Wild Blue

© Copyright 2012 Coleen Cain.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

This book was created in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-12045 (e)

Trafford rev. 01/26/2012

www.trafford .com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada) phone: 250 383 6864 ♦ fax: 812 355 4082

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

PART ONE

PAULA AND GARNER

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

PART TWO

BROKEN WINGS

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

Chapter Twenty-six

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-eight

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-one

PART THREE

TASTE OF VICTORY

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Chapter Thirty-three

Chapter Thirty-four

Historical Resources

Dedication

With love and affection, I wrote this historical novel for my son, Sidney Cain Cazort, and his peers, the Baby Boomers.

In addition, I dedicate this book to my grandchildren and their future progeny down through the generations.

Acknowledgments

My heartfelt thanks go to each member of the Writer’s Critique Group at the Mercer Island Community Center under the leadership of Judy Boynton. This novel could not have been written without their help.

Typical of their generosity were the comments made by Jan Gill, who taught me to infuse emotion, and Gail Haines, who exemplified precision. The male perspective, which was critical in the development of the novel, was also given by Jack Evans, Peter Kahle, Ray Cox and Joe Bice.

Special enlightenment has also come from my friend, Ward Carter, former World War II pilot who flew over the hump of Burma into China. His critique and comments have made all the difference, bringing details to perfection. I’m forever grateful, Ward.

PART ONE

PAULA AND GARNER

Chapter One

Outraged and sorrowful, the souls of one hundred thirty million Americans shivered in shock.

On this Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, December 7, 1941, Paula Ann Roncourt, studying at the small desk in her women’s dormitory room, paused at the interruption of music turned low on the radio over NBC.

WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM FOR THE FOLLOWING BULLETIN. IN A SNEAK ATTACK, JAPANESE WAR PLANES HAVE BOMBED OUR NAVAL FLEET AT PEARL HARBOR IN HONOLULU. MOST OF OUR SHIPS ARE SUNK AND MANY OF OUR FINEST MEN LOST. WE REPEAT: THE JAPANESE HAVE ATTACKED THE U.S. NAVAL FLEET AT PEARL HARBOR. STAND BY FOR FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Aghast, Paula turned to her roommate, Adele Turner. Did you hear that?

Adele was stretched out on the bed reading the Saturday Evening Post. What? Sorry. I was reading.

The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. A sneak attack! our ships are sunk! Do you realize that means they’re waging war against the United States of America?

Ridiculous! Where’s Pearl Harbor, anyway?

But the girls, along with their fellow students in Austin at the

University of Texas, soon found the Japanese threat to be valid. They remembered their parents talking about World War I. As bastions of God’s will, the young people of the previous generation had fought to save freedom in the world. Without being told, these university students and their peers surmised that theirs was the burden to save America all over again, only this time under more drastic circumstances. Their own territory was threatened. For God and country they would give their lives.

Two days later, Paula had a date with Don O’Grady to listen to President Roosevelt’s fireside chat. Now I’ve got two problems, she thought, the war and Don. But what about my art?

The dimensions of her life had expanded with the shrinking. Her sights had been transformed from the self-centered passion for her painting to a vision of her particular part in the all encompassing war effort. As for Don, she hadn’t exactly made up her mind about him. She had a feeling that she should decline his invitation to spend the Christmas holidays with his family in Kilgore. That was getting too close to an engagement and Paula couldn’t see Don staying out of the military. The country needed its tall Texans to win this double-headed, monstrous war. On the other hand, her art would have to be set aside, a shrinking that would distort her soul.

But she should have seen it coming. She recalled that time a year ago last April, in her Art 403 class when Prof. Sheldon Brown had come in late. He appeared in an impeccable black suit, white shirt and checked blue tie that gave his dark looks authority. Lithe, agitated, he took jerky steps over to the lectern and laid down his briefcase. He ran his fingers through his black hair, then paced back and forth, turned, and paced back and forth again, thin mouth set, jaw clenched.

