Battle Hymns Page 3

Nick’s lips curled upward. “We’ll fix that.”

  He took her hand, and she followed him upstairs. The second floor of the Adlers’ house consisted of one long hallway with hardwood floors and framed landscape paintings on the walls. Nick opened the first door on the right. It was a spacious guestroom with a double bed centered against the far wall. Two windows overlooked the front driveway. Charlotte’s hand luggage was already set neatly beside the bed.

  “Is this my room for the night?” she asked.

  “Perhaps.”

  They continued down the hallway and he pointed out his parents’ bedroom, a bathroom, and a second guestroom. The last room at the end of the hall was Nick’s.

  He ushered her inside and closed the door behind them. The walls were painted a hunter green. Posters of famous baseball players were plastered on the walls, and trophies decorated the wooden desk in the corner. Centered against the wall was a double bed with plaid bedding.

  “This is such a boy’s room,” Charlotte said as she glanced out the window. She could see the river through the trees.

  Nick sat at the edge of his bed. “What will you do when we have all sons?”

  Charlotte laughed and leaned against the dresser. “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.” She arched her brow. “What will you do if we have all daughters?”

  “It’s a good excuse to keep trying.”

  He reached for her hand and pulled her toward him until she stood between his legs. He rested his head against the flat of her stomach, his arms encircling her hips. She cradled his head and combed her fingers through his hair. Tears pricked her eyes. Tomorrow he would leave for basic training. How long would he be gone? Nick was confident his absence wouldn’t be extensive. They’d win the war within a year. That was the popular opinion. Still, a year was too long to be without Nick, without his voice and touches.

  His fingers grazed the backs of her knees. Charlotte’s involuntary giggle and Nick’s playful grin lightened the moment.

  “Let’s go back downstairs. We’ll be eating soon.”

  Christmas dinner with the Adlers consisted of roasted chicken, potatoes, green beans, and a cherry pie for dessert. Afterward, they retired to the sitting room where they sat around the fireplace, sipped eggnog, turned on the radio, and opened their gifts.

  Nick handed Charlotte a large, flat box. “This is for you. It’s not much, but I think you’ll like it.”

  She tore off the thin gold wrapping paper and lifted the lid of the dark leather box. It was a stationery set. In one section were dozens of cream-colored sheets with a monogram of her initials embossed in the corner. The set also included matching envelopes, a new set of ink pens, and a small book of stamps.

  “It’s perfect. Now I have everything I need to write to you.” She kissed him lightly on his lips. “And now you can open my gift.”

  Charlotte pulled out a small, wrapped box from beneath the tree and handed it to Nick. He tore through the red paper and opened the lid. It was a thin leather necklace with a gold ring for a pendant.

  “It’d be more appropriate to give this to you on our wedding day. But I didn’t think it was fair I had something to remember you by”—she glanced at the engagement ring on her hand—“when you didn’t have a token by which to remember me.” Nick unfastened the leather necklace, slid off the ring, and placed it on his ring finger of his left hand. It seemed to fit well. “I put it on the necklace because I didn’t know how you’d rather wear it. What do you think?”

  Nick stared at the ring and then at her. He leaned in and cupped her jaw. The gold felt cold against her skin. “I’ll wear it proudly. God, I love you so much. It’ll be hell being away from you.”

  ***

  Much too soon, it was time to say good-night. Mr. and Mrs. Adler retreated upstairs, and Charlotte lingered on the sofa with Nick. She rested in the crook of his arm, staring at the lingering smoke and embers from the extinguished fire in the hearth.

  “I don’t want this day to end,” she said. “I could live in this moment forever.”

  Nick kissed her behind her ear. “Come to my room tonight.”

  Her lips lifted into a smile. “All right.”

  Charlotte and Nick retired to their separate upstairs bedrooms. She changed into her long, rose-colored silk nightgown, pulled on a knit robe, and tied it tightly around her waist. When the house fell quiet, she left the guestroom.

