Battle Hymns (24 page)

W
ith shaky hands, Charlotte
pulled her mother’s car into the Adlers’ driveway and parked in
front of the steps to the veranda. She turned off the engine,
removed her driving gloves, and turned to Natalie, who sat in the
passenger seat. “Thank you again for joining me this afternoon. I
appreciate it.”

“Well, you said you needed a favor.” Natalie shifted
on the leather seat and recrossed her legs. “Are you planning on
telling me why I’m joining you for tea with Mrs. Adler? I haven’t
seen her since the engagement party.”

Charlotte wrung her hands in her lap. She’d dreaded
this moment for months. “I need to tell her about Will, and you
need to make sure I go through with it.”

Natalie crinkled her nose. “You haven’t told her yet?
Don’t you visit her once a month? What else have you been talking
about?”

“Everything except Will.” Charlotte looked at the
front door and straightened her posture. “Let’s get this over
with.”

Tea service had been laid out for Charlotte, Natalie,
and Mrs. Adler on the rear patio of the estate. A white linen
tablecloth covered a circular table, along with fine china and a
small vase of fresh mums. The weather had cooled in the past week,
and there was a slight chill in the air.

“I’m so glad you could join us, Natalie.” Mrs. Adler
reached for the porcelain pitcher of rationed cream. “How was your
summer? I presume you returned to Michigan to see your family? How
are they?”

Natalie bowed her head. “Yes, ma’am. My summer was
splendid. It was nice to see my family. My kid brother has grown up
so much. He’s taller than me now! But as much I love them, I prefer
Washington to Grand Rapids, so I’m glad to be back.”

“What will you do after graduation? Will you stay
here?”

“I’m going to become a schoolteacher,” Natalie
replied. “My dream is to become a writer, but they need teachers so
badly, so I’ll write on the side.” She took a sip of her tea. “And
yes, I’ll try to find a job somewhere in D.C. After all, my friends
are here . . . and John, whenever he returns.”

“How is John?” Mrs. Adler’s blue eyes dimmed with
concern. “I saw his mother at a fundraising event a couple months
ago. She’d just received a letter from him after the Sicily
invasion, and she was relieved. But that’s the last I’ve heard of
his well-being.”

“The letter I received yesterday indicates he’s well.
They’re still in Sicily, but the regiment has been put into
reserve, so thankfully John’s no longer on the front lines.”
Natalie shrugged. “He doesn’t like writing about the war, though,
so I don’t know many details. Most of my knowledge comes from the
newspapers and radio.”

“Well, please be sure to let him know Jim and I are
thinking about him.” Mrs. Adler looked wistfully at the manicured
lawn. “Goodness, it seems like only a few years ago he and Nick
were playing out here, pretending to be
cowboys . . . mere children.”

Charlotte dropped her gaze to her teacup. Only a few
months ago did Mrs. Adler cease her recollections of Nick’s
childhood during their visits. It was no surprise that talking
about John would rekindle her nostalgia.

Natalie cleared her throat quietly.
“So . . . Charlotte tells me you’ve been doing a lot
of fundraising lately. How’s that going?”

Mrs. Adler’s eyes brightened. “It’s been going really
well. We’ve been blessed with a fortunate station in life, and I’ve
been taking full advantage by planning events for the Washington
society circles. All donations directly benefit our boys
overseas.”

Natalie nodded. “That’s fantastic.”

“You know, I’m looking for assistance planning this
year’s Christmas fundraiser, if you’d like to volunteer. It
wouldn’t be too time-consuming. And Charlotte, I know you’re busy
with the Red Cross, but if you have some spare time, maybe you
could help us.”

Natalie grinned. “I’d love to. I’m always looking for
new ways to help out, and I have plenty of experience planning
events after all the war bond drives.”

Charlotte nodded. “Let me know how I can help.”

“Wonderful! I’ll contact you in a couple days, and we
can get started.” Mrs. Adler replenished her tea. “And how are you,
Charlotte? What’s new?”

Charlotte blanched. She’d taken for granted that
Natalie controlled the conversation so far. The time to tell Mrs.
Adler about Will had finally arrived. “Oh, not too much. My time’s
been divided between classes and working at the hospital.”

Natalie arched her eyebrows. “Not much?”