He stopped as if on signal, and gazed at his students, eyes flashing. I’ve made a decision, he declared. It’s a decision that will affect us all and you, especially, Miss Roncourt.

Paula stiffened. Her painting! He wouldn’t be going to Paris to sell his paintings, nor to show hers, either. She was losing the chance of a lifetime. She crumpled inside while maintaining an erect dignity in appearance. She had been so proud that her pastel artwork had won the competition from among all the students in the Art Department.

Her winning painting was a silky still life. The professor, her friend and mentor, had said, This painting bears originality. Who has ever painted in such glowing color, flowers on a table with an open button box in the foreground, needle and thread beside the vase? All the elements of an engaging painting are here; the beauty of color, the emotion of pleasure, and the feeling for the subject. The composition shows this as well, for the button box, with its intriguing contents, is central to the whole. The flowers indicate the feminine grace and beauty of a woman, and we feel her intended needlework.

His praise had sent Paula on a flight of aspiration to become a world famous artist. In 1940 there were few women painters of renown in the world, but she was determined to become one.

Now all was lost. The war in Europe had escalated. In the depths of her heart, she knew what Professor Brown was going to say.

He quieted down and took his place behind the lectern. I’ve decided that I cannot go into Paris next week for the spring showing on the Left Bank, he said. I expect you’ve heard that Norway and Denmark have fallen. France will be next. I only hope the Louvre will not be destroyed and the European masterpieces of her great painters with it. I’m afraid there’s little hope for saving this marvelous culture of the free world. The Nazis will no doubt confiscate the treasures and there’s no telling where they’ll end up. Perhaps destroyed in the bombing of Germany!

At the shock of this imminent rape, the students sucked in their breath, making an audible sound. The professor became thoughtful, then he spoke again.

It will affect you and me. As artists, we’ll virtually disappear. The art world will disappear in favor of armaments and the military. It will be much worse than World War I. You men will taste battle, so arm yourselves now with your own decisions as to what part you’ll play in this all-out war.

He straightened up and scanned his students. With pride in his voice, he spoke again.

"I know we can depend upon you young men and women to do what needs to be done to save our country. Make no mistake about it. Hitler intends to rule the world. He is abetted by Mussolini, enriched by the countries he has already conquered. It will be a long fight. Brace yourselves and make intelligent decisions. I’m going to dismiss class. Go home and think about your future. Is there a place for artists during war? Perhaps there is. Perhaps some of you may wish to be at the front, accompanying a war correspondent to sketch scenes of the action, or to stay back home and become illustrators for war propaganda or publications here. Think seriously.

As for myself, I’ll shift. He gave a wry grin. We’ll all shift if we don’t want to be shiftless. His tone changed. I think I’ll try the National Gallery of Art in Washington City. And of course, there’s always New York. Anyway, I’ll be safe so long as the University keeps me on salary.

The students responded with grins at his spunk. He nodded at Paula. I’d like to see you for a moment. Class dismissed.

Paula went forward while the students filed out, some expressing their sympathy as they passed by their teacher. Only forty years old, he was at the peak of his worldwide reputation, showing and selling his paintings every spring in Paris. He shook his head at Paula.

I’m so sorry, Miss Roncourt. I know how much it meant to you to be shown on the Left Bank.

She could not speak. Her enormous blue eyes welled with tears. She blinked, then brightened and lifted her chin.

You know, she said, I’m prepared for anything. During the Depression, I took typing and shorthand in high school. I can do my part if we go to war.

Oh, we’ll go. I want you to keep up your art after you graduate. Yours is a talent that must not be wasted. We’ll see this thing through together.

Hearkening back to that day in 1940, she thought it seemed that Professor Brown had a premonition of this new threat from Japan. With an uncanny prescience, he had asked his students to pause, to think seriously about how they wanted to serve their country in time of war.

Their beloved Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, in his third term, would surely lead them safely through this crisis. He had saved them during the Great Depression. And over a year ago, he managed to send help to Great Britain under the Lend Lease program, although there was much opposition in Congress. Also, there was a strong America First Movement headed by the hero, Charles A. Lindbergh. Maybe it was America’s reluctance to go to war that made the Japanese so overconfident and feisty. Did they actually think Americans would lie down and roll over after a few licks?

