Between Friends (4 page)

Everyone is amazed that Lindy’s managed to hold on this long, but not me. This child has grit. I feel it in her, this determination, this overpowering will to beat the odds. Buck says I should be more realistic and accept the fact that we’re probably going to lose her. I refuse to think that way. If he spent more time with her, he’d know how badly our daughter wants to live, how fiercely she’s battling for life each and every day.

I go to Mass every morning to ask God to be merciful to my little girl. I love her so much I can barely bring myself to think about the possibility that she might die. Dad said it’d be for the best. I couldn’t believe my own father would say such a thing! More and more I find myself unable to cope with my father and avoid him as much as I can. It’s because of Dad that Susan joined the Navy. His unwillingness to educate his daughters is barbaric. Dad continues to insist that if anyone gets a higher education in this family, it’ll be Mike or Joe or maybe Bruce. But not Susan, Lily or me. I had my chance and often wonder what would’ve happened had I been able to accept that scholarship from the Soroptimists.

With Dad forcefully reminding her that college was out of the question, Susan became more determined than ever to make something of her life. When she talked with the Navy recruiter, she saw a way to forge a future for herself. She joined the Navy because she wanted out from under our father’s thumb. She couldn’t tolerate his views toward women any longer. The military is the only means she has of getting an education and becoming a nurse. It frightens me that she might end up in Vietnam, but I refuse to think about that. She’s doing what Mom and I can only dream about now.

The Army gave Buck compassionate leave after Lindy was born, but he doesn’t like spending time at the hospital. Sometimes Mom or a friend will drive me there and back. Or else Buck drops me off and then comes back later to pick me up. He doesn’t like to be without a car. I’m so grateful Mom’s been able to watch Davey for me.

It looks like Buck’s going to be stationed in California for the rest of his stint in the Army. I’ve already decided to stay here in Washington in order to be close to my family. Buck would rather I joined him, but he understands. He’s been really good with Davey. These last few weeks are the first time he’s had a chance to know his son. For all his faults, Buck can be sweet when he wants to. Davey idolizes his father.

***

January 21, 1968

Dear Jillian,

I know you were upset with me because I refused to move to Canada after my draft notice arrived. I prefer to believe you weren’t serious. Remember how I told you everything would work out? Well, now it’s happening just the way I said it would. I have terrific news.

First, you’ll notice that the return address on this envelope is different. I’m at Fort Rucker now and I was pegged for the infantry in AIT—Advanced Individual Training. Yesterday I learned I’d been selected for training to be a helicopter pilot.

You said when you gave me back my mother’s medal that it would protect me. I think you must be right. It’s certainly bringing me luck. Still, I can’t wait for the day I can put it back around your neck where it belongs.

Anyway, here’s the best part about me being a pilot. As soon as I’m finished with this training, I’ll become a warrant officer. Soon they’ll be saluting me. Before long I’ll be piloting a Huey and, sweetheart, it’s a beaut. I was sure the Army would want me as a mechanic, since I’m already qualified in that area, but not so. Just think. Me, a pilot! This is great news, isn’t it? I couldn’t be more excited.

Basic training was hell, but your letters got me through it. The BS in the Army is neck-deep, and that isn’t going to change any time soon. But damn it all, I can put up with just about anything if they’re gonna make me a pilot.

I start training right away. I called my dad and he’s so damn proud it’s a wonder the buttons didn’t bust right off his shirt. I talked to Jimmy, too, and told him that if he didn’t shape up in school I was personally going to rip him a new set of lips. That kid’s a handful.

Be pleased for me, Jillian, and don’t worry. Nothing’s going to happen to me. A year from now, I’ll be finished with my tour of duty in Vietnam and we can talk about setting a date for the wedding. Your father might have trouble accepting a mechanic as a son-in-law, but my guess is he’ll find a pilot far more palatable.

Remember how much I love you.

