The 3rd Experiment

Chapter 9

|Tuesday, December 9, 1941|

When we get to the house we've been out practically all night and Bucky starts to pack for training.

"So where exactly are you headed?" I ask, helping him collect some of his stuff.

"First, Camp Toccoa, Georgia, then I'm off to Europe."

"I can't believe this is actually happening. Aren't you scared?" I ask

"I don't know what to think, Raya. I'm really just trying to take it slow until it's really not up to me."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea."

"Speaking of good ideas, I should probably get to the station so I'm not late on my first day. That almost got me fired from the store." He says, attempting to make one of us laugh. Unfortunately, we're not really in the mood for laughter.

I follow him to the door, getting deja vu from yesterday.

"Please don't get yourself killed," I say opening the door for him. he picks up his bag and steps outside.

"I promise, Raya." There's a small glint of excitement in his smile. I do everything I can to remember that smile. His icy blue eyes sparkle with a sense of optimism and his lips tilt upward in a small grin that calms any anxieties in my mind.

"Goodbye, Sergeant Barnes." I salute him and hear him chuckle as he starts on his way to the train station.

|Thursday, December 18, 1941|

It's been over a week since I sent Bucky away to Georgia and I've only gotten up to go to the restroom or get something to eat. My siblings have come in and out of the room to ask me questions and bring me water but I don't have the energy to do anything more.

I decide that I should go check on Steve sometime soon. I may have lost my brother but he lost his best friend to this awful war. I put on a jacket over my pajamas and slide on some slippers that will carry me to Steve's apartment.

I walk for a while until I see his door but as I'm stepping onto his porch, the door swings open. He steps out with a large duffle bag and freezes when he sees me.

"Steve?" I ask, pointing to the duffle bag, "What is that?"

"Raya, I'm so sorry. I was on my way-"

"Steve. what is that?" I say, getting upset

"Raya, please don't be mad at me."

"Then don't leave," I say, walking up and setting his bag down on the floor.

"I promise I was on my way to tell you. I got my orders."

"Steve," I say, hating what this means, "I'm happy for you, this is what you wanted."

"Raya..." We stare at each other and I feel like I'm saying bye to Bucky all over again.

He walks up to me and we hug each other so tight it feels like we both might stop breathing and this will all be over. Alas, he lets go and the real world comes crashing in like a hundred-pound dumbbell.

"What infantry?" I ask, walking to the steps to sit down and inviting him to the spot next to me.

"I actually don't know yet."

"What do you mean? Bucky knew as soon as he got his orders. Sergeant, in the 107th, training in Georgia, and serving in England."

"All that I know is that it's confidential."

"Are you sure all of this is legal? Who gave you this information?"

"I promise it's legal. I'm headed to Camp Lehigh in New Jersey."

"For what?" I ask, finding it hard to believe the military could use someone as little as Steve.

"For training, Raya."

"I can't believe this war is taking everyone away from me." I mumble to myself, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to make this about me, I know it's so much harder on you guys."

"But that doesn't mean that you aren't affected by this. This is hurting everyone, and you just happen to be a part of that demographic." He says, which doesn't totally make me feel better.

"So, what can you tell me about this?"

"Oh, I know! The man who spoke to me about my papers was actually German." He starts to laugh, "I was really confused."

With that comment, he actually managed to make me laugh. Just like the hug, I managed to forget what it was we were so worried about.

We talk for a while, still sitting on the porch until Steve realizes what time it is.

"Raya, I have to go."

"Can I at least walk you to the station? I'm not ready to say goodbye yet."

"Of course."

|Friday, January 23, 1942|

As I'm packing some of my clothes for my last semester at college, I hear mom roaming the halls and waking up the kids. She walks into my room and squeezes my arm, acknowledging that I'm here and that I'm finally out of bed. She turns to wake up Lily so she can get ready for school.

I bring my suitcase out to the door and hear a loud 'THUD'.

"Mom! The papers here!" I shout to the kitchen where mom is making pancakes.

"Someone's in a good mood," I mumble as I open the door to pick up today's news.

I reach down for the folded papers and check the obituaries for any familiar names. I know that if Bucky or Steve were to die, we'd be sent the letters first but there's something in me that thinks I'm going to find out with the rest of the world. I hate that I can't see them every day I'm home, and come back to them every break from class. So for now, I'm stuck checking the paper, all of our mail, and the news, just to be sure that my best friend and brother are going to come home.