Genesis: the Beginning and the End | Band of Brothers

【Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ９２ － Ｏｋｌａｈｏｍａ】

Chapter 92 - Oklahoma

Peggy was sure Lewis' current events "lectures" – as they were being called – would've been much more interesting if she knew anything about what was being said, or who the people talked about were. The only thing she actually knew anything about was the war, and so the updates were the only thing she understood. But still, she listened diligently.

"The Cooperative for American Remittance to Europe for Care has begun assembling food packages stateside to assist European families in dire need, which would presumably be all of them. So, uh, notes home to your family reminding them to donate whatever they can would be very much appreciated." Unlike Peggy, the men weren't paying much attention, and she saw Lewis skim the paper to see if there was anything to capture their interest again. "I'm sure that you're all happy to know that Oklahoma!'s still playing on Broadway."

"Hey! Oo~klahoma!" And then everyone joined in but Peggy, she didn't know the words, or what a Broadway was, she knew better than to ask.

"When the wind comes sweeping down the planes, and the waving wheat sure smells sweet, when the wind comes-"

Everyone stopped,

"Right behind the rain!" except for O'Keefe.

Peggy felt bad and smacked Luz when he laughed.

"O'Keefe, are you sitting on your bayonet or something? Why don't you leave the singing to Luz."

She did feel bad, that wasn't fair, but she hadn't really tried to get to know O'Keefe and didn't really try to stick up for him. He was so bloody keen, and didn't seem to get that what they had right now was luxury. But it was the same with all the current replacements, irritatingly keen.

"Ah, Rita Hayworth's getting married."

"Oh, Rita, say it isn't true!"

Luz put his arm around her and she allowed him to pull her to him. Because of their position her head rested more on his chest than his shoulder. Peggy didn't mind so much, it wasn't uncomfortable. She gazed up at him, bored and no longer paying much attention to Lewis.

"Ah, Wartime News. Resistance in the Ruhr Pockets is crumbling, looks like there might be a breakout in Remagen. Apparently the Krauts forgot to blow up one of their bridges when they headed back over the Rhine. I guess our boys in the 17th Airborne did okay after all."

"Forget it, we'd be in Berlin by now sir, if it was us instead of them." It would seem the guys there agreed. "That's right!" He drew out the last vowel and grinned down at Peggy.

When Lewis was finally done, Peggy started clapping as if it were the end of a show, and others soon joined in. She grinned warmly at Lewis, he needed kindness and fun now more than anything.

As the men began to filter away, Peggy reached up and poked George's cheek to get his attention.

"George, what's a Broadway?"

He chuckled as he looked around to make sure no one was listening.

"Broadway is a place in New York, lots of theatres there. Oklahoma is a musical, I'll take you to Broadway and go see it sometime if it's still playin', and if it isn't we'll go see something else, how's that sound?"

Peggy lifted her head and nodded, letting George take her hand and pull her out of her seat and loudly proclaim "It's a date!"when no it wasn't really. But she didn't get a chance to correct him, instead laughing as he twirled and then dipped her in the middle of the street.

The thought of a life after the war made her smile all day, and everyone noticed. They were glad to see her cheerful again. But when night fell, she didn't go to their billeted houses, instead walking around in the rain, sheltering in doorways to smoke. Reality hit.

There wouldn't be a life after the war. Not for her. They'd kill her. They'd kill her for not being the perfect spy, for having a moral compass. It didn't matter what they said she'd done or whether she'd really done it, there was no light at the end of this tunnel, not for her. Her's ended in a brick wall and a bullet or five.

Such was life.

Peggy just had to find a way to tell everyone. A way to say goodbye that didn't sound too permanent...

A promise.

Yes.

A promise to write if she made it out.

When the time came she'd think of them, and she'd cry for the times she'd never have with them, but be so glad for the times she did have. When the time came she'd think of him and have to accept he'd never hear her say it.

_

A short one where Peggy is mostly confused