TDTLBU Chapter Fifty-Nine

“Well, your papers are all in order, you’ll be out of here by tomorrow morning,” Katie remarked cheerfully, flipping through paperwork on a clipboard. She was flipping much more than was actually necessary. What Mac had said that morning had her mind in turmoil and she was trying so hard not to think of it. “But you still need to work on those therapy exercises.”

“Aw, I’m sick of them,” Mac sighed. “That therapist is an ole’ dunderheid.”

“A what?” Katie’s jaw dropped and she raised her eyebrows.

“Aw, nothin’. But how I’m supposed to move around with this old clunker?" he grinned up at her. “I’m a terrible patient, aren’t I? Ain’t got any patience.”

“I don’t blame you,” Katie shrugged, smiling. “But I’d better not hear you calling poor Dr. Davis any more names. And you’d better prepare yourself, because he’s coming in less than a quarter of an hour and you’ll have to practice kneeling and standing up again.”

 “I’ll flunk.”

“No, you won’t. Come on, try it right now. It’s easy. I’ve seen dozens of men do it.”

“Then they were smarter than me.” Mac grimaced as he went down on one knee. Katie laughed and shook her head.

“No. Both knees, silly.”

“Oh? I was told that this is the way you do it. But I’ve never done it before myself, so I may be wrong.”

“What are you talking about?” Katie turned pale suddenly as Mac reached out and grasped her hand. “Please… Mac… you… you’re supposed to get up by yourself. I doubt I’m strong enough to pull you up.”

“I’m not asking you to pull me up. I’m asking you something a lot more serious.” 

“Mac…” Katie stepped back, pulling her hand away from his. He looked up at her, hurt written in his eyes. She shrank away from him, wrapping her arms around herself almost protectively. Although he hadn’t even spoken yet, she was already shaking her head.

“I want to ask you to marry me, Katie.”

She stared at him, blinking her eyes furiously, her lips clenched tightly together. A single tear slipped loose and slid down her cheek. He waited, still kneeling, the silence almost more than he could bear. She lifted her chin with an air of determination, but she trembled.

“I… Mac… I…” she stumbled over her words, fumbling for the right thing to say. Her mind was twirling with a thousand thoughts and the decision suddenly put before her was too hard a decision to make.

“What is it, Lintie?”

“Just… just please don’t ask me,” she whispered. “Don’t ask me. Not now... not ever..." she choked back a sob and turning, fled the room. Mac pulled himself back to his feet, staring at the open door and the empty corridor beyond, of half a mind to chase her down and beg her on his knees. But he knew that wouldn't do any good. Better to give her time and try again someday. He was already determined to try again... even though she had told him "not ever". He loved her too much to let her go like that. 

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Letter from Josh to Rob and Myra

September, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad and anyone else who happens to be hanging around (looking at you, Mickey)

I'm back in business! And boy, does it feel good to be on my feet and on the move again. Thought I'd die being cooped up in the hospital like that. Guess they finally decided they'd better let me go when I proved I could cartwheel across the entire ward. They shipped me straight back to France and went by train all the way to the border and whaddya know, there were all the guys waiting for me. Didn't even know how much I missed them until now. There's not as many of us as there used to be and it's not gonna be half as fun without Cat here to rile up all the time, but we're all fit as fiddles and raring to go. Food's as disgusting as ever. That's one thing I didn't miss. But I'll tell ya what, marching across Europe actually beats lying flat on my back, believe it or not. 

We'll be  reaching the German border in the next few days and then there'll be a fight to rival Omaha. They're promising us a break soon too, and we'll get all our winter gear then. Haven't got much improvement in the way of boots, but we'll all be awfully glad for warm coats come winter. Hear it gets pretty darn cold out here. 

You tell Jim and Donna to write Ronnie and tell him to quit it with being so bossy. I know he's lieutenant now, but he's still one of us and he oughta act like it too. Okay, okay, I'm kidding... he's never any bossier than he has to be and it was my fault when... aw, never mind. But I'm staying clear of Sandy and his duct tape from now on. I forgot about all that, I was away for so long... but I've learned my lesson now, believe me! I'm being good, I promise. You can trust me. Y'know, it's an awful good thing you can't see my face when I say that...

Pray for me, Mom and Dad. I'm praying as hard as I can myself, but knowing you're praying too makes me feel even better. I can't believe I didn't pray for so long, all that first half of the war... I'm really stupid, you know it? But only sometimes. I sure wasn't stupid when I asked Emma to marry me. That, and becoming a Christian... those are the two best decisions I've ever made. Maybe they're the only good decisions I've ever made. Don't know how you guys put up with me. But I'm glad you do. 

I love you both to pieces. Maybe see you soon, if we get lucky here. 

Torpedo