Pearl Grace Parker

Chapter Thirteen

Eight years later

I walk downstairs and hear Oliver say, "Thank you, Sergeant McGage." I turn to the kitchen as Oliver walks into the kitchen also. I grab an apple and start eating it while Oliver hugs me from behind. He whispers, "I love you, Pearl." I turn around and say, "You were drafted into the war didn't you?" He nods and kisses me as tears fall down his cheeks. I feel a tear roll down my face. Everything has been tense since December 7, 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed. We spent the entire day together. I help him pack and tell him to send letters every day. He will leave in two days.

We spend every minute with each other before he has to leave. Soon the hour comes to where Oliver needs to leave to be deported to Europe. I kiss him on the cheek as he leaves. He says, "I love you, Pearl." I smile and say, "I love you too, Oliver." He leaves and Mary immediately comes over. We hug each other and drink tea together. She brought her children with her. Her husband left yesterday. I watch her two little ones play in the nursery. I didn't think any children would play with those toys. Looking at the toys makes me realize something... I haven't had my period this month...

Two months later

I look down at my small baby pump. I write to Oliver. He seems too busy over there. It is worse than people thought. He tries to write as often as he can but he is constantly recovering more ground from Germany. They keep finding concentration camps where people were keeping Jews. In these camps, Oliver has told me that there have been terrible things like gas rooms, starvation, and people being murdered. He was excited once he found out we are pregnant again. I told him about how I am on bed rest for my entire pregnancy since they don't want anything to happen to the child. Mary and Betty have been helping me as much as they can. It is hard to stay in bed all day though. But I will try to manage. I finish the letter to Oliver and close it and spray it with perfume again.

Eight months later

The doctors have been coming and visiting me almost every day. Given my last pregnancy had troubles around this time. I trace my finger around my belly. I haven't heard from Oliver in almost a month. People keep telling me that he is fine and just hasn't had time to write to me. But people don't realize I heard the rumors of our soldiers becoming captive. I just hope that he is ok. I close my eyes and listen to the doctors. If I have any trouble they are going to try a c section to make sure we get the baby out in time. I nod and let them decide since they are the experts.

July 8, 1942

I welcomed Kathleen Mae Faye into the world today. She is a healthy little girl. She is completely ok and I am fine. They decided to have a c section after a few hours of labor when nothing seemed to happen. The doctor felt bad since I will have a scar but I will bear this scar with pride. If I didn't get this scar. I wouldn't have a baby girl. I cradle her in my arms as George, William, and Helen come into the room. They have all become teenagers now. Helen is fourteen, William is eighteen and George is twenty-one. George, I hear now has a girlfriend. I smile as I recall him being just a little kid. They meet their half-niece. Henry comes in with his wife and two children. They all congratulate me. My father walks in with tears in his eyes. He holds Kathleen and says, "A baby is a gift." I smile as everyone celebrates. We pass Kathleen around and talk about baby stories. I write to Oliver while they talk. I tell him our little girl has come into the world.