A call came from the monitor down the hall. Paula Roncourt! There’s a young man, name of O’Grady, here to see you. He’s waiting in the parlor.

Paula hastily fastened the belt to her red dress. She had changed for the occasion on this Tuesday evening of December 9 to hear the President’s message about the war. Coming! she answered, then said good-bye to Adele as she picked up her coat and purse. Maybe she should quit dating Don, but all the girls considered him the number one catch on campus and he was not the kind to take no for an answer.

O’Grady, popular left guard for the Longhorns football team and well-to-do in Texas oil, had fallen for this attractive young lady the first time he saw her in their Political Science class. But she was tied to her art, eating, sleeping, and dreaming color and beauty. He knew he wasn’t handsome and at times, his blood chilled when common sense told him that Paula didn’t return his ardor.

But he could give her the security of an envious social position and freedom to pursue her painting in bright, sunny days, while at the same time, she could be an asset to his ambitions in the oil business. They were both staunch Democrats and that was a strong tie. Besides, Paula was loyal to the uncle for whom she was named, State Senator Paul J. Roncourt. With his support, they could work together to get strategic legislation passed.

Don was no dummy. If football had built up his physical strength, it had also taught him maneuvers in offsetting the opponent to attain his goal.

Unable to sit in the parlor and wait any longer, he went to the foot of the stairway and stood watching for her. His skin prickled with pleasure when he saw her.

She stepped down in black and white spectator pumps, wearing a soft jersey dress, red as a rose, clinging to her slender body, black coat and purse over her right arm. The oval face, framed by her black, medium pageboy, shimmered above a double strand of faceted jet beads. Her great blue eyes, shaded by long, curly lashes, signalled a welcome. He was seized by an urge to place his hands around her tiny waist and lift her up to heaven in pure gratitude and joy.

Instead, he controlled himself and burst out singing in his baritone voice, Oh, the lady in red. The fellows are crazy for the lady in red!

She responded with an open smile at his elation. She knew boys liked red, but without realizing it, she had chosen this dress to attract Don, her date, and to lift her own spirits on this historic occasion. When she approached him, she held out her coat and he helped her into it.

He noticed her stenographic notebook. This isn’t class, you know.

I know. But I’m going to take down every word that President Roosevelt says.

He took her elbow and guided her down the passageway toward the portico, where he had parked his car.

That’ll be impossible, he assured her, but you could get some of the highlights.

Don’t worry. I’ll get every word. My Gregg will assist me.

He performed a quick snap, pivoting around, looking everywhere. Who’s Greg? I don’t see ‘im! Don’t tell me you’ve been dating him, too! I’m jealous!

Paula broke into peals of laughter. You know I mean Gregg Shorthand, silly! He grinned with a mischievous glance. Then all at once, she halted and gave him a stern look. How can you make fun at a time of crisis like this?

He sobered. Baloney! If we lose our sense of humor, we’ll lose our lives!

She gazed at him, seeing him in a new light, a depth that was contrary to his blunt physiognomy. She had always thought of him as a late Neanderthal Man with his strong, jutting jaw and his big boned, muscular body. The deep set, blue eyes and pug nose of an Irish washerwoman in his square face were not exactly ugly, but his dark curly hair was cut short like a cap on a round head. Hairs grew across the bridge of his nose, giving a shaggy brow aspect. Yet, the burnt orange sweater with the large, white lettering, TEXAS, across his broad chest was attractive and complimentary of his feats on the football field.

I expect you’re right, she said thoughtfully.

Don was exultant. He took her elbow again and escorted her to his green, four-door Chevrolet. They soon arrived at the Lone Star Cafe and found a parking space. Don got his portable radio out of the back seat, then he opened the front door for Paula.

The cafe was almost like two restaurants. It was one of the student hangouts near the campus and the smell of coffee and fried hamburgers greeted them when they entered.

