Institutionalized: 1940

Leaving the Institution

Once we arrived at the station, we bought our tickets to Birmingham. When we were on the train, it seemed like days, but it was only hours. While we were on the train, I could hear people whispering about Greg and I. I could hear a woman behind us whispering to a woman beside her about why a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot was with a woman like me. Both women noticed that Greg was in uniform and a RCAF pilot because they noticed a maple leaf on his sleeve. He told me that the maple leaf was a symbol of Canada.

Once we arrived in Birmingham, there was a man standing by a car, he shouted at Greg and I to come and he would take us anywhere. I told Greg we should go for it. I also told Greg the man only offered because he was an injured pilot. I told the man where we were headed. He replied yes to my request. He told Greg that it was a pleasure to help a pilot that protected Britain. Greg told the man that he was just doing his job.

Once we arrived at my house, I noticed the house was intact and so was the street. Then I called to my mum, it took a few times, but she came out of the house with her arms spread out about to give a huge hug and that is what she did. Mum kept holding me and told me how she thought of me every day. I told her the same thing. Then I introduced Greg to her, I told her he was a RCAF pilot that was sent to the institution because of the difficulties he sustained. He asked my hand in marriage. He also asked permission to marry me. My mum saw how I was with him and granted permission of marriage. Then he asked permission to move to Canada and she granted that as well.

Once this happened, she let us in the house. Once in the house, I excused myself and went straight to my room to pack the things I could not bring when I was put in the institution. While I was doing that, I hear my mum talking to Greg about the long journey to Canada. I heard her tell him that she had ship tickets to Canada. The ship leaves England in two months. She explained that the ships for Canadian soldiers and other personnel were leaving in a couple of months because they need to find who survived the war, who was injured, who is missing, and those killed in action.

After organizing my room, I returned downstairs. My mum was about to tell me what she told Greg. I told her I already heard while upstairs. I am happy to be able to be with mum for a few months before I have my adventure to Canada. I will cherish every moment because my mum and I have been apart for so long. I will cherish the two months I have with her.

Once Greg went upstairs to get his things together, my mum asked me how I managed to find a great man like him. I told her it started when I met him in the institution. I also told her that I helped him with therapy, so he use his hand again. She told me that she was proud of me for helping someone with a circumstance that I have dealt with all my life. She asked me what part of Canada I would be living. I told her I would be living in British Columbia in a town called Maple Ridge. My mum told me I would have a long adventure before I get there to settle, a ship then a train to Maple Ridge, British Columbia.

It has been a couple of weeks since Greg and I left the institution. It has taken longer to adjust because we can do what we want now. Greg is having a hard time adjusting the most because there is limitation to what he can do. The limitations are what he can do with his hand. It has been five years since he broke it in the crash. It has not healed properly. So, I have been helping him with how to use it to help the hand's strength. I was also showing him tricks to keep his hand strong and able to use when needed. He appreciated it.

It has been a month since Greg and I left the institution. Greg is becoming anxious about going home because does not know what his dad will say when he sees him. Also his dad's reaction about being engaged to me. I told him not to worry about it until we arrive in Canada.

A few days later, a telegram arrived for Greg which was surprising because no one knows he is in Coventry. The telegram was from his friend Dario Franchitti saying that he heard that Greg was sent to an institution after the hospital stay. He also said once the war ended he was searching for Greg. He found that it was harder to find him because there are a lot of institutions all over England. Dario said that a man gave him the information about Greg being in Coventry. He said the man told him that he drove a Canadian pilot and a woman to Coventry. Dario asked him to describe the pilot. He told the man that it was his good friend Greg Moore. Dario ended the telegram by saying he will be in Coventry in a few days for a visit. Also looking forward to catching up with a good friend and would like to meet the woman he was with. When Greg let me read this, I became embarrassed and was turning red in the face. The telegram also said that Dario would be coming in three days.

Once the telegram was read, Greg was really happy to hear from his friend. He was worried that once Dario saw him that Dario would not want to be friends with Greg anymore. I told him that, that is not what I read in the telegram. It sounds like Dario will be accepting of Greg no matter what function he has. Dario seems accepting and curious about me as well.

Three days have passed, since Greg and I received the telegram from Dario. Now, we wait for the knock on the door. After we did our morning routine, we decided to just sit and wait for the knock on the door because we were sure Dario was going to come visit today. We have been waiting a few hours. We were just talking to ourselves. Then we heard a knock on the door, it startled us because we thought it was someone that was going to take us back to the institution.

Once my mum opened the door, there was a man in a Royal Air Force uniform with black hair. He spoke in what seemed to be a Scottish accent. Greg told me yes it was Scottish. The man introduced himself as Dario Franchitti. Once Greg heard this he leaped from where he was sitting and hugged Dario. He also told Dario that he was really surprised to see him. Dario said the same thing about Greg because Dario told us that he saw Greg's plane get shot down and crash. Dario told Greg that he prayed for him to survive the crash and he did. Then Greg told Dario that he prayed for him to have safe flights as well.

After Dario and Greg were finished catching up, Dario wanted to speak to me. He asked me how I met Greg. I told Dario that I met Greg in the institution I explained to him that Greg and I were on the same floor of the building. I also told Dario that I had to risk getting caught by sneaking out of my room to see Greg.

Then we both asked Dario some questions. One of the questions we asked him if he has seen Ashley since Greg hooked Dario up with her so many years ago. Dario answered by saying yes and they are engaged and will marry in the United States once the war between Japan and America ends. He explained that Ashely is an American that was in England as a nurse. He mentioned that Ashley is an actress and became a nurse to help with the war effort. Then out of the blue, Greg told Dario that he and I are engaged and are getting married once we arrive in Canada and get settled. We asked Dario if he is going to be living in America once he is married to Ashley. Dario told us yes he was, but he is going to have a home in Scotland as a vacation home.

Then we asked if he was going to be racing cars once in America and he said yes. We told him that we hope to watch him race in Canada someday. He agreed that it would be a nice treat. Dario also said that he will come to visit us in British Columbia once he gets to America and settled in.

After a few hours, he left and Greg told me that it was nice to see his friend again and hopes to see him again soon. I agreed with him.

In a few weeks, Greg and I will leave England. I am more nervous leaving England than Greg is. I told Greg that England is the only place I have ever known. Greg told me that it is okay to be nervous about a new place like Canada. Greg told me he was looking forward to seeing his family, especially his dad. He told me that his dad would really like me. When he said that I felt better, we started packing our things up, so when it is time to leave we do not have to pack a lot. At night, I think of what Canada is going to be like and how the people react to me. I have been having nightmares of being put back into the institution.

The day has finally come, Greg and I are off to get the ship to go to Canada. I have butterflies. I am really nervous, but excited for a new life. I worried that my mum will be lonely without me, but she is the one who granted this, so I guess she knew it was for the best.

Before boarding the ship, I checked both Greg's and my luggage to make sure I have everything and Greg as well.

Now boarding the ship, I notice many men in uniform and some are boarding in wheelchairs. It made me think that those soldiers were severely wounded during battle and will be able to walk again. Enough of that, I must stay positive.