The Girl on the Balcony

By Bill Dyer

They were born in 1936, attended a school where boys and girls were segregated. They lived around the corner from each other in NYC, but never played together. They walked up to the same altar to receive their First Communion on the same day. They didn't notice each other. Why would they? He was a boy and she was a girl. Girls were no fun and boys were stupid.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bill Dyer
• Release date: Aug 16, 2009
• ISBN: 9781476162584

Bill Dyer

Bill Dyer is a quote collector on the sly.With coffee running through his veins, no time of day or night is safe for the unwary writer or speaker. They may find their words collected.

Book preview

~ * ~

The Girl on the Balcony

~ * ~

Written by William Dyer

Copyright © 2009 William Dyer

Smashwords Edition

ISBN 978-1-4761-6258-4

Find other works by this author at:

www.WilliamDyer.webs.com

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Members of Operation Book Drop may share with others in the military.

Chapter One

The Flight of the Dead Sailor

In the year 1936, Renée was born in the Bronx, New York and Will was born in Savannah, Georgia.

An airman reached down and offered a helping hand to him and then pulled him into the C46. He was given a parachute and he strapped it on. This was MATS not American or Delta Airlines. The Military Air Transport Service. Thousands of military planes were always flying here and there for whatever reason. If you had your leave papers, or military orders, then you were welcomed aboard. You couldn’t be sure about schedules because there were none. Nor how close to your destination you would land, or how far from it. It was free, so the price was right.

Will caught his hop at Fort Bragg, N.C. going to Shaw AFB, S.C. He would fly south to go north. From there he would make his way to the isle of Manhattan, the northern tip. He had a seven-day leave. He didn’t want to be on this flight. He left his young wife and new baby in Fayetteville to make this trip. Seven days leave. He had never had that much ‘all Renée time’ since he joined the military.

Less than 24 hours ago he had parachuted into Sicily. That’s Sicily Drop Zone at Ft. Bragg. Units of the 82nd Airborne had jumped in an exercise into the backlands of Louisiana. When the 82nd came home, they didn’t land in the planes, they jumped from them. It was the tradition of jumping home. When he got back to the barracks he cleaned up and was offered a ride home by Sgt. Burke. Sarge lived about a mile from him. Will found it a hassle to live off the base, but it meant that he would be with Renèe…and now the baby, a little girl named, Laura.

He exited Sarge’s car, shook his hand and hurried toward the small rented house he lived in with Renée and the baby. She appeared at the door and was seized by her husband. Before a word was said, he took her face in his hands and kissed her. He thought, Seven days, seven days with her. He kissed her again, then held her face and kissed her again. He was home with Renée. He held her close and told her, You’re the perfect height for kissing.

She was trying to pull her lips away from his so she could speak.

Stop a second…stop…WILL, STOP IT.

He stepped backed and squinted his eyes a bit, as if to ask, What’s wrong?

A girl called here. She wanted to speak to you.

What do you mean? What girl?

Myrtle.

Renée stared directly into his eyes with tears beginning to make their way down to her cheeks.

Renée …I don’t even know anyone named Myrtle, I swear.

No, no, no. I know you don’t know her. She called to tell you that Jimmy wants you to come to New York.

Jimmy…Jimmyyyy…You mean… Jimmy Kelleher?

She nodded, yes.

Will, she sounded like she had a bit too much to drink.

He turned around several times, confused, bending down and saying,

NO. Is he crazy? We have seven days together. I’m not giving that up for anyone. I’m not. Besides, in a couple of months, we’re going up there for Christmas leave. He can wait. Do we have some chicken noodle soup?

Renèe opened a can of Campbell’s Soup and was filling the can with water to add to the pot. Will grabbed her from behind and kissed the back of her neck. He pressed against her body and sighed. She felt so soft and warm. Was the baby good while I was gone?

The baby was fine.

Seven days pretty lady. Seven days!

She poured the water in the pot and without looking back she said,

He can’t wait, Will, he’s dying. The girl said that he’s dying. He’s at Columbia Presbyterian.

He hadn’t heard that…he couldn’t have, but he did. He turned and walked over to the window to look at…nothing. He was looking away…not at. Whenever his chest tightened, or he couldn’t swallow the rock in his throat…he looked away. He had his hands spread apart, leaning on the window frame. If he thought he was hiding his emotions, he was mistaken. She could see his head shaking. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and squeezed. She knew Jimmy and loved him like a little brother. They watched the rain begin to fall and splash in the alleyway. Watching the rain and being home with Renée was usually the recipe for cuddling and lovemaking. Why was that? Maybe it was the cozy hugging and looking at the rain together. Thunder made it even better. Lightning, well that would just put the icing on the cake. When a flash lit up her pretty face, it was a visit to Heaven. He walked in the door filled with joy and anticipation, just five minutes ago…now he was in a free-fall.

Come on now, eat your soup. How did the jump go in Louisiana?

Ahhh, jump went fine. It was humping our way through those damned swamps that got to me. Every twig looked like a snake. You know me, I can’t stand snakes.

He crumbled a few more saltines into the soup. Hey! You’re a great cook.

Yeah…right. Me and Campbell’s.

He wasn’t breathing in any rhythm. He would suddenly take a deep breath when he needed one and hold it. He was up tight, disappointed and heartsick over the news about Jimmy. His day has just spun around 180°. He finished the soup and went over to the phone. He picked up the receiver and just held it for a brief while. If I go, you’ll be alone here with the baby.

IF you go? IF you go? YOU GO! If you don’t, everyone will wonder how this little girl gave a paratrooper such a terrible beating. Don’t use me and the baby as an excuse not to go. Don’t you dare.