Off to their right was a counter with bright orange stools for individual customers. A few inviting booths in orange formica and white woodwork lined up against the front windows. In addition, there were four extra small tables-for-two with oak tops in front of the counter. The whole interior was cheerful in University colors, the orange more of the hot sun than the authentic burnt orange. Through a wide doorway on the left they could see a crowd of students in the dining room.

It teemed with the voluble vehemence of their chatter.

Paula listened, hearing snatches of their talk. He’s gonna declare war! Do you think we’ll let those little ol’ polliwogs scare us? We’ll squash ‘em! Yeah, they’re too skinny to eat. Oh don’t you know it! The Japs’ll be dancin’ like lizards in a skillet.

Over there, Don said, diverting her attention. He nodded toward an alcove in the rear, one step up, which was shielded by a lattice of English ivy. Our gang is there at the Sigma Chi corner.

Five men and two girls greeted them and Jim Wallace introduced everyone around the table.

Curly, Jim asked, did you bring your radio? I don’t think we’d hear a thing with this wild crowd, even if the owner tried to accommodate us.

Here you are, Don replied. He pulled out the sixteen inch long radio from under his arm, which he’d been holding like a football, and set it down in the middle of the table. I want you guys and gals, too, to be quiet once Roosevelt begins to talk. Paula’s goin’ to take it all down in shorthand.

There were murmurs of approval. Then one mentioned that the school paper, The Texas Daily, had an article on salient excerpts from yesterday’s Message to Congress.

The waitress came and Don asked Paula, What’ll you have?

I’d like a Coca Cola float, she replied.

He grinned at her and said, I’ll float along with you.

The other orders varied from banana cream pie and coffee to chocolate sundaes. Their attention on the food was short lived. After the waitress left, Irene Maddux asked if anyone had seen the paper. I have it right here, Bill Pettijohn said. The group was instantly quiet and he began to read quotes from President Roosevelt’s message:

YESTERDAY, DECEMBER 7, 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 UNITED STATES WAS AT PEACE WITH THAT NATION AND, AT THE SOLICITATION OF JAPAN, WAS STILL IN CONVERSATION WITH ITS GOVERNMENT AND ITS EMPEROR, LOOKING TOWARD THE MAINTENANCE OF PEACE IN THE PACIFIC. INDEED, ONE HOUR AFTER JAPANESE AIR SQUADRONS HAD COMMENCED BOMBING IN OAHU, THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES AND HIS COLLEAGUES DELIVERED TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE A FORMAL REPLY TO A RECENT AMERICAN MESSAGE. WHILE THIS REPLY STATED THAT IT SEEMED USELESS TO CONTINUE THE EXISTING

DIPLOMATIC NEGO-TIATIONS, IT CONTAINED NO THREAT OR HINT OF WAR OR ARMED ATTACK. ALWAYS WILL WE REMEMBER THE CHARACTER OF THE ON-SLAUGHT AGAINST US. 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. WITH CONFIDENCE IN OUR ARMED FORCES—WITH THE UNBOUNDED DETERMINATION OF OUR PEOPLE—WE WILL GAIN THE INEVITABLE TRIUMPH—SO HELP US GOD.

And here’s the kicker, Bill said, looking about. Then he read again:

I ASK THAT THE CONGRESS DECLARE THAT SINCE THE UNPROVOKED AND DASTARDLY ATTACK BY JAPAN ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, A STATE OF WAR HAS EXISTED BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE JAPANESE EMPIRE.

All were quiet. The waitress came and served their refreshments. They began to eat, heads down, spooked eyes unseeing, tastebuds unknowing, swallowing automatic. They had known, yet they had not known.

Here it was quoted from the President’s own mouth. Here it was in their own school paper. They were at war! The burden for victory had judiciously been laid upon their shoulders, a wreath of thanksgiving and death, theirs to do or die. For God and country they would sacrifice to attain victory.

They raised their heads and messages of proud acceptance of this responsibility traveled from face to face around the table. Paula opened her notebook, pencil ready. She hadjoined the whole population waiting together as one great family across the country, small and large gatherings suspended, ears cocked to hear the guiding wisdom of their fatherly President.

