Mary sat at her vanity in her room beaming from ear to ear the transistor radio playing music. She started to pull the rollers out of hair one by one quickly pinning the curl with a bobbie pin. Humming along with the song she started applying her makeup and curling her eyelashes. A quick spritz of perfume and she was ready. She checked the seams of her stocking to make sure the were strait, and then made her way down the stairs of the two story farm house. "Mama, Daddy I'm going to the train station", she said with smile. Her father looked at her and nodded his approval from over the top of his local news paper. Her mother came from the kitchen, with a towel in her hand, "Mary dear don't you want to eat something first?", the older woman said with a smile, Mary smiled and went over and hugged her mother. "We'll just get something to eat when Gordo is done Mama", she said while taking the keys to the old truck and walking out the front door. The old model-T ford purred to life and she started down the old dirt farm road to her destination.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gordon sat on the train as a lovely young women slept in the seat next to him, he smiles at Alice his beautiful new bride, but then he sighs. Getting out of his seat and walking down the center isle he searches his pockets for a his cigarettes, finding the pack in one of his jacket pocket he fumbles it out. Going into the smoking car, he sticks the cigarette in his mouth realizing what he needs to finish his task. He begins to pat around looking for a match book realizing he's in the smoking car he goes up to the bar, and sits down on a stool, there are several returning soldiers such as himself in the car smoking. He picks up a book of matches off the bar, he opens up pulling out a single match the he flips it and strikes the match on the strip. It lights the match in a orange to blue flame, he puts up the match to the cigarette in his mouth, dragging in while the cigarette lights with cherry red tip. With a flick of his wrist the match blows out and he sits down at the bar. He's disappointed that they don't serve alcohol this early in the morning, cause he could use a stiff one. His thoughts went back to the girl he left at home while he went through hell and back, Mary. He really hoped she wouldn't show up at the station but he was sure the war office had probably sent word ahead of him months ago of when he was returning. But months ago he wasn't a married man, it had been a whirl wind thing,he met her Alice Hopkins. He had gone in for a routine check up the beautiful blonde reminded him of all the things he had left at home so he thought. So Gordo being a nice guy decided to ask her to coffee, so they went and he found out it was more than just looks with this girl. She was the woman of his dreams, the woman he wanted to spend his life with, when the war ended he decided he wasn't going to leave without Alice so he asked her to marry him and she said yes. But the problem was he had also asked Mary before he left in the first place to wait for him till he got back and she said yes. Now he was in quite the pickle two girls, one now his wife, and one expecting to be his wife. He looked around the car again he wondered if he was the only one in this situation, he hoped not cause he already felt like an ass.

The new land was Alien to Tommy, as he sat with a duffel bag of what was left of his belongings. Miles and miles of flat land panned past them as the train chugged along in a steady rhythm. He was certainly nervous about the new home he was going to, hundreds of miles away from his birthplace: that was enough to unsettle anyone. Twisting a piece of paper in around his fingers, unraveling it and starting again, he diverted his gaze to the window where he watched the countryside speed past as he patiently waited for the train to stop at the station.

Only now that he had landed in America was he having second thoughts about staying here, of course he had given this serious thought before he left, but now he was finding it difficult to think that this wasn't such a bad idea after all. If it wasn't for his best friend George who'd Tommy had met through the war due to a fatal twist of cruel events, he wouldn't of been here now: he'd still be at home with his Mother and Father living in the grubby streets of London. The first time he'd seen the countryside was when he was stationed in Dover and he found that he wanted to retire somewhere as picturesque as England and now here he was, destined to start a new life away from what he had seen.

It was arround noon when Jacqueline went downstaires. Her long wavy blonde hair was hanging loose, and aside from mascara she didn't wear make up. She had a white summer dress on, with brown pumps.

"Daddy I'm going to the club. We have rehersal.I'll be back later." she waved to her father and left.

The jazz club was also open during the day for people who wanted to grab a quick drink( alchool that is). There were several people in the club at the time, Jackie walked in. She smiled at them and wait straight on stage.

"Jackie darling, fashionably late." Johny the club owner smiled at her.

"Sorry guys, let's begin." and all the eyes were on her as her voice echoed into the dim- lighted room. The door was also open, so many customers came in attracted by her angelic voice.

