Throughout It All

39 | Reunion | January 15, 1919

So ... this will be something.  A reunion. Of some sort.

I also am mixing historical accuracy with me just guessing, so that's also going to be something.

Enjoy! :)

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Today is the day that the soldiers and prisoners of war come home. Finally, three months after the war ended, they're coming home from being overseas for so long.

So many people wait at the great big docks at Ellis Island for the ships to start coming in.

Jack, David, and Sardinia (who had gotten discharged some time earlier) wait with eager anticipation. They are so excited to see Mush, Race, Spot, Chick Tucker, and Kid Griffo again.

But they are also nervous, because they aren't entirely sure if all of them are coming back.

But they don't want to feel nervous. They want to feel excited that finally, everyone is coming home.

It's the waiting that's killing them. Why, why with the waiting?

"We're going to see them soon," Jack repeats for the millionth time. "We're going to see them soon."

"We will," David assures him. "All of them."

Sardinia says nothing, just stands there looking at the sea. He knows that Dave isn't coming home. He says that he's fine, but they know that's a lie; they remember him breaking down when he put the gold star in his window.

Finally, the first ship comes in. They know that there are probably going to be many, so they can't get their hopes up about their friends being on the first ship. 

That doesn't stop them from hoping.

As people start getting off, they realize that these are the divisions that they never interacted with. There's no way for any of their friends to be there.

The second ship comes. And, even though they are extremely thin and looked even more haunted by war than before, there, coming down to them, are Kid Griffo and Chick Tucker.

Jack, David, and Sardinia shout their names and run up to them. When Kid Griffo and Chick Tucker see them, they instantly smile, and try to move down the ramp faster. Their legs are shaky, though, so Jack, David, and Sardinia tell them to slow down. They take their time, but they make it down. Jack, David, and Sardinia hug them instantly.

"Where's everyone else?" Chick Tucker asks.

"I'm so glad you're alive, Jack!" Kid Griffo exclaims. "We were so worried when you left!"

"I'm glad you're alive too," Jack tells him.

"You're the first of our friends to arrive," David tells him.

Kid Griffo turns to Sardinia. "How did you get here before us?"

"Eh, long story," Sardinia says with a dry smile. "Let's just say I got dishonorably discharged when I was 'acting suspicious' when asked where a certain pilot went."

David laughs sheepishly. "Sorry about that."

Sardinia waves his hand dismissively. "Nah, I like being here more than being over there."

Kid Griffo hugs his brother again. "I'm glad you're here too."

A new ship arrives. No one they know gets off of it.

Jack and David exchange nervous glances. Where's Race? Where are Spot and Mush?

Finally, a ship arrives, and they can recognize Mush instantly.