One step forward
The next day
“... a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire”
The last words of Roosevelt’s speech sink deep in your stomach, everyone in the office is gathered around the radio, listening carefully. The young ones with a hint of excitement in their faces, the elders with worry and fear, they know better.
Your father sighs heavily “Go home, it’s a dreadful day, go and stay with your family” Everyone nods in agreement and one by one they go out, a thankful look in their eyes.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity with recruitment centers popping out throughout the city, young men in their shiny new uniforms howling “Avenge Pearl Harbor! Avenge Pearl Harbor!” running on the streets and the usual activity of the holiday season slightly tainted by the recent events.
But like with all things, everyone started to get used to the permanent state of war in the country. Once this new normality settled, life went on.
July, 1942
“Honey, have you finished reading the court's ruling on Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire” You lift your eyes of the book in your hands to look at your father ”Yes dad, I’ve put it in your desk with my comments”
“OK, I’ll read it and we’ll discuss it later. I’ll leave you to it” You resume your reading till someone clears his throat next to you “Are you busy Victoria?”
“Steve! No, please have a seat. It’s weird to see you here” He stands still, clearly nervous “Are you OK?” You try to help him relax. “Yes, can we go somewhere else to talk?”
***
“You and Bucky did what?” You’re utterly shocked at your friend’s words sitting in the cafeteria across the street "We…we enlisted in the army, well actually Bucky enlisted, I got turned down three times"
“Wait, three times? How did they let you apply more than once?” He looks to the side as his cheeks turn pink. “Actually, I…I’ve been lying on the recruitment forms, going from one center to the other. I can’t stay here and do nothing”
You sight and grab his hand “You have a heart too big for your own good, sweetie. But why didn’t you tell me?”
“We thought you’ll get mad, or think we're crazy for throwing ourselves into the lion's den” You shake your head emphatically “Mad? Never, if your choice is to fight to defend those who cannot do it for themselves, I would never object. But yeah, I think you both are crazy” You wink and smile at him. “Bucky starts training next week, so I guess this saturday is going to be our last one together in a while”
“Speaking of Saturday, it’s your birthday, so you call the shots. What do you want?” He stirs on his seat uncomfortable. “I don’t know, it’s weird without mum”
“I have an idea, why don’t I ask mum to cook something for us, and we can have lunch together with my parents?” His eyes light up “I…I think is a good idea”
On Saturday you get up early to help with the preparations for the birthday lunch. Since the only thing you can cook is toast without burning it, you help with shopping, cooling drinks and setting the table.
You feel excited, happy to do this for Steve especially knowing that he still misses his mother.
For the occasion you wear a blue dress with little red dots and white trim, high heels and a little more makeup than usual. Your father compliments you on how beautiful you are, you feel beautiful.
Bucky and Steve arrive on time "Hey guys, welcome, lunch is served. Sweetie happy birthday" You hug him and step aside for them to enter.
"Victoria, did you dress up as a lady?" Bucky teases you. You give him a death look "Did you notice James? I think Victoria is finally realizing that she IS a lady" Your mother comments as she walks by with a tray that leaves on the table.
You sigh and point to the seats with a fake smile, when Bucky walks past you you elbow him in the ribs "That's nice James, why don't you sit down and shut up" Steve walks past you chuckling.
Your father takes the head of the table, your mother to his right, you at his left. Bucky and Steve take the remaining seats, the first one next to your mother, the later next to you.
“So Steve, how are you holding up this days without a woman in the house?” You can’t believe what your mother just said “Mum! Don’t torture the poor man” You look at Steve with an apologetical smile.
“It’s OK Victoria. I’m really used to doing a lot of things at home because of my mother's long shifts. There’s not much difference in that, I cook, clean, do the laundry” Your mother gives him a weird look.
“Maybe you should learn from him Victoria, you can hardly boil an egg” You’re shocked “At this rate you’ll surely be a spinster for the rest of your life, you’ll have to learn how to feed yourself”
“Betty…” Your father gives her a warning look “Can we please don’t do this in front of guests?”
“I don’t know what you are talking about Ray, I’m just pointing out the obvious. She’ll be alone her whole life” Tears start to pool in your eyes, your hands clenched to the table, the knuckles almost white. “Mum, what is wrong with you? You’re embarrassing me”
“You know very well young lady, you and your law school, your work, the way you dress, the way you speak, no man will want you as his wife” The tears are running freely down your face. What can you possibly ever do to hear such hideous words from your mother?
She gives you a stern look “This is the last time you embarrass me Victoria, I set you a date with Bob and you didn’t show up. Don’t look at me like that, did you think I wouldn’t find out? His mother told me he waited two and a half hours at the restaurant and you never show up”
“Is that all I am for you? Cattle to be handed to the best suitor? Do you think that my only goal in life is to stand still, roll over and play dead like a dog? March to the rhythm that YOU or my husband sets?" Anger and sadness take you over, your mother could be strict, but she had never been cruel before.
“Betty, Victoria enough! Victoria, why didn't you show up at the restaurant?” You look at your father in disbelief “I stayed at the office, transcribing the Jackson’s deposition” He sighs and shakes his head “If it's too much work for you, then maybe you should stop coming”
Your heart breaks and you sink in your chair. Your whole world collapsing at his words, he was always so supportive, what happened? Meanwhile your mother has a triumphant look on her face. You’re speechless, unable to connect two thoughts together, so you get up and leave.
You wander the streets for hours, thinking about what just happened. Your father just fired you, without his support you can’t afford college and your future won’t be the designed picture your mother has.
As you keep walking down the street you see a recruitment sign for WAC. You sight and think ‘I’ll never be a housewife. I can’t be the submissive little doll everyone wants. If she thinks she's going to take away my future, she's wrong, I make my own path’.
With a decisive look on your face you stepped into the recruitment center.