Battle Hymns Page 2

  “I’ll try another station.” Natalie turned the dial.

  The announcer on the next frequency also spoke about the event. “Here is what has happened—President Roosevelt phoned Secretary Early half an hour ago that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States naval base on Oahu Island in the Hawaiian Islands. This means that war is underway between Japan and the United States.”

  Natalie tried other stations. The announcers all relayed various versions of the same message.

  Word spread throughout the college quickly, and soon it was all anyone talked about. Some women expressed anger, some expressed anxiety, and some even expressed apathy. One thing was clear: studying for exams was no longer top priority.

  Fear replaced Charlotte’s previous excitement. If American Forces in Hawaii were attacked, what would stop the Japanese from attacking Washington, D.C.? Would this draw them into the war so many deemed to be inevitable? And more importantly, would Nick, as interested as he was, participate?

  Two

  Charlotte and Natalie waited just inside the entrance to their dormitory for Nick to pick them up and drive them to the party. They had made a pact earlier in the afternoon not to discuss the attacks. Until they knew more information, worrying about it would be useless.

  Natalie had picked out a black silk dress with a sweetheart neckline and capped sleeves for Charlotte to wear. The skirt puffed out at the waist and fell to her mid-calf. She wore her grandmother’s pearls, and her lips were colored red.

  Natalie looked sophisticated as well in a dark blue, velvet dress that fell below her knees and a matching bolero jacket. Her hair was styled in pin curls.

  Nick’s car pulled up to the curb. Natalie pushed open the front door, and they stepped out into the bitter cold. John exited from the front passenger side, leaving the door open for Charlotte, and crawled into the back seat with Natalie. Both Nick and John were ginned up in black suits, white dress shirts, and ties.

  Charlotte leaned across the seat and pecked Nick on the lips. He flashed a smile and pulled the car onto the road, heading toward her parents’ house in Chevy Chase.

  “Did you hear about Pearl Harbor?” John asked.

  Natalie sighed. “It’s terrible, and I’d rather not talk about it.”

  “I heard the Japs sunk the entire naval fleet. Fortunately, the aircraft carriers were untouched because they were out in the water, not in the harbor. Otherwise, the Pacific fleet’s ability to conduct offensive operations would’ve been destroyed. I also heard the Japs might attack California next.”

  Charlotte’s eyes widened. “Where did you hear that?”

  Nick glanced at John in the rearview mirror. “You’re not helping. We don’t know anything yet. It’s all hearsay.”

  John persisted. “I bet your father would know more about it.”

  Charlotte shifted in her seat. “I guess so.”

  Her father was an Army major who worked in military intelligence for the War Department. He very likely knew more about the attacks than the rest of the American people. Still, she didn’t want John bombarding her father with questions he likely wasn’t allowed to answer, especially not at her engagement party.

  “Maybe he has an idea of how Roosevelt will respond.”

  “John, that’s enough,” Nick said.

  Charlotte tossed a grateful smile at her fiancé.

  It didn’t take long for them to cross the state line into Maryland and enter the affluent neighborhood where Charlotte’s parents lived. The house was styled after the Tudor Revival period of the twenties with timbered gables and red brick siding. Nick parked the car on the street and accompanied Charlotte to the front porch with Natalie and John closely behind. Nick knocked on the large oak door.

  Charlotte’s mother, Helen Donahue, greeted them. She was dressed in a black evening dress. Her auburn-colored hair was pulled back into a stylish chignon, and she wore her best diamond earrings.

  “The guests of honor are here!” she exclaimed to those already in the house. She ushered them inside and closed the front door. “Congratulations, sweetie.” She hugged her daughter, kissed her cheek, and did the same to Nick. “Go say hello to your father. He’ll be glad to see you. They wanted him to go into the office, but he insisted on being here for you.”

  Charlotte grabbed Nick by the hand and walked with him to the sitting room. The room was lavishly decorated with silver streamers and a Congratulations Charlotte & Nick banner, which hung across the back wall. The Christmas tree in the corner looked as festive as it did every year. With the extra decorations, her mother truly outdid herself, and that said a lot, considering she was a socialite and a politician’s wife; planning soirées was part of her domestic repertoire. A handful of guests were present. Most of them were friends of either Charlotte’s or Nick’s parents.

  Nick and Charlotte strolled through the room, accepting congratulations and making small talk with each couple. Charlotte’s mission, though, was to speak with her father. She spied him standing at the far side of the room, speaking into the ear of an Army colleague.

  When he spotted Charlotte, he smiled and held out his arms. She let go of Nick’s hand and walked into her father’s embrace, letting him hug her and kiss her cheek. “Congratulations! Your mother and I are happy for you.”

  “Thank you, Dad.” She pulled away to look him in the eye. Something was different. The carefree spirit that always made Thomas Donahue the life of the party was gone. His forehead was wrinkled with worry, and the usual gleam in his eyes had dimmed. The smile he wore looked somewhat forced.

