Glory After the War

By Coleen W. Cain

Following Wild Blue, Coleen W. Cain's second World War II novel, Glory After the War continues this gripping saga.

Paula and her husband, former USAF Capt. Garner Cameron, pursue their dreams of earning a living while continuing to serve their country in the freedom they so gallantly won.

The nation swoons under strikes, shortages, and rental hikes for its 12,000,000 returning vets. Stripped of housing, employment, and basic needs, Paula and Garner are determined for him to get his B.S. degree in Engineering under the G.I. Bill.

It is theirs to survive and revive the nation.

Paula gets pregnant. Working wherever possible, she is often hungry, always worried about her unborn baby. They have been through the war, but this time around, it is the woman who determines the outcome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jan 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466912038

Coleen W. Cain

Coleen W. Cain's professional biography is listed in the Marquis Who's Who In America as Writer/Educator. In this second novel of a series, she reveals how Paula and her peers brought about the greatest revolution in America since the Revolutionary War of 1776. Ms. Cain's journalistic assignments have taken her across the country as newspaper editor on the copy desk for the metropolitan Huntsville Times, Huntsville, Alabama, to reporter and photographer for the Sammamish Valley News, Redmond, Washington. More recently, over a period of two and one-half years, she became a foreign news correspondent from Beijing, PRC, when she wrote a weekly column for the op-ed page of the Journal American, Bellevue, Washington. She is in her 10th year as the instructor for Writer's Tune Up, a critique class at the North Bellevue Community/Senior Center. She also edits manuscripts. Ms. Cain makes her home on Lake Sammamish in Issaquah, Washington.

Book preview

Also by Coleen W. Cain

Fiction

115 Jet Stories For Your Briefcase Wild Blue 1st in World War II Series

Nonfiction

Beth Bauer’s Enjoy China More, Or How To Relate To The Chinese People 90 Minute Audio cassette tape, Enjoy China More, voiced by the author, includes pronunciation of the Glossary

Glory After the War

World War II Novel

Second of a Series

Coleen W. Cain

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© Copyright 2012 Coleen Cain.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

This book was created in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-1203-8 (e)

Trafford rev. 01/24/2012

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Contents

Also by Coleen W. Cain

Dedication

Acknowledgments

PART ONE

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

PART TWO

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Historical Resources

Information Addendum

Dedication

To all young parents and especially those of the military who are determined to keep the United States free and safe from enemies. And to those who strive in every way to better themselves, in order to establish fine families and to use their God given talents in serving our nation and the world.

Acknowledgments

I wish to name the former leaders of the Mercer Island Community Center Critique Group, Amos Wood and Judy Boynton, for faithful and outstanding guidance in my efforts to write this novel. They not only encouraged me, but also complimented me as I developed.

Members of this group who gave insightful critiques are remembered with great joy and gratitude. I shall never forget the helpful comments given by Patricia Williams, Jan Gill, Joe Bice, Jack Evans, Peter Kahle, Gail Haines, Bill Cross, and Clare Gibson.

All of you encouraged me in my challenge of going from journalist to novelist. I could not have done it without your help. Thank you, everyone!

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Captain ___________________Garner Davis Cameron

1945

To you who have answered the call of your country and served in its Armed Forces to bring about the total defeat of the enemy, I extend the heartfelt thanks of a grateful Nation. As one of the Nation’s finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called upon to perform. Because you demonstrated the fortitude, resourcefulness and calm judgment necessary to carry out that task, we now look to you for leadership and example in further exalting our country in peace.

Harry S. Truman

The White House

PART ONE

HOME FRONT

AND THE PACIFIC THEATER

Chapter One

San Angelo, Texas—July 1945

It would not do to be too alluring.

Paula Roncourt Cameron decided against a revealing sunsuit for her political work party with Burl Stein. Instead, she wore a sheer white blouse, yellow shorts, and white, wooden-soled sandals. Her shapely legs and feet were bare. For further comfort, she’d made a pony tail of her long black hair and tied it up off the nape of her neck with a bright yellow ribbon.

Burl Stein was bare headed, a rare sight, his black Stetson resting on a cane bottomed chair near the door. Paula, seated across the table from him in the kitchen of the Lazy S Ranch, noticed his blond curly hair, so attractive against the deep tan of his face and jaw. His cotton shirt, open at the throat, was of blue jeans color, softer than the brilliance of his eyes.

