TDTLBU Chapter Sixteen

 "Isn't fair that Ronnie doesn't have to go to school this year," Josh groaned as he met the girls at the end of the lane. 

"What, you don't want to go?" Emma pretended surprise.

"Have I ever wanted to go?"

"You'd miss it if you didn't," Katie sighed happily. "I'm thrilled to be going back. Especially for the home ec and the skating."

"Oh, you and school. You only like going because of Jerry."

"That's not true," Katie shot back, a flush spreading over her face. "I love everything about school… except science, of course."

"Admit it though, you're sweet on Jerry," Josh laughed, but finished with a yelp as Emma dug her elbow into his ribs.

"Shut up, Scout," she grinned, adamant in spite of the fact that she herself had been tormenting Ronnie and Lissie for months. "Leave Katie alone. You just don't understand, you knucklehead."

"What don't I understand?"

"Love," Emma brushed past him with her nose in the air to take her sister's arm. "C'mon, sis. We don't need him."

They turned the bend in the road and headed to the foot of the hill, Emma walking demurely slow for once to match her pace with Katie’s. Katie had always refused to gallop down that hill, although her reasons had to do with more than proper decorum. Once, years ago, Jerry had dared her to race him, but she had tripped and tumbled halfway down, landing in the wild blackberry bushes that grew all along the side. He had been sufficiently repentant and had helped her all the way home which, secretly to her, had made up for the humiliation and pain, but ever after that she had treated that hill with great, great respect. 

"Ship ahoy," Jerry called out as soon as they came into view. He was waiting at his gate, his cap perched jauntily at the back of his head. "What's the report this morning, gang?"

"All present and accounted for,"Josh greeted him. "Albeit reluctantly."

"Why? You're the lucky one! Only one year left… I have two!" He vaulted over the gate as he spoke. He never had taken time to walk through it like a rational human being. 

"What ho," Emma cheered. "Let's meet this year's battles bravely and defeat the algebra and chemistry, our greatest foes!" 

"I'm excited about this year though," Katie smiled shyly. "It's the year I turn sixteen and mom and dad will finally let me go to prom… If someone asks me. It's going to be a good year."

"Yeah, well, it'll be good alright, if I can actually get someone to go with me," Josh grinned. 

"Good luck on that, Scout," Emma snorted. "Hey, race you there!" She took off before Josh could collect his senses, but he was tearing after her in the next moment. 

"See ya at school, slowpokes," he yelled back over his shoulder.

"At least we won't be getting there sweaty and out of breath!" Jerry shot back.

"You aren't going with them?" Katie turned to him in surprise.

"Nah. No use wearing myself out now… better save that for Coach Grouch during gym class. Here, lemme carry those books for you."

Katie surrendered her books with startled eyes and a rosy flush on her cheeks. Silently, she fell in stride behind him, trying to focus her eyes on the road before her, but stealing shy glances up at him.

"Oh, about that prom," Jerry said suddenly, speaking quickly as if he was afraid he'd stop before he finished. "You'll for sure be going this year."

"What do you mean?" Katie faltered, her cheeks growing even redder.

"Well, you said you could go if someone asked you, right? Well, someone already wants to ask you."

"Who?" Katie hadn't meant to say anything, but it came out in a tentative whisper all the same. Jerry was staring very hard at the ground.

"Well…" he stammered. "Me."

Katie came to a dead stop in the road, her heart suddenly beating so quickly, she was afraid it would burst. Her feet just somehow didn't want to work anymore and she couldn't… oh, she couldn't look at him. He stopped at her side, laying a hesitant hand on her arm.

"Will you, Katie?"

She looked up at him then, but only for one brief moment before quickly turning her head away again. Her only answer was a nod. 

"What about a soda at Pop's after school?" Jerry pushed his luck further, barely restraining a whoop of joy when she nodded again. They walked the rest of the way to school in near silence, but each happier than the other knew.

Katie was walking in a dream all the rest of that day. And oh, how the hours dragged by! She adored her classes and teachers but somehow, she could think of nothing but the soda and Pop's that evening. And although prom was months away, she would need to get started on her dress. It would surely be wiser to repurpose an old one than spend the money on a new one. The navy blue poplin perhaps, with maybe added lace and a new sash. Navy blue wasn't really her color though. It made her feel drab and pale. If she could have what she really wanted, well then… something in pale, pale green or butter yellow. 

"...Will be continuing our discussion of the Great War," Mr. McIntire was saying as Katie let herself drift slowly and dreamily back to the present. "We will be looking at its effect on society and the economy as well at the current global situation and possible repercussions in the future."

"Mr. McIntire," Jim raised his hand. "What do you mean by repercussions? Considering the situation in Germany, do you think there will be another war?"

"I doubt anything so serious as a war," the teacher frowned. "Perhaps a few small conflicts in Europe. Nothing that we will be involved in, I'm sure."

"So you don't believe we could have another war on the scale of the Great War?" Jim pressed.

"No, certainly not. The Great War was the largest conflict in the history of humanity and its magnitude certainly will most likely never be repeated…" Mr. McIntire broke off as the door softly opened, the secretary sticking her head in with an air of apology.

"I'm sorry, Mr. McIntire. A brief word with you, if you don't mind?" 

As the teacher quickly rose from his desk to join the secretary at the door, Katie followed him with her eyes. The look of frightened anxiety written on the secretary's face and reflected on the teacher's as they spoke in low tones was not lost on her. Something was wrong.

"Uh, class…" Mr. McIntire returned to his desk, picking up a stack of papers, shuffling them nervously and then setting them down again. His hands were trembling but he maintained perfect composure. "I have just received word that Principal Croft wishes all students to assemble in the auditorium immediately. If you will please gather your things and line up at the door, we shall make our way over there."

"Hey Katie." Dorothy whispered as they filed out of the room. "Whaddya think it's all about?"

"No idea," she whispered back with a shrug. "Maybe an announcement about school policy."

"Boring. I hope it's something exciting."

The auditorium was abuzz with curious voices as the students filled the room, each wondering the same thing. Katie caught Emma's eye from the opposite wall, smiling in return to her sister's wave. Josh was making faces at her but Katie only grinned. She was becoming immune to Josh. 

"Good afternoon, young ladies and gentlemen," Principal Croft stood behind the podium, fidgeting with a sheet of paper in his hands. It was already rather crumpled. He paused a moment as the room lapsed into silence, fishing around in his pocket before coming up with a large striped handkerchief which he drew across his forehead and then twisted in his fingers. "I… suppose you're all wondering why I've assembled you here. Well." He picked up the paper again and attempted to smooth it, rather painstakingly.

"Well." He continued, pausing to mop his forehead again. "We have just received an update on the situation in Europe. It seems that…" he glanced at the secretary, who stood back in the corner of the stage. She nodded firmly and the principal began again with a heavy sigh.

"It seems that Germany invaded Poland a couple of days ago. On September the first, to be exact. And this morning… this morning… Great Britain and France both declared war on Germany."

A stunned silence fell over the room. Katie turned again to look at Emma and Josh. Both had snapped into instant attention. Jerry was just beyond them, staring straight ahead with wide eyes.

"Well that… that's all, Students," Principal Croft spoke again. "Pray for the peace of God in the world today. School will close early for the day. See you all tomorrow morning. You are dismissed."