Chapter 6
"Honey," she said softly, her voice filled with concern, "are you sure he's being sincere? Promises like those can be just empty words, especially in the heat of the moment. How do you know he won't just forget all about you once he's deployed? You're only 18."
Gwen's heart was heavy as she tried to reason with Courtney. She knew how young and naive her friend could be, especially when it came to men. The thought of Courtney investing her heart and soul into someone who might not even keep his word worried Gwen deeply.
"I don't want to see you getting hurt," she continued gently, reaching out to squeeze Courtney's hand. "There are plenty of other boys who would gladly treat you right and cherish you. You don't need Brian. "
Gwen's heart clenched at Courtney's words. The realization that Brian might be Courtney's only option made her feel a mix of emotions, ranging from helplessness to anger at Brian and everyone else who had let Courtney down.
She thought back to the gossip she had overheard from Lindsay, Bridgette, and Beth. They had been discussing how Court's interactions with boys were limited to Duncan, and the knowledge weighed heavily on Gwen's mind. It seemed like Courtney had been relying solely on Brian because she had little to no other experience.
"Sweetie," she said gently, taking Courtney's hand in hers, "You've got so much to offer. You're smart, beautiful, and capable. You don't need to settle for someone just because they're your only option. You deserve so much more than that."
She wanted to tell Courtney that there were other, better men out there who would treat her like the queen she deserved to be. But she knew that Courtney was head over heels for Brian and convincing her otherwise would be a challenge.
Gwen's heart ached as she saw the hope and determination in Courtney's watery eyes. She knew her friend was desperately hoping for a happy ending with Brian, even if deep down, Gwen knew it was a long shot.
Gwen gently squeezed Courtney's hand; her voice filled with caution. "Honey," she said softly, "I know you're thinking about the long-term, but you need to consider the possibility of things not going as planned. Long-distance relationships are hard, especially during wartime. "
Courtney yanked Gwen into a secluded corner of the bakery, her expression a mix of determination and frustration. Despite her tears, a spark of anger burned in her eyes.
"Gwen," she began firmly, her voice dripping with a hint of defiance, "I know I might seem naive, and I miss Duncan like hell, but I've got a plan."
She took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before stating her proposal. "I've thought about this long and hard, and I believe this deal could make things work out with Brian in the long run. "
Gwen raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued by Courtney's words. A deal, huh? She leaned against the wall, giving her full attention to her friend. "Alright," she said, her voice steady. "I'm listening. Tell me about this deal of yours. "
Courtney took a deep breath; her eyes meeting Gwen's with unwavering determination. "It's simple," she said firmly, her gaze holding Gwen's gaze. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure this thing with Brian works out. I'll be the perfect girlfriend. I'll support him, send him letters, care for him, and be the best damn girl he could ever be with. All I ask of him is one simple thing in return."
Gwen's heart sank as Courtney revealed the details of the deal. Hearing her friend so eagerly plan her future with Brian, believing it would end in wedding bells, was heart-wrenching. And then came the conditions: 2% of Brian's paycheck, looking out for Duncan, and expecting him to stick around after the war.
Gwen's face drained of color as she took it all in. "Courtney..." she said, her voice heavy with concern. "Are you seriously okay with this?"
"You're willing to tie yourself down to a man who treats you like a commodity, a paycheck, and an errand girl? And you actually believe he'll stick around after the war?" Gwen's words were laced with a mix of disbelief and worry.
She wanted to grab Courtney and shake some sense into her. Couldn't she see that she was selling herself short, agreeing to such an unromantic and unfair deal?
Gwen, her despair turning to determination, quickly took action. With a firm but gentle grip on Courtney's arm, she pulled her out of the bakery, her mind set on finding Jo and Anne Maria.
She practically dragged her friend towards the bar, her heart racing with a mix of emotions. She knew Jo and Anne Maria were the most stable couple in the bar, and she hoped their presence and wisdom would snap Courtney out of her naive romantic delusions.