Rose woke up in her bed and got up opening the curtains. She loved how the sun would shine so bright in the sky. It has always reminded her about how happy she was to wake up every morning and forget about all the problems she had yesterday at the office. Pushing that thought out her mind she walk towards her closet to get her work clothes out of it. Rosanna put the clothing on and walked down the stairs into the kitchen she grabbed herself some orange juice pouring it into a cup and drinking some of it. She sighed, putting the glass and carton back into the fridge. She walked into the living room and walked towards the front door grabbing a newspaper she read the headline 'Moving Forward.

Going through the empty rooms and hallways, Juliet barely noticed the hollow silence as the thoughts popped into her head at incoherent speeds. She took in every little detail, every nicknack and keepsake; everything about this house echoed her tastes, her likes and dislikes, her style, her space. There wasn't a trace of another living soul, and hasn't been for quite some time. She had cleaned this place up rather nicely, tidied it up kind of how she had with her life. After the episode she had gone through it was all she could do to remain the woman she had been. Actually, that was a lie. She would never be the woman she had been...she had to clean up and organize her life just to be. She rubbed her finger against her temple, these thoughts were beginning to sound rather ridiculous. She waved her hand in a symbolic motion to push them away.

Entering the master bedroom, Juliet looked at herself in the mirror on her wall, petting down her hair and the wrinkles in her dress. She picked out the best outfit she owned and spent forever getting the curls in just the right place. She touched her face in various places, straightening up her makeup. The double sets of hazel green eyes met one another in the glass. Her hands stopped moving and she stood in the silent room motionless. However, she felt as though she were falling from the sky doing flips all over the place. She felt like a mess. Her entire body shook with nerves and a sea full of other mixed emotions. The strangest part about it was...she didn't feel happy. He was coming home, and she felt less than ecstatic. The guilt welled up and spilled out down her face. She grabbed her mother's handkerchief of the vanity and dabbed her face dry.
She breathed in deep, steadying herself. 'Keep it in.' She chided herself.
Making her way out the door, Juliet glanced sideways at the king sized bed she had spent so many cold nights alone before grabbing her keys and handbag putting the handkerchief inside without a second thought.

The giant war carrier, merely hours away from the dock, carries hundreds of soldiers back from their own personal hell delivering them back to the families that have waited years for them. Among them a single solider, Gabriel Jeredy, stands at the bow of the boat redoing the pins on his chest and asking the friends that he had made on the two month trip across the ocean if it was straight. Two years, eight months and twelve days have passed since he left his girl at home. He could not help wanting to look his best for her, his angel Juliet Merello, his soon to be fiance if she would have him. While he was gone he had even gotten her a ring, a three carrot rose gold engagement ring. He had bought it off of a European jeweler trying to sell the last of his wares but he was the only one who had been able to scrape up the money for the ring. Hopefully this ring would be enough combined with everything else he had to offer her to get her to say yes. Slipping his hat back on and checking to make sure his black boots were still shined he stares into a glint in the boot.

His memories drag him back into a trench covered in mud, his boots barely visible from all the mess flowing around him. Men hollering all around drowned out by the sound of gun fire and mortars going off. The rattle of a passing tank makes him look up and look at a large red star painted into its side. The large barrel goes off ringing his ears forcing him to jump and look around the boat that he suddenly remembers he is on. The soft rock of the ocean calms him down as he takes a deep breath trying to remember the feeling of Juliet's warm arms wrapped around him. A small smirk slips onto his face as he remembers that she has a naturally cold body and that her hold would probably be chilling. Even so he could not wait to melt in her arms and hold her once more. Out of his pocket he produces a small black and white photograph of her portrait, she is wearing a pearl white dress to a party and he had paid a close friend to take the photo and get it developed for him. Flipping it over he smiles as he reads the text once more. "A piece of me wherever you go, and I'm always close to you." He has spent countless nights under a cold tent, the sound of rain quelling his rising remorse for leaving. A horn sounds as the docks suddenly come into view, thousands of people stand waving flags and throwing hats breathlessly cheering the returning heroes. Wiping a sneaking tear he pulls himself together, starting for the loading bridge. How long will it take for me to find her? Will she even be here? What if she found another man? No we've waited to long, tried to hard for that. I'm home babe, I cant wait to see you...

