Sgt. Hawk: A World War II Novel by Patrick Clay

Author:Patrick Clay [Clay, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781685490942
Publisher: Rough Edges Press
Published: 2022-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

Rudiger gave Gretchen his Webley revolver and Moritz an ancient twelve-gauge shotgun before retiring to his bomb shelter. He greatly feared for their safety here, above ground, which did not speak well of his confidence in Hawk.

After Rolf and Moritz retired, rather late in the evening, Gretchen and Hawk retreated to the privacy of the den. She embraced him and held him for a long time, before saying anything.

“I love you so, James. You are the finest man I have ever known.” Being maladroit with words, he lowered his head and kissed her.

“James, I have been thinking. I have an idea that I want you to listen to. And think about it before you answer.” Hawk could read expectation of disappointment in her words and in her expression. “Suppose we sailed over to the western end of the island and stayed there for a few weeks, together, until the Japanese and the Americans leave.”

The shock that the suggestion gave him was not apparent upon his face. “But I am an American,” he reminded her.

“You are an islander now. You are mine, you are not an American.” How could he explain his loyalty to the fourteen filthy fleabags that were his charge, the loyalty he felt to the marines and the Corps, or even to his very own country? He could not. He felt it, but he could not express it convincingly in words, and he knew that she would never understand.

“They shoot deserters,” he said simply.

“They will never find you. You will stay here. They will think that you have been killed.”

“No, they’ll take this island and they’ll stay here a long time, probably even after the war’s over.”

“Maybe the Japanese will win,” she suggested. He smiled.

“No, they won’t. I couldn’t…” He released her and struggled to find the words. “I just couldn’t run out on everybody…”

“But you can run out on me?”

“No, I’m not running out on you. I’ll be here a long time and if I have to go, I’ll come back as soon as possible.”

Her angry face seemed to melt; tear after tear fell from her eyes. She threw her arms around him and held him tightly.

“Oh, James, you won’t come back. I know you won’t. They’ll kill you. Please don’t go.” He put his arms around her. She felt their great strength and the inexplicable security that they could produce.

“Nobody’s gonna kill me,” he consoled her, in his ever-positive and confident tone.

“I knew that you didn’t love me enough to do it, James, but I had to try. I had to try for us and for your sake.”

“I love you enough…” He steered her to the leather couch and they sat down there. “It’s just a bad situation, I guess, but it won’t last forever. Believe me, things look bad but then they blow over before you know it.” He knew her to be young and impatient but he dared not call that to her

attention. “Let’s do everything right?” He pleaded. She could only acquiesce and dry her eyes, and lay her head on his shoulder.

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