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“Our first home. More than that. I’ll get an historical sign made. ‘On this site on October 25, 1945, the marriage of Lieutenant and Mrs. J. D. Cronley Junior was consummated at least twice.’”
He laughed.
“I’ll get a cab back to Holabird. It’s a long way out there.”
“No. I am now a wife. A good wife drops her husband off at work, and I want to be a good wife.”
“Is that before or after consummation?”
“During,” she said.
[ FIVE ]
The Officers’ Club
U.S. Army Counterintelligence Center & School
Camp Holabird
1019 Dundalk Avenue, Baltimore 19, Maryland
1120 26 October 1945
Lieutenant Cronley drained his Coca-Cola and set the glass on the bar. In an hour, he could call room service at the Lord Baltimore and order up something a little stronger. But Coke was it for now.
I wouldn’t want my bride to think I’m a boozer.
The Squirt said she would be here between eleven-thirty and noon. That gives me ten minutes to walk to the gate so I can be waiting for her.
He almost made it to the door when the bartender called his name. Jimmy turned to see he was holding up the handset of a telephone. He walked quickly to take it.
“Lieutenant Cronley, sir.”
“Colonel Mattingly, Jimmy. A car is being sent for you. It should be there within the hour. Collect your stuff and be waiting for it. You’re to be at the White House at fifteen hundred hours.”
“Shit!”
“Excuse me, Lieutenant?” Mattingly said coldly.
“Sorry. That slipped out.”
“Make sure nothing slips out when you’re with the President.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The car will be a Chevy station wagon. Civilian p
lates. The driver and his assistant are fellow alumni of Holabird High.”
“Yes, sir.”
“They will bring you to the Hay-Adams. Your parents are there.”
“My parents? How did they get there?”
“How would you guess? Your girlfriend’s grandfather sent the Connie for them. They’ll be going to the White House with us.”
She’s not my girlfriend. She’s my wife.
