe. He will be all right. Oh, this is wonderful news. I know that it means he’s a prisoner somewhere, but he’s alive.” Tears of relief were streaming down her face. Abby smiled and embraced her friend.
“Now what did I tell you? He will come home to you. Now, my dear girl, you’ve had quite a day. Go and lie down on that bed of yours, and sleep. We must be at the hospital early tomorrow.” Faith smiled and embraced her friend one more time before going to sleep.
Two months passed without a word from Jem, and Abby watched as the confidence her friend had had slowly died. Her optimism was diminishing with each day that went by without news. Even worse, Carl had been wounded in his right eye, and would never see with it again. It was a small comfort to Faith that he would return to the Glen before the year’s end. At least one of her brothers would be safe. Abby silently wondered at her luck with James. She hadn’t yet had a report of injury from him. One day, Abby walked home quickly. Faith had stayed home, ill, that day, and Abby wanted to make sure her friend was feeling better. On her way, she picked up a paper, and noticed in the corner, a poem penned by “Walter Cuthbert Blythe” by the name of “The Piper.” She cried out and found the nearest bench. In complete shock, she read the poem until she had memorized it. In bold letters across the front page, the paper declared that the end of the war was near. The Allies had won many battles, and the tide had turned. Abby folded the paper and fairly ran home in her eagerness to tell Faith. Her friend was in her room, reading old letters when she arrived. “Faith!” Abby panted breathlessly. “Oh, Faith, such wonderful news! We’ve won so many battles, the end of the war is near. And Faith, oh Faith, this must be some sign from God. Walter’s poem was published in the paper today.” Faith’s eyes snapped up.
“The Piper?” Abby nodded and thrust the paper onto the bed. Faith picked it up and read the poem in shock, her eyes filling with tears. “Abby, get me some scissors, dear. Please.” She smoothed the paper as firmly as she could, and took the scissors from her friend’s outstretched hand. Very carefully, she cut the poem from the paper. “Walter’s poem,” she whispered incredulously. In very careful script, she penned the date across the top of the poem, and then folded it before finding an envelope. “Walter’s last letter to me,” she explained, holding up the envelope. Abby nodded. “I found this today as well, Abby,” she said, tossing a piece of paper to her friend. Abby’s eyes scanned it quickly, and she realized that it was Susan’s quick, dashed-off letter to her two months earlier. “Do you think he may be alive?”
“I know he’s alive, Faith. Because I know that I have a wedding to attend three years after this war ends.” Faith smiled thankfully.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:10 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LVIII
“What are you thinking of?” Abby looked quizzically at the golden-brown head across from her.
“I was thinking of what our lives would have been like had this war been averted.” Abby smiled softly and laughed. “We would both be wives, Abby. Running around after children, possibly expecting more, taking care of our own homes. Goodness, Abby, I feel old.”
“Oh, you silly goose. We’re only twenty-three. We’re still young and carefree.” Faith laughed and looked at her in disbelief. “Well, I suppose carefree isn’t the right word. But we are young, and we still have our lives ahead of us.” Faith smiled. “You’ll be married in three years, I’m sure. People are saying that the war will be over before the year’s out. And then, in four years time, we’ll be getting together to have fun with our little families. Just think of what life will be like after the war, Faith. We’ll be happy, and it will be a happiness that we’ve earned. We’ve lost our innocence, lost loved ones, lost our feelings of security, but we’ve earned our happiness and our freedom. We will come away from this war knowing that we did all we could, that we served our country and fought for what we believed in. Nothing can take that away.” Faith smiled softly at her friend.
“You’re right, Abby. I know it. Now, dear. Shall we go out tonight? It’s a lovely September evening, and October will be upon us in just over a week.” Abby grinned. Faith’s spark had returned to her, and she had stopped believing that Jem could be dead. Instead, she believed with all her heart that her love would come to her soon, and that everything would ultimately be as it should.
“I’ll just get our coats, and we can go.” She smiled as she rose from the table, happy to have an evening out with her friend. “Have you heard from any of the Blythes lately?”
“Rilla wrote the other day. Her little war-baby is the sweetest thing, she says. I never thought I’d see the day when Rilla Blythe loved a baby like her own! She could just barely tolerate Bruce for the longest time, and any other baby was just an annoyance to her.” Abby opened her mouth to speak, but Faith cut her off. “Not like you, Abby. You simply had no exposure to children. Rilla, on the other hand, had no interest in them.”
“Well, she’s just a child. Or, she was, when this war started. She’s nineteen now, isn’t she? I had barely held a child until I was eighteen.”
“Just about nineteen. She’s grown up quite a bit, I think. It will be strange to meet her when we return. Nan and Di wrote me as well, but I saw that you had letters from them as well. Di writes that Matthew is doing well. He had fallen quite ill, and was in the hospital for some time, but I’m sure you knew?” Abby nodded.
Hours later, Faith and Abby slept peacefully in their little apartment. They had gone to a park and sat for hours, chatting about home, planning their futures, and ultimately letting the silence of a beautiful evening wash over them. They were woken with a start when the ‘phone rang at five in the morning. Groggily, Faith made it to the kitchen and picked up. Her heart was racing with fear as she lifted the receiver to her ear. Whose death was being announced now? “Hello?”
“I have an urgent cable here for a Faith Meredith, ma’am.” Her heart lodged itself in her throat. She could barely speak, out of fear of what she’d hear.
“I’m Faith Meredith, what’s the message?” she managed to whisper. Abby stood in the doorway, watching in concern.
“Alive. Coming. Have Written. James Blythe.” Faith’s heart soared. The agony of the past five months flew away. In wonder, she thanked the operator and hung up. Abby came into the room hesitantly and looked at Faith.