Don looked at his watch, breaking the spell. It’s time for Roosevelt’s Fireside Chat. Let’s see what he wants to tell us. He turned on the radio and soon had NBC. Just in time.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: GOOD EVENING, MY FELLOW AMERICANS.

It was the President himself, in his charming Ivy League accent and mellow bass-baritone.

THE SUDDEN CRIMINAL ATTACKS PERPETRATED BY THE JAPANESE IN THE PACIFIC PROVIDE THE CLIMAX OF A DECADE OF INTERNATIONAL IMMO-RALITY.POWERFULANDRESOURCEFULGANGSTERS HAVE BANDED TOGETHER TO MAKE WAR UPON THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE. THEIR CHALLENGE HAS NOW BEEN FLUNG AT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE JAPANESE HAVE TREACHEROUSLY VIOLATED THE LONG STANDING PEACE BETWEEN US. MANY AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND SAILORS HAVE BEEN KILLED BY ENEMY ACTION. AMERICAN SHIPS HAVE BEEN SUNK. AMERICAN AIRPLANES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

Paula’s pencil flew as she rushed to keep up.

THE CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE ACCEPTED THAT CHALLENGE. TOGETHER WITH OTHER FREE PEOPLES, WE ARE NOW FIGHTING TO MAINTAIN OUR RIGHT TO LIVE AMONG OUR WORLD NEIGHBORS IN FREEDOM AND IN COMMON DECENCY, WITHOUT FEAR OF ASSAULT.

WE ARE NOW IN THIS WAR. WE ARE ALL IN IT—ALL THE WAY. EVERY SINGLE MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD IS A PARTNER IN THE MOST TREMENDOUS UNDER-

TAKING OF OUR AMERICAN HISTORY. WE MUST SHARE TOGETHER THE BAD NEWS AND THE GOOD NEWS, THE DEFEATS AND THE VICTORIES—THE CHANGING FORTUNES OF WAR.

Paula pressed too hard. The lead point broke, leaving her stymied. Help! Now I’ve done it!

One of the girls gave her a pencil and Paula resumed her shorthand, sorry she’d missed out on the whole speech.

….I REPEAT THAT THE UNITED STATES CAN ACCEPT NO RESULT SAVE VICTORY, FINAL AND COMPLETE. NOT ONLY MUST THE SHAME OF JAPANESE TREACHERY BE WIPED OUT, BUT THE SOURCES OF INTERNATIONAL BRUTALITY, WHEREVER THEY EXIST, MUST BE ABSOLUTELY AND FINALLY BROKEN….

WE ARE NOW IN THE MIDST OF A WAR, NOT FOR CONQUEST, NOT FOR VENGEANCE, BUT FOR A WORLD IN WHICH THIS NATION AND ALL THAT THIS NATION REPRESENTS WILL BE SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN. WE EXPECT TO ELIMINATE THE DANGER FROM JAPAN, BUT IT WOULD SERVE US ILL IF WE ACCOMPLISHED THAT AND FOUND THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD WAS DOMINATED BY HITLER AND MUSSOLINI.

WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE WAR, AND WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE PEACE THAT FOLLOWS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU HAVE JUST HEARD….

Don clicked off the radio. Paula closed her notebook and returned the pencil to her friend. For a moment, there was silence. Bill Pettijohn folded The Texas Daily, creasing it hard. We’re in the midst of war, he said, echoing the President’s words. His voice was low and strained. We’ve been giving lend lease to Britain for a year now. What he’s telling us is that we’ll be fighting on two fronts.

The others, faces pale, gazed at him, taking in his words, and their meaning for themselves. Paula grabbed her stenographic notebook and held it up. I’ve got it down, right here! He said every one of us must fulfill our obligation, man, woman, and child. We’ve got to put everything aside. We’ll have to give up our dreams for the present. Let’s remember that America is the bastion of God’s will in human lives and we must not let this greater dream die. We must conquer! America depends upon us!

