June, 1945 - Vancouver, British Columbia
The platform was crowded as Paul stepped off the daycoach car. In a crush like this, being tall and gangly was an advantage; his eyes swept over the heads of the reuniting families, the couples long separated, the mothers and fathers and sweethearts and wives all searching for their own special returning serviceman.
It was a joyous, raucous scene, filled with couples in embraces, babies and young children hoisted up for inspection, tears of relief and happiness, shouts of recognition, frantic waves as each young man in uniform would emerge from one of the cars.
How his mom and dad had missed him, he didn't know, but Paul could see both of them eagerly waiting near a pillar, eyes darting from car to car as the soldiers and sailors and airmen disembarked. He slipped easily through the crush and was almost in his mother's arms before she spotted him; she fairly leapt into his arms and cried a mother's tears for the safe return of her boy. His father waited, shuffling self-consciously, and once Paul broke free of Mom, offered up a man's handshake and a brief, awkward embrace.
His dad took hold of Paul's duffel. "If we hurry, we can be the first to the bus," he said.
But Paul was back to looking over the heads in the crowd. "I have to find someone first."
Finally he spotted her - it was hard, with her being so tiny - near a wagon being loaded with luggage. He broke away from his parents. "I'll be just a sec," he promised.
She saw him approaching, and her face lit up in recognition. She rushed to him and gave him a warm hug.
"Welcome home, fella," she said, but even as she was saying it she was back to searching the crowd. "Which car is he on?" Paul would know. He and Justin were inseparable.
Paul shifted uncomfortably, and reached into his pocket. "I have something for you," was all he could think to say. He offered up a small, slightly crumpled envelope.
Eva took it, frowning now, and Paul wondered if it would be more polite to stay while she read the letter, or to get while the getting was good.
Because in about thirty seconds, the getting would not be very good at all.
Boy, you sure do know how to write a cliff-hanger. I've been waiting to hear what Verna Hextall had to say to Justin, and now I'm left with this info on what poor old Paul had to do to Eve.
This must be why two years went by, right? He spent 2 years waiting? If Mary is so attractive, why didn't she find someone else in the meantime? Or was she pining away for Justin?
Gawd, the details we can only suspect....
Are you sure you don't write for LOST?
Posted by: Laura | July 23, 2006 at 06:34 PM
poor Eva. can't wait for the next installment.
Posted by: Gora_Kagaz | July 23, 2006 at 06:49 PM
Uh-oh. So Eva is the name of the poor lass who wrote all the letters to Jussy-Wussy. If Justin's decision to take a different train was spontaneous, he must have busted a gut to write *that* letter!
Enthralled, as always, and waiting breathlessly for the next hair pin curve on this roller coaster ride to true love. Write on! :-))
Posted by: Ortizzle | July 23, 2006 at 07:09 PM
Write on is it. tee hee
Another teaser here. Enjoying the hell out of it, though.
Posted by: Squirl | July 23, 2006 at 09:59 PM
I'm on the edge of my seat. Have the paddles ready just in case I have my heart attack before you write the last installment.
Posted by: wordgirl | July 23, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Oh, NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Too short!! If I have no fingernails left when You post again, it will be your fault!!!
Posted by: Lyn | July 24, 2006 at 12:06 AM
This is absolutely amazing, Ling! You must be just lovin' this, eh? Well, so are we!!
Posted by: Sara Sue | July 24, 2006 at 05:48 AM
'To get while the getting is good'.
I haven't heard that since my grandma passed on. I read it out loud for old times sake.
When all is said and done, I'm am going to want this on printed pages so I can get to the end at my own lick-my-thumb pace.
As it is, I'm on the edge of my chair and re-reading to see if I might have missed a detail.
Thank you for this, Nilbo. Great way to have a Monday morning.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Posted by: MrsDoF | July 24, 2006 at 10:43 AM
I haven't commented at all on the saga; everyone else is pretty much saying it for me, so I'll just say it's DEEElicious!
Posted by: Ern | July 24, 2006 at 12:02 PM
As always I am impressed. With the writing and the story.
Posted by: William | July 24, 2006 at 12:35 PM
Gah! I go offline for TWO days and now there are TWO cliffhangers?!
(Very good ones, by the way!)
Sheesh...
Posted by: CircusKelli | July 24, 2006 at 01:09 PM
BOY, you sure know how to create anticipation...and make me start to bite my nails, waiting for the next installment...
what's gonna happen??!!
You could publish this book with MANY buyers no problem once it's done!
Posted by: Effie | July 24, 2006 at 01:47 PM
I have been away for a few days so when I got to work and saw that you had added more of the story I almost died from pleasure. Then I forced myself to wait until lunch to read it! Please oh please give me more!!!
Posted by: Melanie B | July 24, 2006 at 05:46 PM
Wow, Melanie...you sound like...well, you REALLY like it! ;)
Posted by: Sara Sue | July 24, 2006 at 06:15 PM
You know, I don't usually go for this mushy, lovey-dovey stuff...but dammit, man, I'm more hooked on your parents' love story than I am on General Hospital! Lord knows, the writing is a thousand times better.
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | July 25, 2006 at 01:00 AM
How long does it take to get an update 'round here!!!
Posted by: Hi Sara! | July 25, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Honestly. I KNEW I spoiled yez all with two so close together.
Just keep yer pants on.
Figuratively speaking.
Posted by: Nils | July 25, 2006 at 02:10 PM
Pants on?
Damn! I *knew* I'd forgotten something today!
Posted by: CircusKelli | July 25, 2006 at 04:08 PM
How the hell am I supposed to enjoy gay cat porn with my pants on?
Barbaric, I tell you...
Posted by: Bucky Four-Eyes | July 26, 2006 at 12:45 AM
Wow. Please add me to the list of hooked readers.
I've just been back and read from the prologue and I can't wait for the next chapter!
Posted by: kel | July 26, 2006 at 02:04 AM