He looked at her, gave a crooked smile, and dialed the phone.

Sarge? Hi Sarge…Yeah, it’s me. I need a favor. He explained the situation and then, You know some of the guys out at Pope. Do you think you could check with them and see if there’s a flight heading up toward New York?

After a brief pause, he thanked his friend and said,

Yeah, I’ll wait right here until you call back. Thanks, Sarge.

Will began to pack what he would need for a few days. Spreading clothing on the bed, making a few folds, and then rolling them up tightly. When he unrolls the clothes there will be no wrinkles or creases. He could see Renée in the kitchen, leaning against the sink. She wanted him to stay but knew he had to go. She also mourned the loss of those precious seven days. She straightened up when she heard the baby whimper. A few seconds later, she was humming and rocking the baby cradled in her arms. Will watched. ‘God, I don’t want to leave them.’ He hadn’t even been there when the baby was born at the Fort Bragg hospital. Renée, eighteen years old, first time away from home...was by herself when she had her first baby. There was no complaining, she handled it like a trooper.

The phone rang. It was Sarge. Okay D, listen up. You can leave in about an hour for Shaw AFB in South Carolina. Then you’ll turn around and take another flight to McGuire AFB in Jersey. Good enough? I know it’s kind of bass ackwards.

That’s great. Thanks, Sarge. Really, thanks a lot.

Don’t thank me. It’s not my plane. I’ll pick you up in about fifteen minutes. Be ready…or you’re walking.

True to his word, Sarge pulled into the driveway and gave a tap on the horn. He sat there and watched the couple kiss goodbye at the door. Renée was holding the baby. He got out of the car and went to them. It was then that they noticed Sarge’s wife, Martha, was sitting in the car to make the ride with them. Sarge asked,

Mrs. D, why don’t you ride out to Pope Airbase with us? The baby will probably fall asleep on the ride.

Sarge…well, he jumped into Normandy on D-Day. If Will had a hero, it was SFC John Burke. He never acted the tough-guy roll. His men’s problems were his problems. Last year they notified him that he was being transferred out of the 82nd. His reaction; Do that…and I retire. He had the time in. He loved the 82nd. That’s the unit he was going to serve in, or he was gone.

On the way out to Pope, Mrs. Burke suggested that Renée stay with them while Will was gone. Renée hesitated, but Sarge’s wife pushed.

Please, I’d love to have you. It would be a treat to have a baby around again. I would feel better if you weren’t alone.

Why don’t you, Babe? I’d feel better, too.

Besides, Sarge has a TV, he chuckled. Renée agreed. It made Will feel much better.

Why don’t you pass the baby to me, and you two can cuddle? Go on, cuddle, insisted Mrs. Burke.

Renée let out a shy little giggle, but that’s just what they did on the twenty-minute ride. Hugging Renée during a goodbye always overwhelmed Will. He was like a child with a piece of candy, making it last. His lips would only brush hers until he just had to have that candy, the soft lips, then he would have the kiss he had have. Sarge and his wife knew a lot about separation. They kept their eyes forward.

They pulled into the parking area at Pope and went into the hangar. Will checked in with Operations to let them know that he was there for the flight to Shaw. After putting his name on the manifest, he made his way over to Renée to wait for his flight to board. From the other end of the hangar, a sergeant could be heard barking commands. About fifty troopers marched in and took their place along a line of parachutes. After donning their chutes, as usual, men were moving around and pulling on the straps between their legs desperately trying to find a more comfortable location for the harness. Now they filed out of the hangar. Renée stood watching the group of paratroopers as they walked past, loading up for a night jump exercise. Renée had never seen anything related to Will’s job. She didn’t really want to, it would only worry her. It all seemed quite insane to her.

As the unit filed passed, Will took notice of how many heads turned to catch a glimpse of his pretty wife. He enjoyed their envy. It was a bit like…Nah nah nah. Some of the men knew Will and they reached out to him to shake his hand as they passed by and headed for the aircraft. They shook his hand, but looked at Renée.

An airman jogged into the building and called out Will’s name. It was time to get going. Mrs. Burke took the baby from Will. Staring at Renée again, as he had so many times in the past few years, he held her face, looked at her eyes, and kissed her. As always…he could feel her emotions come through and mingle with his. Without a word to each other…they could say so much. They were deeply in love. The last thing she said before letting go of his hand was,

You tell Jimmy. You tell him.

Tell him what?

You tell him that you love him. You tell him.

He nodded that he would and gave her one last kiss.

Her kiss…her kiss. He always wanted just one more. He would miss it.

She watched him as he walked toward the plane. In the distance beyond the plane there was a full moon giving a silhouette to the Carolina pine trees. Nature closed the curtain when clouds began to move across the night sky and blanket Renée’s pretty moon. She wished the clouds would go away...and she wished that Will could turn around and walk back to her. Two planes loaded with the men who had just marched out, roared loudly down the runway and took flight into the night and the baby was disturbed, but curled right back to sleep.

As he climbed aboard the plane, he heard her call out to him,

YOU TELL HIM.

He waved and stood silently...like a stone. His heart was aching with the disappointment of this day and what the next day held, and how would he handle it...if he handled it at all.

The airman offered his hand to help him aboard and handed him a parachute. Will put it on rather loosely, for comfort’s sake.

The starboard engine coughed when it was cranked up and it began spitting out puffs of exhaust smoke. The door was closed just as the port engine prop began to turn. Both power plants fired up and the pilot spun the plane around and headed for the end of the runway.