James stepped off the last bus in for the night, the scores and scores of the GI's returning home and to this station to be picked up. He didn't stop for a drink, though by the look of him many would assume he needed one. Dark circles were noticeable under and around his sunken eyes. The man appeared like hadn't slept or eaten in days. His build was remarkably smaller than everyone else's though he was perhaps just as tall. Malnutrition for him had been a constant challenge having been in a Nazi concentration camp.

Barely able to keep his head up, James blinked as the long bus ride had disoriented him slightly causing his vision to blur. With another long blink, he shuffled towards the exit which lead him immediately into the frigid cold of the Iowa winter. The winds howled, and the cold bit at every exposed part of him. But shuffling through the hail of snowflakes and drifts of snow, the cold didn't seem to bother the veteran as he headed out on the unpaved road to Fort Dodge.

Gordo made his way back to Alice who was just now stirring, "Gordon honey are we getting close I really would like to get out and walk around", she said with that sweet smile he loved so much. "Yeah honey we should be there soon", Gordo could feel the train starting to slow, but that only quickened the pace of his heart. Alice looked at him with worry and stood up in front of him putting her hand to his cheek. "Gordon are you all right you seem worried about something?", she asked. He gave a half smirk and kissed her on the cheek, "I'm fine sweatheart don't worry", he didn't dare tell her that they might have an unwanted visitor at the station.

As the train pulled into the station Gordo grabbed their suitcases and made they made their way to the platform.

Mary had been a nervous wreck the whole time sitting there waiting for the train to come in. She watched as it pulled in and squealed with glee. But as she stood there watching through the crowd of people she stopped cold in her tracks. Yes she saw the man she loved and had waited these long years for step off the train but he wasn't alone. She watched Gordo step off the train and then turn and lend his hand to a beautiful young woman. At first she thought him being just kind but the the young woman took him arm, smiled up at him, and then kissed him on the cheek. Mary's heart stopped when everything became very clear to her and then the confirmation of her fears came to a head, when she saw he wedding ring on the girls hand. Mary could feel tears start to sting her eyes, she tried to find a place where they wouldn't see her. Gordo eyes glanced around for a moment like he was checking to see if the coast was clear. And then he took the girls arm and started out of the station. "He didn't even look for me", Mary said to herself with a hitch in her throat.

Gordo looked to see if he cold see Mary at the station ad was relieved to not see her anywhere. He then took Alice's arm and decided to move on there way to a new life together. He tried his best not to think about Mary as he hailed a cab for him and his new bride but it was hard. "She didn't eve show up so much for devotion", he chuckled to himself as he put his and Alice's luggage in the trunk of the cab. With a sigh he closed down the trunk and got in Alice smiled over at him and he put his arm around her.

Mary was in a state of shock as she watched them leave, as they drove away Mary sat down on a bench out side the station. She didn't know how long she had been crying when she finally decided to make her way to the model T but she did instead of the car purring to life as it did when she left her home this morning. It took a couple of tries but she finally was on the move, she drove for awhile before she decided her vision was to clouded to drive much further, she came o a small cafe that her and Gordo had gone to before. She could see the buses that had dropped other GI's off, she turned off the truck and then went into the restaurant. Sitting down in one of the booths she kind of just sat there in a daze for a moment. She had made sure to sit some where away from everyone else. A waitress came up to her, "Hey can I get you anything sugar?", asked the elderly waitress. "Just coffee please", Mary whispered out the old woman nodded and went on with her task. She quickly returned with a hot cup of coffee, "If ya need any thing else just holler", said the waitress Mary just nodded. As the woman walked away Mary just pushed the cup away from herself, laid her head down on the table and sobbed.

The bus was unusually hot. Juliet tried to refrain from fanning herself so as not to appear rude. She clutched onto her handbag instead, as though it could steady the roaring feelings clashing back and forth inside her stomach. Excitement was an understatement for how she felt about seeing Gabriel again after two years. However, the fear was overriding whatever feeling of joy she could have had. Fear that he wouldn't show up or that when he did he would walk to some other woman or pretend he didn't know her...or worse. He would come up to her and treat her like a stranger.

