ocean and the beach.
“Darling, I’m sorry we’ll only have a week here in Bermuda. I want to share so much with you.” Jeremy slouched in a big chair and watched Sharon.
“Oh, Jeremy.” Sharon twirled around as if she were dancing and sat on his lap. “That’s not important. Just being with you is wonderful and our honeymoon will last a lifetime, wherever we are.”
A knock sounded on the door as a maid opened it and walked in. Smiling she asked, “Do you need anything; towels, soap, shampoo, anything?”
“Hey!” Jeremy roared jumping up and dumping Sharon on the floor. He stormed at the maid. “Did we ring for you? Did I invite you into this room?”
Frightened, the woman shook her head and shuffled backwards.
“Then get out of here and don’t come in this room unless you’re invited.” The maid ran out leaving the door open.
Walking to close the door, Sharon said, “That wasn’t nice. She’s just doing her job.”
“Shut up!” Jeremy shouted pointing his finger in her face. “You let me handle the hired help. Do you understand?”
Although Sharon was shocked at his behavior, she choked back a response. It hurt her for him to speak in that tone of voice, but she was too much in love to allow it to become an argument. She was so naïve that she didn’t recognize Jeremy was doing as his mother had taught him. She had yet to learn he had no respect or compassion for others.
After their week in Bermuda, they reported to the Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This would be a complete change in life style for Sharon because, instead of a single family residence, they were assigned one side of a lovely brick duplex. There were a few apartments and single dwellings for higher officers, but all of the housing was much closer together than she was accustomed to living.
Their furniture would be issued from a billeting and they would be responsible for even a scratch on a piece. They would pay their own phone and cable TV bills, but all other utilities were provided.
“Can I work in that miniscule yard and plant my own flowers?” Sharon inquired eagerly. “I want to make this look truly like our home.”
“No,” Jeremy answered irritably. “The post engineers do all the lawn work and planting. You would have to ask permission and fill out papers in triplicate. You know how the government is.”
“Can I at least choose curtains and items to make this seem more like a home?”
“Yeah. Yeah. If it means that much to you, do what you please. I’ll be in later. I have people to see.” Jeremy snapped and strode out without any explanation.
Heavenly Father, I love my husband and am trying to be a good wife. I’ll need y our help a lot because all of this is new to me. I wish Jeremy would confide in me and tell me what’s worrying him. He hasn’t been the same since we married. I’m sure going to need my guardian angels. Guide me, please.
Sharon was grateful to those who came to welcome her to the base and offer help if needed. Some even brought prepared food so that she wouldn’t have to cook much until she was settled in.
Linda Pallister introduced herself as a neighbor across the section facing Sharon, and two houses down. “My husband is a military attorney, Captain Philip Pallister,” she said more proudly than she intended to. “And you might as well know, I am silly in love with him, possibly even more than I was when we married eight years ago.”
Laughing at the woman’s confession, Sharon felt herself drawn to Linda. I like all of the wives who came today to welcome me, but, for some reason, I feel that Linda and I are going to be great friends.
Jets taking off and landing actually caused a vibration in the house. “I’m not sure I can ever learn to sleep through the unfamiliar noises. I may even have to buy ear plugs,” she told Jeremy one morning and that day she did buy them.
One morning at breakfast she asked a silent grace as usual. It disturbed her that Jeremy objected to praying before meals. She quietly studied the stern face of her husband. “Darling, why haven’t you told me exactly what you do.”
“Why? I thought you knew. Lady, you have an important husband,” he leaned back in his chair. “I’m a flight instructor for the new soldiers. Their first few days are spent in the classroom and then I take them out to teach them to fly our planes.”
“How exciting. Are you the only instructor?”
“Of course not. There’s too many new recruits coming in for one instructor to handle. I’m the best though.”
“You don’t have to tell me something I already know. What else do you do?”
“I fly the big brass wherever I’m told to take them.”
“My goodness. That’s a big responsibility. Does it mean you’ll be gone overnight sometimes?”
“Sure. For instance, if I fly to Washington, D.C., it could mean two or three days.”
“I am in awe of you, my darling. Your job is much more important than I realized. Could you teach me to fly?”
“No! I can’t use military equipment for personal reasons and besides, you don’t need to know how to fly.” His unreasonable temper was confusing.
Disturbed at his anger, she changed the subject. “Oh, look at the time. We have to hurry and get ready for the orientation meeting.”
“You don’t mind going alone, do you? I have some things I must take care of.”
“Jeremy, please come with me. I’ll feel awkward going by myself.”
“There’ll be plenty of wives there alone. Not all husbands can have free time whenever they wish. Gotta go. Enjoy.” He was gone in a rush without a hug or a kiss.
“Linda, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you volunteered to go to this meeting with me. “ Sharon was grateful for Linda, but embarrassed that Jeremy was not there.
“Think nothing of it. There’ll be many new wives, or rather new to the base, but I’m already acquainted with the base and people and thought I might be a help to you.”
“You’ve helped me just by accompanying me. Thank you.”
The Commanding Officer, General James Huff, made all of them feel welcome and at ease. He reminds me of a sweet, old grandfather, Sharon thought and smiled to herself.
After the orientation meeting and refreshments, Linda took Sharon and two other new wives for a drive around town to sightsee.
The sun had just gone down over San Antonio as a tall, thin man, in a rumpled suit, hurried along Nogalitos Street. He looked furtively around and then stepped quickly into a phone booth. He asked for reverse charges on a number he wanted in northern Florida.
“Hey, Hank, it’s me, Duke. You won’t believe it. The Fool has went and got hisself married and he never said nothing to me about it.”
Strong profanity came over