  Even though she knew the answer, she asked, “Is everything all right?”

  Her father sighed and brought his cigarette to his lips. “Things could be better.” Smoke billowed from his nose and mouth after his puff. “I assume you’ve heard about Pearl Harbor by now?”

  Charlotte nodded.

  “It’s not good. Almost all the battleships in our Pacific fleet were destroyed.”

  Her eyes swept the room. Many guests eavesdropped on their discussion.

  Her father lowered his voice. “I’m afraid that’s all I can tell you at the moment.”

  Yet another Army man approached her father and murmured into his ear. He grimaced and turned back to his daughter. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I have some urgent business to attend to. Tell your mother I’ll be in my study if I’m needed.”

  “I understand.”

  He excused himself and led the man toward his study.

  More guests arrived, including some friends from college and Nick’s parents, Jim and Barbara Adler. It was a nice, intimate gathering, and the celebration should have been a gas. But Charlotte found it wanting. She and Nick were greeted with congratulations and superficial inquiries about her ring, the length of their engagement, where they’d like to be married, and whether Charlotte would quit her studies to become a housewife.

  Too quickly, though, all discussions turned to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The friends of Major Donahue and Mr. Adler were in one group, clouded by cigarette smoke, sharing opinions on how President Roosevelt should respond, while the friends of Mrs. Donahue and Mrs. Adler were in their own group worrying about whose sons would be shipped off to the Pacific if America went to war with Japan.

  Charlotte was in neither group. She stood to the side, leaning against an armoire with her arms crossed in front of her. This was their engagement party, and she and Nick deserved at least a little more attention than they’d received so far.

  Nick detached from his friends and joined her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and took a sip from his champagne coupe. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “The Japanese ruined our party.”

  Nick frowned. “They ruined more than our party. Many men lost their lives today.”

  Charlotte stood upright. “I’m sorry. I know I should be more concerned with the attack, and I am. But I’m also scared senseless that we’ll join
the war and you’ll go off and fight.”

  Nick didn’t respond.

  “And is it so bad for me to want a swell engagement party?”

  He rubbed her bare arms. “No. You shouldn’t blame everyone here, though. An attack on our country happened mere hours ago. Until we know more, we’re going to speculate on the next move. Of course it’s the main topic of conversation.”

  “Well, when will we know more?”

  Nick shrugged. “Soon, I guess.”

  ***

  Charlotte was writing her history exam early Monday afternoon when another professor rushed into the classroom and spoke to her professor in a soft voice. Everyone looked up to see what the commotion was about. Charlotte looked at Natalie, her eyebrows knit in confusion. Natalie shrugged.

  Their professor cleared his throat. “There will be a short break from your examination. Please stay in your seats.” He turned on the radio in the corner of the classroom and settled on a station introducing President Roosevelt’s address to Congress.

  Charlotte placed her pencil onto the desk and strained to hear the details through the static on the radio.

  “Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

  The Japanese had been deceptive in their diplomacy, the President said. In addition to Pearl Harbor, they assailed Guam, Hong Kong, and other islands in the area that Charlotte had never heard of before. But most importantly, many American lives had been lost both in Pearl Harbor and on torpedoed ships in the Pacific Ocean.

  “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.”

  Loud applause echoed throughout the chamber.

  “I ask that the Congress declare that, since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December seventh, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”

  The professor switched off the radio. “Continue with your examination, please.”

  Charlotte picked up her pencil and stared at the exam, but it was futile. She couldn’t think about the essay topic. All she could think was that it’d finally happened.

  They were at war.

  The rest of the week revolved around the radio as the young women of Trinity College listened to the evening news in the common room for any further developments.

  The United States and several countries, including Great Britain and New Zealand, had declared war on Japan on Monday. By Tuesday, China and Australia also declared war on Japan. By Thursday, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. reciprocated by declaring war against them only hours later.

  By the time Charlotte finished her last exam on Friday, the United States was deeply embroiled in the international conflict.

  The college was closed over the holiday break, and Natalie had left a day earlier to spend the holidays with her family in Grand Rapids. So Charlotte spent the afternoon alone in her room, packing some clothes to bring home.

  She hadn’t seen Nick since Sunday night. He was in the middle of his exams as well, and both of them needed to study. Tonight, though, she’d see him again. And after tonight, they would be free to see each other every single day. There would be no classes or early curfews to keep them apart. She couldn’t wait.

  Charlotte was wedging an extra pair of shoes into her valise when someone rapped on the door. She opened it. Nick stood in the empty hallway. She grabbed his hand and yanked him inside before anyone could see. Men weren’t allowed inside the dormitories without permission from the dean, and they were certainly forbidden from her bedroom.

  “How did you get in? How did you find me?”