There had been one time, before Gabriel had even mentioned the war, Juliet had secretly hoped for the two of them to get married. Although he had not brought it up more than once - maybe - Juliet thought he had wanted it as well. But then he started talking about going off to war. She was horrified, and her displeasure grew the closer the date of his deployment came. Gabriel actually became excited and happy to leave spending all his time making arrangements, one of these arrangements being setting Juliet up in the nice house she just left. Then finally the day for him came and he still hadn't asked her, not even muttered the word. He had held her hands and kissed her on the cheek, turning away from her as tears poured from her eyes in quiet desperation and not looking back at her. Left her standing alone, to walk home alone, to eat dinner alone, and to sleep in that huge damned cold bed alone. It was very strange to her, this kind of separation, and she could not fathom any sane reasons why a man would turn his back to his woman in this way...pardon one: to not return to her. It seemed to be his way of saying goodbye to her, running away from her to go off into a war to get himself killed, and the house his apology. As the months had gone by he sent letters a few times a month, once a week if she were lucky, and with every letter she packed up more of his resemblance in that house until there was not a trace left of it. With every word written on every sheet of paper, Juliet's heart went into a panic thinking it would finally be over then calmed to a neutral state of neuroticism before the next letter arrived to stir up the anxiety once more.
It had been an awful long two years. The last letter announcing his return home confused her. Was he ready to say goodbye in person? Is it possible she was wrong about him running away? Is he returning to her? She had no answers for the questions buzzing around her head, only the feelings that have been eating up her insides since the day he left. Still, she could not wait to see him.

The bus came to a lurched stop. Along with most of the passengers, Juliet stood, dabbling her eyes once more with the handkerchief, and unloaded looking directly towards the loading docks. She caught sight of one of the ships and her heart fluttered against her chest in exhilaration. A smile winced on her face, a little more light shone from her face in excitement before dulling once more underneath the sickness of fear that had overruled her body. With aching, unstable legs she made her way with the crowd to look for his face.

The bright sun shone down on him as he headed for the main entrance into the interior of the ship. A blast of cold filtered air begins to flow past him as he heads down several fights of stairs and a large ramp. On the way down, several of his buddies shake his hand and ask if the plans were still up. Nodding he smiles as they slap him on the shoulder and congratulate him on his plans on finalizing his relationship with her. In all honesty they were kinda happy to know that some one had made good plans. Filing into a long line with a half filled bag of civilian clothes he stands around waiting to sign a packet of paper releasing him for a month and a half to recuperate and rest. Advancing was slow and tedious with the hall quickly getting warm from all the warm bodies keeping pace with one another. Finally getting to the packet he flips through it page by page and signs signature and initials all over the papers.

Stepping into the sunlight Gabriel raises his hand to the top of his brow shielding his face from the sun. Looking down the fifty foot ramp he takes a deep breath and looks across the mass of faces that stand waving hats scarves and handkerchiefs. Everyone on the ramp was seeming to be in a hurry to get off till they get to the very bottom where the crowd waits with open arms. Everyone in the front seemed to be a little reluctant to go but eventually they all merge into the group. Hearing his name from the crowd his looks intently searching for her loving face. Again he looks over as he hears the sound of his name again from the roar of the crowd. Walking forward he merges into the crowd with all his friends following him in step uniforms pressed and clean. In the front of the group a group of four marines lead the way with their pearl handled sword at their hips. From the back of the group a pair of Navy sailors walk forward until they set down a large cargo box about five feet tall. One of them climbing on top of the box he raises a sign with the name Juliet Merello painted on in neat black letters. The second one Holds up a megaphone and begins to call her name while Gabriel checks his uniform once more and pats the pocket that the ring was stowed away in. Now I know that i am ready, God, Please lead her to me. I want to start my life...with her.

Sensing the movement of the train slowing further and further down, the brakes groaned and creaked to a smooth halt signalling to Tommy that he was finally at his new destination. Tommy grabbed his bag slinging it over his broad shoulders, his skin was pale a certain sign he was nervous about his new life he was about to start. Clutching the piece of paper he held in his hands that gave him the address of his friend's home. He had agreed with George that he would be able to stay at his home for a few weeks until he found himself somewhere to live. Unfortunately he was unable to travel with George, mainly because he had to go back to London to explain where he was going to his Mother and Father, who were both unhappy about the decision although he had promised to write to them as soon as he could.

He stepped off onto the platform taking a long gaze around, people bustled around and smoke billowed from the resting train, he wasn't exactly sure where he was supposed to be heading and he followed most of the people through the station out onto the street which compared to compact London, was wide and spacious with a few cars bouncing down the road. Tommy had always been fond of the Ford Model T, with the way it clambered down roads like it was on stilts, he had only ever seen a few on the roads back in England, to his knowledge only some had been imported for a great cost, instead he had seen them gracing the covers of 'Automobile' Magazines in which he was fond of.

