Beyond the Shadow of War (40 page)

“Yes, and that’s why we must all be prepared to give her a safe place to recover. You and Anya are welcome to stay with us as long as you like, son. You will always be welcome in our home. And while I want desperately to help in any way I possibly can, I want you to know that your father and I will respect your privacy. We’re available if you need us‌—‌and especially if
Anya needs us. It’s been my prayer for some time now that our home will be a haven of rest for her soul.”

“I appreciate that, Mom. Guys can be real blockheads when it comes to emotions, so I hope you’ll let me know if you notice I’m being oblivious to Anya’s needs.”

“Oh, you’ll learn soon enough. Besides, I’m guessing Millie will be a good friend to Anya. It will be good for her to have another young woman her age living in the same house.”

“Millie’s great. Though what she ever saw in my brother, I’ll never know.”

“The same could be said for Anya,” she volleyed.

He smiled. “True, true.”

“I’m just teasing. Both you boys have been blessed beyond measure. Since you were little babies, I’ve prayed for the girls you might marry.”

“Seems God answered those prayers.” Danny patted her hand.” I’m glad you’re here, Mom. I’m glad we’ve had a chance to talk.”

They sat in a comfortable silence for a while before the rhythm of the train’s motion lulled Danny to sleep. He gladly surrendered, giving in to the fatigue that had dogged him the past couple of days. Besides, sleeping would make the trip go faster.

The next morning, after a hot breakfast in one of the dining cars, they returned to their seats and watched an early-morning snow falling on the farmlands they passed by. Danny checked his watch again. Seven-thirty. Only an hour or so until they would pull into Grand Central Station and hail a cab to take them to their hotel. From there, he would make as many calls as necessary to find out what happened to the
Wisteria
.

Hold on, Anya. I’m coming. Just hold on.

44

8 February 1946 

New York City 

After checking in to their hotel not far from New York’s harbor, Danny and his mother rode the elevator up to their room on the sixth floor. While she rested, Danny placed a call home. As soon as the operator connected him, Joey told him they’d had a call about an hour earlier from Lieutenant Powell.

“Ready for some good news, Danny?”

“Yes! Tell me!”

“Anya’s ship has been repaired and is heading as we speak to New‌—‌”

“YESSSS! THANK GOD!” Danny closed his eyes, savoring the news and letting it penetrate his anxious heart.

His mother sat up. “What is it, Danny?”

“Her ship is on its way here again!”

“Oh, sweetheart, that’s wonderful!”

“Joey, that’s GREAT!”

“I had a feeling that might cheer you up. We’ve all been celebrating ever since the call came through.”

“Oh, my goodness, I’m not sure I can even breathe right now!”

“Take your time, baby brother. You’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

“I just can’t believe it’s finally happening. Okay, let me think … wait, did Powell say if he’d had any direct contact from Anya? No, wait. She wouldn’t have wired him. Did she send a telegram there? Do you know if she’s‌—‌”

“Look, all he said was that the ship was sailing again. Apparently they got hit with some awful weather while they were trying to deal with that fire in the engine room.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“Yes, I’m afraid so, but he didn’t know the specifics.”

“So he didn’t say if any of the brides or kids were injured?”

“Yes, but he had no names or even how many were hurt for that matter. But I’m sure Anya’s fine, Danny. The odds are in her favor. Don’t forget that.”

“Yeah, but her odds aren’t always ‘in her favor’ as such.”

“Still, you’ve got to go on the assumption that she’s fine and just as anxious to see you as you are to see her.”

“I sure hope so.”

“Oh, I almost forgot,” Joey continued. “Because the
Wisteria
is running behind schedule, Powell said it will be docking on Sunday, the same day as the
Queen Mary
, so you’ll have to check and find out which pier. Powell said he wished he knew specifically, but everything’s still up in the air, as you can imagine.”

“Did he say where I can find out?”

“His best guess was the Red Cross Center on Lexington Avenue there in New York.”

“Okay, I’ll start there. Ah, this is great, Joey! Thanks so much. Let me give you the number of the hotel where we’re staying in case you need to reach me.”

After he finished his conversation with Joey, he and his mother celebrated the good news and spent a few minutes in prayer, thanking God. They decided to leave in an hour or so to have some lunch before heading to the Red Cross.

The hustle and bustle of the city invigorated Danny as they made their way to a café around the corner from the hotel. They took a seat in the front near the windows, placed their order, then relaxed while they waited.

“Almost feels like Christmas, doesn’t it?’ Danny said. “Especially with the snow falling.”

“Yes, it does. And in a way, I guess it is …”

“Mom?”

She blinked a couple of times then waved him off. “Oh, nothing. Just some rambling thoughts bouncing around my mind.”

“Care to share?”

She shook her head with a strange nonchalance, then glanced back outside.

“Are you sure?”

“Oh, don’t mind me. I suppose I’m still a little tired from the trip.”

“Why don’t I walk you back to the hotel before I head over to the Red Cross?”

“Absolutely not. I wouldn’t miss a moment. Until Anya steps off that ship, you’re stuck with me.”

After lunch, they hailed a cab to take them to the Red Cross Center. As the taxi turned the corner onto Lexington Avenue, they noticed a huge crowd of people and asked the driver if he knew what was going on.

“It’s been like this for a few weeks now. Mostly GIs trying to find out when their war brides will arrive.”