Her gaze luminous, she rose and shouted, Remember the Alamo! As one, they all stood with her and chanted, Remember Pearl Harbor!

Chapter Two

Touch and Glow. That was what it was all about. Paula carefully smoothed Revlon’s Misty Rose liquid makeup under her large blue eyes, muril in dreamy contemplation.

She’d never been to a Sunday afternoon tea dance in the Sigma Chi House before. It was almost like going to a cathedral among the saints. There in the ballroom, she’d dance with the elite young gentlemen, not only of the University of Texas campus, but of the whole State of Texas. Her curiosity curled about those Houston and Dallas city fellows. She wanted to make a good impression on them. The light touch of gaiety and the glow of natural charm would do. She mustn’t be nervous.

She wondered about the architecture and appointments of that great colonial mansion. Would she find some beautiful paintings on those walls?

But Don was her immediate problem. Touch and glow, or touch and go?

Her elbow was jostled.

Watch out! she warned.

Adele laughed at her. Scooch over! I need more of this mirror. Do you think I should wear this cream taffeta or the brown satin? She held up the two dinner gowns and Paula gave her consideration.

I like the creamy color on you. It brightens you up. Of course, I have only one dinner gown, so I don’t have your trouble.

The taffeta three-quarters length gown, with its peplum about the waist, helped to diminish Adele’s tall stature and it also enhanced her golden brown hair and ivory skin. From her height of five feet, eleven inches, she smiled down at Paula, seated at the dressing table.

Don’t worry, she said. It doesn’t matter what you wear. All the guys’ll see is you. Your black velveteen is so chic, anyway, with its gold buttons down the front.

Adele looked appraisingly at her friend, approving of her transparent white skin, the high cheek bones in the oval face. Young fellows made a double take when they first saw her, attracted by those gorgeous blue eyes. It was a face befitting an artist, even showing God’s mark by the delicate widow’s peak in the smooth forehead. She caught a glimpse of herself beside Paula in the mirror. Not all was lost. One could say her features gave the tony effect of a patrician with her deep-set hazel eyes, curved brow and long, thin British nose. Her best feature was her beautiful smile and she made the most of it.

When the Roncourts could not pay the expense of their daughter’s social standing that membership in a sorority would entail, Adele had chosen to stay with Paula in the women’s dormitory, ignoring the sororities. As the only child of a prominent family in her home town, her social position was assured. Her father owned the largest insurance company in San Angelo and had plenty of money. She and Paula had been bosom friends since grade school. The girls had happy times double dating together in high school and naturally continued this custom throughout their college years.

Now, nearing mid-term of their senior year, they were aware that this time together on such a special occasion would be one of their last such pleasures. They were in high spirits. Paula smiled to herself over Don’s astute planning. If he hadn’t included Adele, she might have turned him down.

Paula, Adele said, fluffing her bangs, I know what you’re thinking. But what’s the harm of enjoying the Christmas holidays in luxury?

I’m afraid he’ll want to pin me, Paula said. He’s really a nice guy and I’d hate to have to refuse him.

A fraternity pin isn’t a wedding ring, you know, or even an engagement ring, Adele replied.

I know, but it’s the next thing to it. Paula turned to her. Did you know I received a letter from Burl yesterday? Burl Stein was the rancher back home who desperately wished to marry her. He’s gone by to see my folks again.

They’re not sick or anything?

No. It’s just that he says everything has come to a stop. At least for real estate. He says that the ranchers are hanging on to their land and the same goes for houses in town. All of which means that Dad’s not doing much business.

Adele was sympathetic. Slim pickin’s, huh? Then she said with a wicked smile, But I don’t see what you can do about it. Or do I?

Paula gave her a gliff. I don’t think that’s what Don had in mind.

There came a knock at the door and Adele opened it.

Special delivery, girls! A young sophomore with a huge Texas section grin on her face, stood holding two boxed corsages in her hands.

Adele took them in her long fingers and peeked through the cellophane covers. Ooooh! They’re beautifull! Thanks!

