Captive Dreams by Cara Putman

Author:Cara Putman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cara Putman

17

July 7, 1944

Long days occupied the rest of Anna’s week as she made up the extra time off on the Fourth. By Friday, all Anna wanted to do was crawl into bed for the weekend. Instead, she knew the time at home would be packed with physical labor far beyond the normal effort of cleaning the house and catching up on chores.

Detasseling corn was an essential yet dreaded part of summer. Every year it arrived like clockwork. It threatened to sap every last ounce of her energy. She’d felt that way even in years she didn’t work in a factory more than forty hours a week.

This year she couldn’t imagine where she’d find the strength to endure the grueling labor.

As Dottie prepared to turn into Anna’s driveway, Anna longed to tell her to keep driving, that she’d spend the weekend at her house instead. Dottie wouldn’t mind. However, much as Anna loved her roommate, she looked forward to closing the door at the end of a long day and being alone. That happened far too infrequently.

“Do you want me to come back tomorrow and help?”

Anna grimaced at the thought. Dottie had never worked that hard in her life. “You’ve put your time in. Go home and relax. Do that for me, too.”

“I’d come.”

“I appreciate it. No reason for both of us to be covered in cuts and blisters on Monday.”

Dottie’s eyes danced despite the frown she plastered on her face. “Fine, keep all the enjoyment to yourself. See you Sunday night. I’ll come around six.”

Anna climbed out of the car and waved good-bye. She turned and stared at the home, trying to talk herself into the battle that likely awaited her inside. A curtain fluttered back in place, and she knew Papa must have seen her. No time like the present to enter the fray. With an air of determination, she trudged toward the house.

The night passed with a minimum of conversation as Papa wolfed down his food then retreated to his chair and radio shows. Anna was grateful for the uneasy peace as she worked through the week’s worth of dirty dishes in the kitchen and newspapers piled around the living room.

The détente ended Saturday morning when Papa pounded on her door. She groaned and rolled over to look at the window. The faintest light seeped through her curtains.

Anna stretched. “I’ll be there in a minute.” She stifled a yawn and walked to the window. Pushing back the curtain, she saw the first hints of dawn painting the sky. Heaviness cloaked her at the thought of the day. Father, help me survive today. And help me find a way to serve You in the midst of it.

Anna slipped outside at five forty-five and stopped to appreciate the sun cresting the horizon. Colors glowed across its lower sweeps. While such sights used to be routine, it had been months since she’d risen this early, even when she came back to help with chores. She shivered in the chilled air. Tires crunched against the gravel driveway.

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