so close was a mystery to Em. He knew that its torpedoes could sink a ship like the Indianapolis from a much greater distance. He frantically looked around the bridge and saw Captain Nakahara. He did not look alarmed anymore. The scream he had heard was only to make everyone aware of their situation.
Now Em could feel the boat turning. The Indianapolis was beginning to create a much greater distance between itself and the submarine. The sub had surfaced in just a minute or so. Now it looked to be diving again. As fast as it had appeared, it was now disappearing. Em could feel that their boat was now heading in another direction. Jeff was up top talking to Colonel Roth and Captain Nakahara. Jack had a look of excitement on his face. Em could tell his adrenaline was pumping. Both of them went to the side of the boat where they could still see the Indianapolis. The sub had totally vanished. Em knew that it was most likely chasing the Indianapolis, but a feeling of dread suddenly overwhelmed him. His mind would only think things like, “What the heck am I doing here?” and “Where in the world am I right now?” He was as close to understanding Sergeant Barnes as he ever would be.
The Indianapolis finally disappeared over the horizon. Em muttered the words, mostly to himself, “Godspeed, Indianapolis.”
Chapter 5
The Long Winter
My dearest Emory,
I find myself waking up every morning with no other thoughts but the ones I have of you. I will not wait until the end of this letter to tell you how much I love you. I wake up and start to worry. I reread your letters time and time again. It is so hard to understand what is happening. The news reports promise us day in and day out that the war is winding down. Ever since the invasion in France, the reports indicate that we are advancing toward Germany very quickly. I try to read every newspaper that I can get my hands on. It is agonizing when I do not hear from you. I know that you write every chance that you get. I talked to your mother. She says that you are doing just fine and for me not to worry. I can see that she is hiding her real feelings, but the comfort that she offers is genuine. I am trying to understand that this job of yours is important and necessary. However, when the only news I hear from you is vague and misleading, I wonder just how important it is. This Colonel Roth is obviously a very able man. I know he chose you because of your level head. I hope that he is satisfied with his choice. If I ever get to meet him, I will tell him that he is lucky to have you. You must remember that your most important mission is the one where you come home to me.
I cannot believe that it has been a year since you and Corby boarded that train. Even though it has only been a year, in some ways, it feels like an eternity. There are several more men leaving on the train next week. I cannot bear to watch them leave. I assume that you are aware of the ones we have lost. If you are not, then I have to tell you that the Cummins family lost both of their sons. The D-Day invasion may have been a monumental military success, but the loss of life seems pointless. Most of those young men had no idea where in the world they were. Now they will never make it home. At church last week, their mother spoke, and her strength overflowed to each person in attendance. The tears could have filled a swimming pool. I could not even approach her afterward. All I could think of was you, and it made me feel so selfish that I was ashamed of myself. Is that wrong? My life would be so incomplete without you. I realize that we are young, but this war has a way of maturing even the most immature. I wonder if you are in contact with Corby. You do know that he is in France. He and his friend, Larry, have remained together. When I read Corby’s letters, I can see how much he has grown up. I hardly recognize his words. If it were not for his recognizable penmanship, I could not tell it was really him. His sister lets me read all his letters. He asks about you in every one. I will enclose his address in case you want to write to him.
He has been working on the bombers that fly the missions over Germany. He says some of them should not be in the air. His frustration is apparent. He talks of his friend Larry like he is talking about a child. I feel that Corby is taking care of him. Corby also says that he is anticipating his homecoming. He wants the girls around here to know that he is available. I honestly never thought that he gave them much thought. I do know that he will surely be appreciated a little more.
It has been over a month again since I have received a letter from you. I am used to getting them sporadically. I hope that some of your words are finding their way to me now. In the last letter you wrote, I learned about so many things. I know that you cannot tell me everything; however, I do not feel that any secrets will be revealed by me knowing where you are. Some of the things that you do reveal to me are interesting, but I am failing to see the importance of these missions. Colonel Roth promised that you would be an important part of this team, but from your letters, it seems that he has a trust issue. You and Jack are often in the dark about what exactly you are doing. I know you don’t say so, but you forget how well I know you. I can read between the lines. Your frustration comes through loud and clear. He promised you almost a year ago that he would trust you completely because that is the way he was training you. How is it that you and Jack are always the last ones to know exactly what your mission is? I hope that things are different now. Tomorrow is May 2, and I have not heard from you since the end of March. I will not pressure you because I know that you are writing, and I know that you are thinking of me. I love you, Emory Story. I will be here waiting for you upon your return. You and Corby get home and build me that house that you have promised. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Emory Story.
Emory, it is now ten o’clock in the evening, and I will try and finish this letter. I have been to the courthouse, and the news around town is that Hitler is dead. Everyone is so excited! I know that this means that this blasted war will finally be over. Mussolini is gone, and Hitler and his SS are gone. Now all we have to do is finish things in the Pacific, and you can come home. I will end this with a feeling of certainty that you are coming home. Your last letter said that you were no longer in the Pacific realm. With things in Europe ending, I know that Colonel Roth will send you home. There cannot be anything else for you to do. Please do not volunteer for anything new. You must come home to me and your mother. You and Corby will be back here soon, and life can begin again. I see my life with you in my dreams every night. You are the love of my life. Our family will grow with that love. Getting to grow old with you is my mission! Come home to me, Emory. I love you with all my heart and pledge to love you till death do us part.
I love you,
Irene
Emory lay in his bunk reading her letter for at least the tenth time. He knew that he should be sleeping, but his tears kept him awake. He too felt like the past year had been an eternity. After he and the rest of his team got back to Hawaii, things began to move much too fast. The ride aboard the Indianapolis had only been the beginning. Looking back at that time now, he felt like it had been a lifetime ago. Jeff’s parents and grandmother were safely tucked away in Atlanta. Colonel Roth and Captain Murphy were now leading them all over Europe. They landed their plane on runways that were much too small for their C-47 Skytrain. When a bomber would crash, the pilots would eject, and Colonel Roth and his team would land on whatever surface they could find and rescue them. Em was now so used to flying that he could sleep through turbulence. Loading and unloading the plane had become as routine as brushing his teeth. The downed pilots were always so grateful. Em had sadly become so accustomed to their thankfulness that he no longer felt the emotion that he had felt on his first mission of this type. With so many missions being flown into enemy territory, Em had assumed that they would be a target. However, after more than two dozen rescue missions, they never encountered enemy fire. Em was certain that their luck would eventually run out. Now, even though he was still flying every day, he had not been over enemy territory in more than two months.
Jack had found out that something big was brewing. Jack had a knack for finding things out. His smooth demeanor was calming for anyone he was talking to. It seemed like everyone always wanted to impress him. He used people to gain knowledge. Em had been watching him for a long time now and would never underestimate him again.
Now,
