A Time for Love

Day 6

"Bloody bastard" says his friend as we ride along the English countryside via the train. "He knows the protocol, and yet he waits here for you because he thinks you're a bloody spy."

"Women can surprise you" says Edward.

"Most women don't" slurs Adam, taking a sip from his whiskey. "You've seen one you've seen the all."

"That's not a way to talk about your fiancee" taunts Edward.

"She's not my fiancee" corrects Adam.

There's a knock on the compartment door.

"Anything off the trolley for you?" asks the pudgy, elderly lady.

Adam starts to speak, but Edward cuts him off.

"Nothing for him" says Edward.

"Whiskey for me" I say.

The woman almost scowls at me, but hesitates and takes my money. The men stare at me too.

"Don't you know that we need more than you sweetheart? How about you sit in my lap and we can share it?" asks Adam.

"Leave her alone" hisses Edward.

"Edward, you may be right. If she can hold her liquor, she must be a spy."

"I was under the impression that being in control over one's self means being able to refrain from escapism in the face of battle."

"You're a bastard, you know that?" says Adam.

They're silent for a moment.

"You're right. I'm sorry. I pray for your family at every moment" says Edward.

Edward puts his arm around Adam's back, and Adam falls sleep from sheer exhaustion.

Edward looks at me looking at him. Both of us say nothing.

I fall asleep too.

...

When I wake up, Edward is leading me. I'm handcuffed to his wrist.

He walks into a white mansion flanked with soldiers. Down the stairs to where a tall man with glasses awaits.

Edward doesn't look at me as he lets me in. He mildly pinches my bottom, causing my jaw to drop. Seemingly ashamed of himself, he scurries out of the room.

The man motions me to sit, and then reaches out his hand.

"I'm Dr. Worthington.'

"Annie Majeste" I say.

"Tea?" he offers, as he picks up the pot.

I nod politely as he pours into the teacup.

"I'm going to be asking you a series of questions. Your name. What is it's origin?"

"French and German" I answer.

My grandmother was born a citizen of German. She was grew up in the country side before moving to France, and met my grandfather along the coast. I couldn't remember where.

"That makes sense. There are a lot of opportunities for a German woman in France, though she would be leaving behind all that Kaiser Wilhelm had to offer. It also doesn't explain the American accent, nor the lack of mentioning where in France that you're from. Let me say a series of words, and we will gauge your reaction. Jews!" he exclaims.

I stare back at him.

"Communism?"

I grimace.

"Clearly this has been a mistake" I say.

"Back to the Future."

I feel caught in my tracks.

"How do you know about that?"

He stares at me incredulously, as if to gauge my response.

"You're not LGBTQ are you?"

I get angry.

"It's heteromantic, okay? I'm only bi-curious. It's not my thing... much."

I gasp, realizing I answered his question.

He grabs two of the nurses. She is coming with vials. The other is coming with a syringe. One restrains me, before the other sticks it in.

...

I wake up. The man is looking at some results out of my reach.

"No radiation exposure. It's clear she doesn't know."

"Hello?" I cry.

The nurses unplug the IV and stickers stuck over my body.

"If I could just explain" I say.

"There's no need" he says, smiling at me. "It's clear that you're just passing through. However, if you do find yourself back into this situation - just look up Dr. Worthington. Someone will be able to assist you."

He rushes me through the door, then shuts it firmly behind me before locking it.

Edward sits. His eyes open.

"Finally. you're out of there. They didn't hurt you, did they? Cause if they did, I'm dropping out of the Navy right now."

"They were just checking for radiation" I say. "They ran some tests."

He puts his arm around me.

"Hey, Edward? Don't squeeze my butt again, okay? If a woman doesn't ask you to do that, it's kind of a disrespectful thing to do."

He just laughs awkwardly.

"I knew from the moment I opened that door that you were going to be different. I could smell it wafting off your body."

"That's just... a little too descriptive buddy. We are going to have to work on your boundary skills."

"What are boundaries? Like, not touching each other?" he asks.

I roll my eyes.

"Okay... so boundaries are..."