Tracie Peterson (15 page)

“Mama would surely have a fit if she caught sight of me wearing trousers in public,” Ellen said, studying her figure in the vanity mirror. “I told her there was no sense in wearing a dress to work. I said, ‘Mama, even if I work in the office, I still find myself out on the plant floor for a good portion of the day.’ But you know her. She worries about such things. Doesn’t think it’s proper for a young lady to go doing a man’s job.”

“I know. My mama worries too. If we didn’t need the money so badly, she’d have never let me come clear to Seattle to work.”

Ellen looked at Mary Ann sympathetically. “There are lots of things to worry about these days. War is such a frightening thing. Here we are on the western coast and such an easy target for the Japanese. I keep telling myself that Erik has it much worse than we do, but he is a man and maybe he doesn’t get as scared as we do.”

“Sometimes I just don’t know what to do,” Mary Ann admitted. “I know Mama’s back home with six kids to raise in that three-bedroom house, and with Daddy passing away three years ago, I’m the only one old enough to make money to keep them all eating. Sometimes that’s what really scares me. What if something happens to them—or to me?”

“Nothing’s going to happen. You have to keep your chin up and look for the rainbow. We’re going to be just fine. Besides, your brother is just about old enough to start working full time. He’s never cared much for school anyway. Once he’s able to bring in some money, you’ll be able to ease back a bit.”

Mary Ann clung to the hope in those words. “I’m sure you’re right.”

They skipped their chance at a real breakfast and instead grabbed pieces of toast off Mrs. Neal’s sideboard. At one end the faithful boardinghouse mistress had breakfast set up, and at the other end were lunches for the Boeing workers to take on their way out the door. Usually it wasn’t all that great of a spread, but it was better than having to find your own grub and plan for the day.

Mary Ann whistled a tune as she and Ellen made their way to their main mode of transportation—bicycles. Every day, rain or shine—and of late it was more rain than shine—they made their way to the Seattle Boeing plant. Lucky for them the boardinghouse wasn’t that far away, but the ride usually set the tone for the day to come. Once, Mary Ann had been pelted by icy rain and nearly run over by a plant transport all at once. The rest of the day had gone downhill from there. Another time, the sun had been shining, the air was crisp and cool, and everyone had been pleasant and courteous as they made their way to work. Mary Ann had received a promotion that day and a raise in pay.

She didn’t count herself as superstitious, however. Her mama had said a smile would do just as much to make things better as a frown would do to make them worse. Sometimes you just had to make up your mind to have a good day.

But the best days had been with Erik. She had loved him for almost forever. He was everything she had wanted in a husband, and when he’d proposed she had been the happiest woman in the world. Even now she could feel his arm around her waist, smell the heady scent of his cologne, and almost hear him whisper his love for her.

“You’ve got that look again,” Ellen said as they moved their bikes out into the morning traffic.

She smiled shyly. “I was just thinking about Erik, that’s all.”

“I’ve been thinking a lot about him lately.” Ellen’s tone betrayed her worry. “Mom says he hasn’t written to say he got our packages or anything. I don’t like to borrow trouble—”

“Then don’t!” Mary Ann hurried to interject. “Don’t say anything bad. Let’s just keep remembering that God will watch over him and things will be all right.”

Ellen pulled up alongside her, pedaling in the same even pacing.
“I’m not trying to suggest that God won’t watch over him, I’m just worried.”

“We have to believe the best.”

Ellen laughed. “I wish I could have your childlike faith, Mary Ann.”

She frowned. “I don’t think it’s so childish.”

“I didn’t say childish, I said childlike. There’s a big difference. You have no trouble believing the best about everyone. Even Ray is just a sweet man with a sad past that keeps him out of the war. Erik is safe and sound in a nice, comfortable job, and really this war isn’t that big of a deal.”

