The Bottle House 6. WWI

June 1st arrived as a blistering hot day.  Molly and Lee stood on the train

station platform under the shade of the roof overhang.

They could see and hear the train approaching.  As it halted at the station a few people disembarked.  Lee held Molly close to him and kissed her one last kiss before hopping aboard.

He found his seat by the window and leaned out of it to touch her hand as the train slowly departed and whistled.   She blew him a kiss and waved until he was out of sight then turned and walked back home.

Molly decided to apply for a teaching assignment at the local school to help her pass the time while Lee was away.  

Lee prepared to leave for combat.  He ran into his friend John in Hampton. They wished each other well.  Lee told him that he and Molly were engaged to marry when he returned.

John slapped him on the back and said " You lucky son of a gun!  I always had the hots for that girl.  She sure is a beauty! Congratulations, Lee!"

They shook hands and headed in opposite directions.

Molly had a classroom of first grade students eager to learn.  They put their hands up in the air and waved their hands with excitement that they knew the answer to the question.

Molly was a natural with the kids and taught everything they needed to know about the alphabet and how to read and write.

While the students worked on their writing skills she penned long letters to Lee.

He finally had an opportunity to write her a brief letter and where she could write to him.  He promised to do the best he could under the circumstances of war.

Time passes slowly especially in the winter.

It was harsh and there was a lot of snow.  Molly managed to get to church whenever she could.  She prayed for Lee's safe return frequently.  She volunteered for a committee that helped war brides with their children and did some things for these ladies to help them in their homes.  She cooked and cleaned and ran errands.  Mostly she just listened to their fears and concerns.  She comforted them when they cried with the news their husband wasn't coming home.  That was the hardest part.  She loved Lee and couldn't imagine a loss like that and juggling so much responsibility.  She secretly thanked Lee that he had spared her of this burden.  It was hard enough being a fiancé.

Lee would receive a bundle of letters from Molly.  She had numbered them to help him keep them in order. It really lifted his spirits to read them and see her pretty penmanship.  He printed his letters in large bold letters with a pencil he kept sharp with his pocket knife.

Molly checked the mail frequently but came home empty handed time and again.

One night the next year she saw John in town.  He was not in uniform and was

missing his left arm.  His shirt was pinned up so it wouldn't flap.  He explained the war injury and his discharge from the Army as a result.  He was currently working at the bank.  "Come to dinner with me.  I'm on my way now." he told her.  Molly accepted as she had not eaten all day.

John held out the chair for her as she smoothed her skirt under her.

They caught each other up since last they met and about Lee.  Molly had no word from him in the last six months and letters she had sent were returned unopened.

Molly was getting worried something terribly wrong had  happened to Lee.

John told her to read the paper daily to see if he was listed as killed or missing in action.  She had been doing that already.  Next he told her to write the War Department to inquire of his status.  But because she was not his wife or relative they may not disclose that information.  Molly's heart was sinking.  Maybe Lee just does not love me she thought.

Month after month there was no word from Lee and Molly stopped writing.

John came by and picked her up for church every Sunday.  They did things together when they were not working.  Laughing and walking arm in arm down the street.  "Marry me, Molly! Let's elope right now.  I love you and always have!"

Molly heard herself saying "yes" before she could stop herself.  They walked to the courthouse and were married that afternoon.

Lee sat in an infirmary with a gunshot wound to his leg.

He had passed out from blood loss and walking miles with it bound to help control the bleeding until he could get medical attention.  He had the bullet removed but the wound became badly infected.

More surgery on the leg left a large hole on his thigh.  He asked for something to write Molly a letter with.

He thought they were being sent but instead they were crumpled up and thrown in the fire by the local courier who was supposed to get the letters to the airstrip for transport home.

Molly was constantly on his mind.  It tortured him not hearing from her as he had at the beginning.  Months passed and no word.  He must get her out of his mind and accept that she did not wait.  "No, I can't think that!"