Charlotte resisted the urge to glower at her friend.
After all, this was the reason she invited Natalie along. Instead,
she met Mrs. Adler’s inquisitive gaze. “Well, I do have news to
share with you. You see, I’ve met a young man, and we’ve been
seeing each other for a few months.”

Mrs. Adler’s smile faltered briefly. “I see. Tell me
about this young man.”

“His name is William Kendrick. I met him while
volunteering at the hospital.”

“So he’s in the Army?”

Charlotte picked up her cup. The tea rippled from her
trembling hand. She set the cup back onto the saucer. “He was with
the Army Air Forces. He’s been medically discharged from the
military because he broke his leg in an airplane crash in Europe
and has a slight limp.”

Mrs. Adler sipped her tea. “He’s lucky to be
alive.”

“I tell him so all the time.”

“Are you happy?”

Charlotte nodded.

Mrs. Adler sighed. “Well then, I’m happy for you. I
still wish you were my daughter-in-law, but I know that’s now
impossible. You deserve to move on.”

Once they finished their tea, Charlotte and Natalie
said their good-byes and returned to the car. In the privacy of the
automobile, Charlotte rested her head on the seatback. “Thank
goodness that’s over.”

Natalie chuckled. “It wasn’t that bad. She took it
well. I’d forgotten how nice she is. I wish John’s mother were that
nice to me. Instead I have to withstand her passive-aggressiveness
every time I see her.” She turned on the radio as Charlotte drove
from the driveway. “You said Will doesn’t have a family?”

“Well, his father is still alive, but Will refuses to
see him.”

“At least you don’t have to worry about gaining
parental approval.” Natalie crossed her legs. “Speaking of Will,
Sandra and Evelyn have wondered why you’re not letting them meet
him. And I am, too. I only met him that one time, hardly enough to
form an opinion of him either way.”

“Let’s do something next weekend,” said Charlotte.
“You can get a group together and we can go dancing. That’ll be
fun, and everyone will get to meet him.”

Natalie clasped her hands together. “Swell! Maybe
next Saturday? I’ll talk to the girls about it this evening. I know
they’ll agree to it.”

“And I’ll ask Will tonight.”

Natalie removed a mirror and a tube of lipstick from
her pocketbook. “What are your plans tonight? I think Evelyn and I
are going out somewhere together. Maybe we’ll hit the USO. I’m
trying to cheer her up since George left. I don’t think it’ll work
but, you know, it’s worth a try.”

A grin spread across Charlotte face. “He’s taking me
to the Willard tonight for dinner.”

“A hotel restaurant? Swanky!”

“And then”—Charlotte turned her head to watch
Natalie’s reaction—“we’re spending the night . . .
together. So don’t wait up.”

Natalie lowered her compact and gaped. “That means
what I think it means, right?”

“Do you disapprove?”

“No. Just because I’m a virgin doesn’t mean I’m a
prude. In fact, I’m a bit jealous. Whenever John comes home I plan
on putting that status behind me. But alas, the war still hasn’t
been won.” Natalie huffed. “You and Will are getting serious then,
huh?”

“I wouldn’t have suggested a hotel room if we
weren’t. I’m not fast!”

“And it was your idea? You continue to surprise me,
Charlotte, even after all these years.”

“Will never would’ve proposed it for fear of
impropriety. I had to take matters into my own hands.”

Natalie giggled. “Sounds like you’ll be taking
something else into your hands tonight, if you know what I
mean.”

Charlotte joined in Natalie’s laughter, though her
cheeks flamed. “Anyway, I’m glad this is over. Mrs. Adler was the
last person I needed to tell. Now everyone knows about my
relationship with Will. Finally.” She grinned.

“Not everyone. John doesn’t know about Will yet.”

Charlotte’s eyes darted to Natalie, her relief
spoiled by the confession. “I thought you would’ve told him by now.
Why haven’t you?”

“Well, I didn’t want to say anything without your
explicit permission.” Natalie spoke her next words quietly.
“Besides, he and Nick were best friends. It wouldn’t surprise me if
he still felt loyal to Nick and viewed your relationship with Will
as a betrayal to Nick’s memory.”

Charlotte’s grip tightened on the steering wheel.
“That’s not fair. If Nick were still alive . . .”
She shook her head. “I refuse to think about that.”

“I’m sorry.”

Charlotte’s head ached. “You don’t feel that way, do
you?”

