“I’ve seen a lot,” he begins. “It’s mostly been during the last few months. I can’t erase the scenes from my head, no matter how many times I try to convince myself they are fictional sets from a screenplay. The worst of it is at night, though, when things are quieter. The guys aren’t talking and we’re all just laying on our bunks in the dark. That’s when the images burn through my mind as if they are happening all over again, right at that moment.”
I take Everett’s hand within mine and hold it against my chest.
“I’m not at will to discuss where we have been. It could be dangerous for both of us, but I’ve witnessed the depths of despair, the truth behind this war, and a direct view into Hitler’s agenda. The fights are deadly, the attacks are overwhelming and never ending. Our enemies do not plan to give up this fight and my confidence is waning by the day.”
I place one of my hands on Everett’s chin and coerce him to look at me, but when his eyes meet mine, the glow from the street lantern shows an empty reflection—a stillness as he appears to stare through me. Something is missing or broken within his soul. “I haven’t seen much here, aside from the casualties from a unit of airmen after an air raid. I feel like I’m waiting for the worst to come as the days crawl by in slow measures of long pauses.”
“Doll, listen to me. I know that what I’m about to say, you will not take lightly because you are not the kind of woman who settles for an easy path, but the thought of you seeing what I have seen is what keeps me up at night long after the horrific images fade away. The place where I was is terrible. They’re torturing Jewish people, killing them on the streets for no reason. These innocent souls are being deported to death camps and work camps. I’ve watched their tormented faces as they’re captured and dragged away, often in front of their family. This war has taken an even more lethal turn, and it’s clear that one of the primary objectives is to eliminate the Jewish race. I love you for who you are, but knowing you are a Jewish woman who could easily be standing in the same place of those I have seen tortured or killed, has brought me to the brink of harm’s way more times than I can count. I have lunged at opportunities to intervene altercations between a Nazi soldier and a Jewish man or woman. But even though I may temporarily set a person free, reality always hits me after. It’s hard to process the fact that I’m only helping a few people when millions are targeted.”
I’m not ignorant to what has been happening in enemy countries around Europe. The radio has enlightened me more than I wish most days, but what am I to do at this moment? It wasn’t until last year that we found out Hitler’s ultimate agenda is genocide. Fortunately, I’ve been moving back and forth between Scotland and England most of this time, but I’m aware how fast our unit can ship off into a different direction. “I’m American, and I don’t have papers stating I’m Jewish,” I tell Everett.
“Do not give your name to anyone who isn’t with your unit. Lie if you need to.”
I have always refused to buckle in the name of fear, and I pride myself on being stronger than others’ thoughts and opinions, but what he is describing is only the tip of the iceberg to what’s happening.
“I will lie if I’m—when it’s necessary,” I tell him.
“Beverly, is she a threat in any way?”
“Beverly,” I repeat, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“I was afraid of that.”
“I’m not sure she would do something to endanger me, but if there was a situation where it came down to her life or mine, she would spit out my last name without hesitation.”
Everett stands up from the bench as if the seat burst into flames. “You must distance yourself from her, Elizabeth. I’m not sure how much longer your unit is going to remain in this area, and when you move, I am doubtful it will be a safe place.”
“How can I do such a thing when we are in the same unit and billeted in the same house? Four of us have remained together since we left the United States. It would be impossible to avoid her.”
Everett paces, his hands clasped behind his back. “Has she said much else to you after her blatant ridicule last year?”
I stand from the bench to stop him in his step. “She’s made statements alluding to the subject but nothing so blunt as to her original comment when she told me I was endangering our entire unit.” I place my hand on Everett’s chest. “Stop.”
He lowers his chin, offering a downward gaze. “I’m scared, Lizzie.” Everett cups his hands around my cheeks ever so gently. “Despite the amount of times fear has consumed me with thoughts of something happening to you this past year, I convinced myself you were still okay, somehow. But finding you tonight, makes me wonder if it’s fate; that we were meant to meet here at this exact moment so I could say what I need to say to you. Believe me when I tell you I don’t want to cause you unnecessary fear, but if I keep my thoughts to myself, I could never forgive myself if anything were to happen. Whatever you must do to keep yourself safe, please, doll, you have to do it.”
I reach up behind my neck and unclasp the necklace I have not gone a day without wearing since Mom passed away. The feeling of the gold chain parting from my skin feels like I’m pulling apart two magnets intended to stay as one unit. Everett closes his eyes while watching me remove the jewelry. I take his hand and turn it over to drop the necklace into his palm. “Keep this safe for me.”
Everett closes his fist around my most treasured belonging and places his forehead down against mine. “Lizzie, I will care for this until we are back together and safe. I know the special meaning it has for you because it is a part of your mom.”
I pull in a fluttering breath. “What now?”
Everett takes my hand and leads us across the street. “What time do you have to report for duty in the morning?”
“Zero five hundred hours,” I respond, silently questioning where we are going.
“Okay,” he says, looking around as if searching for watchful eyes. “They have billeted you to a house, you said?”
“Yes, it’s located just outside of Glasgow.”
“How far away is that from here?” Everett takes a second to glance down at his watch as if he’s trying to figure out how to make the unthinkable work.
“The train took a little over an hour. Why, what are you planning?”
“We’re in transit but recovering before our next destination, not far from here—just far enough. I don’t know how long we’ll stay put, but I can’t waste a moment of this time, Lizzie. Take me home with you right now. I’ll ride the train back in the morning.” The thought of morning coming so soon makes my heart ache, but I’m the one who has always demanded that we live for the moment and nothing more.
“There is no way I can waste time sleeping tonight,” I say.
“I wasn’t planning to sleep much either,” he replies, taking my hand and guiding us toward the train station.
