Our Duty

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Hi Ben, how’s my hot shot pilot brother?”

“Hey, Johnny, what a surprise! I’m not officially a pilot yet, but what’s up? Something wrong with the folks that you’re calling?”

“No everything’s fine. Just wondering if you have a date for your graduation?”

“Funny you’d call tonight. The Brass just told us at this morning’s briefing we’d graduate on September 25th and fly out later that afternoon.” Johnny could just picture his brother shifting his tall body from slouching against the wall to full attention as he realized why his brother might be calling. “You thinking of coming up, Johnny? Maybe bringing

Margie?”

“I’d sure like to, but you know how it is this time of year trying to get the wheat planted. Pray for rain the day before, and that I can scrounge up enough gas stamps.”

“That’d be swell Johnny. I’ll help with the money if you can get here.”

“The hell you will. I’ll try my damndestthough! It’d be great to see my little brother get his wings, and you and Margie need to get to say goodbye.” A brief second of silence, almost made Johnny think he’d lost the connection until Ben’s, now somewhat raspy voice, was back. “I’ll pray for rain, Johnny. Thanks a hell of lot.”

“You saw me getting the gas stamps and tires, so the rest is history,” Johnny offered Polly a drink of liquor..

“She took a swig straight, following it with RC. Johnny smiled and did the same before continuing.

“I tried to convince the folks to go too since it had rained, but Dad didn’t think the farm would survive with us both gone. Mom patted my arm and choked out, ‘I told my boys goodbye once; I can’t do it again.’” Polly gently squeezed his hand. “Margie and I got up to Omaha right after Ben finished final briefings and other official Army stuff. We had a few beers and shared laughs before I made myself scarce for the night, so he and Margie could have a little time together. Graduation would be the next morning.”

Johnny continued describing the graduation and send-off as he and Polly sat on the roof of his old ’35 Plymouth and the evening cooled

“If you ever want to feel proud to be an American, attending a military graduation will do the trick. The new pilots in their crisp uniforms were spit shined like they just walked out of a catalogue. Sousa’s music from the Army band was best I ever heard, especially as the guys marched off to the sound of Stars and Stripes Forever.”

“Did the pilots leave right away then?”

“No, the guys had time to eat lunch with families before taking off. When we heard the band on the parade grounds again, I gave Ben and Margie a few final minutes alone. Then while the new pilots put on all their flight gear she and I headed to the observation areaset up near the run way.”

Polly said, “I’d have been a wreck bawling like a baby if I was

Margie.”

“She was a real trooper. I know it about killed her, but she was strong for Ben. As the pilots came out to their planes, I think the band played “The Army Goes Rolling Along” extra loudto drown out the sobs of lots of wives and mothers. And, when the planes fired their engines, the roar of all those planes drowned out everything. I was sure glad we had come and felt mighty proud seeing Ben wave goodbye from his cockpit and give us a thumbs-up before rolling down the runway. Margie did grab for my hand then, and I put my arm around her shoulders, but I couldn’t look at her.”

“I get teary eyed just thinking of it,” Polly observed. “You have a right to feel proud.”

“Well, I’m proud of Ben and my other brothers but pretty jealous too.” In answer to Polly’s questioning look, Johnny continued. “Ben’s going to do heroic things fighting that maniac’s armies in Europe. Joe also signed up for the Army Air Corps and was ready to start classes when his physical came back. He was turned down due to a heart murmur. He came home and joined the Army and is in California for training, so we know he’ll be fighting the j**s. That really has Mom worried.

“So, is Joe older or younger than you?” Polly asked.

“He’s about four years older, but, my younger brother Leo just left for California too. He’s in the Navy. They’re all gonna be heroes and all I’m doin’ is milking cows and plowing fields.”

“You shouldn’t feel that way. Someone has to feed the fighting men and all of us, too.”

