Chapter Twenty-Two
June 30,1944


It was late afternoon on a Monday...almost time to open the restaurant. Nora and Lena were placing napkins on the tables while Rita counted the cash in the register. Nora was first to see the vehicle park in front of the restaurant. Fear gripped her heart immediately and she inhaled sharply.

At once Lena was by her side. They saw two military officers exit a government vehicle and approach the door slowly.

The door was still locked as the restaurant was not yet open.

“Rita…” Nora said quietly. Rita looked up to see Nora and Lena looking out the front window and the officers waiting by the door.

Rita’s hand went to her throat, “Mio Dio,” she said softly. Then she took the key from the drawer and went to open the door.

The officers stepped in, removed their hats, and solemnly glanced across the three ladies before them.

One cleared his throat and asked, “Is one of you ladies Mrs. Salvadore?”

“I’m Mrs. Salvadore,” Rita answered quickly.

The officer took her hand.

“Caro Dio (Dear God), no…”

Nora and Lena supported Rita on both sides as the other officer placed a chair beneath her.

“Ma’am...we regret to inform you that your husband was killed in action on June 6th.”

“NOOO!…” she screamed trying to rise from the chair. “NO! NOT MY SAL…DIO,NO!…”

The officer gently made her sit back down and leaned down in front of her chair. “We’re so very sorry, Ma’am, to bring you this news...and for your loss.”

“Nooo...it can’t be my Sal...Dio, aiutami (God help me)...”

He handed her a formal letter and a folded flag as well as Sal’s pins and hat. She wept bitterly as Nora and Lena stood close by her side supporting her as best they could, crying silently with her.

They gave her a few moments to grieve, then the officer spoke again. “The war department will be in touch with you soon about some decisions you will need to make regarding your husband’s body.”

Rita shook her head as she wept into Sal’s hat.

“We brought the gold star, ma’am. Would you like us to place it on the flag for you?”

Rita nodded.

The officer removed the service flag hanging in the window. The flag had a red border surrounding a white field. Inside the field was a blue star representing Sal who was serving in the war. Sal’s blue star was covered by a gold one indicating that he had been killed during his tour of duty. The soldiers placed the flag back in the window and offered a salute in Sal’s memory.

They returned to Rita and once again offered their condolences. Then they solemnly left the restaurant.

Rita stood slowly to her feet. Nora and Lena wrapped her in their arms and they all wept, their tears mingling together.

“My poor Sal,” she kept repeating, “My poor Sal…caro Dio, aiutami…”


* * * * * * *

They closed the restaurant for the night and several nights thereafter. Nora and Lena both stayed with Rita for a few nights sleeping on her sofa and chairs. They were greatly relieved when Rita’s parents, a sister, and a brother arrived from New York City on Wednesday evening. Rita was grateful,also, to have the comfort of family nearby. After their arrival, Nora and Lena both went back to their own apartments .

Nora entered her apartment with a sense of relief...relief that Rita finally had family nearby to comfort her...relief that she could sleep in her own bed...and relief that she could be alone to deal with her thoughts.

For the past few days, Nora had tried to cast her own thoughts and worries to the back of her mind in an effort to help Rita. But fear had been hanging over her since they had received the news about Sal. She hadn’t heard from Bo since June 6th...and Bo had been on the same transit ship as Sal… Why haven't I heard from Bo? Nora wondered. She was worried. Yet she tried to comfort herself knowing that bad news, if there was any, would have been delivered.

She put the tea kettle on and changed into her nightgown. As she let the tea steep, she glanced through the day’s mail. Nothing. No word from Bo. Tears filled her eyes. She wiped them quickly away as she heard a knock at her door. She threw on her robe and went to answer. Looking through the peep-hole, she saw Mr. Berkovich standing on the other side. Nora was puzzled, but she opened the door.

The stodgy old man stood there. “Is your last name…” He looked at an envelope in his hand… “Buc-han-an?” he fumbled with the name.

“Buchanan...yes it is,” Nora answered quickly.

“Well, here. Damn postal service put this in my box.” He handed Nora two envelopes and turned to go.

Nora looked at the envelopes...one was a bill, the other a letter...from Bo!

“Oh...oh, thank you!” Nora exclaimed. “One is from my husband...he’s fighting...in France…”

Mr. Berkovich turned to look at her. His usually stern expression softened a bit when he saw the glow in her eyes.

“Well...I hope your letter brings good tidings,” he murmured before turning again.

“Mr. Berkovich? Sir?”

He turned.

“I just wanted to say...I’m sorry. I feel like we got off to a bad start when we first met...I’d like to apologize for being so...well...my husband calls it ‘sassy’.”

“Well, you were sassy alright,” Mr. Berkovich agreed not remembering that he hadn’t been pleasant at their first meeting either.

Nora ignored his remark and continued, “Well, like I said, I’m sorry and would like to start over if we could and be pleasant with each other...do you think that’s a possibility? Maybe?...”

Mr. Berkovich swayed from one foot to the other. “I suppose that would be alright...if you aren’t sassy anymore…” he added.

Nora smiled then. “I’ll do my very best, sir.” She held out a hand to him. He shook it a bit reluctantly.

“Thank you for my mail. You made my day.”

“Welcome,” he mumbled. “Hope you have good news...from your husband…”

“Thanks. Goodnight.”

Nora closed her door and with fumbling fingers opened Bo’s letter.

June 12,1944

My Sweet Nora,

I hope this letter finds you well. I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but honestly haven't had a chance until now. I'm sure you have been worried since receiving word that Sal was injured, but I want you to know that I'm doing fine.

Please say a prayer for Sal...he was hurt pretty badly. I haven't had any word since they took him to the army hospital.

Nora’s heart sank. He doesn’t know about Sal’s passing. Well...maybe that's for the best right now, she decided. She continued with the letter.

I can't tell you exactly where we are, just that we are making progress. Honey, I can't tell you what I've seen. Just know that I am thankful for each morning that I open my eyes on a new day.

Thank you for your letters. I trust more are on their way...they take forever to get here. Not only am I anxious to hear from you, but I've read your other letters so many times that the paper is getting quite thin and ragged.

I miss you so much. I can't wait to get home and hold you in my arms again. That will be a great day, won't it honey? I think about it often, and I'm sure you do too.

Have to get some sleep. I'm exhausted. I can't get letters out to my family...barely had time to write this one. Please send them word that I'm safe.

I love you, Red. Your face is the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing I see in my mind at night. When I get home I'm going to smother you with kisses until I hear you laugh. I love your laugh, honey. Can't wait to hear you laugh again. Can't wait til we have a reason to laugh.

Until then I'll dream of you.

Love you forever,
Bo

P.S. One month ago today I married the woman of my dreams. Happy "Month"aversary, honey. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you XOXO

Nora read the letter with a smile on her lips and tears in her eyes. When she finished, she read it again before tucking it back safely into it’s envelope. She was so happy and relieved to get this letter...to hear that he was safe.

“Thank you, God," she whispered. "I needed this."