  Moonlight filtered in from the window at the end of the corridor, brightening the darkened hallway. She tiptoed toward Nick’s room and entered silently. Nick was sitting up, waiting for her. She gently closed the door, walked to the bed, and sat next to him.

  “I wish you didn’t have to leave in the morning.” Charlotte wrung her hands, her eyes burning with imminent tears. “I’m going to miss you terribly.”

  Nick pressed his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and hooked her arm around his neck, drawing them closer. His hands trailed down her back to her waist and then her hips.

  She broke their kiss and rested her forehead against his. “I want you to make love to me.”

  He pulled back. “You’re sure? I thought you said—”

  “I know what I said. I don’t care now. Our wedding night won’t be anytime soon, and I don’t know how long you’ll be gone.” She placed her hand on his thigh. “I want this.”

  Nick grinned. “I want this, too.”

  His lips met hers again, this time with less restraint. He guided her onto her back and hovered above her. She rested her head on the pillow while his hand grazed her robe. He paused at the belt. Charlotte helped him untie the knot, desperate to remove the dressing gown from her body. Without the robe, the silk of her nightgown provided little coverage. Nick’s hands were soon upon her bare skin, and as he resumed his caresses, she forgot all about his departure and her worries.

  They were each other’s first, and they would be each other’s last. They fit together perfectly, as though they were always meant to be. One entity. Soul mates. And nothing would keep them apart, not even the war.

  ***

  Morning arrived with a loud peal of the alarm clock. Nick didn’t stir, so Charlotte reached over him and silenced the bells on the nightstand. She pulled the sheet over her chest and gazed at Nick. He lay on his stomach, his back bare.

  She rubbed his shoulders to rouse him. “It’s time to wake up.”

  He groaned and turned his head toward her. He opened his eyes and smiled. “What a sight to wake up to.” He drew her close and kissed her lightly. “Good morning.”

  A door in the hallway closed.

  She pulled away. “We should get ready.”

  Nick heaved a sigh. “All right. I’ll see you downstairs.”

  Charlotte stood from the bed and grabbed her nightgown from the floor. She was about to pull it over her head when Nick stopped her. “Wait. Just let me see you for another moment.”

  She paused, granting his request.

  His eyes swept her body from head to toe. “Thank you. That image will get me through this war.”

  With a sheepish smile, she finished dressing.

  Charlotte made it to the guestroom without being caught. She dressed in a gray wool skirt and jacket ensemble with a dark blue blouse, black heels, and matching cloche hat. She didn’t bother with makeup. Her tearful eyes would only run the mascara. Her curls were untidy so she pinned them into a low bun and pulled on the hat. Then she packed up her belongings and her gift from Nick and went downstairs.

  The Adlers were eating breakfast in the dining room. Nick sat at the table in his new Army uniform: tan khaki pants and a green khaki jacket, shirt, tie, and cap. He looked quite dashing, even as he picked at a piece of toast with jam. Mr. Adler read the morning’s Washington Post while sipping a cup of coffee. Mrs. Adler ate small bites of her toast and eggs. Charlotte was offered a similar breakfast, but she didn’t have an appetite. She accepted a cup of tea instead.

  Conversation at the breakfast table was stagnant. No one muttered a
word until Mr. Adler looked at his watch, folded the newspaper, and said, “It’s time to go.”

  The four of them arrived at Union Station half an hour later. It was crowded inside the depot, a sea of khaki green with so many soldiers leaving that morning. They checked the departure board for Nick’s train and made their way through the crowd. They arrived at the platform only ten minutes before the final whistle.

  John Cartwright spotted them and waved. He wore an identical uniform to Nick’s and tapped his fingers on his thigh, seemingly impatient for the train to depart.

  “How was Grand Rapids? How’s Natalie handling this?” Charlotte asked.

  After Nick and John enlisted and received their orders, John traveled to Michigan to spend the week with Natalie, since she couldn’t be here to see him off.

