"Well, soldiers, it seems that we have come to our last day together. What a shame! Today we will be taking the test. Each one of you will bench press two-hundred pounds forty times, and you will run five miles. Keep in mind you are allowed to have a two minute break in between, and then you have to begin bench pressing. You will all go in pairs, and you will all be timed. We have decided thirty-five minutes is the amount given, but the overall goal is to complete the test. McHenry and Evans, you're up. Ready! Set!" Lieutenant Fitzgerald shot a bullet into the air.
McHenry and Finley were running side by side, and not breaking a sweat. The shot had caused a ringing in Finley's ears, but he tried not to care. They only had three miles left! Finley felt an excruciating pain in his knee. He fell to the ground in pain, and grabbed at it. No, no, no! I've got to get going! C'mon, Finley Evans! Move, move, move! You've got a wife at home waiting for you, and you can't give up now! You've got to do this for your wife, prisoners held captive by Nazi forces, and your country! Finley got back up, and began running at full speed, ignoring the agonizing pain in his knee.
It took Finley exactly twelve seconds to pass McHenry. "You okay, Evans?" Lieutenant asked. Finley only nodded, and picked up the pace. With all of this equipment on, he felt as if he was being suffocated. Finally, he finished the five miles and had his two minute break. He took this time to get comfortable on the bench, and he took three small sips of water. You've got this, baby!
"There are six minutes left. Ready! Set!" Another shot rang through the air, and made a second small hole in the ceiling. Finley brought the bar down, and began pressing. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Finley was making good time, until his arms began to hurt. "Three minutes!" Fitzgerald reminded them. Shoot! C'mon, Fin! Twenty-three... Twenty-five... Twenty-seven... Twenty-nine... Thirty! "One minute and fifteen seconds! Come on, Evans! You've got to get a move on! Let's go, go, go!" He shouted directly at Finley. Thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five... "One minute, Evans! Let's move!" Fitzgerald shouted. Thirty-six... Thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine... "Fifteen seconds, and you've gotta get it on that bar!" Lieutenant screamed. Finley's arms were giving out. He pressed on, though. Forty! Now get it to the bar! "Ten!" Finley lifted his arms up, yet couldn't quite move. "Five, four, three!" He finally managed to get the bar back in place.
Everybody cheered, including the other men that had come to watch. Finley felt an overwhelming sensation. He had passed the test despite all the agonizing pain he was going through! It was around seven in the morning, and everyone was dismissed for breakfast.
"Good job, Evans." Lieutenant Fitzgerald complimented. Lieutenant offered Finley breakfast in his office, and Finley accepted. As Finley closed the door, Lieutenant poured a glass of milk for Fin, and a glass of white wine for himself. That's when it dawned on Finley, drill instructors were supposed to be in charge of training, not Lieutenant Fitzgerald. "Why were you helping us train? I thought they had drill instructors for that?" Finley questioned. Fitzgerald laughed, and took a sip of his wine. "Well, Evans, I specifically asked to train your bunker. Your bunker was put together based on behavior, as well as your body build. You and your men have great character, and I saw that in all of you. Especially you, Evans. I specifically asked to train you because I want your bunker to be in the Marines. I wanted to prepare you for it, and I've succeeded. The entire bunker was expected to be transported a month from now, but you have all managed to do just fine. You, along with the others, will be sent to the Marines sometime next week." Lieutenant Fitzgerald said. Finley was too shocked to respond. "T-Thank you, Fitzgerald! I can't ever repay you!" Finley chirped, shaking the mans hand. "Here is a letter from your wife, Evans. I do hope you will write me letters as well on your journey." Lieutenant smiled. The men departed, and Finley went to his bunker.
Finley urgently opened the letter, and began to read it.
The news of another baby lit his face up. He ran out into the hall, and shouted at the top of his lungs. "We're having twins!" Finley rushed back into his bunker, and immediately began writing a letter.
My Dearest Georgia,
What splendid news! We need to begin thinking about names! Training went well, and it turns out, I'm being sent to the Marines. My entire bunker is, in fact.
Please do not worry, my sweet angel. I'll be home soon. The War must be over soon. I do hope to hear more news about the children as you go to more appointments. Please call my parents, Dear. They must be worried sick!
I love you to the moon and back a thousand times,
Finley Evans
Finley placed the letter into an envelope, and placed a stamp on it. He drew hearts around the border, returning the affection.
Finley pulled out a blank piece of paper, and folded it in half. On one side he wrote 'boy', and the other 'girl'. He wrote down names for boys first: James, Jack, Robert, Johnny, Henry, and Kenneth. Next, were the girl names: Nancy, Anita, Hannah, Susan, Brenda, and Juliette. He began going down the list, ending them all with Evans. Johnny Evans had the best ring to it, and that was his final decision. He read all of the girl names aloud. "I really like the name Nancy Evans." McHenry chuckled as he sat down on his bunk.
"Thanks, McHenry. My wife and I are having twins now. I really want a boy that'll follow my footsteps and play sports, but I also want a girl to spoil." Finley replied. McHenry nodded. "I understand. I've met this girl, and we're getting married after the war is over." He replied. "And? I'm invited, right?" Finley laughed. "Of course, Evans. I was actually going to ask if you would be my best man." McHenry stated. "Of course, man! Just send an invitation to my mailbox." Finley chirped, handing the other man a piece of paper with his address on it. McHenry smiled, and placed it in his bag.
The rest of the day went by, and the day of transportation was coming up quick. Other than the occasional drill by Lieutenant Fitzgerald, Finley's bunker stayed inside and relaxed. Occasionally they went down to the gym to work out on their own, that way they wouldn't fall out of shape.
YOU ARE READING
My Dearest Finley
Historical FictionThis is a story about a wife of an American soldier during WWII. Georgia continuously writes letters to him, and when he can, Finley responds. In this book, we will see all the horror of WWII, as well as what it did to people involved.