“No, of course not. You know I’ve been fully
supportive of your relationship with Will.” Natalie sighed.
“Listen, I’ll write John this evening and tell him. I’m sure he’ll
understand. I’ll frame the explanation well.”

“Please do.”

As Charlotte continued their drive north, she fought
the imaginary scenarios that invaded her thoughts. They were ones
she’d succumbed to numerous times over the past several months, and
each reflection resulted in immense feelings of guilt.

If Nick were alive, her life would certainly be
different than it was today. Her connection with Will wouldn’t have
been significant. He would’ve left Washington, D.C. as soon as he
was discharged from the Army Medical Center, never to be heard from
again. How could she wish her relationship with Will, the man she
loved, never happened? On the other hand, she could never be glad
Nick was killed.

In these instances, Charlotte was grateful to be
powerless against fate.

Thirty-One

A
t seven o’clock, Charlotte
met Will in the lobby of the Willard Hotel. Great marble columns
showcased elaborately carved ceilings. The mosaic floors were
covered with plush oriental rugs and velvet settees in a shade of
steel blue that matched her dress.

She’d spent over an hour scouring her wardrobe with
Natalie for the perfect ensemble. She wanted a dress that was
glamorous, but not too ritzy; alluring, but not too racy. In the
end, nothing in her closet was right, so she borrowed a dress from
Evelyn. Shimmering blue fabric was fashioned into a high neckline
in the front with a lower V in the back and cap sleeves that left
her arms bare. The skirt was formfitting from her hips to just
below her knees, highlighting her curves.

Upon her arrival, Will stood from his chair and set
his newspaper onto the side table. He looked dashing in his dark
pinstripe suit and tie. She approached him and they embraced, Will
kissing her cheek lightly.

“You look beautiful.” He took her small piece of hand
luggage. “Shall I take this upstairs before we go to the
restaurant?”

“That would be nice, thank you. I’ll wait for you
here.”

Will left for the room he’d checked into earlier in
the evening, and Charlotte took a seat in the lobby. She picked up
the newspaper he’d left and scanned through the headlines. All of
them were war related. She folded the newspaper and replaced it.
She’d looked forward to this night all week and didn’t want the
horrors of battle on her mind. Instead, she admired the ceiling and
the handiwork that must’ve gone into carving it.

Will returned within five minutes. “All set?”

Charlotte took his hand. “Absolutely.”

Dinner at the hotel’s French restaurant went as swell
as any of their previous dinner dates. They drank cocktails,
feasted on a delicious meal, and danced until Charlotte’s feet were
sore in her high heels. This time, however, she was preoccupied by
the prospect of what was to come.

When Will’s lips touched his martini glass, she
wanted them on her neck. When his hands caressed her back as they
danced, she wanted them everywhere else.

After they danced to several songs, Will leaned into
her ear. In a barely audible whisper, he asked, “Do you still want
to stay the night?”

Her only response was a nod.

They left the restaurant and strolled arm in arm
through the lobby, toward the elevator bank. In the elevator, an
elderly woman with a fur stole studied them. Charlotte was suddenly
self-conscious about her bare ring finger. What did the lady think
of her, an unmarried young woman going to a hotel room with a man?
What if this lady knew her parents? What if her parents found out?
As though he could feel her unease, Will squeezed her hand, and she
relaxed. None of it mattered beyond him.

The elevator operator announced their floor, and they
exited into a hallway with dark red carpeting. Once they arrived at
their room, Will pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the
door. He gestured for her to enter first.

The room was standard, with just enough space for an
armchair, a wardrobe, a small en suite bathroom, and a double bed
covered in white linens and pillows. Charlotte wandered to the
opposite end of the room and pulled back the heavy, blackout
curtains that covered the window. The view was of a downtown side
street.

Will placed his hand on her shoulder.

“This is a nice hotel. I’ve never been inside one
like it,” she said as he brushed her curls from her neck. His lips
were soon in their place, and she closed her eyes and leaned into
him, her body pulsating with excitement.

She released the curtains and spun around to kiss
him. He’d removed his suit jacket, but still wore the tie, which
she tugged lightly. Will backed away, a smile lingering on his
lips. As he pulled off his tie, Charlotte kicked off her shoes and
removed her earrings. With her eyes locked on his, she unzipped her
dress and stepped out of it. Clad in only a satin slip and her
undergarments, she approached him.