Drafted in Anglewood.

 

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Chapter 1


Anglewood,  March 1966.

  

“Mom, I'm going out now! Becky is waiting for me.” Sixteen-year-old Kimberly yelled into the kitchen as her mother continued basting the turkey she had been tending to all day.  

“Alright, Dear! Remember to be home at curfew. If you are late again your father will not be too keen to allow you to keep hanging out with Becky!” 

“I will be home, tonight on time, I promise!” Kimberly said while grabbing an apple out of the fruit basket and biting into it swiftly. “Don't forget I still need your help with my History project this weekend!”

“I promise to help you tomorrow Kimberly. Are you sure there will be dinner at Becky's house? I made plenty if she wants to join us. Your father will be coming in soon.” 

“Mom! My friend does not want to do dinner with my parents. That's completely lame. I'm sure we will be fine. I love you!” Kimberly quickly turned on her heels and headed for the front door just as Becky started slamming on the horn. 

“Kimberly bring a jacket! I don't want you getting--” The front door slammed before she could finish her sentence. 

Kimberly ran to Becky's car and climbed in, before she had a chance to buckle Becky was already speeding off, "So what did mother dearest say this time?" Becky let out a chuckle. 

“Mother Dearest was her normal self-worrying too much.”

“What? Does your mother worry? That's a shock. If only she knew that her precious innocent baby girl was heading out into the dark scary woods for a party. What would she do?” Becky gasped out. 

“She would probably kill me, but she doesn't need to know. All she needs to think is that her innocent daughter is at her best friend's house studying for their English Final.” Kimberly rolled her eyes and turned to face Becky with a grin. 

“Hey, on a serious note…did you hear about Michael Carter?” Kimberly couldn't help but notice Becky change her whole demeanor. 

“The Senior that Michelle went to homecoming with?” 

“Yeah, apparently he got his letter today.” Becky glanced over at Kimberly to see if she understood what she meant. 

“Letter? Like for college? Michelle kept saying he applied for Notre Dame. She wouldn't stop flaunting him around like she would become the perfect housewife.” Kimberly scoffed out with a slight laugh.

“No, Kimmy. He got his draft letter this week.”

The tension in the car became thick. Not knowing what to say Kimberly just sat back and let out a deep breath, “But he is only---”

“Eighteen. They have started sending out letters to all men between eighteen and twenty. Apparently, the war does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.”

Kimberly's heart began to start racing and she felt her throat tighten, “Does that mean that Tommy or even David could---” The words caught in her throat. 

“Yeah, I think it does Kimmy.” Becky tried placing her hand on Kimmy's to comfort her. 

“No, I mean come on Becky. Tommy just turned eighteen a week ago and David turns eighteen in a month. There is no way.”

The idea of their brothers fighting in a war terrified Kimberly. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Tommy was too young to fight…to die. Knowing her brother full well, if he was drafted Tommy would leave full of excitement to defend his country. He had always been a patriot. 

“I don't think it fully matters now Kimmy. War is War. They do not care if we want our brothers to fight or not. If they need them, they will be drafted.” Becky replied," However the mail has run today. So, no letters have come today it seems. Now, let's enjoy tonight. David and Tommy will be at the party tonight as well. I also heard that a few guys that just got out of boot camp will be there as well, so we will have, hopefully, new gentlemen to look at." Becky tried to lighten the mood.

Kimberly tried to hide her anxiety building up at the news of the draft progressing and flashed a smile at Becky, “Thank goodness. I don't think I can keep watching Timothy and James trying to flirt with all the younger girls anymore. It's embarrassing and gross. We need better men to look at in this town." 

“I will second that.” 

Becky took a left and began the uphill drive to the top of the old mill dirt road. Back in the late nineteen-twenties Anglewood used to have one of the largest textile mills exporting cotton and other fabrics in over five counties. However, after the Great Depression, and world war two the mill ended up going bankrupt like numerous others throughout the country. A housing developer in the mid-nineteen-forties wanted to tear the mill down but the town had an uproar. Now it is just seen as the dark abandoned mill on the outskirts of town. It was the perfect spot for all the high school students to hang out without being caught by their parents. No one dared to drive the curvy, slippery, and mud-covered gravel road that leads to the large decaying building. It was far enough away from anyone in town where they did not have to worry about someone calling the local sheriff's office on them. It gave all the local county kids the ability to party in ways that were frowned upon by their strict suburban families. As they neared the top of the drive several cars and motorcycles were lined up, making it almost impossible to find a place to park Becky's car. 

