The year was 1942. He stood on the wooden platform of the railroad station in his hometown dressed in his army green uniform, saying good bye to his family. His mother was weeping, his father barely containing tears that were burning in the back of his eyes. The train whistle blew for the third time, and the conductor called out, “All aboard.” He hugged them both and said, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be all right.” He stood on the step of the train as it pulled away, waving to them, and fighting his own tears. He found a seat, sat down and was on the way to his destiny.
France, he thought, France. I’m actually on my way to France! He Laid his head down on the back of the seat, and thought about the events of the last few months.
Barely out of High School, he had returned home from helping his father in the corn fields. Laying on the kitchen table, was an official looking letter addressed to him. His hands shook as he opened it and read the first line. Greetings, it said. Greetings! His father walked in, saw the look on his 18 year old son’s face, as he turned to look at him. His father took the letter from son’s hands, read it and said, “Son, we all knew it would come sooner or later.” “What is it,” his mother said, as she walked into the room. “It’s Johnny’s draft notice,” he said. His mother turned white, as the blood drained from her face, and she sat down at the table. “Oh no!”, she said, as tears rolled down her cheeks.
He opened his eyes and remembered the look on his mother’s face. He didn’t have to go. He was an only son, and was needed on the farm, but he knew it was his duty as an American citizen, to heed his country’s call. He discussed it with his father. His father told him that the farm would be OK and to go, if he thought he had to.
He didn’t want to think about all of that now. He looked out at the country side rolling by, and listened to the lulling sound of the train wheels, as they chugged down the tracks.
He turned his head when the squeaky door to the compartment opened. A hostess, dressed in a blue uniform, entered with a cart of refreshments for the young men going off to war. He could only see the back of her, as she pulled the cart in behind her. she was tall, with long legs, red hair and nicely built. Her uniform fit her like a glove and he felt himself come to life, when she turned around and he saw her breasts straining at the front of her jacket. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she was! She smiled sweetly at him, as she passed out refreshments. When she stopped in front of him and asked what he wanted, he could hardly speak.
“Well, hello Johnny. I’m Gloria. Do you remember me?”
He remembered her all right. She was a couple of years ahead of him in high school and the girl all of the boys wanted to go out with. He had heard the stories they told about her, how experienced she was, and the things she had taught them. He also remembered the day she approached him and asked if he would like to take her to the beach on Saturday. Oh yeah, he wanted to take her! Instead of saying yes, he said no. telling her he had to help his father on the farm. He kicked himself all of the way home for lying to her. He should have taken her to the beach! If he had, he wouldn’t be going off to war still a virgin. Eighteen years old and still a virgin! Old enough to fight a war and never been with a woman!
He had come close several times, while necking with his various girlfriends, and had even gotten as far as sucking a breast once and feeling between her legs. He was so hard then, he thought his cock would break off if she touched it. He slowly and gently began to stick his finger inside of her, when suddenly she pushed his hand away. She started crying and said, “I can’t do this, I’m sorry I can’t go through with this.” He remembered how he ached, how badly he wanted her and how disappointed he had been.
“Yes, Gloria, I remember you,” he said to the redhead.
She looked at him and smiled appreciatively. “You’ve filled out, Johnny. Your not a boy any longer.” She looked at her watch and said, “It’s 7:00 o’clock and this is my last car before I’m finished for the day. Would you like to meet in the dinning car for supper at 8:00 o’clock?”
“Yes, I’d like that very much.”
He was seated at the table when she entered the crowded dining car. All heads turned to look at her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The emerald green dress she wore complimented her figure and her red hair. She knew how to attract attention and she certainly had his. She smiled brightly at him and his heart melted. He stood and seated her across from himself.
They ordered their meal, and sat and talked about their hometown, people they knew and what had changed over the years. She told him that she took this job with the railroad as a hostess so she could do her part to bring some cheer into the lives of the young men going off to war. Sometimes she would play cards with then, or joke with them, or just sit and listen when they needed to talked.