Jo and Anne Maria, who had been casually polishing the glasses and engaging in a bit of flirtatious banter, paused as Gwen and Courtney burst into the scene. The unexpected intrusion broke their intimate moment, earning them a disapproving look from the couple behind the bar.
Jo broke the silence, a hint of irritation in her voice. "Well, what's the big rush?" she barked, eyeing the girls with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.
Anne Maria chimed in, her arms still resting on one of the bar stools as she leaned against it. Her gaze shifted between Gwen and Courtney, a mix of concern and annoyance etched on her face. "Yeah," she said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice, "you two look like you just ran a marathon or somethin'. What's going on?"
Gwen let out a sigh, her voice filled with urgency. "Guys, I need your help," she said, her tone begging for their understanding. "Courtney's lost her damn mind, and I need you to talk some sense into her. She's got this hair-brained idea about Brian and some stupid-ass deal they made.."
Gwen gestured to Courtney, silently pleading for Jo and Anne Maria's assistance in making their friend see reason.
Jo and Anne Maria glanced at each other, their expressions shifting from confusion to curiosity. They knew Gwen wouldn't be pulling them away from their date night just for any reason. Something was definitely amiss with Courtney.
"Alright," Jo said firmly, putting down the glass she was polishing. "Spill it. What kind of deal did Courtney get herself into now?"
Anne Maria nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and better yet," she added dryly, "why are we always the ones who have to talk some sense into Courtney?"
She crossed her arms, a hint of exhaustion in her voice. Dealing with Courtney's impulsive nature wasn't her favorite pastime.
Gwen couldn't help but smirk faintly as she watched Jo and Anne Maria's playful banter. The way Jo teased Anne Maria, pretending to be jealous, was all part of their dynamic. It was a familiar routine that Gwen had seen countless times before.
Meanwhile, Jo busied herself with making sure everything behind the bar was immaculate. She wiped down surfaces, restocked alcohol, and generally made herself look busy so that the other three could have a private conversation.
Courtney, still teary-eyed and emotional, watched Jo and Anne Maria's interaction with a mix of resignation and frustration. She knew they were teasing and kidding around, but the fact that her romantic situation seemed like mere banter stung.
"Can we focus here please?" she spoke up, her voice tinged with a hint of impatience. "I need some real advice, not you two playing around like lovebirds."
Jo chuckled at Courtney's interjection, clearly enjoying teasing her friend. But Anne Maria, ever the more level-headed of the group, put on a serious expression.
"Alright, alright," Anne Maria placated, holding up a hand to stop any further bickering. "Let's focus. What's this deal you made with Brian, sweetie?"
Courtney sniffled a bit, wiping away her remaining tears as she prepared to explain the ins and outs of the deal she made with Brian.
"It's..." she began, her voice wavering slightly, "It's a kind of arrangement, you see. He's willing to give me two percent of his paycheck every month, in return for..."
She paused, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. "For certain favors."
Jo raised an eyebrow, unable to hide her surprise or amusement. "Favors, eh?" she said, her voice laced with innuendo. "And what kind of 'favors' are we talking about here?"
Anne Maria, still the voice of reason, shook her head in disapproval. "Courtney," she said firmly, "You're not seriously thinking of going through with this, are you? It sounds like a bad deal, honey."
Gwen and Jo both listened intently, their expressions shifting as Courtney explained the terms of the deal. When she mentioned writing letters and drawing pictures, their gazes softened, and some of the tension in the air dissolved a bit.
Jo spoke first, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "So that's it? Just writing letters and drawing pictures?" The terms were surprisingly simple, especially compared to the initial mention of "favors".
Anne Maria, although still a bit skeptical, looked slightly less disapproving than before. She crossed her arms, her voice laced with caution. "That sounds... harmless enough," she admitted, her mind clearly trying to process the situation. "But why would Brian agree to such a deal? What's in it for him?"
Courtney fidgeted a bit under their scrutiny, feeling somewhat vulnerable in sharing the details of her arrangement. "Well, Brian said it's nice to have a... a... a..." she stumbled over her words, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment.
