Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

December 7, 1941

When Sunday arrived, I was still floating on cloud nine at the thought that Paul may be home for Christmas.

Dressing for church, I made my way to the kitchen to have breakfast with my parents.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” my mother says as I enter the room.

“Good morning,” I cheerfully reply before kissing my dad’s cheek on the way to my seat at the table.

Placing a few pancakes on my plate, my dad asks, “Ruby, how’s your job going?”

“Really well. Mr. Palmer is so nice, and since he’s new to his position, we are learning together.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that.”

Just as Dad starts to ask me another question, the telephone rings, and Dad excuses himself to answer it.

Concerned of the timing of the call, Mom and I listen to Dad’s side of the conversation.

“Thorpe,” Dad says as he answers the call and listens intently to the caller has to say.

“They what?” We watch as Dad sighs, his shoulders slumping at what he’s been told, and runs his hand across his forehead. “Casualties? Yeah. Call the Captains and have them meet me at HQ in fifteen minutes, and send the car.” Hanging up the receiver, and looking completely defeated, Dad turns back to us.

“Edgar, what’s wrong?”

Standing with his hands on the back of his chair he says, “The Japanese just attacked Pearl Harbor.”

“Oh dear Lord,” my mother says as my chest begins to tighten and tears fill my eyes.

“Number of casualties are unknown at this time, but expected to be many.”

“What can we do?” my mother asks.

“Pray,” he says as he turns to go to their room to change into his uniform.

“Mom,” I murmur, voice filled with emotion.

“Oh sweetheart,” she says taking my hand. “Let’s not worry too much just yet. You heard your father, the best thing we can do right now is pray.”

When Dad returns dressed in uniform, he kisses the top of my head and then my mother. “I’ll update you when I can. I don’t know how late I’ll be.”

“Do what you need to, we’ll be fine. I expect the other children will call soon, I’ll tell them what I can.”

Watching my parents together, I can see the worry in my father’s eyes, but his shoulders relax the tiniest bit just knowing that Mom is here to support him. Tears begin to fill my eyes again as I begin to pray harder that I’ll have the chance to support Paul in the same way.

* * *

We didn’t seeDad again until the next day when he came home to shower and change before heading back to his office. According to the Joint Board, the President would be making a declaration of war against Japan today in his address to the nation. Casualty numbers were still coming in, it would likely be a few days before the final numbers, and names of those injured or killed were released.

Arriving at work on Monday, Mr. Palmer met me at my desk.

“Miss Thorpe,” he asks, voice filled with concern. “Have you heard anything from Paul?”

Giving him a weak smile I reply, “No, not yet.”

“If you need to leave, I completely understand.”

“Thank you, but if it’s okay with you I would rather be here. It helps if I keep busy instead of sitting around waiting on word to come in from Hawaii.”

“Of course. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you, I will.”

* * *

Wednesday eveningafter dinner with my parents, as I began clearing the table, Dad said, “We received a list of damages today. Four battleships were sunk and we lost more than one-hundred-fifty aircraft.” Dad clears his throat of the emotion, so he can finish what he needs to say. “Four of the men we sent for training last month were killed during the attack.”

“Oh Edgar I’m so sorry,” my mother says as she squeezes my father’s hand. “Do you know who they were?”

“Jenkins, Carver, Simmons, and Babcock.”

The plates I had been carrying to the sink slipped from my hands, shattering on the kitchen floor at my father’s words. Both of my parents turned their focus to me as I felt the blood drain from my face and tears fill my eyes. “P-Paul Babcock?”

“Yes, why?”

“No,” I say as I begin shaking my head while sinking to the floor among the broken plates. “No, not Paul,” I repeated as I began to cry hysterically. Lifting me from the floor, my father places me in a chair as my mother wraps me in her arms and tries to comfort me, unaware that I just lost the man I love.

“Oh sweetheart,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry.” She continues whispering soothing words as she holds me, allowing me to cry. When I finally run out of tears, she asks, “Do you want to tell us about him?”

Drying my tears on the handkerchief Dad hands me, I tell them how I met Paul, and had been secretly seeing him. How after he returned from his training, we were going to tell them. As tears once again begin to run down my cheeks, through my sobs I say, “But now you won’t get the chance to know how wonderful he was or find out how I could have fallen in love with him after such a short time. Now someone will have to break the news to his parents that he won’t be coming home.”

The worry that has been present in Dad’s eyes is now gone and sadness takes its place. Sadness for the loss of men under his command. Sadness for the loss of the man I love. Sadness that there will be many more lost before it’s over.

“Daddy, do you know if Don White was told about Paul? They were best friends.”

Reaching over he squeezes my hand, “I’ll make sure he knows.”

“Thank you. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to go to my room now.”

Giving me a tight hug, Mom says, “Of course sweetheart.”

Walking into my room and closing the door, I lie on my bed and before I cry myself to sleep, I ask God to look after Paul until I see him again.

* * *

Two daysafter receiving the news about Paul, while eating dinner, there was a knock on the door. Rising from his seat, Dad leaves the table to answer it.

Opening the door, I hear Dad say, “Seaman Apprentice White. What can I do for you?”

“Good evening Admiral. I was wondering if I might have a moment with your daughter, sir.”

“Of course. Please come in and have a seat, I’ll let Ruby know you’re here.”

“Thank you sir,” I hear Don reply.

When Dad walks back into the kitchen, he clears his throat. “Ruby, Seaman Apprentice White is here to see you.”

Grief and sorrow grip my heart as I rise from my seat to go speak to Paul’s best friend.

Don rises as I step into the living room. “Ruby,” he says and that along with the sadness I see in his eyes is all it takes to send me into tears once again.

Wrapping me in his arms, Don holds me as I cry, and whispers, “I am so sorry Ruby. He loved you so much.”

“I loved him too,” I say around my sobs.

“I know,” he says as he directs me to sit on the sofa. “Ruby, I know Paul was trying to get home to spend Christmas with you. But in case he didn’t get back, he wanted me to give this to you to open Christmas Day.”

Don holds out a small wrapped box and an envelope, and with shaky hands and tears silently streaming down my face, I accept it. Giving me a sad smile Don says, “I think he would be okay with you opening it now, if you want.”

Running my hand over the box, I express my appreciation, “Thank you Don. I’m so glad Paul had you as a friend.”

“I’m honored to have called him my friend,” Don says as he stands, preparing to leave. “Ruby, if there’s anything I can do for you, just let me know.”

“Thank you, I will,” I reply as I walk him to the door. “Don,” I call out, gaining his attention just before he opens the door. “There is one thing you can do for me.”

“Sure Ruby, name it.”

“Go tell your girl how you feel.”

Giving me a weak smile, Don nods before saying, “I’m heading there now. Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck, you’ve got love on your side.”

Saying goodnight to Don, I close the door and resume my seat on the sofa. Opening the envelope, I read the words Paul had written.

My Beautiful Ruby,

If you’re reading this, then I didn’t make it home for Christmas,

and I’m still away at training instead of giving you this in person. I hope

this gift keeps you company until I see you again. I found it on my first

outing on the island and knew you had to have it.

Merry Christmas Ruby, I love you and will see you soon.

Forever your Flyboy,

Paul

Folding the letter, I place it back in the envelope. Carefully unwrapping the box, I slowly lift the top as tears cloud my eyes once again. Nestled on black velvet is a necklace with a pendant of entwined hearts. My breath catches at the beautiful gift and thoughtfulness behind it. Securing the necklace around my neck, and laying my hand over the hearts I whisper, “I’ll always love you too, Flyboy.”