moments in love, 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫

chapter one

"if the call of duty means seeing 150 men in their underwear everyday, we are here to serve."

All the nurses on board of the packed train giggled at Barbara's comment, Betty especially, who nudged her best friend Estèe and the two exchanged warm smiles before Betty began to speak. 

"I can't believe it. Saturday night in New York City!" Betty exclaimed before shifting her glance to Evelyn.

"Do you know what they're doing where we come from?" She questioned, motioning between herself and Estèe. 

This time, Estèe spoke. Her slight French accent sounding throughout the train car, "Nothing... Cowtipping." 

Both Estèe and Betty laughed at this, reminiscing on their mundane farm lives in which they had both run away from over a year ago now. The pair had been best friends since Estèe and the Lavigne family moved from Bordeaux to Minnesota at the age of 7, Estèe couldn't understand why her family had to choose Minnesota but she was grateful that she was able to meet Betty. Betty had been the only girl in Estèe's school who didn't tease her for knowing limited English, in fact, Betty would help Estèe learn behind her family barn everyday after school. Estèe also taught Betty French, the past 10 years of friendship between both girls meant they were inseparable for life. 

When both girls grew tired of their life filled with hay bails and butter churning, they decided to run away and become navy nurses. This meant the world to them, as they could have jobs that were important to society and wouldn't be forced to become housewives with no career. Estèe loathed the life that was paved before her in Minnesota, always wishing she could be as free as she was in Bordeaux. So when opportunity struck, Estèe and Betty threw their little belongings into small trunks and swiftly lied to enlist as navy nurses at 17 years old. Now, here they sat in a train car full of the navy's best nurses, including themselves. They were excited to spend one night in New York City, hoping to meet some of the men that may be stationed alongside them at Pearl Harbor within the next couple of weeks. 

Barbara giggled, "well that's why you joined the navy hons, to get out of that dusty little town. See the world." She patted Betty's leg at this, giving Estèe a nudge on her shoulder as well.

"May I remind you Barbara, we're navy nurses, not tourists." Sandra scoffed slightly

"I joined to do my patriotic duty and... to meet guys." Martha nodded as laughs elicited from every nurses lips

Barbara then urged Evelyn to tell 'the story' which she dismissed as such a long story, as the women continued to beg, Evelyn began with details on how she met a pilot named Rafe McCawley. Around 4 weeks ago during the time all 6 women were providing immunisation, and health checks for the Air Force pilots. 

Estèe vividly remembered this day, as that was the day she saw the most beautiful man she had ever laid her eyes upon. She had never talked to him, but she had seen him with the man Evelyn had fallen in love with who she named, Danny Walker. He was strikingly handsome with beautiful long brown hair and a perfectly sculpted face, she knew she might never see him again, but she cherished the thought of the crush she had on Danny Walker.

As Evelyn finished her story, the train came to a halt. All 5 nurses were buzzing to meet Rafe McCawley, especially Estèe who hoped that his friend Danny Walker would appear alongside him. She walked arm in arm with Betty, exiting the train as they all watched Evelyn converse with Rafe and finally be spun around like a scene from a film. 

"I want you to meet my friends!" Evelyn exclaimed as she turned to the group of nurses watching them both in admiration, "Rafe this is Martha, Barbara, Sandra-"

"Hi, I'm Betty and this is Estèe." Betty shook Rafe's hand as she dragged Estèe along with her, "would you happen to have any friends?"

Rafe stammered, "Take your pick." He said as everyone turned their attention to the group of pilots watching them in awe

Estèe only thought of one thing as she finally spotted Danny Walker, the dazzling man before her  who sent her whole body into shock. She knew she would never have the courage to speak to him, maybe he would think her accent is stupid, maybe he just didn't find her visually appealing. It didn't matter to Estèe as she knew herself and Danny would only be a fantasy.

Meanwhile, Danny couldn't remove his eyes from the sight of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was one of Evelyn's fellow nurse friends, she was a bronzed tan with gorgeous brown hair which cascaded in curls down her back. Her lips were a vivid red, freckles plastered all over face and button nose, with doe eyes that were complimented by her signature eyeliner that was popular amongst film stars and pinups of the 1940s alike. 

Danny knew she would never be with someone as ordinary as him, he was happy just to be in her presence. Daniel Walker had a crush, and it didn't matter to Danny as he knew himself and Estèe would only be a fantasy.