True to his word, Burl had called several times since her last visit with Ma Goodwin, when she had picked up the flyers, envelopes, and stamps for the Democratic Precinct’s first mailing endorsing Judge Ernest Dunlap. These were important to get at right away, Burl said. But Paula had a misgiving. She wondered how her bomber pilot husband in the Pacific, now Capt. Garner Cameron, would feel about her being with Burl Stein. Captain Garner Cameron! He had warned her not to think of Burl. He had promised to come back to her. She had seen that it was a vow he’d made not only to her, but also to himself. And that was the best kind of pledge. She was assured of his devotion. Garner truly loved her. But Burl was still holding a large diamond ring for her, not that he wanted Garner dead. But just in case.

Paula procrastinated, giving excuses, then in the cause of an honest court, she agreed to come this one time. They were friends, she reasoned, and relaxing in the home-away-from home at the ranch was enjoyable.

Shep lay at Burl’s booted foot beside his chair. He had flopped down like a black and white mop on the linoleum, his red tongue lolling, dripping as he panted.

Paula smiled with compassion. We should have brought him in sooner, she said.

He smelled a varmint, Burl returned in his timbered bass. He stays right in there.

It’s a good thing. Here it is hot July again, two months after the Germans surrendered and about a year since he and Pop Fogel found water for you.

Yep!

At the sound of his master’s voice, Shep jumped up, alert, ears flopping, swinging his tail.

Paula laughed. He thought you called his name.

It’s all right, boy. Take it easy, Burl said soothingly. Shep lowered his head and spread out again, drooping, worn out from the chase.

The heavy, round oak table was littered with piles of envelopes, gaudy orange flyers and career briefs done in dignified white paper and black ink. Iced cokes in tall glasses sweaty with condensation stood half full, serving to cool their insides, while rotating fans worked on their perspiring skin, chilling on the periphery, aimed low to avoid stirring the papers.

Paula was folding and stuffing envelopes, while Burl sealed them with a wet sponge. Every now and then he took a stack of sealed envelopes and stamped them from a roll of two cent stamps.

I’m surely glad Mrs. Hurst addressed these envelopes, Paula said.

I thought you’d appreciate that. I know you get plenty of typing at the office. Mrs. Hurst still worried? The middle-aged woman was one of the multitude of Americans in San Angelo, Texas and across the nation still under shock at President Roosevelt’s death in April.

Yeah, and she’s not the only one. We all miss FDR and can’t help wondering what will happen to us now.

Paula gave Burl a look. We’ll work for the Four Freedoms under Truman, just like we would have under Roosevelt, she declared. Burl’s hands stilled.

Under Truman! he snorted. That shoe clerk? He’ll never take Roosevelt’s place. His was a dream scheme anyway.

Paula scoffed at him. You’re nothing but a Republican in sheep’s clothing. I never would have guessed you of all people would be against old-age pensions, better medical care for the poor, and jobs for everyone. Roosevelt chose Harry Truman. And Harry Truman will carry out his program.

Burl took up his work again. That’s ridiculous. Truman’s a nobody from nowhere, and you know it. He couldn’t have been elected dogcatcher without that jailbird Tom Pendergast and his machine.

Go ahead and say it. You think Truman’s crooked, too.

Burl stared at her, lips pressed into a thin line. Against his palpable disapproval, Paula took her stand. "Harry Truman was a good judge."

Judge! That’s not the way I heard it. He even failed in the haberdashery business.

I’m disgusted with you, Burl. Small businesses fail all the time. But Truman hasn’t failed in the world. You’re forgetting that he’s already carried on in Roosevelt’s place. The United Nations Charter has been adopted, a huge step for peace for the future. You’re talking just like an ignorant Republican.

Be careful! You’re speaking to a true Democrat.

Sorry! Paula calmed down and sighed. I know Truman has been smeared because of Pendergast. But I know the real dope.

Dope is right! Burl jeered with a wicked laugh. You said it. If you know so much, let me in on it. His gaze held a disbelief that maddened Paula.

It just so happens I have first-hand information. She lifted her chin and gazed out to infinity with a supercilious air.

Let’s have it. Burl took a gulp of Coca Cola.

All right. Paula picked up her glass in turn, cooling down. One day when I was still in school at the University, my Uncle Paul invited me to watch the Senate in session. Afterwards, when I was visiting in his office, a Senator originally from Missouri, called on him. He’d been back home to Independence and got to talking about his old friend, Harry Truman. Politicians like to talk politics, I’ve discovered.

Burl nodded, disbelief suspended for the time being.