Nick

***

F
ebruary 19, 1968

Dear Jillian,

Oh, Jillian, you’ll never guess what! I won $350 at St. Catherine’s Friday night bingo. Mom talked me into going with her and had Mike and Joe watch Davey. The hospital said I can bring Lindy home next week and bingo was a time for us to celebrate. I was just thrilled. We could use that money for a hundred different things, but I didn’t dare tell Buck about it. Guess what I did? You won’t believe it. I bought myself a car. I’ve needed one so badly these last few months and Buck took ours to California. I’ve had to rely on Mom and anyone who was willing to drive me to Madegan Hospital in order to be with Lindy.

I know what you’re thinking, that for $350 I wasn’t able to get much of a car, but I got an excellent buy. It’s a brownish 1957 Chevy with a stick shift. I took it over to Nick’s father and had him check it out. He said it was in decent shape. All it needed was new brakes and a couple of other things to make it run really well. I’m so grateful for his help.

You know, my mother’s something of a surprise to me. While I was growing up, I didn’t understand or appreciate her the way I do now. It angered me that she let Dad drink so much. I hate to say it, but I blamed Mom for Dad’s drinking—for putting up with it and not forcing him to stop. I saw her as weak. I view things differently now. Mom isn’t weak at all, but strong, so much stronger than I gave her credit for. She’s the one who held the family together. When she needed Dad to do something, it got done. I’d never have had the wedding I did without my mother. She stood up to Dad. She told him she wasn’t going to let him treat me the way her father had treated her. She’s got a part-time job now, too, and she keeps that money for herself.

I know you’re worried about Nick going to Vietnam, and I don’t blame you, especially since the situation seems to be heating up. I heard on the news last week that we might have as many as 500,000 troops there by the end of this year. What’s happening in our world? Remember how the riots in Watts shocked us in 1965? Then Detroit and Newark followed. Students are demonstrating against the war, too.

Even though this Vietnam mess is scary, Nick will be all right, I’m sure of it. Buck returned safe and sound and he’ll be discharged before long. Those

twelve months he was in Vietnam went by fast. Nick’s year will, too. I was excited about the bingo win and wanted to let you know.

Loads of love,

Lesley

***

JILLIAN LAWTON

BARNARD COLLEGE
PLIMPTON HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10025

April 7, 1968

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’ve made a decision about this summer. I won’t be coming home the way I’d originally planned. After last summer, I suspect you’re both relieved. While I might be too young to vote in this year’s election, I can still volunteer to work for the candidate of my choice. I know this will come as a surprise, but I’ll be working to get Robert Kennedy elected as president of the United States.

Yes, Dad, I’m fully aware that Robert Kennedy is a Democrat. I’m also aware that our family has voted Republican since time began. But I refuse to blindly step into line and vote a certain way simply because that’s the way you and Mom vote.

I realized I was a Democrat three days ago, when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. What is wrong with our country that people are killed in the streets because of what they believe? For the last couple of years, I haven’t said anything because I wanted to maintain our fragile peace. Unlike you, I’ve kept my opinions to myself. Martin Luther King, Jr. is dead. 125 cities across the country are in flames. Federal troops and the National Guard are patrolling our streets. As I thought about it, I realized that at some point this summer you’d volunteer my services to the Nixon campaign. In good conscience, I can no longer support your political choices and I can no longer remain silent. Yes, Daddy, I’m staging my own personal demonstration for truth.

Although you haven’t asked, I want you to know that Nick has completed his pilot training at Ft. Rucker and is shipping out to Vietnam within the month. My heart goes with him. I urged him to move to Canada, but he refused. He insisted that since he enjoyed the benefits of this country’s freedom, he felt obliged to fight when called upon. If anything happens to him, I’ll never be able to forgive the establishment.

I don’t expect either of you to agree with my politics, but I’m hoping you’ll respect my right to make my own decisions.

Your daughter,

Jillian

***

May 8, 1968

Dear Buck,

Everything’s set for the kids and me to join you in California. I would’ve preferred to remain in Washington State, but you’re right: a wife’s place is with her husband. Davey, Lindy and I are taking the train down and will arrive on the afternoon of the 21st.

Mom, Mike and Joe are driving down in my car for a short vacation without Dad. They’re following the van that’s hauling our furniture. I’m anxious to see you, too. I’m so glad you were able to get base housing for us.