“It looks like we have to park here and walk the rest of the way up. I don't think that I will be able to get my car out if I drive further up.” Becky replied, “I didn't see Tommy's or David's motorcycles, so they must be further up, or they rode with Timothy."

“Tommy told me he was meeting up with Timothy, so I assume that they road together. If I know Tommy he probably is already in the mill, drinking with the guys and smoking his Old Gold cigarettes.” 

“I don't know how he can smoke those. They are so bitter, and the smell is terrible. However, the Camel cigarettes have a better smell and taste to them, in my opinion.” Becky retorted. 

“Wait, Becky…when did you smoke Camels? I didn't know that you had even tried anything." Kimberly asked.

“Last week Richard and I went out on the river and I tried one of each. Don't worry miss goody two shoes, I am not taking up smoking. It was just a, what do you call it…taste test.”

Kimberly rolled her eyes and smiled at her best friend. Out of the two of them, Becky was certainly the more devil may care personality type. Kimberly was known for being the one who always got good grades and followed what the world expected of her. They were the Ying and Yang of Anglewood. 

“No judgment here Becks. The world has been hard enough lately.” 

Becky pulled into the next open spot and adjusted her skirt and applied her lipstick again," How do I look, Kimmy?"

“Gorgeous as always, Becks. What about me? I couldn't do much or Mother Dearest would know that I wasn't studying at your house.”

Becky held out her Peach lipstick, "Here put this on. Then you will look perfect." 

“Do you really think that the guys from the Bootcamp from the next town over will be there? I need to have a conversation with someone who does not know everything about me and our small town."

“That is what David said, but who really knows. Only one way to find out, get your booty out of the car and let's get walking darling. Mama needs some social interactions besides with you.” 

The girls laughed and climbed out of the car. They had parked just above the halfway point of the drive. Luckily this part of the drive was pushed down gravel so they would not have to get mud all over themselves or their clothing. The drive was lit by the sunset coming through the trees. They had made it just before dusk, so they didn't have to worry about it becoming dark before they made it to the top of the hill. As they neared closer, they began to hear music coming through the car radios closer to the building. Kimberly glanced around for Timothy's car but couldn't locate it. Strange she had expected the guys to have gotten there first since Tommy hadn't been home when she left. When they made it into the clearing, Kimberly looked around trying to locate her older brother, but he was not in view where she was standing if he was there. As they neared closer to the old mill, Kimberly heard Timothy's deep laugh radiate through the air. 

“I think Timothy is just up this way, maybe Tommy and David are with him. Let's go.” She said while taking Becky's hand in hers to pull her towards the roaring laughter. 

“Was Tommy home when I came to get you? Because David was not home either.” 

“No, but I am sure they are right this way---” Kimberly stopped in her tracks when she noticed all the guys but no Tommy or David insight. 

Kimberly ran over to Timothy and quickly got his attention, “Hey are Tommy and David not with you?”

“No, they aren't coming tonight. I am sorry to hear the news, though. That's some tough earth-shattering stuff.” Timothy replied while taking a hit from his Old Gold, “Do you need a hug? Becks I am sorry to hear about your brother too.”

Kimberly and Becky glanced at each other confused. Before either of the girls could respond Michael Carter walked up, his face hard and his eyes seemed glazed over. 

“Michael, I'm sorry to hear about your letter…” was all Kimberly could muster out before she had to lose eye contact with him.

“I take it that with you both being here, ya'll didn't get the news yet." He scuffed out a hint of sadness and anger in his tone.

“What do you mean Michael? Why wouldn't we be here? Are we not welcome here or something?” Becky retorted. 

“I wouldn't be getting so smart-mouthed Becky Johnston. You think you have your whole life planned out and then the government just comes swooping in and fucks you.” Michael started to yell, his voice straining with anger.  

“Michael not here, not around all these people,” Timothy said while grabbing Michael's arm.

Just as quickly as he was grabbed, Michael yanked away from Timothy, “Oh but why not Timothy? Everyone knows my business. Everyone knows that I am being sent off to be killed for a war that has nothing to do with us. A sacrifice that's what I am…” Michael took a swig of the bottle he was holding in his left hand. Kimberly hadn't noticed it before. 

“Michael, you will be ok, we will all be praying for you,” Kimberly said while trying to console him.

“Keep your damn pity prayers. You are going to need them anyway. I don't need no damn prayers to a God that don't give a shit about me or my life plans." Michael screamed and threw his now empty bottle against the brick building.

Kimberly jumped at the sharp reaction and words coming from Michael.