Eying the piece of paper he had clutched nervously in his hand for the whole journey, he read the address written in scruffy handwriting by his friend who had given it to him just before leaving for home:

52 1st Avenue, Southwest
Farley
Iowa

Rubbing his shaven jawline, he spotted an elderly man leaning against a wall half way down the road, Tommy approached him in hope of acquiring directions as the man looked like he knew the area pretty well, he just had that look about him that Tommy found encouraging.

The man wore a shabby jacket and flat cap, his wrinkled face squinting against the bright sun shining down and his rough hands holding onto a newspaper while a smoking cigarette hang expertly out of the corner of the man's mouth, reminding Tommy that he desperately needed a smoke himself. "Excuse me sir, could you help me with some directions at all please?" Tommy asked as polite as he possibly could, chewing his lip nervously.

"Ah Certainly." The elderly man chirped cheerfully throwing his cigarette to the floor and taking a look at the paper that he held onto, his face turning from a clueless look to one of recognition, something that soothed Tommy's worries of being lost completely.

"It's not far from here, only a half an hour walk, see, take the road down there carry on straight until you come to the fifth left, carry on down there reading off the numbers on the houses, should find it that way son." He explained warmly, explaining his directions with various hand gestures.

"Thanks very much." Tommy smiled happily before carrying off in the direction of his friend's house, hoping that he would be able to remember the simple directions that he had been given.

Sensing the movement of the train slowing further and further down, the brakes groaned and creaked to a smooth halt signalling to Tommy that he was finally at his new destination. Tommy grabbed his bag slinging it over his broad shoulders, his skin was pale a certain sign he was nervous about his new life he was about to start. Clutching the piece of paper he held in his hands that gave him the address of his friend's home. He had agreed with George that he would be able to stay at his home for a few weeks until he found himself somewhere to live. Unfortunately he was unable to travel with George, mainly because he had to go back to London to explain where he was going to his Mother and Father, who were both unhappy about the decision although he had promised to write to them as soon as he could.

He stepped off onto the platform taking a long gaze around, people bustled around and smoke billowed from the resting train, he wasn't exactly sure where he was supposed to be heading and he followed most of the people through the station out onto the street which compared to compact London, was wide and spacious with a few cars bouncing down the road. Tommy had always been fond of the Ford Model T, with the way it clambered down roads like it was on stilts, he had only ever seen a few on the roads back in England, to his knowledge only some had been imported for a great cost, instead he had seen them gracing the covers of 'Automobile' Magazines in which he was fond of.

Eying the piece of paper he had clutched nervously in his hand for the whole journey, he read the address written in scruffy handwriting by his friend who had given it to him just before leaving for home:

52 1st Avenue, Southwest
Farley
Iowa

Rubbing his shaven jawline, he spotted an elderly man leaning against a wall half way down the road, Tommy approached him in hope of acquiring directions as the man looked like he knew the area pretty well, he just had that look about him that Tommy found encouraging.

The man wore a shabby jacket and flat cap, his wrinkled face squinting against the bright sun shining down and his rough hands holding onto a newspaper while a smoking cigarette hang expertly out of the corner of the man's mouth, reminding Tommy that he desperately needed a smoke himself. "Excuse me sir, could you help me with some directions at all please?" Tommy asked as polite as he possibly could, chewing his lip nervously.

"Ah Certainly." The elderly man chirped cheerfully throwing his cigarette to the floor and taking a look at the paper that he held onto, his face turning from a clueless look to one of recognition, something that soothed Tommy's worries of being lost completely.

"It's not far from here, only a half an hour walk, see, take the road down there carry on straight until you come to the fifth left, carry on down there reading off the numbers on the houses, should find it that way son." He explained warmly, explaining his directions with various hand gestures.

"Thanks very much." Tommy smiled happily before carrying off in the direction of his friend's house, hoping that he would be able to remember the simple directions that he had been given.

Robert Johnson sat reading a newspaper as the train pulled into the station at Dennison, Iowa. The war had been over for almost a year now, but there were still a fair number of GIs on their way home. Robert continues reading as the train came to a stop, letting most everyone else get off before him. Most of them probably had someone waiting for him. Robert, however, didn't. He'd decided to keep his return a surprise, letting his family think he wouldn't be home for another month. He'd spend a couple of days in Dennison alone, adjusting to civilian life, then give his dad a call informing him that his son was stuck in Dennison with no way home and would he be so kind as to come rescue him. If he was lucky it would be his dad who answered the phone and mom would be kept in the dark until he was climbing up the stairs to the house. He smiled, imagining his mother's reaction to her son unexpectedly coming home from war.