“Of course it’s a big deal. I might have childlike faith, but I’m not that naïve,” Mary Ann declared rather defensively. People were always telling her she was too naïve—too naïve to be getting married, too naïve to be living in a big city. It was always something, and she was bound and determined to prove them wrong. The only real problem was that Mary Ann knew they weren’t far from the truth. She was naïve. Life in a small town with good parents and strong moral values had lent itself to her never having to worry much about the seedier side of life. Marriage to Erik would give her the same liberty. The only problem was, she wasn’t in her small town anymore, and Erik was thousands of miles away.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. Traffic remained light and the constant flow of walkers seemed to limit themselves mostly to the sidewalks. Mary Ann determined in her heart to have a good day as they reached the plant parking area. With a smile, she waved as Ellen went her way to the offices, and Mary Ann made her way to the plant floor.

Mary Ann worked with the B-17 production, primarily the bombardier’s nose cone. She had once tried to explain her job to her mother, but the idea of her daughter working in war factory production so far from home only gave her mother worry. Her little girl might well be twenty years old and doing her part for the family and the war effort, but it grieved her to see her baby so completely separated from her care.

Mary Ann felt only a small twinge of guilt as she parked her bicycle. Remembering her mother’s disappointment over her lack of visits home, Mary Ann was determined to take an armful of presents
for the kids and be home for Christmas. The only problem was in how to accomplish it. The expense of the bus or the train was almost more than Mary Ann could see sense in paying. And that was if a ticket could be purchased in the first place. Leaving her bicycle and making a promise not to think about such gloomy things until later that day, Mary Ann put a smile on her face and headed for work.

“Hi ya, doll,” Ray said as she entered the plant. “Ya know, you sure look swell in that uniform.”

Pulling off her coat, Mary Ann thought the work shirt and baggy uniform pants did little to enhance her tall, slender figure, but she smiled. “Thanks, Ray. You sure know how to make a lady feel better.”

Ray began to sing like Frank Sinatra, who just happened to be one of Mary Ann’s favorite singers. Pretending he had a microphone in hand, he dipped ever so slightly to the right and crooned, “‘She’s a doll with the face of an angel. . . .’”

Laughter and giggles erupted as several of Mary Ann’s co-workers came in behind her.

“Hello, ladies!” Ray greeted them warmly. “What a swell job I have. I feel like I’m working with beauty queens on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Gorgeous women to the right, incredibly beautiful ones to the left.”

More giggles filled the air, and even Mary Ann smiled. Ray was such a sweet guy. He knew how to appeal to a girl’s heart, either singularly or in a group. And although some of the girls said he was as slick as the oil they eventually pumped into those finished B-17s, Mary Ann just knew he was sincere and genuine with his attentions.
He’s just a nice guy
, she thought.

Mary Ann had tried to point out to Ellen and to Erik that Ray didn’t mean anything by his innuendoes and gifts. It was simply his job to up production, and he would do that by whatever means he saw necessary. If a gal found herself getting a little needed attention when she went to work in the morning, what in the world was wrong with that? After all, they had those uniformed war heroes come and speak to the plant from time to time. The men were always inspired to hear other men talk about the war. Besides, Erik had never written back to say anything more on the matter, so Mary Ann figured he believed the best about the man as well. Ellen would surely come around in time.

“So are you and Ellen going with me on Friday night?” Ray questioned, coming up from behind Mary Ann.

She nodded. “As far as I know. Ellen seems excited about the idea,” Mary Ann lied. Ellen wasn’t in the least bit excited, but she didn’t want to hurt Ray’s feelings.

“Great! It’s not too late for me to get a buddy to go along with us. Ellen might even fall in love,” Ray said, then lowering his voice, he added, “You know—double date.”

Mary Ann looked around rather nervously. No one seemed to pay them the slightest bit of attention, but still she felt uncomfortable. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to call it a date. After all, I’m engaged.”

“Sure, doll face. Half the country is. I wasn’t proposing,” he said, laughing. “I was just suggesting you might like a little extra attention. I know it’s hard on you gals to be without your guys.” He sobered a bit. “It’s hard on me too. You know how much I’d love to be out there fighting the enemy and helping to win this war.”