And so he told how Harry Truman got elected to the Missouri Senate. He said Truman wanted to run for the legislature, but Pendergast asked him to run for the Senate. He said Truman was presiding judge of the County Court and instead of taking bankruptcy, he paid off his business debts. He had little hope of winning the election, knowing what people thought of his friend, Pendergast. But he campaigned anyway.

I’ll bet he did! He’s like a terrier, don’t you think? Burl’s grin was one-sided more than usual, not quite a sneer.

Yes, I do think, Paula said, grinning back at him. That’s one thing I like about him. So as I was saying, he attended a big convention of Sunday School teachers and clergymen in Maryville, where he was to speak for his candidacy. It seems that politics was quietly discussed at these religious meetings and especially in the Show Me State.

Interested, Burl nodded again. What happened?

Uncle Paul’s friend said that nobody paid much attention to Harry Truman and all the religious people were against him on account of his connection with Pendergast, when up came Col. William Southern, the editor of the Independent Examiner, the greatest Bible teacher of them all, taking Harry Truman by the hand. He introduced him to the assembly and in effect said, ‘Here is my boy. I vouch for him and don’t pay any attention to what others may say about him.’ She stuffed an envelope, then said, That did it! They took Southern seriously and Truman was nominated and later elected.

And that’s how he made Vice President?

That was in 1934, the turning point. He made good as a Missouri Senator and ten years later, only last November, he was elected Vice President.

Burl became thoughtful. He drank in the pure white skin of her oval face, beautiful with high cheekbones and full lips. He gazed into those large blue eyes, caught up by her enthusiasm and intelligence. As a boy, he’d wondered if Paula had become an artist because every time she looked into a mirror she saw such perfect beauty. The delicate widow’s peak in her smooth forehead seemed a mark of approval upon the part of the Creator. Certainly, he approved, or worshipped would be a truer word. There may soon be a turning point in your life, Paula, he gently said. She glanced down, unable to face what she thought he may have in mind. His voice had turned husky and he sought her gaze again.

I may soon come to a turning point, for sure. Her voice was as soft as milkweed down. Burl instantly covered her hand with his large, rough fingers. She slowly withdrew and he became restless. The spatulate fingers were long and strong, indicative of the size of his private parts. She caught herself up, nearly laughing aloud at her mother’s euphemism. She shouldn’t have a flicker of a thought about her compatibility in bed with Burl Stein. She looked up at him with limpid eyes. If Garner got killed and I had a baby, I don’t know what I’d do.

I’ll be here to take care of you and the baby. I’d be a good husband to you and a father to your child. I’d adopt the baby, Paula. Any child of yours would be the same as mine. He was earnest and she gave him her full attention, causing an avalanche of promises. I’d support you if you wanted to run for office. I’d raise funds for you, campaign for you, help with the kids so you wouldn’t have to worry about them.

Her eyes widened at the depth of his devotion and her thoughts flew to Garner. Garner is his own sun, not like Burl who basks in my light. Garner assumes I’ll absorb his vital rays, ever turning to keep facing him, rotating according to his orbit. He’s probably right. I do absorb some of his fire, but mostly, I sail along doing the best I can.

It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, she murmured in a low tone.

I love you, Paula. Burl searched her face with intense caring. Do you feel all right?

Paula started with guilt.

I’m fine! I was only thinking of a friend of mine. I’m sure Garner’s going to come back all right.

Burl was not convinced. You’re sure you’re feeling all right?

Perfectly all right, Paula said, giggling. Really!

Her denial did not convince him. It was obvious, though, that so far as she was concerned, the subject was closed.

I don’t know what brought all this on, he said, but everything I said still goes.

Paula gave him a sweet smile. I appreciate it, Burl. Then she brightened. One of us will be a winner.

Burl sucked in his breath and let it out slowly. She had made a promise, a back-handed promise? I’m glad you said that, he told her, regaining his aplomb. It could be both of us!

Her gaze pierced his soul. It might be! she exclaimed with enigmatic meaning. Then abashed, she flushed at her own duplicity.

He leaned back and laughed. The joke was on him. Paula, you scamp! You’re a perfect politician if I ever saw one. You could pull anything off, even over a staunch Republican, if you set your mind to it.

You’re no slouch, yourself.

They laughed together in great gusts. Shep got to his feet and nosed Burl, then Paula, wagging his tail in boundless enthusiasm. But even as Paula bent down to pet the dog with childlike pleasure, she wondered what she would do if she were to become a widow. Would she have the courage to carry on? Garner had been shot down twice, but he had gone right off to war again. Perhaps she should take a lesson from him. It would do no good to live alone for the rest of her life. A shadow fell across her future as big as a Superfortress. Amid the loud roar of planes, she heard Garner’s warning: Don’t you think of Burl Stein, Paula. You wouldn’t be happy with him.

