When I Was Gone

Drafting

1942

I had looked at the telegram and registration in disbelief. Being drafted in the army is the worst possible thought any young man can think of. I have to send my information through government force- I had ignored the last two I got in the mail- apparently that doesn't work like that. I start filling it out, but why ME for the army? I am engaged and only 23, it's not fair for a guy like me.

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Please Print

*Name of Registration: Forster Jayden Darrel

Selective Service Number (if known): 14 028 19 8192
*Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy): 7/18/1919
*Home Address at time of registration: 2947 S. Washington Street, Double Springs, Winston County, Alabama.
Place of Registration (if known):
*Information Requested Reason for Request: Drafted.

*Contact Information:
Name: Jayden Forster
Street Address: 2947 S. Washington Street
City, State, Zip Code: Double Springs, Alabama, 35553
Telephone Number: No phone, use local telegram.
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"Hi, Honey." A soft voice said behind me as small hands go around my waist. I turn to see my fiancé, Emily, with a broad smile on her face. I still had the registration in my hands. "What do you have here?" She took it out of my hands.

"Em, I wouldn't read that." I said, scared of what her reaction might be.

"Oh what are you hiding from-" Emily's smile had fell. "Your-you have to leave me?" Her voice cracked.

"Emily, you know I have no choice." I felt a deep burden in my heart to see her so hurt.

"Jayden..." Emily ran into my arms and sobbed into my shoulder. "We aren't even married yet and we might not have a family and I just want you with me, not in another country fighting for your life!"

"Emily...I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry...if I had a choice I wouldn't go, and I think a lot of other men would do the same."

"But- we can't have a life together if you never come home..." Emily looked up at me with watery eyes and tears. I wiped them away.

"We can get the marriage license and not have a wedding and honeymoon. And we can start a family now before I leave."

Emily smiled. "I like the sound of that, but if we have children I want them to meet you, I don't want them to be fatherless."

"They won't be damn fatherless. I will come home, I will. If I don't, well then that's God's fate for me."

"Screw him if that's what he plans for you. It's a dumb idea that's for sure." Emily tried for a smile and laughed a little.

"Em, don't be sad..maybe I can fail a test requirement to stay home!"

"Jayden, no. As much as I want you to stay, you can't just lie or not try because they might still accept you or think you really are not trying and make you go through training again. Just do the best to your ability."

"Emily..." I sighed.

"Just promise me you'll be home safe." She put her hands on my cheeks and caressed them with her thumbs. I put my hands on top of her's wanting her to keep me warm for all eternity.

"I promise."

Emily sighed. "When do you have to leave?"

"Today is the 20th of December... They need me a little after New Years, so around the 10th of January."

"That's less than a month though."

"Then let's get you to bed." I smirked and took Emily into the bedroom as she was giggling on the whole way there.

We were on top of each other, helping each other stripping each other's clothes off. Both of us were a moaning mess! It was great, but we felt we had sinned because we had sex before marriage, but were engaged..close enough.

"That was great, I don't mind doing it again." Emily said, with a devious smile

"We will, I guarantee it." I smiled back, kissing her passionately once more.

"Can we stay like this forever?" Emily got as close as she could into my side and intertwined our fingers.

"If all time stops, I think yes. But life keeps going forward and never slows down."

"I'm really going to miss you." She looked up at me with puppy eyes with tears at bay.

"I'm really going to miss you too.." I looked deeply into her eyes with tears in my eyes too.

"Don't go...please." She was begging me, holding on to me tightly as if she was for dear life. I held on to her and couldn't say any words. Everything was just too much.

•••

I went up to the local phone booth to call my mother, Betty, who lives the next city over. "Mother?"

"Hello? Oh, Jayden! How are you, sweetie? Everything alright at your new home?"

"Yes, everything is great thank you. Listen mom, I have some news."

The line was silent before mother replied, "Well, what is it?"

"I've been drafted." I could just read my moms thoughts saying, "Not again, not my other baby boy! This isn't fair to have both sons fighting in the war!"

"Jayden..."

"They really pushed me to it. They've told me two other times but I ignored it. And if I didn't do it this time they would come take me away instead."

"You're 23!"

"That's what I said!" My temper had gone up at the thought of being forced into war.

"Jayden, I-I would like to talk more but I must go. Call back or send a telegram. Please tell me more later." She hung up. I can picture her, hanging up the phone and then going to the kitchen chair to sob until Kayleigh came in to check on her then she hears the news. It'll just be a chain reaction.

•••

I hope to be with at least Richard in the army, preferably the Marines which he's in. It would be nice to have someone from home while I'm away from home. I hope not to be stationed were we have the weakest men because then we will all be screwed as all hell. I can only pray that I get my wishes to my liking. I just want this war to be over already.

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Jayden and Emily have a powerful and inseparable relationship OMG 😭

But yay, first chapter! Sorry I haven't written my other books in a while and started another one, I got inspired whilst in history class because we just started WWII. I promise to do the other books, spring break is like in two weeks! I will try to write then!