The sun was setting on the horizon, shrouding Pearl Harbor in darkness. I sat on a jagged rock that sat on the shore. There was only one thing on my mind. Rafe was dead. The person who was like a protective older brother. The boy I had met in the large Tennessee Farm Fields behind my house. The man who I respected and loved. He was gone. My thoughts were consumed by the memories we shared. When we played hide and go seek during those long hot Tennessee summers. When his mother died, and the funeral that followed, where I and Danny supported him. When I first told Rafe about my crush on Danny and the long list of all the other adventures we shared.
After I ran all the way to the beach, I finally allowed myself to break down. I have been here long enough to where my sobs have stopped and my tear stricken face has dried. I could feel how puffy my eyes were from crying. I probably look like a mess. I suddenly hear footsteps behind me. I don't bother to move. I just continue staring at the horizon.
"Carrie? Are you okay?" I recognized the voice immediately, yet I don't respond. Danny sits down next to me. We sit there in silence. Listening to the sounds of the ocean. Danny eventually pulls me into an embrace. I lay my head on his chest and just listen to his heartbeat. I didn't think that I had any more tears left to cry, but apparently, I did. I felt the tears roll down my cheeks again. I tried to contain my sobs but it didn't work. Danny wrapped his arms around me tighter. I felt like he was the only thing holding me together right now. I could tell Danny was hurting too. I know he is trying to be strong for me and Evelyn, but that doesn't mean he isn't grieving for his best friend. Finally, I am able to calm down enough to speak.
"Where's Evelyn?" I ask quietly.
"I took her home. The other nurses made sure to look after her." His voice was distant. It sounded like he was so emotional about the loss of his best friend he just decided to turn off his feelings altogether. I look up to meet his eyes. His usually brown tender eyes that always showed love and kindness were now cold and held what looked like to be a lifetime of pain. Rafe was like Danny's other half. They always were together.
"Danny, I am so sorry," I whispered. I didn't know what to say. I never stopped to think about how Danny must've been feelin'.
"He taught me how to fly. I always knew that no matter what happened he would always be there. Even if all he ever did was get me in trouble." He said hallowly.
"He died doin' what he loved. That's all he ever wanted." He continued. "By the way, there's gonna be a small memorial for Rafe tomorrow at the bar." He added.
"I'll be there, don't worry," I assured. I leaned my head on his shoulder and he put his arm around my waist. We just sat there for a long time watchin' the light on the horizon fade beneath the waves.
Time Skip---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I woke up to the sound of thunder. It was raining outside. It hadn't rained at the Pearl since we got here. It was like the weather knew what I was feelin' and decided to reflect it. I knew today was gonna hurt like hell. We were all sayin' goodbye to someone we all loved. I stood up from my bed and immediately began getting dressed. I pulled on a black dress that came just above my knees and hugged my body in all the right places. The dress had these tan Hawaiian flowers that patterned the dress. I found the dresses matching hat in one of my drawers. I already knew that Evelyn was going to have a rough day of grieving and crying, so after I finished my makeup I dragged my feet into the kitchen and made her favorite breakfast, waffles, and bacon. As I was getting everything laid out I heard someone behind me. I turned to see Betty in her bright pink nightgown and tan slippers.
"G' morning, Carol." She yawned quietly to avoid waking up the others.
"Hey Betty," I responded without emotion while turning my back to her to begin cooking. Betty walked up beside me and looked over my shoulder to see what I was doin'.
"Who are you making breakfast for?" She asks innocently.
"Since Evelyn is going to be upset today I thought I could try and make her day a bit more bearable." I sighed. Betty didn't say anything at first. She just watched me begin to add the ingredients for the waffles into a large mixing bowl.
"Tell you what. Why don't you let me make breakfast? You aren't about to have an easy day either, ya know. You should get some more sleep." Betty suggested. I yawned. I know she's right. I didn't get any sleep last night due to my own crying. I honestly didn't really feel like turning down her generous offer.
"Alright. Just don't burn anythin'." I said as I left the kitchen and dragged my feet towards my bedroom. I collapsed back down on the bed and drifted off into a deep sleep. Suddenly, I felt someone gently shake my shoulders. There's no way it was already time to wake up. It only felt like I had been sleepin' for a few minutes.
"Ugh, what?" I moaned while slowly turning over.
"Come on, Carol. It's time to go." Betty cooed. She was wearing a short black dress that had pink and orange flowers all over it.
"Ok. Is Evelyn awake yet?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah, she woke up an hour ago. She hasn't said a word and she looks like she hasn't gotten a wink of sleep. She also is refusing to eat." Betty grimaced. I sighed. I can't even imagine the pain she is going through right now.
"Alright. Let's go." I stated.
When we arrived at the bar, it was quiet. Men from Danny's and Rafe's unit were drinking and muttering to one another quietly. I see Danny standing in front of a shelf that held Rafe's picture with a shot glass filled with some kind of alcohol. I walked over and hugged him from behind. I could tell he had been crying. He turns and wraps his arms around me like he never wants to let go. We both just lost our best friend. Someone we had known for as long as we could remember.
"Is Evelyn here?" He whispered into my ear.
"Yeah, she's sitting on the porch by herself. She cried all night and hasn't eaten." I informed.
"Let me go talk to her." He mumbled as we broke apart. He slowly walked through the small crowd of people who had gathered to say one last goodbye to Rafe McCawley. When he returned a few minutes later, Evelyn was with him. She looked like she was a zombie. The light inside her eyes that was normally there was extinguished. I put my arm around her and kept her close. I was afraid she would collapse into tears if I wasn't holding her. I don't really recall the ceremony. I can only remember Danny giving a eulogy and everyone takin' a shot of whiskey. After the memorial, I didn't really feel like lingering and neither did Evelyn, so we both walked home. Evelyn immediately went to her room while I decided to sit out on the back porch that faced the harbor. It was still pouring the rain. I just sat there, listening to the rain as it fell. The sound of the falling water soon lulled me into a dreamless sleep where my sorrow was forgotten.