She resumed folding and stuffing again, while Burl picked up his roll of stamps. Calm now, she smiled at him. I really appreciate your consideration for me. Thanks for everything.

‘You know I’d do anything for you," Burl answered. Her gratitude was sufficient for the moment. They had forged a closer bond, had attained a satisfactory level of companionship.

In all seriousness, Paula spoke again. There is one thing you could do for me. Mary’s having a bad time of it. It would be a big help and a favor to me, if you’d take her to the movies some night.

Why sure! I’ll give ‘er a call tomorrow.

Neither could know that at the exact time of their heartfelt conversation, the first secret test of the atomic bomb was successfully made at Alamogordo, New Mexico. They only knew that they and the nation must overcome their sorrow over the loss of their inspiring leader of the war years. They longed for the sound of his eloquent voice over the radio, for his reassuring chats in which he explained their part in his plans to set things right. Now they must look forward without him. Paula and the nation prayed to God that He would grant wisdom and guidance to their new president, Harry S. Truman. And always, she prayed for Garner’s safety.

Chapter Two

The devil of it was, Capt. Garner Cameron had not been heard from for nearly six weeks.

Burl squeezed a little harder than necessary at the long tits of his good Guernsey milch cow. Deep in thought, he was unmindful of the music made by the creamy stream striking the empty sounding side of the milk pail. Where in tarnation was he? Making bombing sorties over Tokyo, or had he been caught in that bloody suicidal battle on Okinawa? Either way, the man could be more dead than alive.

Some figures were coming out in the newspapers. There had been twelve thousand Americans and one hundred and ten thousand Japanese men killed on Okinawa. A terrible toll! A horrible sight! Well, I’m not there and I should be thankful for that. But this waiting is killing me. I’m gettin’ old fast. And I never intended to become an old bachelor. I need a woman at my side and in my bed. But Paula’s just about mine. If I can only hold out. Still, who knows the future?

He finished milking, called it a day, and slicked himself up for his duty bound date with Mary.

The movie was another war picture and over chocolate sodas in the San Angelo Drug Store afterwards, they discussed it, Mary deploring such fare when everyone was already living the war. She contended that what the people needed was entertainment such as they had in the thirties, not propaganda. During their heated discussion when Burl took the opposite view, saying there were plenty of people who needed prodding to give and give more, or the war could be lost, Mary forgot her broken heart and Burl was drawn to her. There was more to her than he had ever imagined, a depth he had never seen before.

Let’s forget the war and take a little drive, he suggested.

The night was calm and warm, the starry skies drawing the heat of the earth up to their vast domain to relieve the ache so recently suffered under a baking sun. Beneath their beneficent twinkling light, the young couple was delightfully ensconced in the safe enclosure of the cab of Burl’s pickup truck. He turned off on the road leading to Lake Nasworthy Park, a favorite place for parking with a girl friend in his high school days. He glanced over at Mary and reached out his arm. With a smile, she snuggled up to him. They did not speak, only savored the comforting presence of one another.

They drove into the park and after awhile, Burl turned into a single-lane, dirt road that led to the lake, his own secret place. There were no other cars about, and he braked to a stop on the edge of the lake near a clump of mesquite trees.

He turned off the engine. This is my favorite place. Feel the coolness of the moisture from the lake?

Mary looked up at him, humming to his tune.

He heard. He bent down and drew her close, finding her soft mouth responding, deliriously responding to a rapture that made him tumesce. In swift movement, he lifted her full skirt, unzipped, and released himself between her warm, smooth thighs. Enthralled, he trembled and came, spraying in waves of exuberant heat.

Maryjerked away and gave a heart rending wail, sobbing in gusts that shook her whole body.

Alarmed, Burl quickly wiped himself and her thighs with his white handkerchief and returned his offending self to its proper place.

Mary! Mary! I didn’t mean to hurt you! Please don’t cry! I’m sorry! I just got carried away. I hope you’ll forgive me. Hope you’ll understand. All of a sudden, I couldn’t help myself!

She continued to sob, heart broken, trying to straighten her skirt.

Please forgive me. I’m so sorry this happened.

She quieted and looked at him with woeful eyes. I forgive you. I want to go home.