Gwen, sensing her friend's hesitation, gently prodded her to continue. "A what, Courtney?" she asked tenderly, trying to prompt her to finish her thought.
Gwen and Anne Maria exchanged a surprised glance. A wedding? Was that what this whole deal was about? Jo, although caught off guard, tried to maintain her usual sarcastic attitude.
"Wait, hold on," Jo said, her voice laced with slight amusement. "Did I hear you right? Brian is promising you a wedding after the war if you just send him some letters and drawings?"
Courtney, still hiding her blushing face, managed to peek out through her fingers and nod. Jo and Anne Maria couldn't help but chuckle, the absurdity of the situation slowly sinking in.
Jo put a hand on Courtney's shoulder. "Sweetheart," she said, her voice half teasing, "are you telling me you agreed to be some soldier's war bride for the price of pen pal services?"
As Courtney finally revealed the intimate aspect of the deal, both Gwen and Anne Maria's eyes widened in shock. The room fell silent for a moment, the revelation hanging heavy in the air.
Gwen was the first to speak, her protective instincts immediately kicking in. She shot Courtney a sharp glare, disapproval and worry etched on her face.
"Courtney, are you kidding me? You agreed to... that?" she asked, her voice strained with disbelief. "For just some letters and drawings in return?"
Gwen, Jo, and Anne Maria listened intently as Courtney described the intimate details of her arrangement with Brian. There was a mixture of shock and intrigue in the air, and each woman's reaction varied.
Jo, the most outgoing and experienced of the group, let out a soft whistle. "Whoa," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice, "Sounds like Brian's got a bit of an... oral fixation, to put it bluntly."
Anne Maria chuckled, shaking her head. "You can say that again."
Gwen, on the other hand, was torn between disbelief and concern. "Courtney," she began, her voice laced with both worry and a hint of anger, "I can't believe you agreed to such a deal. This is dangerous, not to mention risky as hell. What if Brian's just playing with you, stringing you along?"
Courtney, seemingly caught up in the thrill of her new arrangement, blushed at the mention of Brian's "oral fixation." She responded with a dreamy smile, her gaze drifting off as if she was reliving past moments in her mind.
Gwen, still reeling from the revelation and Courtney's response, tried to maintain a stern tone. She pointed an accusatory finger at her friend. "Courtney," she stated firmly, "this isn't a game or some cheap fling. This is your future you're playing with here. Be serious for a moment, will you?"
Jo, sensing Gwen's frustration, chimed in with her usual bluntness. "She's right, Courtney," she said matter-of-factly, her voice tinged with a hint of warning. "You can't just go around playing with people's hearts like this. And for what? A few letters and the promise of some... satisfaction."
Anne Maria, the most levelheaded among them, tried a different approach. "Courtney, honey," she said, her voice softer, "have you thought about the long-term implications of this arrangement?"
As Gwen, Jo, and Anne Maria voiced their concerns and advice, Courtney's demeanor softened. She appeared to be truly reflecting on their words, the initial excitement of her new deal giving way to a hint of doubt and uncertainty.
Gwen softened her tone slightly, seeing that Courtney was finally starting to listen. "Look, Courtney," she began, her voice gentle and understanding, "we're just worried about you, that's all. We don't want you to get hurt."
Jo, her usual sarcastic edge also fading somewhat, added her two cents. "Yeah," she chimed in, a tinge of protectiveness in her tone, "we don't want to see you getting all caught up in this soldier's charms and ending up with a broken heart, okay?"
Anne Maria, always the voice of reason, spoke up again, her voice soft and soothing. "Just take a deep breath, darling. We're here for you, and we want what's best for you. Think about it carefully, alright?"
Courtney nodded slowly, her expression becoming more reflective. "Yeah," she said quietly, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "I know your mom."
Gwen's hardened expression and body language relaxed a bit at Courtney's response, sensing that she was now in listening mode. She continued her line of questioning, treading carefully.
