There aren’t many veterans who still look to the sea as a way to escape. But Morty does. There aren’t many veterans who can still wear part of their old uniform, but Morty can. Morty married young, very young and Shirley even younger. Neither one had ever heard of polka dot madness. It wouldn’t have matter if they had; they were young, invincible and headed out to San Diego, home of the Pacific Fleet. Shirley would work in the arms industry and Morty would win the war. They couldn’t afford a sleeper, so they stood between the cars and watched the moon scatter glitter over the southwest desert. The porters left the door windows open, even though it was against the railroad regulations, it was a different time then, love and war were in the air and that changed everything. Two coffees and three doughnuts, twenty five cents, but who cared, they were together and even though the war raged, they knew they would be together forever. And so it was and so it is. Shirley is having fun, it’s good natured, if not well intended. Morty is not listening; his mind is lost in the China Sea. If he left right after lunch, he could ride the bus all the way to the bay, be on the dock by three thirty. If he was really lucky, he could find a merchant out bounded, sign up and on board by dinner. No, maybe he will wait; next week will be soon enough. Rusty Boy is barking again, guess it’s treat time.
There aren’t many veterans who still look to the sea as a way to escape. But Morty does. There aren’t many veterans who can still wear part of their old uniform, but Morty can. Morty married young, very young and Shirley even younger. Neither one had ever heard of polka dot madness. It wouldn’t have matter if they had; they were young, invincible and headed out to San Diego, home of the Pacific Fleet. Shirley would work in the arms industry and Morty would win the war. They couldn’t afford a sleeper, so they stood between the cars and watched the moon scatter glitter over the southwest desert. The porters left the door windows open, even though it was against the railroad regulations, it was a different time then, love and war were in the air and that changed everything. Two coffees and three doughnuts, twenty five cents, but who cared, they were together and even though the war raged, they knew they would be together forever. And so it was and so it is. Shirley is having fun, it’s good natured, if not well intended. Morty is not listening; his mind is lost in the China Sea. If he left right after lunch, he could ride the bus all the way to the bay, be on the dock by three thirty. If he was really lucky, he could find a merchant out bounded, sign up and on board by dinner. No, maybe he will wait; next week will be soon enough. Rusty Boy is barking again, guess it’s treat time.