Lindy weighs almost ten pounds now and is growing every day. She might have been born five weeks premature, but she’s made up for it ever since. In the early days, shortly after she was born when we didn’t know if she’d live or die, I pleaded with God to let her live, and He answered my prayers. On her last visit, Dr. Owen said Lindy shouldn’t suffer any permanent damage from being a preemie.

One reason I mentioned Lindy is because of an issue you and I haven’t discussed before, and that’s birth control. We’ve had two children in two years. I might want another baby later, but I don’t right now. I’m sure you agree. Davey and Lindy demand all my attention. At the same time, I don’t want to go against the teachings of the Church. God answered my prayers with regard to Lindy, and it seems selfish of me to disregard the Church’s teaching in the area of birth control now. What I’m asking, Buck, is that we practice the rhythm method. It means that during certain times of the month, we have to abstain from intercourse. I know you, Buck, and you won’t want to wait, but for the sanity of your wife you must. Please think about this, all right? I’m bringing it up now because, as best as I can figure, my fertile time begins the day we arrive. So don’t get any ideas about me falling into bed with you that night. We aren’t doing it until I can be sure I won’t get pregnant again.

I look forward to seeing you, and the kids are anxious to be with their daddy.

Love,

Lesley

***

Outside Khe Sanh in South Vietnam

June 15, 1968

Dearest Jillian,

I got your letter written June 5th just this morning. It’s hard to believe that Robert Kennedy is dead. Assassinated like his brother. I didn’t see any of the news about the train crossing the country with his body or how people came to stand and watch it pass. Unfortunately, we don’t get much news here of what’s happening back home. In some ways that’s a good thing, but in others it isn’t.

I can’t blame you for wanting to stay in New York this summer, but, sweetheart, perhaps it would be best if you went home for a while. You’ve had a shock. The entire country has. Go home, make peace with your parents. They love you, just as I do.

You asked how I am, and I can honestly say that I’m doing all right today. Yesterday was a different story. We got orders to fly into this valley where 50 VC were reported on the ridgeline outside our position. It was raining like nothing I’ve ever seen but I managed to get the chopper in. The soldiers I was flying were able to jump free. That was when I spotted the VC hiding in the bushes. Before I knew it, all hell had broken loose.

I don’t know who said 50 VC, but I’d say the count was off by a hundred or more. By that time, other choppers were coming in and there was shooting from all directions. I got the hell out of there, but it wasn’t pretty.

Our crew chief was shot up and I managed to get him out before we were completely surrounded. He says if it wasn’t for me he’d have died. When they carried him to the hospital, he grabbed my hand because he was hurting so bad. His leg had been shot to hell and his blood was mixing with the rain. I told him he had a million-dollar wound. He had his teeth clenched against the pain, but he smiled at that. If you have a million-dollar wound, you get sent back stateside so if you’re going to get hit, you want one that’ll send you home.

Yesterday is over, and today is better. I’m fine, don’t worry about me. I probably shouldn’t have told you about the battle. I’m gaining more experience all the time and becoming a better pilot. I like flying. I get a thrill out of it, a rush of excitement whenever I lift that Huey off the ground. What really excites me is that once this insane war is over, I can continue being a pilot.

I’d like to pursue a career in aviation once I’m a civilian again. A married civilian. Each day I find reasons to regret not running away and marrying you last summer when you proposed. I can hardly wait to tell our children that their mother was the one who first popped the question.

I’ve made some friends here. We watch each other’s back, so you don’t need to worry. Enclosed is a photo of me—I’m the tall, handsome one and the ugly guy standing next to me is Brad Lincoln from Atlanta, Georgia. He’s another helicopter pilot. The two of us have been talking about starting up a business together.

Brad’s a good friend and like I said, we look out for

each other. It helps knowing he’s there for me.

Don’t forget how much I love you.

Nick

***

JILLIAN LAWTON

BARNARD COLLEGE
PLIMPTON HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10025

August 1, 1968

Dearest Nick,

Tell me about your bad days. I want to know everything.