"Probably wasn't even arealmarriage. They live together like uneducated, filthy…"
"Vermin?" she said mockingly.
"Well, I wouldn't say that."
"What about us educated couples in Vermont?" She twirled a strand of her blonde hair again. "You could marry and get a deferment if they start drafting."
I kept my voice civil, but it rose. "I'm not marrying to dodge the war. Besides, the military has married men."
Donna must have sensed my hesitation. "Okay. I'll wait for you, no matter what."
There was no lie in her soft eyes. She'd wait for me because it's expected. I'd offer and she'd accept.
Sometimes I wish she'd forget I existed. That would make it easier for us both.
We would have said more if an all-too-familiar tall man with dark combed-back hair and thick glasses hadn't approached us. My father carried himself with the seriousness that had served him well as sheriff. His ice-blue stare made you feel guilty even when innocent. He engaged in small talk with Donna, complimenting her dress and hairstyle, while keeping his eyes stuck on me.
His voice softened. "Little lady, I'd hate to split up a lovely couple, but would you mind terribly if I discuss a private matter with my son?" He extended his palm. "Oh, nothing's wrong, I can assure you."
Donna nodded and held my gaze before glancing at the gym's double doors, hinting that she wanted to go somewhere secluded later. With a soft smile, she joined a group of women in formal wear.
"I have a favor," my father said once we were alone.
So, a command.
"A friend and a well-connected sheriff from another state needs help. We scratch his back now, and down the line, he'll talk to his wealthy friends about my campaign."
He whispered the details. "You want me to go into what kind of bar?" I half-shouted.
His jaw tightened. "Keep your voice down, boy."
"I can't go tothoseplaces. Besides, I'm not an officer," I whispered.
"You can when your father's the top lawman and if my buddy says you are. Besides, it'll be experience for when you come back as a war hero."
I wondered about my future, but he didn't. I'd go, serve in the military police, come back, and take over as sheriff under his guidance.
Everyone has a plan for me.
An older bald man in his fifties, dressed conservatively like my father and nearly every other man in our town, approached us. I had a vague memory of him being one of my father's friends.
"Frank! You remember my son Todd."
Frank smiled and ran his hand over his shiny head. "We got the same haircut, boy." He faked a laugh. "Oh, don't worry about it. It's a good, clean, respectable look, like a soldier."
"In due time," said Dad, and he put his hand around me for the first time in years. "Todd's going soon. He'll serve his country like the other men in our family, earn his stripes, and then come back to help his daddy in a campaign. Ain't that right?" He mimed like he were speaking in secret. "Hell, let's get him hitched early and I'll officially announce my election plans."
He squeezed me tighter as if we were a loving father and son. "That's right. My boy will go off to war, come back a man, and get married."
***
"Wait!" said Kim. "Like to agirl?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "And what came after wasn't my proudest moment."
"Why did you let her think you were getting married?" The kid gestured to Mike and me while biting another warm chocolate chip cookie. "It's obvious you didn't marry her, ordidyou? Wait! Are you divorced or something?"
"It's complicated," I explained. "Back then, people thought marriage would 'fix' us."
