The Heart of War

Prologue

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1923

"Mama, Mama! Peter fell down and scraped his knee! He's bleeding!" Six year old Virginia Clearson shouted anxiously for her mother, rushing into the family kitchen, her previously ironed dress wrinkled and grubby. "He needs a Band-Aid Mama!" Alerted by her daughter's shouting, Maude Clearson turned from her kneading on the kitchen counter and spoke calmly.

"Do you know where the antiseptic is?" She asked Virginia. Virginia nodded emphatically, her flaxen braids bobbing up and down. "Good. Please bring it to me along with the bandages and a cotton ball." Mrs. Clearson instructed her daughter. Virginia scurried away to redeem the items her mother requested. I hope Mama lets me help bandage Peter's scrape! Virginia thought hopefully. Mary Jane shoes smacking the hardwood floor, Virginia's little legs raced down the hall and up the stairs of the family's Colonial style house. Her destination: the second story bathroom. In the bathroom was where her mother stored the First Aid Kit and antiseptic. They were in a cabinet above the sink. Virginia darted into the bathroom and jumped onto the little, white trimmed, wooden stool beneath the sink so she could reach the cabinet. Fingers outstretched, Virginia grasped the handle and swung open the cabinet. She quickly located the antiseptic, cotton balls, and retrieved a couple Band-Aids from the First Aid kit. Virginia closed the door of the mirrored cabinet and with essential items in hand, sped downstairs to the kitchen. The kitchen was empty, a discarded lump of bread dough the only indication of previous inhabitation. Virginia hurried through the kitchen and out the back door, screen door slamming behind in her wake. Peter's cries rose from across the expansive backyard. "I'm coming Peter!" Virginia cried, lengthening her stride as much as possible. Freshly mowed grass flattened under her shoes as she raced across the lawn to her mother and injured brother. "I got the stuff Mama," Virginia panted, handing her mother the medical supplies.

"Thank you dear. Now back up a bit so I have space to attend your brother," Virginia's mother prompted.

"Oh I won't be in the way Mama, but I'd like to help you. Can I? Can I please?" Virginia begged her mother, voice pleading. "I want to help fix up Peter." Shock spread across Maude's face.

"You wish to clean up his injury? But dear, you're quite young. I don't know if you're ready..."

"Oh please Mama! Please! I want to help him!" Interrupted Virginia. Maude sighed wearily.

"Alright Virginia, but I did warn you. Blood and pain aren't pleasant."

"I know Mama, that's why I want to fix it." Virginia answered simply. She set to work pouring antiseptic onto a cotton ball and cleaned the blood and dirt from her brother's knee. Peter whimpered.

"It'll be okay," Virginia reassured her brother, methodically cleansing his knee. Next, she dried the knee an placed the two Band-Aids over the scrape. "All done. I fixed you up Peter!" Virginia exclaimed joyfully.

"Thanks Virgie," Peter told Virginia tearfully, using his four-year-old nickname for his big sister. He wrapped his small arms around her neck in a hug.

"You're welcome Peter." Virginia replied to her brother, hugging him back. Peter smiled and then skipped off, returning to his play. Virginia turned to face her mother. "Mama! I want to help people when I grow up."

"Oh, how so?" Her mother inquired, doubt shining from her eyes.

"I want to be a nurse! I want to spend every day making people better!" Virginia revealed with enthusiasm. Her mother's face darkened with worry.

"Dear, I don't think you realize the terrors of nursing. The women who nurse often experience many horrible things. I don't know if you want to do that with your life." Tears filled Virginia's eyes.

"But Mama, I know that's what I want to do! I could be good at it. I want to help people. God wants us to help people, so why can't I be a nurse?" Virginia questioned her mother, tears running down her rosy cheeks.

"I...I don't know dear. You still have many years to grow up. You might discover another way to help people, one you like better even." Her mother revealed gently, reaching out to place a hand on Virginia's shoulder. Virginia shrugged off her mother's sympathetic hand.

"No, I don't think so," Virginia stated, wiped her tears away, then skipped off to join her brother. Virginia heard her mother sigh behind her. Virginia ignored the sigh. She knew one day, she would be a nurse. No matter what anyone said, even her mother. She was going to be the best nurse ever. 

________________________________

A/N: The picture used for the cover is not mine. It belongs to its original owners. 

Enjoy the book!