“Michael Carter you need to calm down now. There is no reason to be talking like that to Kimberly. She meant no ill will towards you. At least you have this town willing to pray to God to help protect you.  Even if you think it isn't needed.” Becky said as she stepped in between Michael and Kimberly. 

“Oh honey, if I were you two, I wouldn't be worried about a guy I barely spoke to in my hometown.” He chuckled. 

Kimberly noticed that everyone in the clearing was now watching the scene unfold. The radios had been turned down and the tension was growing in the air. Something else was wrong besides Michael Carter being intoxicated over being drafted. Something felt off. 

“What is that supposed to mean Carter?” Becky spats back at him clearly tired of his cryptic words.

“What I mean by that is, maybe you should start praying for your brothers' safety over in Vietnam instead of mine. Seems they should be more important.” Michael smiled an evil, drunken grin at Kimberly and Becky.

“What are you talking about Michael? Our brothers haven't been drafted. You are losing it; I think it's time to quit drinking.” Kimberly replied sternly between clenched teeth.  She glanced over at Timothy to calm her nerves and see if he would agree with her. But he wouldn't make eye contact with her. 

“Yeah, you are lying, there is no way our brothers have been drafted we would have known already if they had been.” Becky rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.

That's when Kimberly realized no one was making eye contact with the two girls. No one was even disputing what he was saying. 

“Timothy…what is he talking about?” Kimberly said finally locking eyes with him. 

“Kimmy, I didn't want to be the one to tell you and Becky this…I hoped that you would have already known and wouldn't have shown up tonight.”

“What are you talking about Timothy?” Becky said quickly while taking ahold of Kimberly's hand.

“Tommy and David are headed to Vietnam baby; they get to be sacrificed for the U.S Army just like me. Hell, maybe we can be war heroes,” Michael started laughing uncontrollably. 

“Hush your mouth, Michael Carter! You are the biggest liar I have ever met in my whole life!” Becky screamed at Michael. 

“Becks, he isn't lying. Tommy and David got their letters hand-delivered to them today in the fourth period.” Timothy said while gently touching Becky's shoulder.

“What are you talking about Timothy? Tommy just turned eighteen and David is not eighteen for another month. That's impossible. There is no way that can be true.” Kimberly interjected.

“Kimmy, I wouldn't lie to you about something this serious. I was with them when the soldiers delivered them. They left school and we haven't seen them since. I am surprised you didn't already know about it yet.”

Kimberly felt the tightness in her chest and her legs began to feel like jello. No, there was no way that Tommy and David had been picked in the lottery draft. It wasn't possible. She began to feel her heart pounding and she couldn't stop hyperventilating, 

“No…no…no” Kimberly kept repeating in between her shallow breaths. She looked over at Becky and noticed her best friend seemed frozen in fear or shock. She was unsure of what to do. She was beginning to lose the ability to focus herself, “I have to go home." was all she could muster out.

“Here let me drive you two home.”

“No, I got my car I can take us. Thank you but we must leave now. We need to find our brothers.” Becky intervened as she seemed to fade out of the shock. 

Kimberly tried to focus on walking back to the car, but she could feel everyone's eyes on them. She felt the never-ending urge to vomit all over the ground as they made their way down the steep hill to Becky's car.  Just as they reached the car, it all came up. Kimberly leaned over and began to heave. She felt herself losing her ability to hold herself up. She just couldn't believe this. It had to be a joke. Where were Tommy and David? Why had they not told Becky or her about the letters? What was she going to do? How would her parents find out? So many questions were running through her mind. 

“Kimberly, we have to go, can you get into the car on your own? Or do you need my help?” Becky said as she pulled Kimberly's hair over her shoulder to make sure vomit would not get on it. 

“No, I can do it. I just needed a moment.” Kimberly wiped the sides of her mouth and tried to regain her composure. She mustered the strength to get up from her knees and into the car. 

“Just take me home Becks. I need to tell my parents. If Tommy is missing they would be the best to help find him. You should try to go and find David as well, I can't even think straight as to where they could even be.” 

The ride back to Kimberly's house was silent. The air was suffocating. Every time they tried to speak to each other it was like neither of them could catch their breath. It was strange that they had just been speaking of the situation on the way to the party. Now it had become a reality. But it didn't and wouldn't feel real until she could speak with Tommy. Her older brother wasn't known for running away from problems. He was determined and headstrong. He would never turn away from what he was expected to do. He was a leader and fought for what was right. Truth be told he would be the perfect soldier even if he had never wanted to become one. 

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