Page 75 of The Soul Never Forgets

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We enterDawsey’s house and he picks me up, carrying me to his bedroom. “My fiancée, the parent charmer. You had my parents eating out of the palm of your hand.”

“I don’t know about that.”

“You did. They loved every second they spent with you tonight. My mother asked me when I’d bring you to visit again. I told her any time she wanted.”

I can’t lie. Getting the introductions out of the way is a huge relief. And gaining their approval is icing on the cake. Everything is falling into the right place.

“Your parents are lovely people.”

“They are. And you’ll think that even more so in a few weeks. They always take us on a cool vacation the week after Christmas. Mom told me that they want you to come.”

“Really?”

“I told you they would love you.”

Wow. My mom never invites me to go on vacation. But she takes Chase.

“My mom will be your new best friend if you’ll let her.”

“Of course I’ll let her.”

Dawsey tosses me on the bed and crawls over me, kissing my neck. “Where are you sending me tonight?”

So many life events to choose from. “It’s hard to pick.”

“Choose something that will surprise me.”

“A surprise, huh?” Oh, I can do that. “I know the exact event I want to send you to. It was 1942.”

“1942. Sounds like a good year to me.” He moves down my body and lifts my skirt. “But first I’m gonna give you a little surprise.”

Chapter18

Frank Harrison

Pascagoula,Mississippi

March 18, 1942

This ismy last night with Gussy. Who knows how long I’ll be gone fighting in this war? Who knows when I’ll come home again? And when I do, will I be in a box? If I return home alive, will I be the same man I was before I left? Not all soldiers who make it back are in one piece or of a sound mind.

“I don’t understand why people are supporting that lunatic and what he’s doing. And I really don’t understand how it’s escalated to a point where the United States has to become involved.”

“You aren’t the only one who doesn’t understand, my love.”

“My husband, who is a United States citizen, shouldn’t be leaving his wife and two-year-old son to go fight halfway around the world because an Austrian-born German politician has waged war against a people he wants to exterminate.”

“I have to go fight for those people because it’s the right thing to do. They are being murdered and can’t defend themselves.”

“I’m not angry that the United States is sending help. I’m angry because the whole thing is happening in the first place. It never should have gotten to this point. Why would anyone follow that madman and his propaganda?”

“People sometimes lose their way. That’s what has happened. Let’s hope that we can get things back on track quickly so I can home quickly to you and Will.”

“Who knows how long it’ll be before I see you again?”

“It’s a good thing you taught me how to read and write.” I’ll write to Gussy every day I’m there even if I have to lie down in a muddy trench to do it.

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