Mary Ann felt a wave of sympathy wash over her. “Oh, Ray, you’re doing an important job here. You mustn’t be so hard on yourself.” She glanced at her watch. “Look, I’d better get to my station. Ellen and I will be ready when you come on Friday. Seven o’clock, right?”

“Seven and heaven!” Ray declared. “’Cause I’ll be in heaven for sure when I’m with two of the prettiest angels in all of Washington.” He made a clicking sound and pointed his finger like a gun. Winking, he popped a piece of gum in his mouth and danced off down the plant floor.

His shorter leg didn’t seem to interfere with his dancing, Mary Ann observed. Shaking her head, she laughed as he made an exaggerated bow to one of her other co-workers. He certainly had a way about him.

“Morning, Ellen.”

Ellen hung up her coat and murmured, “Morning, Mr. Chandler.”

“I put a stack of invoices on your desk. We’re going to have to get right to those this morning.”

“No problem. I stayed late last night and typed up those letters
you needed. You’ll find them in your office,” she said, taking a seat at her rather disorganized desk. It seemed the war never allowed for her to get caught up even for a moment. Staring at the mess in silence, she couldn’t help worrying about Mary Ann and Ray. Why couldn’t she understand that men like Ray were bad news?

“You seem a little preoccupied this morning,” Chris Chandler said. He came to stand by her desk and smiled. “Anything I can help with?”

Ellen looked up at the older man and shook her head. He was a great boss. Good family man too. He was the kind of man Ellen hoped to someday meet and fall in love with. Stable, Christian, kind, and intelligent. That didn’t seem like too much to ask for.

“It’ll work itself out,” she assured him.

He didn’t appear convinced and pulled up a chair. “Ellen, I try to be a good supervisor to my people. If the workers are happy and well cared for, they produce better work. But even more than that, I know it’s what God would have me to do. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s eating at you?”

Ellen felt a wave of relief wash over her. She needed someone to talk to, why not let it be Mr. Chandler? “I guess I’m worried about my roommate.”

“Mary Ann Roland, right?”

“Right. You see, she’s engaged to my brother, and we came here to Seattle to help with the war effort. My brother is a marine pilot somewhere in the Pacific.”

“I know several of the boys from our church who ended up in the Pacific.”

“Well, we haven’t heard much from Erik since October. Mom’s pretty worried. I suppose the good thing is there haven’t been any telegrams to suggest he’s anything but safe.”

“That is good. You shouldn’t worry too much. They try to be good with mail delivery, but there is a war on.” He smiled and touched her shoulder gently.

He always came across fatherly in his concern. It amazed Ellen. Anytime Ray touched her she felt like taking a bath, but when Chris Chandler touched her it seemed comforting.

“It’s more than that.” She found herself opening up. “I’m worried about Mary Ann. She’s a good girl from a good family. But she’s
totally overwhelmed by life in the big city. When we first arrived she was one of the shyest, most reserved people I knew. And while it’s not that she isn’t still rather shy, it’s just that she wants so much to believe the best about everyone. She believes that everyone is telling her the gospel truth and that no one would ever have an ulterior motive. Now, what with Ray’s interest—”

“Ray Blasingham?” Chandler cut in, coming back around the desk.

Ellen noted the anger in his tone. “Yes. Do you know much about him?”

“Too much. Ray’s been the source of many problems for me. Nothing can ever be proven, but he’s been brought to my attention more than once. Has he done something that I should know about?”

“Not really,” Ellen replied. “It’s just that he’s definitely a smooth operator. He’s friendly—too friendly, in fact. He’s always giving the girls gifts and offering them nights out on the town. He’s been nice enough about it, but he just makes me uncomfortable. I’m afraid that someone like Mary Ann, someone who is needy and lonely because her guy is off to war, will fall for one of his lines.”