As Gwen whispered her confession about her father's mistreatment of her mom, a hush fell over the group. Jo, Anne Maria, and Courtney exchanged uneasy glances, knowing the weight of this revelation.
The atmosphere shifted, becoming more solemn as they absorbed Gwen's words. Each of the group members had their own reactions - Jo, her usual sass giving way to a pang of sympathy; Anne Maria, her protective nature heightened.
"Oh, Gwen..." Anne Maria finally whispered, her voice heavy with understanding.
Jo, uncharacteristically quiet, placed a hand on Gwen's shoulder, a rare show of comfort and support from her. The room was hushed, the women processing the implications of Gwen's confession.
Courtney, though surprised, seemed to be taking in Gwen's words with new understanding. She fidgeted a bit, her earlier excitement replaced by a mix of empathy and solemnity.
Eventually, Gwen broke the silence, clearing her throat as she spoke. Her voice was a little hoarse with emotion, but she tried to maintain her usual tough facade.
"I just don't want you to..." She paused, taking a breath to steady herself before continuing. "I don't want you to end up in the same boat as my mom, Courtney."
Her eyes scanned the room, meeting the gaze of Jo, Anne Maria, and Courtney in turn. Her words were heavy with a mix of concern and protectiveness.
Jo and Anne Maria nodded somberly, silently agreeing with Gwen's sentiment. They understood the weight of her words and the reasons behind her concern.
Courtney, who had listened intently, fidgeted uncomfortably, her earlier excitement and defensiveness now overshadowed by a growing unease. She could sense the seriousness in Gwen's tone, and the implications of her words were beginning to sink in.
As the group contemplated Courtney's situation, Anne Maria couldn't help but smirk, an idea seemingly brewing in her mind.
She chimed in, her tone both teasing and thoughtful. "Well, if Brian's expecting a wedding after the war, you could always just play along for a bit."
Jo raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh? You are suggesting a little manipulation, Anne Maria?"
Anne Maria shrugged nonchalantly, a sly smile playing on her lips. "A little harmless playacting might not hurt," she replied with a wink. "You know, give Brian a taste of what he wants while keeping your own interests intact."
Gwen, the voice of reason, interjected with a hint of caution. "Yeah, but it's a delicate balance, Court. You don't wanna lead him on too much and give false hope."
The group exchanged glances, a mix of curiosity and intrigue on their faces. Jo chuckled and nodded, her eyes sparkling.
"Hey, that's not a bad idea." Jo said with a smirk. "Those burlesque ladies have a way with men. They could certainly give Courtney some... pointers."
Gwen, still somewhat wary, chimed in with a suggestion of her own. "Yeah, but we also need to make sure Courtney sets some boundaries. We don't want this thing getting too out of hand."
Anne Maria, always the adventurous one, chimed in again. "I agree with Jo. Let's enlist the help of the burlesque ladies. They know how to handle men and their egos better than any of us!"
Gwen, reluctantly agreeing, added with a hint of caution. "Just don't get too carried away, Court. This is all a temporary game, remember?"
Jo, her signature smirk widening, chimed in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Plus, there's always the added benefit of seeing Brian's jaw drop when he witnesses our dolled-up bombshells working their magic."
Gwen rolled her eyes at Jo's comment, knowing fully well that Jo just enjoyed any opportunity to tease and rile someone up. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but agree silently. The idea had a certain appeal.
Jo just rolled her eyes at Courtney's teasing, while Anne Maria let out a soft chuckle. Gwen, however, couldn't help but add with a smirk.
"Oh, honey, don't be too envious of us," Gwen retorted. "You never know. The right man might just sweep you off your feet when you least expect it."
Jo chimed in with a smirk of her own. "And if not, at least you still have those burlesque ladies waiting in the wings to provide a consolation prize."
Anne Maria, still smiling at the banter, playfully elbowed Jo. "Hey, not just a consolation prize," she protested jokingly. "We're more like the grand prize."
