August 1944

As Jonathon walked back to the office after his morning inspection, he noticed the men he passed averted their eyes or turned away when they saw him. It was something that had been happening with more frequency recently.

Good, he thought, lifting his straw hat so he could wipe the sweat off his forehead before it ran in his eyes. The men should be afraid of him. He'd fired four of them in the last four weeks, and he wouldn't hesitate to fire more, even if it meant he'd have to hire women to replace them.

The last two he'd caught resting in the shade of an idle steam shovel. Seeing them sitting there as if they didn't have anything else to do made his rage boil over. He'd tossed them out on the spot and after he'd gotten back to the office, he'd phoned the draft board to let them know the two were no longer employed in the war effort.

The soldiers in Europe like Billy didn't get to take a break from the war whenever they felt like it. They were in the thick of the fighting, putting their lives on the line every minute of every day. And he was making sacrifices too, spending long hours at work instead of at home with his wife and son. If they didn't understand the value of putting in a full day of work at the mine, they could learn it at the frontlines.

Although the war might be over by time those men got shipped overseas, he mused. The military had made great gains in France since the invasion. The papers were saying they might reach Berlin by Christmas. Jonathon sure hoped so. Even though they'd gotten a letter from Billy letting them know he'd survived the invasion and was alright, Jonathon was sick with worry for him, especially after what he'd seen at the picture show.

He'd taken Helen to a movie in an attempt to take her mind off the baby, but he'd forgotten the newsreels would show footage from the war. That night it was film from the Normandy invasion. Seeing soldiers making their way up the beach and then dropping as they were shot, was horrifying for Jonathon, but it had been too much for Helen. She'd started crying, but she wasn't the only one. Nearly everyone in the theater had a brother, a son, a father, a sweetheart, or friend who was fighting, and for many, they were overwhelmed with emotion.

Nearing the office building, Jonathon lifted his hat to wipe his brow again when he spotted the Duesenberg. It was too early for James to be there to get his lunch, he thought, and then the rear door opened.

"Helen," he said, quickening his steps to meet her as she closed the door and faced him. "What's wrong?" he asked, alarmed by her grim expression.

"Annie's mother got a telegram."

Jonathon slumped as he let a breath. It had to be about Annie's brother, Frank. "What did it say?"

"She hasn't opened it, but..." She swallowed, unable to finish the sentence. "I'm taking Annie home. She's pretty broken up right now."

"Maybe he's just injured," Jonathon said hopefully.

"You would think they would have let them know by now. It's been a month with no word from him at all."

She was right. Billy had written them right away and they'd had the letter within weeks. "Tell her I'm sorry," Jonathon said, knowing it would be small comfort. Annie was as devoted to her little brother as he was to Billy. Losing him was going to be devastating. "What will you do about Douglas?"

"I'm taking him with me. The neighbors are already at the house. There'll be girls to watch him and little ones to play with. He'll be okay."

"Alright."

She sighed deeply. "I don't know when I'll be home. I'll call when I need James."

"I'll make sure he stays near the telephone."

She hesitated for a moment, and then surprised him by stepping forward to hug him. He knew people were probably watching, but he didn't care. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "If you're late I'll wait up for you," he said into her hair.

"Don't, Johnny," she murmured, her face buried in his shirt. "You're so busy. You need your sleep."

"Okay," he said, even though it would be impossible to sleep without her. But he knew he shouldn't say it. He didn't want to make her leave Annie's if they needed her.

"I'll see you later," she said, letting go of him with sad eyes.

"If they need anything, let me know."

"I will."

He opened the car door for her, and heard Douglas call from inside. "Daddy!  Hi!"

"Hello, Douglas," Jonathon said bending low to greet him.

Douglas was on Annie's lap, and when she saw Jonathon, she quickly turned her head away and wiped her tears.

"You go with mommy," he said as Helen climbed in the back seat.

"Daddy, no!" Douglas said, trying to crawl to him, but Helen pulled him to her.

"You go with mommy and I'll see you later," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "Bye," he said, waving, knowing it was a game Douglas enjoyed playing with him.