Judging the crowd to have thinned enough, folding his paper and grabbing his seabag, Robert got off the train and headed to a nearby hotel where he'd made a reservation the week before. He was quickly and courteously shown to his room. Dropping his bag on the bed, Robert adjusted his uniform, it was an everyday Service Uniform with his ribbons worn over his left pocket. If he was lucky being a service man would still have it's benefits here in this small town. And if it didn't, no big deal. He tried to not be to boastful, but he was proud to be a member of the US Navy. A former member now he thought, a small spreading across his face. Deciding everything was in order he set out.

Robert spent the next several minutes wandering, just taking in the town and it's people. And it's air. Especially it's air. It had been a long time since he'd last been able to take such deep breaths of good Iowa air. While there weren't nearly as many men in uniform as there might have been only a year ago, there were several out on the streets. Most of them were Army or Army Air Force uniforms, with a handful of Marine. He only saw one other man in a Navy uniform, who he smiled and nodded at as he passed. On whim Robert went into a small cafe on the street he was on. He was getting kind of hungry and it looked as good as any place else. It seemed like a nice place, but Robert's attention was immediately on the girl sitting in a booth all by herself sobbing into her arms. It was kind of hard not to notice her.

Robert stood there for a couple of seconds, pondering what to do before he came to a decision. It was obvious this girl was feeling down, really down, and he figured she the she could use someone to try and cheer her up. With a smile on his face Robert strode over to her with all the confidence his days as an aviator had given him. "Excuse me Miss. Mind if I sit here?" he asked, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. He didn't wait for an answer though, he just slid into booth, taking a seat across from her. He still had a pleasant smile on his face, and hopefully that would be the first thing she saw when she looked up. Smiles seemed to have a wonderful effect on helping people to cheer up.

Juliet attempted to squint over the heads of the crowd, but there was so much commotion she became disoriented. The noise was overwhelming, she couldn't make out one conversation from the next. She stayed at the edge of the mob, keeping away from being trampled and shoved around like all the rest. However, she felt the desperate urge to swim her way closer to the soldiers. Her eyes caught sight of the uniforms heading off the bridge and her heart did a leap inside her chest. Then it sank as she heard his name called and then her name being called through a megaphone and it appeared on a poster or something over someone's head. What was that supposed to mean?
Instinctively, Juliet held her breath as she made herself a path, twisting in between and around each clump of embracing bodies until she finally found herself in an open space. It was rather disorienting at first, all the soldiers shouting as though in a cheer and her name being repeated along with his. The marines who held and called her name, although stiff in uniform, could have been bouncing all over like playing children from the looks of it. Juliet couldn't get herself collected until she caught sight of his eyes. Then the world went quiet. The biggest smile was spread across his face, a smile she had forgotten a long time ago but now it rekindled something inside of her. Momentarily forgetting all her fear and anxiety, she collided into his body in full tears.

Mary popped up as someone touched her shoulder "Excuse me Miss. Mind if I sit here?" she looked up to see a young man sit down in the booth across from her. She grabbed her pocket book and searched for a handkerchief, "Oh I'm ever so sorry", she said as she dabbed her eyes, "I didn't know..." as she stood up she noticed there were plenty of other booths to sit in. she sat back down and looked at the young man with a questioning look, "I thought that I had taken up the last booth", she said. "Why did you sit here may I ask", she asked kind of bewildered at the moment. She couldn't' understand why he had sat here with her when so many of the other booths were open.

"Oh I'm ever so sorry," The girl said, dabbing the tears from her face with a handkerchief. "I didn't know... I thought that I had taken up the last booth. Why did you sit here may I ask?" The girl seemed to be somewhat startled by his sudden appearance.

Robert leaned back in his chair, his smile fading in mock consternation. "Why did I sit here? Hmm... Now that is a good question. Well, seeing how you have asked I suppose I should answer." His smile was back in full force now. "I guess it's mainly because I hate to see people cry. Especially a pretty young woman like yourself. And seeing as you've stopped crying it seems my mission was a success." He opened his arms wide as if to say it was all logical and should now make perfect sense. Then he leaned forward, resting elbows on the table and clasping his hands together. "However, I also figured that if a person really must cry, it's better to have a shoulder to cry on then to be all by themselves."

