“You didn’t say too much, Miss Salzberg—Lizzie.”
“Take a right at the end of the street and you’ll see a small parking area.”
In silence we stroll down the two streets until we pull onto the fine gravel. “I didn’t know there were multiple beaches on base.”
“Most don’t come here. It’s small and the tide can be a pain sometimes.”
Everett clamps his hands with a firm grip around the polished steering wheel. “I find it rather surprising that you aren’t uncomfortable being here alone with me,” he says.
It’s hard to avoid the truth behind his comment, and I question if I’ve made a mistake by taking him here, but nothing has felt so right in such a long time. I place my finger against my lips to express my moment of contemplation. “I’m not sure I understand. Why would I be uncomfortable? Should I be?” Just because Dad doesn’t trust another man on earth outside of our house shouldn’t mean I must interrogate every gentleman I pass.
With slow movements, he lifts one hand from the steering wheel and brushes the back of his thumbnail against his bottom lip, highlighting the look of contemplation within his eyes. “You see, men from Hollywood, well, we often carry a reputation tied to our names.”
The thought may have crossed my mind, but I see myself as an excellent judge of character, and I didn’t feel a sense of unease either of the times we have run into each other. “No offense, Lieutenant Anderson, but you seem rather harmless to me.”
“You shouldn’t trust without a hitch, and please, call me Everett.”
Maybe I should take notice of the warning signs he’s offering or think twice about the decision I made tonight, but the only thing I feel is excitement bursting through my veins. The beach is a break from the reality of living on base. It’s a place to contemplate, daydream, and listen to the wind’s stories.
“You shouldn’t be out with Commander Salzberg’s daughter, but it looks like we’re both taking some risks tonight, Everett.”
While he makes his way around the front of his car toward my door, I comb my fingers through my hair to smooth out the mess from the humid air. I should have brought a scarf, but I was too eager to leave without making a peep that I forgot until we were halfway down the street.
Everett opens my door and offers me his hand. I’m glad I left my gloves behind too. His warmth sends a chill up my spine—the feeling is intoxicating. I lead him down a side path to the inlet of the beach where most people don’t go because of the rocks. This area isn’t safe for swimming because of the tide.
“I can’t seem to figure you out, Lizzie.” I slip my hand from his and climb up a couple stones to make myself comfortable.
“Why is that?”
“You aren’t like anyone I’ve met. You don’t care where I came from—who I was. Or so it seems. I can tell you are authentic and have a distinct mind of your own.”
I straighten the pleats in my skirt to spill over my knees. “Well, to be fair, I was a big fan of yours on the big screen and I’m quite elated to have run into you here. However, the thought of dating has been so far from my mind that I didn’t consider the idea of being here with you. Plus, you’re different from everyone one else around here, and not just because you’re famous. You’re here for your noble reasons, and I’m intrigued.”
Everett makes his way up the same couple of rocks and takes a seat beside me. He lifts his sunglasses from his face and folds them before sliding them into his shirt pocket. “I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth—two parents involved in the entertainment industry, and a world full of illusions, or delusions. Everything I thought was normal was far from how most people live life. It makes me feel like an insignificant man—having life handed to me in such a way. I don’t believe our journeys should be easy. I think we should be working toward making an impact and I don’t believe I have done that by appearing on the big screen.”
“That’s absurd. Who cares if you grew up with more money than others? You have entertained this country. How can you not consider that to be an impact?”
“Anyone can entertain, but I’m capable of more, Lizzie. I have something to prove to myself and it’s more than being able to perform in front of a camera.”
I stifle a laugh, not intending for it to be at him but alongside him. To feel similar but in a different way makes our rendezvous seem like destiny. “Just as you might think many wouldn’t understand you, I don’t feel understood either. I want to see the world, but not by lavish means. I want to be on the front lines with our men and take care of our country in a way that makes me feel like I’ve done something worthwhile. My mom was the same way and I feel the need to carry on her legacy and see it through because she couldn’t. I believe it’s my path. Then, when the war is over, I want to travel to see all the wonders of the world. I want to swim in the Dead Sea, walk the Great Wall of China, explore the Egyptian pyramids. And maybe, I’ll be lucky enough to see what’s on the other side of the clouds up there.”
“The clouds?” Everett chuckles.
“Yes, the clouds—I think there is a reflection of our world up there—another side we know nothing about,” I say, refusing to shy away from my illusionary thoughts.
“I’d happily fly you through the clouds if you want to explore,” he says with a smirk.
“I won’t forget you said this,” I say, nudging my shoulder against his.
“Good. But first, you will be a nurse. That’s where your adventure starts, right?” he asks.
“Yes, but in truth, I desire to join the Army Nurse Corps, but my father won’t allow me to do such a thing.” I twist my head to witness the expressive response to my comment, but Everett’s eyes lock on the horizon as if he’s baffled by my desire.
“The world is at war. It’s a brutal time to join the Army, but I believe if someone is eager to step forward and be a brave face in front of the enemy, it’s his calling. The stories I’ve heard from Europe, though, they haunt me in my sleep. I enlisted just over a year ago, and to see the wreckage of what has occurred in such a short time is daunting. I can only hope the United States remains neutral and out of the battle zone.”
Our conversation isn’t what I expected it to be tonight. I somewhat assumed he would be pursuing me with wooing words while staring into my eyes as if I was a piece of candy ready to melt in his hand, but I was wrong.
“Whatever might happen is unforeseeable, but I’m not basing the point of my compass off fear. I want to be a nurse and aid in any way I can. For now, that means from the hospital here on base, but it’s something, I suppose.”