Douglas excitedly waved back. "Bye bye!"

Jonathon closed the door and waited as the Duesenberg's engine turned and it drove away. Please let this war be over soon, he thought with a sigh. When it was gone, he turned to the building.

~~

Even before they got to the church, Jonathon and Helen passed groups of people dressed in their best clothes on the sidewalk, all heading in the same direction as the Duesenberg.

"There sure are a lot of people turning out for the funeral," Jonathon mused as James parked at the curb in front of the small white clapboard church. "It looks like half the town is here."

"I'm not surprised," Helen said. "Annie's mother has done a lot of work for people, between her baking, sewing, and taking in laundry."

James opened the rear door and as Jonathon climbed out, a memory came to him. He was having ice cream with Billy at Dwyer's Drugstore, and Annie was there, picking up shirts for her mother to mend with Helen and a young brother and sister in tow.

He did a wary scan of the people on the sidewalk before helping Helen and Douglas out of the back seat. "Can you wait for me at the door?" he said to Helen. "I need to talk to James."

"Alright," she said, shifting Douglas on her hip.

While she climbed the front steps, Jonathon took another quick look around and then leaned close to James. "I think Dwyer could show up," he said in a low voice. "I need you to keep an eye out for him. Don't make a scene, but if he tries something, if he tries to get near Helen or Douglas, I need you to stop him."

"Aye, sir," James said, his eyes hardening with determination.

"Leave the car here and go in ahead of us."

James didn't even wait to reply. He took the stairs two at a time and tipped his hat as he passed Helen, disappearing into the building.

"That's so nice he's attending," Helen said when Jonathon reached her. "Annie will appreciate it."

"I'll take Douglas," Jonathon said, holding his hands out, and Douglas leaned towards his reach.

"Thanks.  He's getting so heavy these days," Helen said, letting go of him with obvious relief and straightened her dress.

He was glad she hadn't thought Dwyer might be inside, but if he was, Douglas would be safer with him than with her. He stepped inside the church first, and scanned the faces. There was no Dwyer, but he found James. James gave him a curt nod, and then motioned in the direction of the pews, letting Jonathon know it was safe to go on.

"There's Annie," Helen said, spotting her near the altar, and started down the aisle.

Walking beside her, Jonathon couldn't help looking around the nearly full church for Dwyer, but James had been right. The man wasn't there. Hopefully he wouldn't show up at all.

Annie was standing with her sister and mother, a frail looking woman with white hair. All three women's faces were tired and drawn.

"Thank you for coming," Annie said, attempting a smile, as Helen clasped her hand.

"Of course," Helen said, her voice full of concern.

"I don't know if you've met my mother," Annie said to Jonathon.

"I don't think I have," Jonathon said taking her hand. "Mrs. Montgomery."

"We have met before," she said in trembling voice. "But you were so young, you probably don't remember."

"Oh," he said, hoping his face wasn't flushing noticeably. The only time he would've had the opportunity to meet her was at her husband's funeral after he'd been killed at the mine. His father must have taken Jonathon, but he had no memory of it. "I'm sorry about your son."

"Thank you," she said, dropping her head as pain filled her eyes.

He turned to Annie's sister. She'd grown into a young woman since the last time he'd seen her, a plainer version of Annie. "Hello, Margie," he said, taking her hand.

"Hello, John – Mr. Blackwell," she stuttered.

"You have a very fine boy," Mrs. Montgomery said, smiling for the first time as she patted Douglas's head. "He's the spitting image of you."

"Uh – thank you," Jonathon said with surprise. Did Douglas really look that much like him? Helen seemed equally surprised, but delighted by the comment.

"Cherish him," Annie's mother continued as tears came to her eyes. "Little boys grow up so fast."

"Come on, Momma," Annie's sister said gently, putting her arm around her mother's shoulders. "Let's go sit." She guided her to a pew in front while the woman pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

"Hello, Annie," Jonathon heard a girl say behind him, and he turned at the familiar voice. Kitty came forward to hug Annie. "I'm so sorry about Frank."