  “She’ll be fine. Grand Rapids was all right. I hadn’t met Natalie’s folks before . . . I’m not sure they like me.” John shrugged. “Oh well. It was great to see her before I left.” He pointed to the passenger car. “I’m heading inside. Charlotte, take care of yourself. Natalie, too.”

  “I will.” Charlotte hugged him. “Be safe.”

  John said farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Adler, hopped into the doorway of the train, and disappeared among the soldiers.

  All around her, men said good-bye to their loved ones. Charlotte wasn’t ready to do the same. She never would be.

  Nick cleared his throat. “I’ll have to join him in a few minutes.”

  Mr. Adler placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “We’re going to miss you,” he said, his jaw tight. “Nick, you’re following in the footsteps of the rest of the men in our family. Your great-grandfather fought in the Civil War, both of your grandfathers fought in the Spanish-American War, and even I served a year in the supposed ‘war to end all wars’ before I met your mother.” He nodded his head intently. “I’m proud of you, son. No matter what happens, you’re a hero, both to our country and to me.” Mr. Adler embraced Nick and patted his cheek as he pulled away.

  Mrs. Adler threw her arms around Nick, crying into her handkerchief over his shoulder. Nick hugged her. “Mom, I’ll be fine. I’ll come back safe and sound, and you’ll think you were being silly for crying so much right now.”

  “I love you, my sweet boy.” Mrs. Adler pulled away and ran her hand over Nick’s forehead. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. Be sure to use it.”

  Nick nodded. “I will, and I love you, too. I promise I’ll write.”

  Mr. Adler draped an arm over his wife’s shoulders. “Charlotte, we’ll leave you to say your good-byes. We’ll wait for you at the entrance.”

  He paused. “Nick, be safe.”

  Nick raised a hand in farewell, and his parents disappeared into the crowd.

  Charlotte took Nick’s hands in hers. Tears fell down her face. “You have to come home to me. Promise.”

  “I will. Sweetheart, I want to return home to you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my entire life. I’ll do my damnedest to get back to you.”

  “I’ll be here when you get back, waiting for you.”

  “I love you so much. I’ll look at this ring and always think of you. I’ll also have your picture, your letters, and the amazing memory of last night to get me through.”

  She nodded eagerly. “And I will always love you. Always.”

  Nick pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. She linked her hands behind his neck, and their lips met desperately. She threw all of her might into the kiss, blocking her anxieties and fears, all thoughts of the other people in the station, all thoughts of anything but Nick.

  Much too soon, the train whistle sounded and a man yelled, “All aboard!”

  Charlotte held him tighter, unwilling to let go.

  “I have to leave.” Nick looked at her through moist eyes. “I love you, sweetheart.”

  Reluctantly, she released him. Nick hitched the bag further onto his shoulder and stepped toward the train car, ticket in hand. She followed. She kept her hand on his arm until he stood right at the entrance.

  “Charlotte, I have to go.”

  She nodded and gathered enough strength to pull her hand away. She grasped her pocketbook with both hands so she wouldn’t reach for him. The whistle on the train sounded again, and the locomotive crawled out of the station.

  Nick stepped onto the train and stood in the doorway, facing Charlotte. She walked along the platform as the train rolled out, excusing herself as she ducked past countless strangers who waved their good-byes. She reached the end of the platform and gazed up at him. He looked at her with teary eyes, his lips flat. That expression couldn’t be the last one she remembered.

  “Smile for me!” she shouted as he moved farther away.

  He obliged, giving her that grin she fell in love with so long ago. “I love you.”

  Charlotte matched his smile and waved him off. “I love you, too.”

  Nick grew smaller and smaller until Charlotte strained to see him. As the crowd around her dispersed, she wiped tears from her eyes and exhaled a deep breath. The moment she had dreaded for weeks was upon her: Nick was now at war.

  Four

  Everything reminded Charlotte of Nick. She wore his ring on her finger. She had a picture of the two of them from last summer framed on her bedside table. And everything else, from the radio and the newspapers to her father’s Army uniform, reminded her of the war for which he trained.

