Sentimental Journey

01

1943

Steve and Anneliese made their way to a movie theater.

Anneliese tapped Steve's shoulder. 'Bucky is joining us, right? I know he had some work to do at the dock and I'm hoping he hasn't decided to bail on us.'

'Don't worry, he'll be here.'

They watched as a commercial about the war before the movie. Anneliese let out a sigh as she watched, hoping her fiancé would arrive soon.

The commercial announcer said, "War continues to ravage Europe. But help is on the way. Every able-bodied young man is lining up to serve his country. Even little Timmy is doing his part collecting scrap metal. Nice work, Timmy!"

"Who cares?" a loud, jerky guy said. "Play the movie already!"

Steve replied quietly, "Hey, you wanna show some respect?"

"Meanwhile, overseas, our brave boys are showing the Axis powers that the price freedom is never too high."

"Let's got! Get on with it! Hey, just start the cartoon!" the loud jerk cried.

"Hey buddy, you wanna shut up?!" Steve returned.

The guy got up and looked at him, shifting his gaze to Anneliese, then back to Steve.

"Together with Allied forces, we'll face any threat, no matter the size."

The three were soon in an alley. Steve pushed Anneliese behind him and tried punching the guy, but kept getting knocked down. Anneliese winced as she watched her friend getting pummeled.

Anneliese went to push the guy who said, "This isn't your fight, princess."

She frowned, not knowing what he had said, and pushed him back.

Steve picked up the top to a trashcan and the guy said, "You two just don't know when to give up, do you?"

"I could do this all day," Steve challenged, balling his fists.

Anneliese picked up a stick and narrowed her eyes, holding it up.

The guy knocked the stick from her hand and hit her, causing her to stumble into the wall.

A young brunet man in uniform walked up to the fight and the older of the two said, "Hey! Pick on someone your own size! Never hit a lady!" He punched the attacker, then kicked the man as he ran away.

Bucky looked back at Steve. "Sometimes I think you like getting punched. Did you bring Lisie into this or did she choose to fight?"

"I had him on the ropes," Steve replied. "She got looped in." He looked at her bleeding nose. 'That should heal soon enough.'

Anneliese pressed a hand to her wound and winced. 'I hope so. It hurts quite a lot.'

Bucky picked up Steve's enlistment form from the ground. "How many times is this?" He read from the enlistment form. "Oh, you're from Paramus now? You know it's illegal to lie on the enlistment form. And seriously, Jersey?"

Steve ignored Bucky's words and asked, "You get your orders?"

"The 107th. Sergeant James Barnes. Shipping out for England first thing tomorrow. "

"I should be going. Come on, Lisie."

"Come on, man. My last night! Gotta get you two cleaned up."

"Why? Where are we going?"

"The future," Bucky replied as he handed Steve a newspaper. Steve opened the paper to see an ad for World Exposition Of Tomorrow, 1943.

Anneliese looked at the newspaper and smiled. 'This'll be exciting!'

Bucky returned her smile. 'Yeah, doll, it will. I'll pick you up at seven.'

'All right.'

---

Anneliese slipped on a light pink dress and put on light makeup. She touched her still sore nose gently and winced, letting out a sigh.

Her TTY lights flashed and she opened the door to reveal Bucky who was holding a bouquet of pink roses.

'Wow,' he signed.

Anneliese smiled and took the flowers, placing them in water. 'Thank you for these, Bucky. They're beautiful.'

Bucky offered an arm to Anneliese who accepted and the two walked away.