Strawberry Red

Chapter 18 Ruby

Eight weeks later Ruby was standing next to Lil waiting for Lieutenant Dye to return from his 25th mission. If he had it make, he'd get to go home for a couple of weeks. All ground crews and a few aircrews very waiting impatiently for his return. There was a lot of tension, especially between the aircrews. Dye would be the first to make it and show everyone that 25 can be done. The aircrews needed this confirmation to keep going. The 100th had been suffering more and more loses.

"He'll be back soon," tried Ruby to sooth Lil's nerves. Lil and Dye had been dating for a couple of months now, much to her parents' dismay.

"I hope so. I don't know if I could bear to lose him," said Lil and played with her bracelet which Dye had gifted her.

"You won't lose him." Ruby smiled at her before turning around to go over to Bucky and Buck. Buck put his arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

"Will I see you tonight at the party?" asked Buck and pressed a kiss onto her forehead.

"How could I miss it?" answered Ruby. "Besides more nurses have arrived from America, so I get to have more free time to spend with you."

"I like the sound of that," said Buck softly smiling. Ruby wrapped her arms around his torso and snuggled into his side. They had made their relationship official a month after their first date. And Ruby couldn't be happier. She had always heard stories of her grandparents' relationship and wanted to experience love like they had. And now she was in fact experiencing love.

The sirens began to ring, and Dye's plane came into sight. He was flying low and heading for the runway but pulled up again at the last-minute flying directly over the cheering crowd.

"Stole your move," tease Bucky and looked at Buck.

"Stole your girl," he retorted and smirked while Bucky just laughed. Ruby looked at him with a worried expression on her face. She knew he was struggling with the missions and the loses they faced daily. He turned to alcohol and hook-ups to get it out of his mind for a couple of hours. But in the long run his tactic would eventually fail him. And then the downfall would be harsh.

"I'm sure you'll fall in love with someone one day who loves you unconditionally, Bucky," said Ruby quietly.

"Thanks, Ruby." Bucky nodded in appreciation.

"I promised Helen and Tatty to help handing coffee and doughnuts out. But I'll see you both at the party tonight." Ruby gave Buck a quick peck on the lips and left.

Billy and Sammy were playing football next to the runway. They winked as Ruby passed by them. She happily waved back and continued to head to the little truck where her friends were waiting for her. She walked past the sleeping barracks of the aircrews when a man with black curly hair stopped her.

"Can you show me where barrack number five is?" asked the man with a thick New Yorker accent. "I'm a bit lost."

"Of course, let me take you there," offered Ruby. "I suppose you are one of the new arrivals. I'm Ruby. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Yeah, we arrived earlier today. I'm Robert Rosenthal. But my friends call me Rosie," said the man and smiled at Ruby.

"Have you always wanted to become an airman? Or did you do it for the war effort?" questioned Ruby as they walked up the small path to barrack five.

"I used to be a lawyer in Brooklyn. But I couldn't just sit back and watch, so I signed up to become a pilot," explained Rosie.

"I get that, I really do." Ruby swung the door open and let Rosie go in first. "You'll be perfectly fine here. Buck and Bucky also live with you. They'll show you around base tomorrow and get you acquainted. At least Buck will, for sure."