“He’s alive, Abby. He’s on his way here, and he’s written. Abby, I feel like I could do anything right now. He’s coming home to me.” Tears of joy began to fall from her eyes, and the two girls began to laugh as they hadn’t in months. Their exhaustion slipped away unnoticed as they poured glasses of water and talked until their shift at the hospital began.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:11 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LIX
Jem arrived a few days after his letter, and Faith rushed to meet him as soon as her shift ended. He had been placed in a hospital in order to get treatment for a bullet-wound in his leg. Abby accompanied her to the hospital, fearful that in her excitement, she would lose her head. Finally, they found the bed, and saw the sleeping man. Faith looked at the ruddy head fondly, and reached out to stroke back his hair. He was finally with her, and safe. For the rest of her life, she would remember how she felt that moment, and then the next, when the simple gesture woke him, and he looked up into her eyes. “Faith,” he breathed. “Tell me this isn’t a dream.” She laughed through her tears and took his hand.
“This isn’t a dream, Jem. I’m here. You’re safe.” She kissed his forehead gently, never letting go of him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Abby approaching. Jem smiled at the two girls happily.
“I can’t believe it,” he whispered, his eyes never leaving Faith’s face. “Help me sit?” he asked softly, almost ashamed to have to ask. The two girls smiled and helped him to sit. They knew that there was no shame in injury. They had treated countless soldiers. As soon as he was upright, Jem pulled Faith close and held her. “I’ve missed you. You’ve no idea how much.”
“Oh, I think I do,” she replied, pulling away to look at him. Abby smiled and hung back, allowing the lovers to enjoy their reunion. She was happy for her two friends, but a part of her ached for James. She prayed that the war would end soon so that they could be together.
“Abby, I’m sorry. I didn’t even say hello to you,” Jem apologized softly. Abby smiled and hugged him. “It’s so wonderful to see you both. Letters are wonderful, but they can’t make up for this.” He looked at Faith, trying to take in the fact that she was there, and that they would be together. “Did you get my letter?”
“Yes. It arrived two days ago. I can’t believe what you’ve been through,” Faith whispered. Jem smiled at her.
“It’s alright, now, Faith. No one can separate us now.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “The doctors say that I’ll need to stay a few months here in London. They want me walking before I step aboard a ship.” Faith beamed.
“That simply means that we’ll have a few months to be together before you return to medical school, and I stay here.” Their conversation was cut short by a soldier running breathlessly into the room.
“Victory!” he yelled happily. “They’re suing for peace! We’ve won, boys!” A loud whoop sounded around the room as the soldiers cheered, and waved their arms victoriously. Faith felt as if she were on top of the world. It was all over, at last. No longer would she pick up the morning paper wondering whether her friends would be listed. No longer would the ringing telephone drive fear into her heart. She threw her arms around Jem and Abby, and the little trio sat there, embracing each other and celebrating their victory and reunion. Out of the corner of her eye, Abby could see other V.A.D. nurses being embraced by the soldiers they treated. Jem looked at the two women in front of him and grinned.
“You’ve made us all proud. This victory is as much yours as it is ours.” Faith looked across the bed at Abby and took her hand. The four years that they had lived under the shadow of war had strengthened their friendship. Not one harsh word had passed between them in all that time, and each one knew that they couldn’t have survived without the other. Jem noticed the look that passed between them, and understood immediately how close they had become. The four years that they had spent together had made them closer than even sisters were, and he was glad that they had each other to help them through the long war.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:11 pm
|
|
joyceblythe
Mistress of Slates
Global user
Registered: 12-2006
Posts: 191
Kindredness: 40 (+40/-0)
|
|
|
|
|
Part LX
Faith stirred the food on the stove impatiently. She was so excited about victory that sitting over a hot stove seemed boring and a waste of time. Finally, five years of working and waiting had come to an end, and she could feel sure about her future. Abby strode in with the mail tucked under her arm. “Faith, when do you think I’ll hear from James?”
“Very soon, dear. They just won the war! I’m sure he’ll contact you as soon as he can.” Abby smiled. “We got through it, Abby. Somehow we made it through this war together.” She turned of the stove and reached for her friend’s hand. Abby laughed. “What is it?”
“I’m a poor substitute for Jem, aren’t I?” she asked slyly. Faith laughed, blushing. “I know, dear. If James were so close I’d want to be with him too. Jem needs his rest, though.”
“I know. And I don’t think you’re a poor substitute for Jem. You aren’t any substitute for him. I may have missed him, Abby, but we got each other through this war. We were together every day of it, helping each other, working together, living together. Tonight is our victory as well. All the Jems and Jameses couldn’t interfere in this. I wouldn’t spend tonight with anyone else. Now, let’s eat up this dinner and head down to the hospital. Nurse Gordon ‘phoned to say that there was a small celebration going on, and that we should come. Oh, and Abby, dear, would you hang that flag out the window? It seems only fitting tonight.”
“Faith, do you remember how you felt the day this war was announced at home?” she asked as she hung the flag.
“Only too well. I was with Jem at a party, when Jack Elliott burst in with the news. Then next day passed like a dream for me. I couldn’t quite wrap my mind around it all. Then the boys all left so quickly. I can say with a fair amount of certainty, however, that I have not been this carefree and happy in five years.” The girls laughed and ate their dinner quickly. They could hear the parade in the street, celebrating the victory, and they threw on cloaks and ran to the hospital eagerly.
|
|
12/13/2006, 10:12 pm
|
|
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Link to us
- Blogs
- Hall of Honour
- Chat
|
You are not logged in (login)
Board's time is: 11/29/2009, 2:33 am
|
|
|