"Thanks," Annie said, her eyes glistening. "I better go sit with my mom," she said, and turned away, overcome with emotion.

As Kitty greeted Helen, Jonathon's eyes were immediately drawn to her waist where a bump was visible under her black dress.

The baby, he thought as a stab of grief pierced him.

"How are you feeling?" Helen asked Kitty. She was smiling, but her eyes were sad. She was feeling the grief too.

"I'm doing better," Kitty said, unconsciously smoothing her hands over her stomach.

Jonathon had to look away. It wasn't fair. His son was dead while Billy's child flourished.

"The morning sickness isn't as bad now. Hello, Johnny," she said, focusing her attention on him. "And Douglas," she said with a smile as she tickled his cheek." Douglas giggled and buried his face in Jonathon's suit jacket.

"We should sit," Helen said, eyeing Jonathon. She was no doubt sensing how uncomfortable he was.

"How about here?" Kitty said, pointing to a half empty pew two rows behind the family, and Jonathon's mood soured further.

He didn't want to sit with Kitty, but he didn't have a choice. She was a member of the family now, Billy's wife. At the thought of his brother, guilt burned on top of his grief. What was he doing? He'd promised his brother he'd look out for her.

"Go ahead," Helen said, motioning for Kitty to sit first. Then she followed, placing herself between Kitty and Jonathon.

To take his mind off Kitty, Jonathon studied the altar. Just like previous funerals for servicemen he'd attended, there was no casket. Instead they'd placed photos and cut flowers on a cloth covered table. In his official Army portrait, Annie's brother looked very young, barely fitting in his uniform. His cap was too big for his thin face, and a large gap showed between his two front teeth as he grinned. Poor kid.

The priest took his place at the lectern and began the service. When he said Frank's name, Annie's mother hunched forward and began crying. Annie and her sister leaned close to comfort her, and Jonathon noticed Helen wipe away a tear.

As the service continued, Douglas got antsy, and Jonathon welcomed the distraction, playing simple finger games with him to keep him occupied.

When it was over, they stood and filed into the aisle.

"I'll see you two at the wake," Kitty said before she went to the Montgomery women.

Douglas reached for his mother, but Jonathon pulled him back, causing Douglas to cry out indignantly, "No!"

"I'd better take him," Helen said, holding her hands out for Douglas. As soon as he was in her arms, he leaned his head on her shoulder and rubbed his eyes with his fists. "He's going to need a nap soon."

"If we go to the Montgomery's house for the wake, he's going to be cranky," Jonathon said, hoping to convince her it was a bad idea. The last hours had been filled with too much grief, and he just wanted to go home.

"Do you think Annie will understand if we don't attend?" said Helen worriedly.

"Why don't you ask her? If she needs you, I can always take him home."

"And do what with him?" Helen said with a small laugh.

Jonathon straightened. "I think I can manage putting him to bed."

"I'll go talk to Annie," she said, giving him wry, unconvinced smile before she left.

Jonathon watched her as she joined the women huddled around Annie, and then turned to find James. In that instant, his heart froze.

Mr. Dwyer was in the middle of the aisle at the back of the church. He wasn't looking at Jonathon, nor did he seem to realize that James was standing just behind him. Instead, his attention was on Helen and Douglas, his expression filled with longing.

Jonathon waited, ready to act if he made a move forward. Then Dwyer's face contorted into anger as his eyes shifted to Jonathon. Jonathon glared at him, daring him to try anything. Dwyer turned abruptly, nearly running into James as he headed for the exit. James followed him, not waiting for confirmation from Jonathon.

Luckily, Helen was still talking to the others when he stepped beside her. She'd missed the entire encounter.

Douglas was half asleep on her shoulder. "I'll take him," he said, lifting him out of her arms. To his relief, Douglas laid his head on Jonathon's shoulder with a tired sigh.

"I haven't had a chance to ask her yet," Helen said quietly.

"It's alright. Take your time." The longer it took before they left, the further Dwyer would get from the church.