  Her body ached for his touch and his kisses. Even the sight of him would have sufficed. Sometimes at night, she lay in bed and thought of Christmas night when they made love. Her stomach flipped and her cheeks flushed as she recalled the feeling of his hands on her body. Three days after he left, she went to the store and bought several tins of peppermint Altoids, just so she could remember how Nick tasted when they kissed. She couldn’t find the motivation to do anything socially with her friends. She didn’t want to go shopping, see any films, or attend any parties. All of it seemed trivial in comparison to Nick training for war.

  On New Year’s Eve, she was listening to her parents’ old records on the Victor-Victrola with a magazine in her lap, when her mother showed Evelyn into the sitting room.

  Evelyn wore a gold dress and red lipstick, and her dark hair was styled into curls. She sat next to Charlotte and embraced her. “Oh, honey. I wish you had told me Nick enlisted. I’d have visited sooner.”

  Charlotte shifted on the sofa. She’d forgotten to tell Evelyn and her other girlfriends about Nick in her effort to spend as much time with him as possible. Natalie only knew about his departure because John joined him.

  “It’s good to see you. What are you doing here?”

  “Your mother called me this morning, and I’m glad she did. New Year’s Eve is not the time to mope. It’s the time to celebrate, even if your beau is off to war. A new year brings the end of the war, you know?”

  Charlotte rolled her eyes. “That’s what Nick says.”

  “And it might very well be true. Now, I’m inviting you to a party at Ginger’s house, and I won’t take no for an answer. Let’s get you cleaned up.” She prodded Charlotte off the sofa.

  The New Year’s Eve party was a gas . . . for everyone but Charlotte. There was raucous dancing and free-flowing champagne. She knew at least half the men and women in attendance, either from high school, college, or District society. But she felt she didn’t belong. She declined offers to dance with strange men and stood to the side with a glass of champagne in hand, all the while wishing Nick could kiss her at midnight as he had one year ago.

  ***

  With eager anticipation, Charlotte awaited Nick’s first letter. They wouldn’t know his mailing address at Camp Upton until he arrived, so he promised he’d write first and include the address in his letter. In the two weeks since his departure, she checked the mail every afternoon.

  Finally, on the ninth of January, an envelope with her name scrawled in Nick’s familiar handwriting arrived. She l
aughed and held the envelope to her heart. She and Nick could begin their correspondence at last.

  She dropped the remaining mail onto the table in the entryway and ran upstairs to her bedroom. She plopped down on the bed, pulled her legs beneath her, and ran a finger under the flap of the envelope. The single page was full of his handwriting.

  January 1, 1942

  Upton, New York

  Dear Charlotte,

  I arrived safely at the base where we’ll be quartered for the next few months. I’m sorry it took me so long to write you. I promise it was my first thought when I got off the train, but they’ve given us little downtime since we arrived. Even now, I have to write this note in small increments throughout the day.

  The train ride only took a few hours, but it felt so much longer knowing I was leaving you behind. I don’t think there was a single man on the train who wasn’t heading toward some sort of military service. A few guys I met on the train have been in the Army for months already, and they were finally going overseas. I must admit, I envied them. I would much rather head straight to the Pacific or Europe and fight than train for months. I figure the sooner we go over there, the sooner we’ll win the war and I can return to you.

  We all got buzz cuts a few days ago. I think the look suits me. John hates it, and I’m sure Natalie would get a kick out of it. Training is tough. I thought I was physically fit before. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Everyone here seems swell enough, and the morale is high.

  Please tell me what you did to ring in 1942. I’d like to pretend I was there with you, celebrating. How are you? Are you looking forward to your classes? How are your parents? I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon. Remember that I love you with all of my heart and miss you. That reminds me, people assume I’m married when I wear your ring. I don’t bother to correct them. In my mind, I’m as good as married to you already.

  I’ve included my address, so don’t forget to write.