“Oh. Mattie,” Jean said, as if just noticing her. “How good to see you.” Her eyes pooled.
Unexpected feelings of love and concern swept over Mattie. She crossed to Jean and kneeled in front of her. “I'm so sorry,” she said and wrapped her arms around the woman. Mattie had come hoping to find solace, but giving comfort proved to be of greater help.
After a few moments Jean straightened and wiped the tears from her face. “I'm sure he's fine. I know it.”
“We're waiting for President Roosevelt to speak,” Ray said and stood. “Could I get you some coffee? It's a cold day.” He nodded toward the window as if to prove his point, then said, “Hmm. It's about time we opened the curtains, don't you think?”
Mattie nodded and smiled. “I don't feel like any coffee, but thank you.”
Before settling into a taupe-and-rose-colored parlor chair, Adam pulled back the window coverings. “It's still coming down.”
Laurel sat on the arm of the chair.
Adam patted her hand. “We heard the news late yesterday. How about you, Mattie?”
“I didn't find out until I went to the post office this morning. I couldn't believe…” She stopped, knowing this line of thinking wouldn't help. She sat on the sofa beside Jean. What could be said? She was certain everyone was as shocked as she was. The world had changed so rapidly. Life had seemed comparatively calm, even with her plans to move. Now she didn't know what she would do.
“Luke told me there wasn't going to be a war,” Brian stated. “How come those Japs attacked us?”
“I guess they had their own plans,” Adam said. “No one knew.”
Mattie stared at a volley of ice crystals pelting the window. How could Luke have been so wrong? He'd seemed certain everything would be fine. Now he might be dead. Her mind reeled at the thought. The news reports had said hundreds, maybe even thousands had died.
The radio came to life, and a man's voice greeted listeners.
Immediately Ray crossed to the radio and turned up the volume. The receiver crackled, and the voice announced, “And now, President Roosevelt.”
Silence followed, then more static. Finally a solemn voice broke through. “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
“The United States was at peace with that nation…”
Mattie's nerves bristled, and she thought of the last time she'd seen Luke. He'd been so handsome, so sure of himself. Now…now he might be lying dead on a burning ship or at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. What if he were lying injured in a hospital? The thought wrenched her heart, and she fought tears. There must be something they could do. She had to know if he was still alive or if he was…No! He's fine, she told herself. She squeezed her eyes closed, hoping to shut out the image of his battered, injured body, his cries of pain.
Luke had been her friend since he'd first arrived, five years before. She'd often tagged along with him and her brother, Alex, on their excursions. They'd fished together, set traps, and she'd even been included on a few of their mushing jaunts.
Alex and Luke had been superior to her at everything they did, except ice-skating. She remembered racing across the frozen river with the boys chasing. They'd been faster, but she'd usually outmaneuver them.
The years passed, and they were forced to grow up. Now that Alex was gone and she and Luke were adults, things were different. There'd been a time when she thought that one day she and Luke would get married. Of course, that didn't happen. After Alex's death the threesome didn't exist anymore, and Luke left the valley.
She'd missed him. He'd been a good friend. Luke was one of the few who never seemed to notice her nativeness. She'd simply been a comrade. I shouldn't have turned him down at the dance. I should've told him I'd wait. What if he's dead? If only I had another chance.
President Roosevelt's voice penetrated her thoughts. “Yesterday the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.” Gasps sounded around the room. “Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.”
Laurel pressed a hand to her mouth. “Dear Lord.”
Jean's eyes filled and she shook her head.
“The world's gone mad,” Ray said in disbelief.
“It's only the beginning,” Adam said. “The Germans and Italians will follow. Just wait and see.”
Her hands shaking, Laurel smoothed her collar. “The whole world will be at war. What happens then?”
Susie's chin quivered, and tears filled her eyes. “Will there be a war here?”
“Oh, no,” Ray said. “Not here.” He held out his arms, and Susie crossed to him and stepped into a hug.
Needing a distraction, Mattie escaped to the kitchen. She grabbed a cup from the cupboard and filled it with coffee. She didn't bother with milk or sugar. The stronger the better, she thought. Was it possible for a war to destroy the world? What would happen to her and the people she loved? Would they face an invasion? Cradling the hot cup between her hands, she stared out the window at the white rage thrashing the valley. As fierce as this storm was, it certainly wasn't anything compared to bombs and mortar. She sipped the hot brew, not even noticing its bitterness.
The president's voice penetrated her determination not to hear. “Hostilities exist,” he said. “There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.” The strength and tension in his voice fell over the listeners, and the room seemed to vibrate with the coming calamity. Mattie knew where he was heading. No. Please no.
“With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounded determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.
“I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
War. Mattie hurried back to the front room. Maybe she hadn't heard correctly.
“So, that's it then,” Adam said. “We're at war.”
“Can I fight?” Brian asked.
“Of course not,” Jean said harshly.
Brian's bravado drooped and he sat down. “Why not? I'm almost big enough to shave.”
“You're twelve years old, and kids don't fight wars,” Laurel said. “Now that's enough.”
Susie leaned against her mother. “Is Luke dead?” she asked, her voice small.