Why sure! Relieved that she wasn’t angry with him, Burl started the engine and turned on the headlights. He had meant no harm and Mary was understanding. Thoughts of Fuzzy must have made her cry. Thank goodness she’ll never breathe a word of this to Paula. She couldn’t, because it’d make her look like a traitor to her best friend, like taking me away from her. Besides, she has more sense than that. Mary’s understanding.

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Paula was becoming concerned. The garage apartment was closing in. She had tired of reading and listening to the radio. The movie should be over at eleven o’clock and here it was nearly midnight. Perhaps the suggestion to Burl of a date with Mary wasn’t such a good idea after all. But she wanted Mary to get out of the doldrums somehow.

Ever since Fuzzy had broken their engagement, Mary had struggled with grief, often bursting into tears over nothing. But she had returned the engagement ring to Ma Goodwin for her to give back to Fuzzy. That was a positive step and the visit with her minister father had helped some. Even now with her sorrow showing in lackluster attitude, Mary was still the best roommate a girl could have.

Mary really was getting along better, but Paula had wished there were something she could do. It was only natural for her to turn to Burl. Mary and Burl had had a good time together New Year’s Eve, that time which seemed so long ago, and it wasn’t too much to ask. Why worry now, just because Mary was a little late in getting home? If she could be safe with any man, it would be Burl. She decided to have a dish of grape ripple ice cream and go to bed.

She was spooning the ice cream, delighting in its special Concord grape flavor, when Mary returned. She flung her white purse on the bed and confronted Paula. Some good friend Burl turned out to be!

Her face was pale, her eyes red rimmed, and before Paula could rise or answer, she rushed past her straight into the bathroom and slammed the door. Paula heard the water running and became alarmed. She opened the door.

What are you doing?

Mary’s back was turned to her, one foot up on the toilet lid, her hose rolled down from her garter belt. She was earnestly, savagely scrubbing away.

Thanks a lot! I’m washing off Burl, your precious rancher boyfriend!

Had Mary gone out of her mind? Fuzzy’s infidelity must have unhinged her, made her see every man as a villain.

Oh, you’re funny, Mary. You can’t convince me that Burl did anything to cause you to worry.

Mary dried with a towel, drew up her hose and fastened the tabs, then let her skirt fall back into place. She turned to Paula a face so warped with fear, her spirit daunted, that Paula shrank back, instantly sobered.

I’m scared to death, Mary quavered. I’m afraid I’m pregnant.

Pregnant! Oh, Mary, you’re so innocent. Burl wouldn’t do such a thing.

Mary stared at Paula for a fleeting instant, hesitant to tell her, to ruin her faith in her standby, but her need for help compelled her to spill the sad news. Burl unzipped his pants and let his hot snake out between my bare thighs. She burst into wrenching sobs.

Paula gasped, profoundly shocked.

In the palace of her foundation, the marble floors crumbled beneath her gold clad sandals, the earth quaked and the pillars shook, tumbling down. This gorgeous shelter had been with her since childhood, a fastness of delight on the ready at her bidding. Now it was sinking, sinking, as in the sands of a clear, high dune, the hazy mirage disappearing, a mirage that never existed. She must retreat to save her life. Flee without remorse! Adjust to a new reality she would. Hearkening to a self-containment, she must show no alarm ever, to anyone, and especially not to Mary.

This lapse upon Burl’s part, if it were a lapse, should become to her a lesson learned. Her soul would be calmed with this revelation, no longer fraught with anxiety over any man’s carnal sins, weren’t they to be expected, but a lesson learned must be remembered. This was the way of wisdom. She would not forget. For absolute security in the future, she would be her own mistress, make her own decisions, not depend upon any man, including her husband. Had not Garner gone off to war over Japan against her wishes? This, again, was another rending lesson learned. Men could and did betray in different channels according to their character and their personality.

Burl wasn’t refined like Garner. He was of the earth made, a common man. His transgressions would be on a more physical plane than those of Garner, whose integrity must be interpreted on a sublime plane of leadership and responsibility. She had chosen Garner. Let it be. Somehow he must have understood the basic difference between himself and Burl, a difference she had overlooked in the loneliness of her plight with days and long nights shedding their agony and no letter or word for relief.

Her regard for Burl had curdled, but Paula asked in a normal tone, How far did it reach?

Mary stopped her weeping, then sniffled. I burst out crying and he apologized right away. She somehow couldn’t make herself reveal the further sticky truth.

Paula sensed there was something more. And he moved away then? You mean he didn’t penetrate?

Penetrate! Mary was aghast. Of course not! Wasn’t that enough?

