The Home front a short story
“He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way” played on the radio “He had a boogie style that no one else could play, he was the top man at his craft, But then his letter came up and he was gone with the draft, He’s in the army now a-blowing reveille, he’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of company B”
“He was a famous trumpet man from out chicago way” played on the radio “He had a boogie style that no one else could play, he was the top man at his craft, But then his letter came up and he was gone with the draft, He’s in the army now a-blowing reveille, he’s the boogie woogie bugle boy of company B”
It was saturday september 2 1945 and the U.S. won the war! Japan had surrendered shortly after Germany and there was peace at last. Jane Dodson was one of the many thousands waiting for her husband to return from the war. It had been three years of letters back and forth, no calling to late night walks through the streets of Brooklyn, just letters. In truth she has drifted away from him, there's was a new man who she met while working as a secretary for a law firm in Brooklyn. He was taller than her husband Paul and walked with confidence, she was instantly attracted to him. His name was David Meuller a wealthy businessman, he to was deeply attracted to Jane whom he thought was single. He would think of any foolish reason to see his lawyer just to have a brief exchange with Jane, just to see her. Then that day he got the nerve to ask her on a date, there was a nice dinner she fancied away from anyone who may see her with another man.
Months had passed and Jane fell deeply for Mr Meuller as he did with her they would often go out for long drives into the countryside, or spent long hours at his apartment talking over a glass of wine. To her everything was going well she was happier than any other time in her life, until her visit to the doctor. It was August 1st 1945 when her doctor told her she was pregnant, he fortunately wasn’t aware of her absence and was very happy for her. Suddenly she felt very very alone.
September came Neither David nor Paul knew of her pregnancy, neither knew about each other. Fortunately David was busy at his office which gave her time to reacquaint herself with her husband and come up with a plan. Thousand of men and women were waiting in time square waiting for the troops to come home. After waiting for hours for Paul she finally saw him.
“Paul over here!”
“Holy smokes Jane you look wonderful, how have you been?”
Before she could answer, Paul grabbed her hip, swung her back and kissed her. People nearby started clapping and cheering. When they were done Paul smiled the biggest smile he could, and Jane blushed. It had been forever since they’d kissed and quite frankly she had forgotten what it was like.
“Ahh Jane there's so much I have to tell you, why don’t we go down to Mulligans and have a drink”
“Ahh sure Paul” she said sheepishly “I haven't been there in forever”
The bar was crowded when they arrived but Paul was able to secure them a table and some beer. Jane knew that soon she had to tell Paul or someone, eventually people would figure it out. However she could not bear the shame of what she had done. Having Paul back also posed another concern, she did not know how to keep the two men from finding out about each other. The situation was impossible and there was no way out of it.
“What's wrong Jane you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”
“Oh nothing,I’m just glad to have you back that's all”
Paul smiled from ear to ear, “well I’m glad to be back darling”
After a long pause Paul spoke up “you know I got thinking on the way back here wouldn’t it be great to have some young Dodsons running around?”
Jane's heart skipped a beat “you mean have Kids?”
“Yeah you know move out into the country and start a family”
“Yeah I guess that would be nice”
“Are you sure nothings wrong?” asked Paul a little dismayed Jane wasn't excited about his idea.
“Yea i’m fine it's just been a long three years”
That even when Jane and Paul got home it was all Jane could do to not burst out in tears. She no longer loved Paul, but no longer wanted David either. Instead she wanted to run away and start over and never make the mistake again. She decided to call David and explain to him the situation and come clean, so she called in up while Paul was upstairs getting his clothes sorted out. She called David but before she could tell him he insisted that he take her out.
“Ahh Paul”
“Yes dear?”“I'm gonna go get some food down town for a bit”“In this weather? Jane it’s raining out, let me drive you”“Oh no Paul I’m quite alright, I’ll get a Taxi, You get some rest”
When David picked he walked up to the door to knock as he always did, but Jane quickly rushed out and hopped in the car. David wa dressed better than usual, the suit was new and he wore his special watch. Jane took no notice of this however she was too busy toiling with how she was to explain to David the position she put him in.
“How was your day my dear” David inquired in a happy tone“Oh um good I spent the day watching the troops come home”“Ahh that must’ve been quite the spectacle”
They decided to go to David's apartment instead it was late and many restaurants were closing up. When they arrived David continued the usual ritual of opening her door and taking her had. He was quite a gentleman in his manners, he always knew the right thing to do and took great care of Jane when they were together.
“David there's something I have to tell you”“All in time my love, first I have a surprise for you”Before she could resist David led her to the living room , he then grabbed her hand and took a knee and out of his coat pocket he produced a small black box. Jane's heart sank“Jane Dodson, I love you very deeply and think of you as not only a good friend but also a loving bride, will you marry me”
Jane was lost for words, then she saw the diamond. It sparkled like nothing she’d ever seen before. It was at that moment she remembered why she fell in love with David, she remembered why she had grown distant from Paul. With a faint scratchy voice she said “David I need to tell you something”“What is it my dear”“I already have a husbandThis time it was David who had a shock “what do you mean?”“I’ve been married for four years now, my husband just returned from the war”“I don’t understand is this a joke”“No David I need to leave I’m sorry I cannot do this anymore”David went against his better judgment and took her home but was still in shock of what happened, I felt as though someone has shot a bullet into his head.
Paul stayed up waiting for Jane to return home. It had been over an hour now and he was getting quited bored waiting, so he began looking around. He remembered all the things in their bed room the pictures and the paintings, the curtains. He remembered the nightstand jane insisted on having on her side of the bed. Boredom then lead to curiosity as he opened the door expecting to find expensive makeup that she bought while he was away or some gothic novel. Instead he found something he wished he’d never seen.
When David and Jane arrived home they were stunned to see Paul sitting on their front porch. It was night time and from the streetlights Paul could see a man sitting next to Jane. Paul stood up and approached the driver's side of the car.“Ahh Paul what are you doing shouted Jane”Threw a handful of photographs at Jane they were pictures of her and David together on long island. David was already out of the car when Paul reached him “there's been a misunderstanding you wife did not inform me that you.”“Bam”Before David could finish Paul shot him with his father's revolver in the head and he died before he hit the ground. Jane screamed “no what have you done” with tears streaming from her eyes”Paul turned to her and fired two more rounds, one straight at Jane's heart piercing her heart the other into his own head.