“Yeah, but Leo’s so young; he should stay home, but Dad wanted me. Says Leo is book smart but can’t tell the difference between a manure spreader and a spring-tooth.” This made Polly laugh, breaking the serious tone. “Dad is right, someone has to stay behind, especially since the government is trying to get city women to work on farms with that Women’s Land Service.”

Polly said,“I heard about that and I’m glad to be in nursing school Had enough of that hard farm life before the folks lost our’s by the end of the dusty, dirty 30’s.”Then laughed again and finished the last of her cola before adding, “I’m happy that you’re staying here.

“Hey, don’t you two hear that music?” Jim called, strolling by with a different young lady. “Last dance.”

The melancholy strains of “I’ll Be Seeing You” floated from the old hall. “How about it?” Johnny jumped from the car hood and offered Polly his hand. As she slipped in front of him, the soft breeze ruffled her light peach dress in an enticing manner. Johnny took her in his arms, admiring her beauty in the early autumn moonlight. “Everyone calls you Polly. Is that your real name?”

“It’s really Pauline.”

“I’ll call you that from now on. You’re too pretty for the name of an old parrot.”

She smiled as Johnny brushed a loose curl from her face. Her nerves shivered, but Polly played the coquette. “Oh, you think you’ll be calling me anything after tonight?”As his lips brushed her forehead, she warned, “We’re gonna miss the last dance.”

Johnny smiled and they joined the pulse of the bittersweet music. His hand thrilled her lower back and the booze seduced her head to his shoulder. Suddenly, Polly jerked it up as she realized that she hadn’t seen the other student nurses for ages.

Then she caught sight of Deloris, another student nurse, in Robert’s arms. Their eyes met, and Deloris winked and waved dreamily. Even in the low light, the sparkle of a ring shimmered. “Wow, Congrats!” Polly mouthed, relaxing her head. Life is already changing for us and it’ still months til graduation. And, I can assure the group that I’m almost positive that Johnny Wetta’s not a Section 8.

As the last notes died away, Johnny held Polly until Eileen Hay assailed them. “Wow, weren’t they an awesome band? This has been a great night,” she chattered. “This is Mildred Cavanaugh,” she added, as Mildred edged through the crowd.

“Happy to meet you, ladies; I’m Johnny Wetta.”

“Oh, really!” Mildred’s enthusiasm met Polly’s eyes, which were screaming, Shut up! Deloris and Robert joined them.

The men shook hands. “Looks like you’ve met my flock,” Robert said and winked at Eileen and Mildred.

Polly interrupted, “Congratulations, you guys. This is so exciting!” She turned Deloris’ hand to the light.

“Wow!” and “That’s gorgeous,” squealed Mildred and Eileen.

Johnny thumped his friend’s back, “This calls for a drink.” They shared sips of whiskey and the remainder of cola.

“Deloris, you are finishing school, aren’t you?” Polly asked.

“Of course. After all the s**t we survived the past couple of years, I wouldn’t quit now.”

“What if Sister Gregory finds out?” Eileen gasped. “You’ll get kicked out!”

“And who’s going to tell?” Mildred threatened.

“No one.” Polly wrapped her arm around Eileen.

“Sister Gregory’ll be berserk by March wondering who all’s engaged,” Deloris said. “I’ve put Robert off for so long; I don’t want to chance losing my handsome guy.” She plastered him with a kiss.

The ladies cackled, and he asked, “Are you all ready to grace me with your beauty back to Wichita?”

They teased answers, but Johnny suggested, “I could take the girls back if you and Del want to celebrate.” Polly’s heart skipped as giggling Hay pinched her.

“Let’s all celebrate together,” Deloris begged. “Who cares if we’re a little crowded?”

Robert said, “I’m starved and don’t want to go home and cook. Anyone mind a stop at the all-night chop shop on North Broadway?”

“Great,” “I’m hungry too,” and “Terrific,” mingled with honking horns as they dodged cars.

Polly didn’t mind being crowded against Johnny on the way to Wichita and never once thought about the events unfolding at St.

Francis student nurses dorm.