Gwen chuckled, shaking her head at the two of them, then turned her attention back to Courtney. "Seriously, though, you do have to be careful with Brian," she reiterated, a hint of motherly concern in her voice.
As Courtney pulled Gwen in for a sisterly hug, Gwen was caught off guard, her cheeks instantly blushing at the unexpected display of affection. While Jo and Anne Maria watched with knowing smiles from behind the bar, they couldn't help but let out a few playful taunts.
Jo called out loudly from the bar, her voice laced with amusement. "Aww, look at those two lovebirds!"
Anne Maria joined in the banter, her voice just as playful. "Gwen, blushing is a good look on you," she teased, a smirk on her face.
Gwen, still blushing but managing to regain her composure, shot a mock glare at Jo and Anne Maria. "Hey! Shut up, both of you!" she responded, her tone both annoyed and affectionate.
Jo, ever the mischief-maker, just chuckled at Gwen's response. "Oh, come on. We're just teasing. Can't you handle a little ribbing?"
Anne Maria giggled, enjoying the banter, and added, "Yeah, Gwen. Loosen up a bit. We're just having some fun with you."
Gwen, still blushing but slowly regaining her composure, shook her head in resignation. "You two are impossible, you know that?"
Jo and Anne Maria just raised their eyebrows at Gwen, feigning innocence. "Who, us? Impossible? Neeeeever," Jo said with a mock offended gasp, while Anne Maria put a hand to her chest dramatically.
Gwen rolled her eyes at their antics, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, right. You two thrive on tormenting me," she retorted playfully, her annoyance giving way to amusement.
As Courtney stayed wrapped around Gwen, Gwen eventually softened and returned the hug, her annoyance fully replaced by a mix of affection and sisterly warmth. Jo and Anne Maria watched the scene with amused smiles, their earlier teasing now replaced by a certain tenderness.
Gwen squeezed Courtney back gently, a smile playing on her lips. "You're insufferable, you know that?" she quipped playfully, her voice full of fondness.
Jo couldn't resist adding in her signature sarcasm. "Insufferable, yet endearing. It's a weird combination, that's for sure."
Anne Maria just chuckled at Jo's comment, then chimed in with a smirk. "Yeah, we'd hate you if you weren't so lovable."
Gwen rolled her eyes again, though this time it was more out of mock irritation than genuine annoyance. "Oh, great. So, it's 'love' mixed with teasing. My two favorite things."
Jo stifled a laugh, enjoying the banter. "Hey, what more could you want? We provide entertainment, affection, and excellent mockery. Trifecta of friendship right there."
Anne Maria nodded in agreement, her smirk growing wider. "Yep. We're the full package. Annoying and loveable, all rolled into one."
The group of soldiers, including Scott, Brick, and Lightning, had set up camp on the outskirts of Luxembourg. As they cooked their meal using traps to catch wildlife, Scott couldn't resist taking jabs at Brick, who was trying to ignore his teasing.
"Hey, Brick," Scott began, a sly grin on his face. "If you're so desperate for a blonde, you might just end up marrying a German at this rate."
Brick's face contorted into a mixture of annoyance and discomfort at Scott's comment, but he tried to maintain his composure. "Ha ha, very funny, Scott," he retorted sarcastically.
Lightning, oblivious to the tension, was more interested in the food. "Man, this is some good grub," he commented, taking a large bite out of his portion.
Scott, not one to back down easily, kept pushing Brick's buttons. "Hey, I'm just saying. Those German girls are pretty cute, and there's no shortage of them around here."
Brick grew visibly more agitated at Scott's continued teasing, his fists clenching unconsciously. "Can you stop it already? I'm not interested in German girls, okay?"
Lightning was blissfully munching away on his meal, seemingly unaware of the charged atmosphere between Scott and Brick. Meanwhile, Scott's gaze remained fixed on Brick, his expression intense. He leaned forward, his voice lowering to a hushed whisper.