Roses! Paula exclaimed.

The cards from the florist had simple messages, the red roses, ‘For Paula from Don,’ and the tea roses, ‘For Adele from Bill.’

Paula held the deep red roses to her nose and inhaled their heady fragrance. How gorgeous! They’re just right for my black velveteen, and yours are perfect, too.

Adele followed suit, sniffing with zest the lighter scent of the tea roses. I tell you, that Don doesn’t miss a trick.

It wasn’t all Don, Paula assured her. Bill really likes you. He told Don he’s danced with you several times.

Yeah, but he’s never asked me for a date before.

That’s because he’s taking Law and they just don’t have the time.

Adele gave a small smile. She knew Paula. Always the optimist, seeing things in the most favorable light and always trying to make herself and others feel good. She was a politician, all right, but thank goodness, not a Pollyanna. Hold still and I’ll pin your corsage on for you, she said.

Like a sister, Paula returned the favor and the girls were ready when Don and Bill arrived.

Paula felt at ease in the company of Adele and Bill, along with Don. A group always lessened the vulnerability of any individual person. She was simply out to dance the light fantastic. Anyway, probably all she needed to do when the time came, was to look Don in his blunt face and it would be a cinch to say no. He was nice though, and smart enough for a Business major. She’d have to wing it.

It was dark outside except for shafts of light shining from dormitory windows on the lawn and overhead light from bare bulbs under the portico. The young gentlemen looked like proud swains in their dark suits, white shirts and red ties. Don had reserved a parking space right in front of the Sigma Chi House, hoping to make a good impression on Paula.

Down a lane from West Street near the campus, the great colonial home was surrounded by a spacious lawn. When the couples drove near, they saw its imposing presence, white columns illumined by the soft blue lights decorating a large pine tree in fullsome glory. Strings of blue lights outlined its frame across the width of the veranda and around the dormer windows and roof line above. All was in blue, an ethereal promise of the peace of Christmas, heaven come down to earth.

Paula entered the parlor to the left on Don’s arm, walking on air. Here was the beauty she had expected, only more so, the silver and blue decor enhanced by the Christmas decorations of evergreen loops across the high ceiling of the spacious room. An added delight was the beautiful spruce tree decorated in red, green, orange, and blue lights, twinkling on and off. It stood beside the windows just inside the ballroom beyond the parlor. She stifled a gasp at the size of the ballroom, its indirect lighting in the ceiling, the lovely blue and silver wallpaper shimmering with the reflection of the colorful lights.

Here was beauty and comfort combined. The polished floor of the ballroom was inviting, and an alcove with a raised platform just beyond the Christmas tree, afforded a place for the orchestra.

How lovely! she exclaimed.

Taking her coat, Don replied, I’m glad you like it. We did all the decorations, ourselves.

While he hung up the coat in the closet, Paula glanced down at her corsage to see if the flowers had been crushed. She had tried to be careful and was relieved when she saw no harm was done.

Don returned and she thanked him again, saying the red rose was what she would have chosen herself.

In the language of flowers, the red rose means love, he said, bending down to sniff them. He brushed his lips lingeringly against her ear. They’re what I purposely chose, too.

Paula stood motionless, accepting his sentiment. Then she called his attention to the college orchestra, the White Torrent, gathering in the ballroom. Five student musicians comprised the jazz orchestra. They sported white jackets, silver bow ties, and blue trousers. The name, WHITE TORRENT, was proclaimed in a ribbon of glitter against a blue background on the fronts. The five pieces consisted of a piano, saxaphonist who sometimes substituted on the clarinet, trumpet, bass horn, and drum.

Adele and Bill joined Paula and Don and Paula said, Yess dance, chillun!

The orchestra struck up Moonglow, one of Paula’s favorites, and she wondered if Don had requested it. She found him to be a smooth dancer and a strong leader and gave herself over to the pleasure of the melody and rhythm. This was followed by Sophisticated Lady, and Serenade In Blue.