Danny and his mother shared a look, then paid the driver and joined the throngs huddled in clusters. They found their way to the end of a long line more than a block from the entrance.

“Mom, are you sure you want to wait with me? Maybe there’s a coffee shop where you could‌—‌”

“I’m fine, son.” She tightened the wool scarf around her neck. “Let’s see how the line is moving along. If I get too cold, I’ll tell you.”

As the snow continued falling, Danny picked up bits of conversation in front and behind them. Most were expecting their wives on the
Queen Mary,
which was scheduled to dock on Sunday morning. Not a single one of them had mentioned the
Wisteria
, which made him wonder. Half an hour later, they finally stepped inside the center to find another long line winding back and forth around roped stanchions.

Danny groaned. “Great. Just great.”

“At least it’s nice and warm in here,” his mother said. “I’m going to see if I can find the ladies room.”

“Take your time. In fact, why don’t you find somewhere to sit down while I wait my turn? No need for you to stand and wait with me.”

“Sounds like a good idea. How will you find me?”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

Another half hour passed before Danny made it to the front of the line. A uniformed Red Cross girl motioned him toward her.

She smiled. “How may I help you today?”

He took off his hat. “My wife is on the
Wisteria,
and I need to know what time it’s scheduled to arrive on Sunday and where it will dock.”

Her smile diminished briefly. “Yes, I can help you with that. Are you aware the
Wisteria
ran into some problems?”

“Yes, I have a contact with the embassy in London who told us about the fire on board and the storms they encountered.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re up to date on that. I’m guessing you must not have received the telegram sent to all husbands asking they not come to New York?”

“What? No. But I’m‌—‌”

“No, it’s all right.” She raised her hand, still smiling. “And I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

“No, you see, once I heard from my contact in London, I hopped a train to come here. Why would they tell us not to come?”

“There has been a great deal of confusion, which is to be expected in situations like this. The Army Transport Division made the request as an attempt to alleviate the confusion and these long lines. But you’re here, so we’ll do whatever we can to help you find your wife.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Good. What is your name and your wife’s name?”

He gave her all the information requested, including the telephone number of the hotel. After she confirmed Anya’s name on the
Wisteria’s
manifest, she explained the situation further.

“Right now, it looks like the
Wisteria
will dock mid-morning on Sunday. As you probably know, the
Queen Mary
will be docking on Sunday as well, which means the dock area will be quite congested. At this point, we haven’t been told which of the piers the two ships will be docking, but we’ll have Red Cross workers working the area. When you arrive, simply look for one of us and we can tell you more then. For now, I will put your name on the list so that you’ll be allowed in the queue at the appointed pier waiting for your wife’s name to be called.”

“That’s great. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. I’m sure you’re anxious to see her again.”

“You have no idea. Oh, I wonder‌—‌my mother is here with me. Would it be possible for her to join me in the queue?”

She paused for a moment, then, “Sure, why not?”

He gave her his mother’s name and waited as she added her name to the list.

“Now, here are your passes for the main entrance. We’ll have tables set up at the foot of the gangways. Each bride will have a printed landing card indicating the city or town where she is ultimately headed. That means your wife will be grouped with those heading to Chicago. It’s important that you’re there to hear her name called. Otherwise, I can’t rule out the possibility that she’ll be bussed to another location or even put on a train bound for Chicago. These disembarkations are quite an undertaking and take several hours, as I’m sure you can imagine. Hopefully, there won’t be a problem, but I wanted you to be aware of the possibility. If that should happen, we’ll do our best to let you know how to catch up with her.”

“All right. Thank you for your help, miss.”

“Thank you. Best wishes to you and your wife.”

He tucked the pier passes in his suit coat pocket then skirted the crowded area to find his mother.

After an early dinner at the same café where they had lunch, Danny and his mother took the subway to Times Square. The neon lights dazzled the snow-filled sky as theater patrons, moviegoers, and tourists packed the busy sidewalks. Here and there, musicians played jazz and entertainers danced a jig as a host of others sold souvenirs piled high on tables.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said, her hand on her hat as she gazed up at the bright marquees. “If you told me we were on another planet, I couldn’t be more surprised.”

“You’ve got that right.”

When they passed a small jewelry shop, Danny glimpsed something in the display window. He steered his mother out of the crowd and stopped for a look.

“A welcome gift for Anya?”

“To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it, but see that charm bracelet?”

“Yes, it’s lovely.”

“I gave her one when we were on our honeymoon in England. And that Empire State Building will make a nice addition to it, don’t you think?”

A few moments later, they left the shop with the gift box tucked in Danny’s coat pocket.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. How about an early dinner?”

“Sounds wonderful, son.”

They dined at a busy restaurant just off Times Square and finished their meal by sharing a piece of cheesecake.

“Oh my goodness,” his mother said, savoring her last bite. “I would love to have their recipe. Isn’t this divine?”

“I’d order another slice, but I’m stuffed. How about you?”

She sat back with a happy sigh. “No, I couldn’t eat another bite.”

After paying the waiter, he asked where she’d like to go.

“Oh, honey, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to go back to the room and go to bed.”

“That works for me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Let’s call it a night.” He helped her into her coat.

As he opened the door to exit, he added, “Just promise me one thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Let’s not tell Dad or Joey how early we tuckered out in New York City.”

She chuckled, following him out to the curb. “Not a word. My lips are sealed.”

Danny raised his hand. “Taxi!”