We'll Meet Again (Babe Heffron x OC)

8

DAY OF DAYS

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UPOTTERY, ENGLAND - JUNE 1944

***

Upottery was a change from Aldbourne, the small village we had been staying in. Instead of beautiful hills, I spent most of my time in my tent near the airfield. Between regular training jumps, marching, and making sure my men were squared away I had no time to send letters back home. I felt like I was being driven up the wall. Every single one of my duties was stretching me so thin and the looming invasion wasn't making it any better. Yes, I knew we were invading Europe. After all, Nix had told me that months ago on the train. He was the intelligence officer after all. Whenever I had a spare single moment my thoughts drifted to Eddie. I had no clue where he was or what he was doing. I missed my husband so much. I listened to Winters' lecture about the upcoming mission and studied the sand tables even though I already spent hours learning the missions. Later in the day I stood up at the front with Meehan as he gave a similar lecture to the rest of the men.

"Each trooper will learn this operation by heart and know his and every other outfits' mission to the detail."

"Lt. Meehan?"

"Yes, Dukeman?"

"Sir, are we dropping tonight?" asked Dukeman.

"When it's time for you to know, we'll let you know. In the meantime, study these sand tables, maps, and reconnaissance photos until you can draw a map of the area by memory. Now, we will drop behind this Atlantic wall five hours before the 4th infantry lands at Utah. Between our assembly area and the battalion's objective, there is a German garrison right here in this area - St. Marie Du Mont. Easy Company will destroy that garrison. Lt. Heffron?"

I stood from my chair and faced the men.

"Check your aid kits, gentlemen. If it's not fully stocked go to the aid station when you leave here. Be prepared. That is all."

I left the meeting after I finished my spiel and headed back towards my tent. I knelt at the edge of my bed for my evening prayers and cried. I couldn't help but feel awful that I hadn't written to anybody in the longest time. I missed my husband. I missed my father and my in-laws. Most of all I missed my brother. I wished Bevan was still alive so I could talk to him about everything that was happening. He at least would understand. I still struggled day in and day out with feeling like I truly deserved my station. My officers and my enlisted personnel swear up and down that I'm a wonderful officer. I strive every single day to be the best that I can be. I will give nothing less than perfection to the country that I love so much, however I still felt as if I didn't belong. Did I really deserve this or did I just succeed due to luck? I knew I was a wonderful pilot but I don't know. It's been very difficult for me to own my successes.

What can I say? I try to be a superwoman. I push myself to work as hard as I possibly can to prove to those around me that I'm not some kind of impostor. I need to succeed in all aspects of my life as a paratrooper or else... Well, I don't know what else. I suppose I feared dismissal or demotion. I never let the men see me cry ever. Not since Sobel tore apart the barracks in Toccoa two years ago. I sighed and got into bed. Tomorrow will be busy.

***

I don't know how many times I went over my pack while I listened to Toye rattle off all of the things we had to carry.

"Three day supply of K-rations, chocolate bars, charms candy, powdered coffee, sugar, and matches. Compass, bayonet, entrenching tool, ammunition, gas mask, musette bag with ammo, my webbing, my .45, canteen, two cartons of smokes, Hawkins mine, two grenades, smoke grenade, gamma grenade, TNT, this bullshit and a pair of nasty skivvies!"