The flag of Texas humor rose in Paula’s psyche and she thought, How ludicrous! She laughed outrageously to herself, but when she spoke again, it was with a grave calm. ‘You needn’t worry, Mary. No harm was done. If he only touched you and didn’t enter…"

The light of hope filled Mary’s face. She shook her head vigorously. No, no, no! He didn’t! He tucked himself up as quickly as possible when I screamed. He was a perfect gentleman, saying he hadn’t meant to hurt me. He asked me to forgive him and he was so sweet about it, I did. But I was still scared and asked to come home.

I’m glad you did and I’m glad he didn’t hurt you. It’s time you learned something about human biology.

I know about those little germs. They’re in the air! I know what women say. They get pregnant every time their husbands throw their pants across the bedstead.

Paula chuckled. That’s just a saying. Those little germs, as you call them, are really sperms and they need transportation.

Mary was fascinated, waiting for more.

Haven’t you ever sneaked a look at my marriage manual?

No. Never!

Maybe you should. Paula crossed to the chest and brought it out from the top drawer. Here. She held up the slender, black volume with its discreet title impressed in silver. Take it. It’ll do you good. Every twenty year old girl should know what’s in store for her.

Mary shuddered. She shook her head, lips compressed in revulsion. I couldn’t! My father said, ‘Time enough when the time comes.’

Paula laughed with scorn. Just like a father! Then she showed more sympathy. But yours is a minister and he can be partially excused. Too bad your mother died so long ago. She paused, thinking of her own mother and how she never told her sister, Bonnie, and her about the facts of life. But mothers can be just as obtuse as fathers on this subject. I expect your father’s philosophy is that no sex is best and never mentioned, it won’t raise its ugly head. Certainly, no sex is better than wrong sex. But I’ll tell you, Mary, that one sex leads to another.

What do you mean? A fellow leads to a girl and a girl leads to a man?

Paula was amused. Yes, that’s it, at least partly. Once sex is experienced, it leads to more trying. And sometimes to more and more and then to more individuals, too, till a person could become promiscuous and not be able to stop.

I’d never! I don’t want to get near it! Mary’s face flamed at the thought. She wanted to stop this low down talk.

‘You’re not curious about physiology?"

Mary’s light blue eyes snapped with fire. I know enough!

Evidently not. How does a woman get pregnant, anyway? How is the baby born? Do you know? When I was little, I thought it impossible. But I figured that was what the belly button was for. The baby could come out of the tummy that way. She sat down in her chair at the table and Mary followed suit. In college Hygiene class, I learned different, Paula continued. It was a terrible shock. Babies come out much like hens lay eggs, or cows have calves. Amazing! But I’ll tell you a secret. I still can’t see how it’s done. It’s impossible.

The young women stared at one another immersed in this mystery, reluctant to give credence to any secret bodily function that must surely tear the mother apart.

Paula put the book down on the table, then faced Mary again. "Yet, you see, it’s done every day, everywhere, and everyone takes it for granted. I guess it’s sort of like when the woman conceived in the first place. That’s impossible, too. Still, it’s so easy! But only through love. The baby’s birth must be…it is a miracle. It’s nature’s way, the will of God."

Mary was still anxious. I can’t be pregnant, then?

No, honey. To be specific, the penis, not the snake as you call it, must be in the vagina and ejaculate semen, the sperms, that then swim up and some into the uterus. The child is conceived into a zygote from the mother’s egg, and she is pregnant. They’re all microscopic, of course.

Sneaky, if you ask me!

They laughed heartily at their childish efforts to comprehend what happens between married couples and life’s tricky realities.

Desires lead to it, Paula remarked. Remember what I said, More and more?"

Mary blushed. I can’t explain it, but I let Burl kiss me.

So that’s what happened.

Do you mind, Paula? Mary was full of guilt, fearful of displeasing her best friend. I don’t know what came over me. She brushed a blonde curl away.

And him? Paula gave her a comforting smile. No, I don’t mind. You see, you were on the right track. She glimmered at this paradox and Mary openly smiled with relief.

That ended the conversation and Paula put her book away. From now on, she must follow the narrow path herself, with no more Garner-Burl double dreaming. If at all possible, the next time she saw Garner, she’d get pregnant. Against all odds she would do this with trust in God. Garner need not know. She’d be her own Grampaw. The baby would be simply beautiful and they would become a real family.

Chapter Three

Ma Goodwin was helpful all the way around.

In the cafeteria window and on the cashier’s counter, she displayed the orange flyers for Judge Dunlap, and in the meantime,