Jonathon moved away from the women, keeping his attention on the doorway where Dwyer had disappeared.

"Mr. Blackwell?"

One of his employees approached hesitantly, his slow walk making his heavy limp more pronounced. A woman was close behind him.

"Mr. Blackwell, hello."

"Hello – uh..." Jonathon stopped short, realizing he didn't know the man's first name. Everyone at the mine always called him 'Gimpy', but perhaps he wouldn't want to be called that in front of his woman.

"It's Samuel, sir," he said, understanding Jonathon's predicament. "My wife wanted to meet you and – I was hoping..."

"Yes, of course."

"This is Clara," Samuel said as she stepped forward.

"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Blackwell," she said shyly when he took her hand.

"It's nice to meet you."

"Is this your boy?" Samuel asked.

"Yes, this is Douglas," Jonathon said, turning so they could see his face better as he rested against Jonathon.

"Poor thing, he looks tuckered out," Clara said with a kind smile.

"Yes, he's ready for his nap."

"You've got a good boy there, Mr. Blackwell," Samuel said.

"Yes, he is," Jonathon said, a deep pride swelling inside him.

"I can tell he's going to grow into a fine man, just like his pop. Well, we don't want to disturb you further. I'll see you tomorrow, sir."

"Yes, good bye," Jonathon said, nodding as they left.

"Are you ready?" Helen asked, appearing at his side.

"Annie's alright with you not attending?"

"Yes," she said, rubbing Douglas's back. "Let's get this little guy home to bed."

As they approached the exit, James appeared. "Ready ta leave, sir?" he asked, his eyes letting Jonathon know it was safe.

"Yes, we are."

James nodded and hurried ahead of them.

Once they were settled in the back seat, Douglas crawled onto Helen's lap. She wrapped her arms around him and his eyes closed, falling asleep immediately. "You know," Helen said, looking down at him. "This is the first time we've been in town as a family, all of us together."

"That's true," he said, realizing she was right.

"I always worried something bad would happen, but – nothing did," she said with a hint of wonder in her voice.

"It went as well as we could expect," Jonathon said, kissing the top of her head so she wouldn't see his face.

"People accept us as a family," she said, snuggling closer to him.

"That's because we are a family."

"I know we are," she said, leaning her head against his shoulder. "I was just worried other people wouldn't see it."

"Billy said they would," Jonathon said, remembering a long ago dinner conversation with his brother. "He said no one would doubt Douglas was my son. He was right."

"I'm so happy," Helen said quietly, her blue eyes that he loved so much looking up into his. "Even with everything going on, I'm still happy because I'm with you."

Jonathon was overwhelmed. In spite of all the sad times they were experiencing, she was happy being his wife. "I'm happy too, because I have you," he said, leaning towards her. "You're the only girl I ever wanted, and I got to marry you."

With her free arm, Helen pulled Jonathon close so she could kiss him.

https://youtu.be/zXSeQ8S4JXg

****

Thank you so much for reading!  I feel I should start with that, since this chapter took so long in coming.  Jonathon and Helen continue to weather the tough times they're going through, but they're pulling together.  I can only imagine how it must have been to live through those war years, but I'm sure a lot of families learned they had to pull together to get through it.  As you can see, Kitty's pregnancy is continuing, and already Jonathon is having difficulty dealing with it.  Is it a pretty horrible attitude for him to have?  Definitely!  I can't wait to hear what your reaction is to this chapter.

My work for Wattpad has increased quite a bit lately, which has eaten into a significant amount of my available writing time, hence the extremely long delay.  But I will strive to get the next chapter completed and posted as soon as I can. 

I have written a short piece about my recent visit to Wattpad HQ in the Wattpad Block Party - Summer Edition that you may enjoy reading in the meantime.  It includes a bunch of pictures I took that show what a very cool place it is to work.  There are a lot of other great chapters written by many of Wattpad's talented authors.  I've loved the ones I've read.  If you want to take a look, check the external link here or ask me for the link.

Until we meet again, happy reading!