Scott, his tone both serious and pointed, whispered to Brick, "You don't agree with the Germans, do you?"
Brick met Scott's gaze, his irritation momentarily pushed aside by the weight of the question. He shook his head firmly, his voice laced with determination. "No, of course not. They're the enemy."
Scott studied Brick's face for a moment, searching for any hint of uncertainty or indecision. Satisfied with what he saw, he nodded and leaned back, a brief flicker of approval on his face. "Good. As long as we're on the same page."
As the conversation continued, Brick couldn't help but wonder why Scott was being so intense with him. He and Lightning had come to know each other quite well by now, and they were both aware of Scott's hidden Jewish Canadian heritage. Lightning, still blissfully eating away, caught the look on Brick's face and knew what he was thinking.
Lightning, with a mouthful of food, swallowed and turned to Scott and Brick. "Hey, Scott, what's with the serious talk? We all know each other here, right?"
Scott, briefly taken aback by Lightning's interruption, composed himself quickly. He glanced at Lightning, then back at Brick, his expression more guarded now. "Just making sure we all understand each other, that's all."
Brick's gaze flicked between Scott and Lightning, a mixture of curiosity and confusion in his eyes. He wasn't sure if he was missing something, but the intensity of Scott's reactions was starting to make him uneasy.
Lightning, sensing the growing tension, decided to play it cool. He put a casual hand on Brick's shoulder, his voice light. "Hey, don't worry about it. We're all Allies here, right?"
Brick glanced at Lightning, trying to hide his unease, and nodded. "Right... Allies."
Scott's pout gave way to a hint of vulnerability as he spoke, his eyes focused on Brick. The weight of his heritage and the current situation hanging heavy in the air.
"Hey, I'd like us to be friends too," he began, "It's just... with everything going on, I need to know where you stand."
Scott paused, his gaze lingering on Brick. Lightning watched the exchange intently, sensing the gravity of the conversation.
Brick, seeing the earnestness in Scott's eyes, softened his expression. He understood the weight of Scott's concerns and nodded slightly.
"I get it," he said quietly. "I'm with the Allies, Scott. You can trust me, okay?"
Lightning, watching the exchange with a hint of unease, remained silent, letting the two men work through their thoughts.
Lightning's question broke the tension, and Scott's expression softened further. He knew that Lightning, despite his carefree demeanor, was perceptive and observant.
Scott nodded grimly, a weary look in his eyes. "Yeah, there was... an incident," he admitted. "Another soldier made a comment, not knowing my background. It was..."
He trailed off, the events replaying in his mind, the fear and helplessness he'd felt earlier resurfacing momentarily.
Lightning's expression darkened, his usual smile fading into a stoic frown. He had an inkling about what kind of comment the other soldier might have made. "I see," he said quietly.
Brick, too, looked solemn, the tension between them replaced by a shared understanding and a hint of anger towards the unknown soldier who had unknowingly caused this tension.
Scott took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering unease. "Ever since then, I just... I can't help but be hypervigilant," he said, his voice laced with a hint of defensiveness. "I need to know where you guys stand. I need to know who I can trust."
Lightning's laughter broke the heavy atmosphere, his voice tinged with both amusement and a hint of defiance. "Hey, man, chill out. I'm a black man, so I ain't exactly Hitler's favorite either," he said, grinning widely.
Scott chuckled at Lightning's comment, letting some of the tension ease from his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he admitted, his eyes flickering with a mix of shame and gratitude.
Brick, watching their exchange, felt the weight lift a bit as well. He let out a deep breath he didn't realize he was holding and spoke up for the first time since the conversation got serious.
"No one's siding with the Nazis here, Scott," he reassured him, his voice firm and steady. "We're all in this together, and that's what matters."
Scott nodded, a hint of regret in his eyes. "Yeah, I know. I just... I just get paranoid sometimes," he admitted, running a hand through his hair.
Lightning, ever the mediator, clapped a hand on Scott's shoulder. "We get it, man. But we got your back. Brothers-in-arms and all that, right?"