Robert couldn't help but wonder exactly what she had been crying about. The most obvious reason he could think of was that she had just gotten word that her boy overseas had died, but with the war over, it didn't seem that likely. Not that it wasn't impossible. Men were still dying, in mishaps and freak accidents. It was possible he had been one of the badly wounded, someone who'd fought for life long and hard, but had finally succumbed to the wounds of war. Or it could be for any number of other reasons. If she wanted to share she would, and if not he wasn't going to pry. "Please, please, sit back down. No need for you to leave on my account. After all, I'm the one that disturbed you, not vice versa. And if you'd rather be alone right now I can always leave."

His polished shoes thumped against the ground as he walked along, trying to take in the names of streets and certain places that may come in useful for him later on, with his life here. Most of it was going over his head however, there was too much for him to take in on one sitting, he couldn't succumb to how larger the streets and how longer they were as well. London was cramped together, rows and rows of small dingy houses backed onto each other filled Tommy with pleasant memories of his childhood running around the grubby streets, although only now he saw how clean other places were and some how for all those years he lived there, he guessed he'd been missing out on a lot.

It took him a while, half an hour just like the man said to walk one long straight road and down another which wound around, rows of large and wooden built houses sitting a few metres back from the pavement or 'sidewalk' as Tommy had heard many people say. His eyes searched for the number he was looking for until he came to it...

The house was large and painted white, with a porch on the front where to hanging baskets hung each side of the mouth opening, a border collie dog lay on the white washed porched, his ears pricking up when he saw movement in the street of Tommy approaching, walking up the long dirt pathway that led to the house. Although it wasn't the most glamorous of houses; there were cracks in the paint and the window panes appeared worn, it was an impressive house mainly due to its sheer size.

The dog started to bark with a cheerful manner and bounced up around Tommy's feet as he knocked on the door, nervously awaiting his new 'family' to open the door.

With each foot step, James felt his legs tremble and he had to force his leg to straighten. When he had been hit in Bastogne it was through and trough. A solid 8.57mm tore through the outer side of his knee and now it didn't 'lock' the way it should have. So no when ever he took a step, it would tremble and couldn't place to much weight on it or it his leg would give out, buckling and cause him to fall over painfully. He had the chance to experience it a few times when he was fighting in Iwo Jima.

So, James continued to lurched forwards down the dusty trail. There were no mile markers or speed limits. Cars were sped past him every now and again. None stopping to help the weary veteran. Though he wasn't sure what he'd do if they did. He just didn't feel the same any more. Parts of him were missing inside. Pieces of himself that made this all seem surreal.

"I'm sorry sir", said Mary to the young man as she sat back down "It's just I'm not having a very good day, I'd hate to interrupt you if your meeting someone", she said as she checked her watch. The waitress came up again, she looked at Robert and then to Mary with a smile. "Well honey is there something I can get you?" she asked Robert. "What about you sweat heart you want something your cold coffee". "I was then that Mary realized how long she had been sitting there crying her eyes out. Her stomach then growled it's protest to Mary skipping breakfast, she put her hand to her stomach and blushed slightly, "excuse me" said Mary as she looked down at the table in embarrassment. Then Mary looked over at Robert with a slight smile on her face, "You don't mind if I have breakfast do you. I skipped breakfast this morning an well it's caught up with me".

She walked out the door heading towards the office. She didn't feel like driving to work because the soldiers were coming back today and she didn't want to be in the way. Throwing the newspaper in the bushes by the steps, she kept on walking. "I don't even read the newspaper so why throw it at my doorstep."

While walking by passing cars she looked around, what caught her attention was a trembling man who looked like he was about to fall. She walked over there as quickly as she can,"Um sir are you okay..you need help." She grabbed the men's arm putting it over her shoulders. "You shouldn't be walking when your in this condition." She looked at him and smiled a little. She really hoped that he would accept her help..she would love to help him..actually she loves to help everyone in need.

"No need to call me sir. And no one even knows that I'm back yet, so there's nothing of mine that you'd interrupt." Robert said with a chuckle.

"Well honey is there something I can get you? What about you sweat heart you want something your cold coffee?" asked an elderly waitress who had approached while the two had been talking.

