Copyright © 2019 Edna Bell-Pearson
ISBN: 978-1-7322410-6-0
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After Training
The airbase was the biggest thing our lackadaisical prairie
town had ever seen. Whereas conversations once consisted of discussions about
the weather, wheat crops, and how the coyotes were playing havoc with the
livestock, they now included “airplane talk” and news about the war. All any of
us knew about the B-24 Liberator was that it was doing a wonderful job in this
war in which we were involved.
Carl was only one of approximately seven thousand members of
the United States Air Corps stationed at the Liberal Air Base. When we met he
was into week three of his nine-week training period. Knowing that our time
together would be short, we began seeing each other on a regular basis,
spending every minute together that our schedules allowed.
Between late nights out and long workdays, the next few
weeks were a veritable whirlwind, and my hours flying with Bonnie dropped off
drastically. I’m sure my work at the studio suffered as well, but Mr.
Arganbright didn’t complain. On the contrary, he seemed to enjoy hearing about
my new social life.
Marie and Ted were also dating. As a foursome, we attended
parties, dances at the officers’ club, went on picnics, and participated in
Carl’s favorite outdoor recreations—fishing and hunting.
In the same class, Carl and Ted would complete their
training the last of October. Men and planes were badly needed in combat areas,
so there was no doubt they would be assigned to overseas duty.
I dreaded to see him go. I’d grown quite fond of my tall,
handsome airman. We’d had a lot of fun together.
When the day for orders to be issued arrived, I left the
studio early to make dinner for the boys one last time.
After straightening up the house, I took a bath and dressed,
then started preparing the chicken we’d been lucky to buy from a farmer on our
last hunting trip.
I was feeling depressed when Carl arrived, a little before
five. He looked awfully cheerful, I thought, for a man about to head overseas
for combat duty.
“I looked for you down at the studio,” he said. “I left Ted
at Marie’s office.” He sauntered into the kitchen, mixed two drinks, handed me
one and raised his glass. “To the future,” he toasted. “Oh?” I said in the way he always teased me about.
He set his drink down on the counter and took a sheet of
paper from his shirt pocket.
Copyright © 2019 Edna Bell-Pearson
ISBN: 978-1-7322410-6-0
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