C A T C H 22 |BWWM|

Ch. 35 • Another Mishap?

Jackson, MS. April 1944
Friday 10:04 am

Paislee

Today, I was beginning to think, was just not a day that anything would go right. All the mishaps started to happen this morning exactly. When I woke up my mind was already cloudy from Deen and I's conversation that took place the night before. He sounded urgent about seeing me today and I hated when he worried too much. Then, the twins' school was holding a bake sale this afternoon and when Mama was baking this morning none of the baked goods seemed to do right. Eventually, when we had thirty minutes until the twins had to be at school, the cakes wanted to work out.

Now, Sheila sat beside me in class as she rambled on about Robert. She had just told me that he was drafted into the war recently and would be sent off some time in June. That just topped off everything that contributed to my morning.

"I've come to terms with Robert's circumstance but it still stings when I think about it. I love that boy with all my heart and I couldn't live if I ever got any bad news with him," Sheila vented.

"I know how hard that must be. I can only imagine what I would do if I was you." I rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. She nodded sadly. "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to do really. He'll be going off this summer and all I can wish for is that the few months are going to be the best we've ever had."

Sheila's eyes glazed with tears slowly and put her head down. She tried to fan her eyes as discrete as possible but failed. People near us looked at Sheila with worried eyes while in return, I hugged her shoulders.

"It's okay, Sheila," I said soothingly.

She smiled and looked up. "I know, I know. I just get sad when I think about it. I'm sorry for all my crying."

"Don't apologize. Y'all have been together since you were fifteen. That's three years that a lot of stuff has happened between you guys."

"A lot of stuff has happened." Sheila blushed and had that dreamy look in her eyes. "I remember when he asked me out after school. My parents didn't approve of me dating until I was sixteen but boy he was just too handsome to pass up. Oh, Paislee, then our first kiss and first time. . . Well, you know that story."

She and I giggled as the door of the class closed signaling our teacher was here. Sheila turned her seat forward with a smirk.

"You know what they always say. A lady who has class never tells about her pleasures behind closed doors," I sung.

"Oh be quiet, Paislee. You're such a square."

° ° °
The time was close to three-thirty as Sheila, Robert, and I were out on the courtyard. Robert had come to see Sheila right after school and would soon whisk her away on an afternoon date. As for me, I would keep my house company while mama and daddy worked with the twins at their bake sale.

"Y'all are too precious, I can't stand y'all," I said to Robert and Sheila.

"Do you girls always talk like that?" Robert asked sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes. "You could've just said thank you and kept on moving. Rude much."

"Break it up you two," Sheila scolded. "Robert and I are about to head out anyway so you, my sweet Paislee, can ice it."

"I know, I'll let you guys go ahead and head out to do whatever people in love do. I'll see you tomorrow, Sheila." She and I hugged briefly. "And be safe. Don't do anything stupid."