"You don't mind if I have breakfast do you. I skipped breakfast this morning an well it's caught up with me". The young woman asked with a small smile. Well, she's smiling now. That must be a good sign Robert thought.

"It's a free country, so I imagine you can have whatever you'd like as long as it's okay with our fine hostess here." Robert replied. A fleeting thought of what it had cost to ensure that it was still a free country flitted across his mind, dimming his smile for a fraction of a second, but he quickly brushed it aside. There would be time for such thoughts later. Robert turned his attention back to the waitress. "I could really go for a Burger, Fries and a Lemonade if you've got some." The waitress jotted down his order.

"My name's Robert, by the way," he stated, turning his attention back to the girl across from him, still smiling. "Robert Johnson, formerly of the US Navy. I figured I might as well introduce myself seeing as it looks like we'll be sharing a meal together."

"Mary Thomas pleasure to meet you Robert, the Navy you say my...." Mary stopped in mid sentence, "I have a friend that just got back he was in the Army", she sighed trying not break down and cry again. She sat up in her seat and put on a smile, "That's wonderful you must be so happy to be home, and thank you for all you did for us back home", she said with sincerity. She was grateful to all the service men but unfortunately the one she wanted to show her true appreciation too didn't want it. Pushing the thought form her head she turned back to Robert, "Your not from around here I know everyone from around her so what brings you to his town", she said with a smile. It was true everyone knew each other around here, so she would have met him before.

The wooden door flew open to show a short plump lady in her early fifties or forties whose face was lined with wrinkles and her cheeks shone a rosy red. She wore a floral pattern dress covered by an apron that fit around her waist. When she saw Tommy there her face broke out into a smile, although she probably did not have a clue who he was. She appeared friendly enough, but Tommy wasn't one to judge on first impressions.

"Hello, I'm George's friend Tommy." He started returning the smile, and as soon as the words left his mouth her face lit up happily and she took hold of his arm warmly taking him inside the house that smelled warmly of baked bread and an assortment of other food smells that wafted through the air. George's mother appeared happy to finally meet Tommy, in fact Tommy hadn't expected that much of a warm welcome that he just received from the merry lady who bustled around him.

"He's just on his way back from the ranch, he'll be back in a few minutes. I assume he said that you will be working there with him?" She asked as she sat him in the living room. The couches were covered in a floral pattern, just like her dress and a burgundy rug laid across the wooden floorboards. The room was decorated with an assortment of ornaments loyally collected and dusted once a day.

"Ah yes he did." Tommy said as he sunk back into the couch, the comfort of this couch warming his body unlike the third class travel he had used on the train.

"Well, It's nice to meet you Mary." Robert noticed the her pause when she mentioned her friend in the Army, but chose not to say anything. Yeah, it's nice to be back. I had some good times in the Navy and I'll miss it, but it's nice to be able to sleep someplace that's not constantly rocking and swaying. And thank you for you did during the war. If it wasn't for the support you folks back home, I'm not certain we could have won this war." The line might have seemed a bit cliche, but it was spoken with sincerity. Life had been pretty easy on a carrier, especially compared to what he imagined it must have been for the GIs slugging it out in the mud on the front lines. The support and encouragement the men on his ship had received had meant a lot to them and he could only imagine what it meant for the guys that were taking the brunt of the fighting.

"And your right, I'm not from around here. I'm actually from a small farming town a few hours north. Dennison's got the closest Train Station of any real size, so this is where I departed from and came back to. And I figured while I was here I might as well take a couple of days for myself to before I head back to the farm. It seemed like a good enough place for me to try and regain my land-legs." Robert said, still smiling.

Grasping her closely Gabriel shudders in joy as the pleasure of holding her begins to crackle in his brain. All the synapses firing as an untold number of memories surge into his head trying to shove their way to the front. Squinting his eyes, the memories take over and he shakes softy,” I’ve missed you so much. What have been up to while I’ve been gone?” Taking this chance to step back he stands arms distance away and listens intently. Short stories of passing jobs and deep loneliness with occasional periods of sleepless cold nights are told.

Taking his turn he replies with stories of friends and strangers wishing him good days and a happy future when he gets home. The many people and soldiers that he has saved have left him with a ammo can full of letters and notes of thanks, gesturing at the can for her to see. Grinning he closes his eyes and readies himself for the up coming moment.