Spirit of the Nation ★ Female America

11. Cold War Heat

July 1, 1968

Undisclosed Residence

Bristol, United Kingdom

In 1968, the United States and the Soviet Union signed a treaty to discourage the proliferation of nuclear weapons and encourage the development of atomic energy. Such "once-in-a-generation" statements were becoming so common and ineffective that there was no use even bothering to attend the signing ceremony.

It wasn't like Russia would be there anyway.

We sat at the kitchen table near an open window. Though his holiday home was far from London, it wasn't far enough to escape the oppressive summer heatwave sweeping the nation. An electric fan stood in the corner of the room, rotating slowly back and forth. Even my sleeveless shirt and linen shorts couldn't keep me cool. I pressed a glass of ice water to my temple as I stared at the playing cards in my hand.

"Alright, this is my discard."

I sloppily dropped one of my cards onto the discard pile, and England immediately scooped up the first three or so. I groaned as he laid down a thirty-point play.

He chuckled and sat back in his seat. His white t-shirt was nearly translucent with sweat, and his abandoned dress shirt was hanging on the chair behind him. A small TV sat on the table, playing the news as usual.

"...meanwhile, the North Vietnamese and the Soviet-backed communist Viet Cong targeted more US facilities over the weekend. Both the South Vietnamese military and the US military sustained heavy losses, we are told by NBC. President Lyndon Johnson issued a statement that—"

The words cut out abruptly when I turned the volume knob all the way down. The fight for Vietnam's freedom was not going as smoothly as the fight for South Korea, and Russia's involvement was as plain as day.

"Damn commies," I muttered.

England was very aware of my aversion to the topic of Vietnam. He wisely changed the subject. "I wanted to ask you about you and Germany."

I narrowed my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He glanced up from his cards, the faintest of smirks touching his lips. "As a gentleman, I leave it to your discernment."

My cheeks colored when I realized what he was implying. I resisted the urge to glance in the direction of the bedroom, where we had spent the better half of the morning doing a little more than just listening to the Beatles.

"I've heard this rumor," I said calmly as I started my turn. "It's insulting and unfounded."

"I've seen far more insulting matches."

My eyes snapped to his. His bemused expression indicated that he was toying with me. "Allow me to reassure you that there is no attraction between us whatsoever," I stated in annoyance. "In fact, I think he despises me."

He made an incredulous noise. "Don't be so naive."

"'Naive'?"

The word triggered a memory of Russia from some years ago. Freedom from self is true freedom. Your freedom is slavery to self. I had kept that trip a secret from everyone. I looked up from my cards, about to confide my harrowing experience to England.

"You are attracted to him," he accused.

I stood up and slapped my hand on the table in front of him. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

Some of his cards fluttered to the ground. He sighed tiredly as he reached down to scoop them up. He then gave me a weighted look. "America, you are beautiful and accomplished."

Flattered into compliance, I sank back down to my seat.

"Germany is caught between the two largest nuclear powers on the planet, with one winner steadily emerging. He has every incentive to...pursue you," he finished bitterly.

His jealousy secretly delighted me.

"Of course, you may do what pleases you," he muttered reluctantly, turning back to the TV. "You are a free Nation, after all."

I smirked. "I'm a what?"

"A free Nation."

"What?"

When he caught onto my game, he shot me an exasperated smile that said "don't push your luck."

He reached for the volume dial and turned it up. The news report was on the Berlin Wall, which distracted him as he played his turn.

"In the end, I do think Germany will naturally—"

"Rummy," I rushed out, reaching for his discard.

He scowled as he drew two penalty cards. "I do think it will naturally reunify. Russia is spread too thin to maintain control in East Germany much longer."

I perched my chin in my hand as my eyes drifted to the screen. "I hope you're right."