  “Evelyn exited through the back door, and I convinced her to let me inside. She gave me directions to your room. Sneaking past reception was easy, as the old broad was immersed in her fashion magazine. I promise no one saw me except Evelyn.” Nick scratched his head. “Anyway, I have some news. Why don’t you take a seat?”

  Charlotte stepped away from him. If he wanted her to take a seat, it couldn’t be good news. She shook her head. “I don’t need to take a seat. Just tell me, Nick.”

  “All right . . . I enlisted in the Army,” he muttered.

  Her hands tightened into fists. “You did what? When?”

  “This morning.” Nick touched her shoulder. She shrugged away, and he scowled. “Charlotte, don’t be like this.”

  “How did you expect me to react, Nick?” The room was suddenly unsteady. She should’ve taken a seat after all. But she couldn’t look weak, not now, so she folded her arms instead. “Why didn’t we discuss this beforehand?”

  Nick shrugged. “What was there to discuss? You weren’t going to change my mind.”

  Charlotte glared at him. “We’re going to be married! Your decision affects us both. I shouldn’t find out after the fact.” Her voice cracked. She squeezed her eyes shut. “You should’ve told me your plans, at the very least.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m sorry.”

  She opened her eyes. Nick was perched on the edge of her bed. He patted the section of quilt next to him, and she sat beside him. She wiped away the moisture from the corners of her eyes as he rubbed her back through her wool sweater.

  “Charlotte, I need to fight to protect my country. I need to fight so I can protect you and our future together. You can understand that, right?”

  She nodded. What future would they have together if the Japanese bombed D.C. to smithereens? What future would their children have if the Nazi regime continued to overtake the world? Of course she understood. It was only her selfishness that wanted Nick to remain safely within her reach.

  “Do you have your orders?”

  Nick nodded. “John and I ship out on the twenty-sixth for basic training.”

  “In two weeks? When will we get married?”

  He lifted her chin. “We’ll get married when all this is over. It’ll give me something to look forward to. Heck, the war might be won next year, now that we’re getting involved. In the meantime, you can continue your studies here and plan an extravagant wedding.”

  She nodded, but her mind entertained dangerous thoughts. Her father sometimes brought home foreign newspapers with the descriptions of battles and how many men had been killed. Nick would be shipped off to Europe or the Pacific, and she had to accept that he might not survive.

  Nick stood. “I need to go home and share the news with my parents. I'll see you at dinner tonight, okay?”

  “Okay.” Charlotte escorted him to the door. “Will you be able to sneak out?”

  Nick nodded and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I love you, sweetheart.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Nick crashed his lips to hers. The kiss was urgent and desperate, as though both of them knew forever was no longer guaranteed for them. Moments later, they breathlessly separated. He opened the door and disappeared down the hallway, leaving her behind to fret and dwell on what she had just learned.

  Charlotte’s mind raced with ideas on how she could get him to stay. But her chances looked bleak.

  She couldn’t speculate on what the future held for their relationship. All she knew for certain was that her plans for them had taken a drastic turn.

  Three

  The Adlers invited Charlotte to spend Christmas night at their home so she could partake in the family celebrations and join them ea
rly the next morning to see off Nick at the train station. Though Charlotte expected her father to protest an overnight stay, both of her parents were surprisingly willing to let her spend as much remaining time with her fiancé as possible.

  After she spent Christmas morning with her family, Nick picked her up and drove her down to the Adlers’ house in Arlington. Nick’s father worked for the Federal Reserve Bank. His high-ranking government position afforded the family a large, colonial-style house with a yard that backed up to the Potomac River. They also hired a staff that included a butler, a housekeeper, and a cook. Whenever Charlotte visited, she needn’t lift a finger.

  Despite the Adlers’ staff, it was Mrs. Adler who greeted them at the door. Nick’s mother was a beautiful woman with light blond hair and Nick’s blue eyes. She was always kind to Charlotte, and Charlotte eagerly looked forward to having her as a mother-in-law.

  Mrs. Adler embraced Charlotte and wished her Merry Christmas. “I’m so glad you could join us. I told Nick, now that you’re engaged you should be included in the family traditions. Of course I said that before he enlisted.” She patted her son’s cheek. “Hopefully he’ll be back for next year’s celebrations.”

  Nick wore a bemused smile. “I’m sure I will, Mom.”

  “Thank you for inviting me.” Charlotte held out two gift boxes wrapped in green and red paper. “These are for you and Mr. Adler, and Nick.”

  Mrs. Adler took the boxes. “I’ll put these under the tree with the other presents. Nick, why don’t you show Charlotte around while dinner finishes up? We’ll be eating at three o’clock.” Mrs. Adler strolled into the parlor, leaving Charlotte and Nick alone once again.

  Nick stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets. “Well, you’ve been here dozens of times. I don’t really need to show you around, do I?”

  “On the contrary,” said Charlotte. “I haven’t been upstairs. I haven’t seen your room.”