“Tell her he’d remind her a lot ofyou.”
“You’re a terrible friend,” Finn deadpanned, and disappeared back into his bunk.
Will laughed. “I’m the friend who’s following you into war.”
“I’d like to amend that statement,” Finn called down.
The barracks door opened and Sergeant shouted, “Lights out, ladies!”
///
Leena sent letters weekly. One evening before lights out, Finn passed one down to Will. “The P.S. is for you.”
The page was filled with Leena’s thin, graceful cursive. Will caught the word “love” and felt like an interloper. He carefully folded the letter so all he could read was the postscript.
Dear Will, it read.I can’t say I’m glad you’re there, but I’m glad Finn’s not alone. I know how dear you are to him, and that your friendship will give both of you great comfort in dark times. Please look after my stupid fiancé – see that he doesn’t get himself killed. xoxo
Face warm, Will handed the letter back, silently promising to do as she asked.
November 1950
On the 25thof June, the North Korean People’s Republic invaded South Korea. On the 28th, the South Korean capital of Seoul fell. The first wave of US ground troops entered the fray on the 5thof July – and were ill-prepared to meet the NKPR army.
On the 4thof August, the Pusan Perimeter was established: that tiny toehold was all that remained of the American and South Korean-held peninsula. The rest belonged to the communists.
Seoul wouldn’t be recaptured until the 26thof September. On October 7th, U.N. troops crossed the 38thParallel. South Korea was unified once again.
On the 12thof October, the first Chinese communist troops joined the fight.
///
Will was twenty-years-old and he’d grown up in a small Virginia town full of original Colonial buildings and the gentle Southern influence of a state that sat on the Mason-Dixon line. He’d attended Georgetown University for two years, had a good job working for an accountant, and had left behind stacks of treasured books at home. He defined himself too much by his friendship with Finn Murdoch. He was a Marine recruit, and he listened attentively when news of Korea rippled through the base.
Will Maddox didn’t want to go to war, and he didn’t want to kill anyone. But he could disassemble and reassemble an M1 Garand in under a minute. And every nine out of ten shots at the range landed in the bullseye.
Will Maddox didn’t want to kill anyone…but he knew how to. And he damn sure wasn’t going to let anyone kill him first.
He was a Marine. And he understood completely what was expected of him.
///
Will missed autumn in Virginia. He loved to watch the trees come to life in their red, and orange, and yellow finest. Missed the crackle of leaves underfoot, and the smell of them when they burned. Fall back home was all pumpkins and cider and long wool skirts swirling around the stocking-clad legs of the girls who walked past Alan Ware’s office windows.
But South Carolina had its own charms, when he was able to notice them on long runs down the beach. The air was thick and smelled of brine, echoed the cries of gulls. The sun glinted off sand dollars half-submerged in the sand, and the waves crashed with slow, methodical insistence. Fall had a soft touch here; there were no rolling hills and foothills, no sharpness of approaching winter. It was beautiful…but it wasn’t home.
///
“How do I look?” Finn asked, holding his arms out and doing a slow turn for inspection. He was in uniform, his brass polished to perfection, gloves spotless. Everything correct except his hat, which he’d cocked at an intentional angle. He’d looked in the mirror; he had to know he looked dashing, sharp-featured, and strong. Hollywood’s ideal cadet, fit for a poster. But they were headed home for Thanksgiving, and Leena was going to be waiting for them at the train station.
“Terrible,” Will said, biting his tongue hard to keep from smiling.
Finn reached up and flicked the bill of Will’s hat, tipping it back on his head. “Jealous.”
“Obviously.”
Finn took a deep breath and let his nerves show. “I’m serious, though.”
Will clapped him on the shoulder and let his smile break through. “You look fine.”
