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"You'd better not go traipsing off to some city you know nothing about," Mrs. Darnell told me, when I announced that I was taking a week off to visit Joseph. "You'll regret it young lady," she warned so sternly, it almost sounded like Joseph's stern admonishments.
"Maybe, but I can't stay here and wonder. It's just a morning's bus ride. I have the money. Certainly a quick trip to reassure myself would be all right. Then I'll come home."
She shook her head the way she does, all exasperated with me. It was too bad, I was going and that was it!
The bus ride was horrible. I was sick to my stomach when we finally reached the bus terminal. There were nasty fumes because the bus was having some kind of mechanical trouble. We were suppose to arrive by one o'clock, but we didn't get to our destination until 6:00, and I had to scurry to find a room at the YWCA. There was no way I could look into Joey's situation until the morning.
When I called the Naval base bright and early the next day, I got no where with the officer on duty. Apparently Joseph was on some kind of maneuvers and couldn't be reached. He asked if this was an emergency, and I couldn't lie to him, as much as I was tempted to. If Joey found out that I was fibbing just to get a hold of him, he'd be furious. I wasn't sure if he wasn't going to be furious with me anyway, just for making the trip without his knowing.
I had to wait two days in my room by the phone, hoping Joseph would get my messages and call. But the longer I waited the more anxious I got. I was about to march off to that base and knock on a few doors when the phone finally rang.
"Daisy?" I heard his voice, it sounded so welcome and so sweet.
"Joseph, I'm so glad you called."
"What are you doing here?" His voice changed almost instantly to one of concern, and irritation.
"I had to come," I told him.
"You didn't get my letter?" he asked.
"No. Nothing."
"I can see why you might be worried, but my love, you've been very foolish." I could tell by his tone that I was in trouble.
"I had to be sure you're okay. I have to see you!" I pleaded my case.
"I'm fine Daisy, but I'm very busy, and I don't have much time. I want you to go back home right now."
"Not until I see you," I told him, with every ounce of determination I could muster.
"Daisy you're being unreasonable. I won't be able to get to see you until at least Sunday."
"Then I'll stay until then."
"You're being a stubborn brat," Joey said. I could hear that old familiar sternness that he uses just before he's about to punish me. Oh! How it makes me shiver! "Daisy, you're going home."
"I'll book a ticket for Sunday night," I told him. "You just tell me when I can see you Sunday." Joseph may think he's adamant, well I can match him easily!
"Daisy," he said, in that warning tone again.
"Yes," I answered. I stood my ground.
"I'll have to call you later in the week, when I find out if I can get off," he finally relented.
I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled to myself, knowing that I'd have my way. I'd likely pay for it, but that didn't matter. At least I'd see him.
I cooled my heels in town for three days. Joey called very briefly Friday afternoon to tell me I could see him on Sunday at Chapel, 10:00. Then he had until 2:00 in the afternoon before he had to get back. It wasn't much time, but it was all I was going to get, and the way I was feeling, I was happy for any time I could spend with him.
Sunday was glorious, and Joey was all smiles when I met him. He whisked me up in his arms and kissed me very hard. He looked so handsome in his starched white uniform, my whole body pulsed with such lively lust that I blush just writing it.
After chapel services, Joseph took me into town and we had the most romantic meal, even though it was at a corner diner. I wished I could serve him a full meal, but this was as perfect as it could possibly be, just because we were together.
He told me a lot about his work. I knew right off that it would take him away from me for a long time; but then I also knew that this horrible conflict is going to require sacrifice from us all! Oh! How I wish those Germans would fall into the sea, that they'd be drown in some ocean! Such a terrible cost already. I tried not to let my concern for
Joey's welfare show. I only wanted to think of the positive even though I knew that there were many dangerous times ahead.
After our meal, Joseph and I strolled along the main thoroughfare of the once quiet coastal town. It was now bustling with activity. There was a curious prickly feeling in the air. Excitement and yes, fear. I guess like every place else, it's hard now not to be wrapped up in the war effort and all that it means.
