Battle Cry - Leon Uris [89]
The room became still. Only a broken sob came from Danny’s hysterical mother.
“Marvin, Sybil—we’d better calm down and talk this over like normal humans. These kids are serious. Martha, dammit! Stop that confounded sniveling or get out of here.”
“How dare you speak to me like that.”
“Shut up. I’ve seen that dying swan act too many times to be impressed. Your son has gotten himself into trouble. Either try to help or get out!” She slumped back ashen faced.
Marvin Walker’s rage had turned him a sallow white. He stood shaken. The parents all glared at their children.
“What have you to say, son?” Henry asked more calmly.
“Nothing…nor any excuses to make,” Kathy answered.
“That’s it, Dad.”
“You’re…you’re not sorry?” Sybil asked.
Kathy shook her head. “We did nothing to be sorry for.”
“You were right, Sybil. You told me a long time ago to break this up—I didn’t listen. Henry, I think you and your son had better leave my house.”
Kathy put her arms about Danny tightly. “I won’t stay here…take me away, Danny.”
“Are you game, Kathy?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I won’t be a party to this,” Henry said.
“We don’t need your help,” Danny answered.
Kathy walked to her mother and knelt before her. “Mother, I love him. I’ve loved him an awfully long time. I…I don’t want to hurt you, but can’t you see how we feel?” She arose and looked to her father with pleading eyes.
“Get out,” he said.
“I’ll just be a few minutes, Danny.” She ran upstairs.
Danny’s eyes were fierce. “Thanks,” he spat, “you’re grand people. We don’t care if the whole damned world is against us—we’ll make out.”
“Marvin, stop her,” her mother cried.
“They’re bluffing, Sybil. Let her go. She’ll come crawling back. He hasn’t got a dime.”
Danny walked to the phone. “Western Union, please…I want to send a telegram to First Sergeant Pucchi, Headquarters Company, Second Battalion, Sixth Regiment…Camp Eliot, California…yes, that’s correct. Urgent. Have two hundred dollars riding on the books. Wire to Western Union, Baltimore, at once. Have Mac raise another two hundred from the squad and round up an apartment or room in Dago. Line up a job for my wife at North American…. Sign it Danny.” He confirmed the reading and gave Walker’s number for the charge. He threw a bill on the phone stand. “That’s for the telegram.”
Kathy came downstairs with a suitcase and a coat over her arm.
“Son, son…” his father pleaded.
“Ready, honey?” He winked.
She winked back bravely.
“Kathleen! No! Don’t leave us!”
She turned at the door. “What’s the answer, Mother?” she said coldly.
“Anything.”
“Dad?”
Marvin Walker’s arched back sagged. “You win, Kathleen…God help us.”
Henry walked to the girl and placed his arm about her. “Welcome to the family, Mrs. Forrester…dammit, I’m glad!”
“Thanks, Dad,” she said.
They exchanged vows in an empty, flowerless church, with only Danny’s father and Sally Davis present. The remainder of his furlough they stayed in an apartment loaned them by Kathy’s spinster aunt.
They grasped desperately for their moment, their outward actions trying to smother the turmoil inside them, but each new dawn was greeted with clutching terror. One day less…one day less…
Kathy bolted to a sitting position in bed! She was cold and clammy and her heart pounded wildly. Danny stirred for a moment and reached out and pulled her down close beside him and she calmed in his arms.
Sleep was impossible for her but he was tired and she must not let him know. It was the fourth night in a row of the frightening awakenings. Her hand slipped under his pajama top and she held him tightly. What was this price she must go on paying and what was their sin?
Danny’s eyes opened, he kissed her cheek softly and stroked her hair and she was again unafraid and happy for the moment.
The sands ran on….
He shook Wilbur Grimes’ hand and led her back to the car. “Nice guy, the coach. I hope you didn’t mind me seeing him.”
“Of course not, darling.” He started the car and she tucked her feet beneath her and curled up against him.
“Too bad Virg is gone, we could of had a double date with