Time Will Tell

02

Connie softly hummed Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy as she packed her duffel bag.

She made sure she had all her medical supplies, despite that there would likely be plenty of tools at the camp where she was stationed.

She wrote a note to her friend, bidding her farewell as Bonnie was currently working.

Connie let out a light sigh as she hid the keys in the usual spot outside the door.

She stared at her apartment for a moment before walking away.

---

Connie made her way to the train station and after purchasing her ticket, sat in a car.

A sleazy looking man sat in front of her and Connie gripped her bag tighter as she looked down, trying to avoid his gaze.

"Come on, doll. Give me a smile," sleaszy man said.

"Leave the lady alone," a familiar voice ordered.

Connie glanced up to see the soldier she'd danced with the night before. "Bucky?"

He smiled and gestured to the seat. "May I?"

She nodded. "I thought you were shipping out."

"We are. Freight train, then boat. What about you?"

"I'm on my way to Jersey."

"Whaddya want with Jersey?"

"I've been stationed at a Camp Lehigh."

"I did my training there. It's a good place. As good as any training camp can be. They must've set up camp there. It's a good location."

"Thank you for that, by the way. But I didn't need rescuing. I was planning to ignore him."

"I'm sure you didn't need my help, but jerks like that you can't ignore."

"Thanks for the revelation. Bucky, what do you think will happen to all these men? To us?"

He shrugged. "To win the war and come home to their families and loved ones. I think you and I will be just fine. Say, when the war is over, how'd you like to get a proper drink and go dancing again?"

"Dancing, yes, but I'll hold off on the alcohol."

"Might I ask why?"

Connie pursed her lips and glanced away. "It's not proper for a lady to discuss such... delicate matters."

Bucky's voice grew softer. "Did someone hurt you?"

"Please stop. I barely know you. I'd rather not bear my heart to a stranger."

He settled back in his seat. "That's fair. Painful, but fair."

The train came to a stop and the soldiers stood.

Connie stood as well and said, "Will I see you soon, Bucky?"

He smiled. "Probably sooner than you know, doll."

Before he got off the train, he saluted and said, "Here's til next time."

"Here's til next time," Connie repeated with a wave.

Bucky saluted again and followed his fellow soldiers.

And just like that, the steel blue-eyed soldier had disappeared once again.

US TRAINING CAMP

Connie arrived at Camp Lehigh and was led to the medical tent. She set her bag down and looked around, making sure there were enough supplies.