We'll meet again Evelyn Rosewood

Encounter at the park

It was a warm, sunny day, the vibrant colors of spring painted the park in the shades of green and blossoming flowers. Beth's eyes were scanning her surroundings, searching for any sign of John. Then she noticed him. With a wave, she beckoned him over, her face lightened up with a smile.

John's eyes met hers, a sparkle of joy appeared in them. He made his way towards her, his steps eager. When they reached each other, they said their hellos and shook hands. Then they started walking through the park.

Keen to start a conversation, Beth asked: „So John, what do you do for work? "

„Me? I am a military support staff member."

Not understanding what he meant, she asked: „Can you say it in English, now? "

He playfully smirked at her and happily answered: „Well, I do many administrative tasks and much maintenance for the armed forces. But wasn't your father in the navy, miss Miller? Shouldn't you know all of this?"

She laughed a bit. „My father was. Not me."

„What do you do for work?"

„I'm currently still in school, so nothing."

„Do you have an idea of what you want to work?"

She was a bit shook by that question. She was stunned he asked. A lady wasn't supposed to work – that's how she has been taught. Women who worked in 1939. were ridiculed for it, as a lot of people thought that women should stay at home and be housewives.

„Well, I'm supposed to start going to med school in September. I find the field quite interesting."

„Supposed to start?"

„I'm still negotiating with my father about it."

„I see."

„I can't help but notice that you don't mind me wanting to work. How come you don't?" she was curious and in some way fascinated.

„Honestly, I just don't see a reason why not. We're all humans, aren't we? You should be able to choose whether you want to work or not. Some work for money and some manage a household. I can imagine how hard that is. You know, people can say I'm wrong, maybe I am, and that's alright, you know. I can be. It's not wrong to be wrong. Many people take that personally sometimes, but when I say it, I mean it good-intentionally. That's just how I knack."

Beth thought the answer made sense. It really did and John was ahead of his time when it came to that.

„A nurse, huh? That's an upright job, indeed. I had no idea what I wanted when I was 18. I was clueless."

„You're saying it like it was such a long time ago when you were 18. As far as I know, you're only two years older than me," she laughed.

„Oh, come on now, miss Smarty-pants! You got me there. You know, I may be two years older, but 18 sure does feel like ages ago."

„Time flies, old man. You're acting like you're ancient," she said and proceeded to sort of embrace his arm, so they were now walking hand-in-hand.

John proceeded to jokingly ask: „Am I really so old?"

She looked him deep in the eyes. „Well, you're not that old, I suppose. I think you've still got a few more years on."

„You know, I never had the chance to ask why you hate your fancy parties?" he inquired while looking back at the path they were taking in the park.

„Well, mostly because they are so unreal. Everybody is acting tight as a ship and stuck up, engaging in the same, plain, old, boring conversation. And you have something we call classes. You have old and newly rich people, you have those with 6-year-olds that act like adults, the charmers... I could go on for days."