Neither spoke while dancing and Paula appreciated this courtesy from Don, assuming that conversation was a ploy for those who didn’t dance well, or for those trying to become acquainted. Don was only aware of her soft body, her thighs matching his in close touch while following him in perfect step. He rejoiced that she wasn’t afraid of this contact and wished it could go on forever.

They were both sorry when the band gave its hoot, meaning it was time for a break.

With Adele and Bill, they moved off toward the dining room, which was to the right of the staircase. Don introduced Paula to Mother Henderson, a middle aged lady with soft brown hair coiffed in waves about her round face. She sat at the far end of the table in white satin, silver tea service before her. Paula accepted tea with lemon.

The table was spread in artistic displays of cheeses, platters of fruit, including pineapple chunks, grapes, melon and orange slices, and various breads and cherry tarts. Paula helped herself to the fruit and a cherry tart but avoided the cheese. To her mind, cheese was surely milk gone wrong and really rotten. She was a bit embarrassed about it, but Don thought it was funny.

Being an artist, I knew you were probably very sensitive, he said, grinning. But I didn’t know it went so far as to what you would eat or not eat."

I just simply don’t eat cheese, she replied smartly. Nor will I ever touch beer.

That so?

Otherwise, I eat everything—well, almost. I really don’t like oysters.

Too bad. He laughed with a hearty chuckle. You know what they say about oysters, don’t you?

She smiled back at him, walking ahead to find a place to sit in the parlor. I really don’t care what they say. It’s all a joke, anyway. Who needed an aphrodisiac? From what she’d heard, dormitories put saltpeter in the food.

Adele and Bill joined them and they reverted to the underlying concern thus far avoided in their eagerness to have a good time.

I’ve been busy working on a masterpiece, Paula said to Bill. Any more news about the war?

The draft has started, he said, but I think I’ll enter Officers Candidate School, the OCS, after graduation.

Don leaned toward him. ‘You mean, ‘Greetings?’ Well, I don’t need that kind of pages, either. He grinned at Paula. You turn my pages."

And put lead in your pencil? But a lady didn’t say such things in mixed company. She giggled at his humor, mouth closed, the low vibration becoming almost a purr in her throat, when with a tinge of nostalgia, she recalled the evening she and Adele had sat around on the bed in their next door neighbor’s room at the dorm telling innocent jokes. Lucy May had brought out a jug of peach brandy hidden in the bottom of her trunk and passed a flask around during their bull session. They kept an eye out at the door, because liquor was forbidden and if they were caught, they could be expelled. They laughed hilariously like high schoolers, dredging up jokes about the Depression.

Do you know what the old maid does on Sunday morning, Lucy May asked.

No, what?

She goes to church with hope in her soul.

Paula giggled all the more at this memory. Then another.

What does the priest do the first thing in the morning?

Well, what?

He shakes hands with the unemployed.

Then she caught the others looking at her. Don was swelled up with her obvious appreciation of his wit, which brought her back to the present.

How about you, Don? Will you be turning more pages at OCS after graduation, like Bill? she asked.

No doubt about it, he responded. We’re both in the ROTC, the Reserve Officers Training Corps, and it’ll only take ninety days for us to become Lieutenants.

Yeah, Bill said, we’ll become ninety day wonders running the show.

Adele spoke up. That’s what I’d do if I were in your place. It’s a good thing you can get in right away to become officers.

The band struck up the music again and they heard the insistent tones of Night And Day, a compelling song.

They jumped to their feet. Bill and Don returned their plates to the dining room and they were soon swaying to the music. Night and day, you are the one…only you be-neath the moon and under the sun.

No one tagged.

The haunting words and melody brought premonition of the burning yearning for their darlings and home soon to be borne in execrating battle, the cursed demands of marching, sniping, killing, facing the enemy, destroying to hell and gone.

The song ended and the company applauded, then grew silent, waiting for the next number. The clarinet lead with its soul stirring rendition of Temptation. The orchestra crooner sang; You came. I was alone. I should have known. You were temp-ta-tion.

Don hugged Paula close, his whole being infused with the beat and permeating message of the torturous torture, an anguish