Luke shoved his hands into his pockets. “Do we have to go anywhere?”
“Well, that was the plan. I mean, I like a sunset as much as the next guy, but it's time to shove in the clutch and get moving.”
Still staring at the bay, Luke said, “It's hard to believe the Japs might bomb here. It's just about one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.”
“Yeah.” Barry folded his arms over his chest. “Don't figure the Japs care much about how pretty it is.”
Luke glanced at Barry. “You think we're in for it?”
“Maybe. But from what I've been hearing, they're making their move to the southeast. I don't think we really have much to worry about.” He took a step. “Now, can we go?”
Luke nodded.
“No more talk about the Japs or about war for the rest of the night. Let's have some fun.”
Barry shouldered his way through a crowded club. Luke followed in his wake. Cigarette smoke lay like cloud cover, and the smell of liquor emanated from every corner. Barry stopped at the bar and scanned the room. A band tripped through “Jeepers Creepers” while couples jitterbugged. Wearing a broad smile, Barry said, “We should land a couple of dames—no trouble.” He slapped Luke's back. “Maybe you'll forget that little native girl back home.”
“I already have,” Luke said dryly.
“Yeah, sure. Let's get us a table.” Barry headed for one just as it was vacated.
Luke followed. Almost immediately after they sat down, a waitress wearing a tight skirt and blouse with the top two buttons undone approached their table. She smiled at Barry and smacked her gum. Luke thought she would be a lot prettier if she'd wipe off the red lipstick and rouge.
“What can I get you two handsome sailors?”
“A couple of beers,” Barry said.
“You sure that's all you want?” she asked.
“You got something else?” Barry asked suggestively.
Luke wished he hadn't agreed to come along. Barry was a good friend and a nice fella, but tonight he was mostly annoying. Navy or not, Luke hadn't been able to liberate himself from his moral upbringing. When he thought about it, he didn't really want to.
“That's for you to find out,” the barmaid bantered. “I'll be right back with your drinks.” She sauntered away, rolling her hips.
“Mm...mmm,” Barry said, watching her go and leaning on the table. “This is just what I needed.” His head bobbed to the music.
Luke glanced about the room. It was crowded with servicemen looking for a good time. Most of them were collected into groups, but some had found women to share their evening. All the men and some of the women had hungry eyes.
Shaking his head, Luke wondered why he had come with Barry. This wasn't what he wanted. His gaze took in a petite, dark-haired woman, then moved past her. Then his eyes returned. She looked Hawaiian. Standing with her hands behind her back, she looked as if she were trying to disappear into the wall. She reminded Luke of Mattie.
Barry leaned toward his friend. “She's a real knockout. Go over and talk to her.”
Luke straightened. “Nah. She wouldn't be interested in me.”
The waitress returned with their beers. Barry paid for the drinks and waved a bill in the air. “I've got a tip. What do you have?”
With a saucy smile the barmaid snatched the bill and walked away.
Barry guzzled his beer. “I got my eye on a gal.” He nodded toward the bar. “See that blonde over there?”
Luke turned and looked. A tall blonde in a filmy rayon dress sat on a barstool. Legs crossed decorously, she tossed her hair off her shoulder and dropped Barry a seductive look. “She's not exactly the kind of girl you want to take home to your mother. What do you want with someone like her?”
“You're kidding, right?”
Luke looked at Barry. “What's gotten into you? For crying out loud, you're acting like a goof.”
Barry took a swig of his beer. “I figure if we're going into battle, I ought to have a little fun before I die.”
“Who says we're going into battle, and even if we are, you're not dying.”
Barry looked straight at Luke. “How do you know that? We could both be dead by this time tomorrow. You never know when your time's coming.”
“So, you want to live like you're dying by throwing away your principles?”
“I'm not throwing them away. I'm just misplacing them for a night.”He emptied the bottle.” You know, I've spent my whole life bein' a good boy. I went to church on Sundays, didn't drink, didn't smoke...never been with a woman. I haven't lived enough to die. I figure it's time.”
“So, let's say you live, then you die. How you gonna' feel standing before God? You'll have to face him, you know.”
“I didn't know you were such a drip.”
“I guess I am if that means I care about what happens in the hereafter.”
“Well, you know what I'm here after,” Barry laughed.
Luke didn't smile.
