From Dusk Till Dawn

Chapter 23: Flying Higher-Louise's Pov

My ears singed in anger and frustration as I left Joseph, Hartley, and the Colonel alone. I'll give Joseph this one. Informing the colonel what we knew was a bad idea. But once the jig was up both Joseph and I had known what had to be done.

What stung me so deep like a jellyfish was that Joseph thought that after all I told him about my strong relationship with Beatrice and how she treated me like her own daughter. Then Joseph goes along saying how I'm doing all of this for attention. He practically begged the colonel for me to leave the office while they were discussing their plan.

My mind swirls in anger and pain. I'm tired of being nice and helpful and people not giving a care. I just thought that maybe Joseph was different. It's understandable that he'd be under a lot of pressure at the situation he's been placed in but we're friends. Friends don't say that to each other.

Now that I think about it, were we ever friends. Maybe the colonel was right. I am caught up on him. My flirtatious ways end now. No more men getting in my way.

Joseph made it crystal clear that saving and bringing Beatrice and her family back to America was a burden. Hartley and Joseph's eyes were set on the blue diamond.

Beatrice, don't worry, we'll all live next door to each other soon enough.

With my suitcase that I had brought in with me earlier, I rushed to the nurses' ward.

As I'm about to open the heavy swinging doors, I bump into Dorothy who's not dressed in her normal nurses clothing. Her stunning, curly, brunette hair is now loose and hanging down above her shoulders.

"Florence Dawson." I whisper over to her. She smiles back at me. "Louise Decker." My smile drops immediately.

"It appears you're quite known back home as well." She confesses, stepping next to me on the dead grass. "It's just my father that everyone pays attention to." I answer disheartedly.

I look out at the internment camp. Why do I feel hurt by that? Joseph is wrong about me wanting Jacob's attention. I despise that man. Maybe I envy the attention mother and Ruby give to him. If Barry wasn't such a jackass, then maybe I'd have developed a deeper feeling for him. He has had his good moments I suppose but marrying him would mean being stuck with Jacob my whole life.

My whole life has been me dreaming of my father who has no face. Where is he now? He's probably off disappointing some other daughter of his. Hopefully she has a better stepfather.

"Are you having family trouble back at home Louise Abigail?" Hints Dorothy.

"Something like that." I sniffle. Everything has been too much lately. I need to be alone and cry out everything but I don't have the time or place to do so. "Well this news will hopefully boost your self esteem because Mrs. Wilkins agreed to let you travel with us to Northern Italy." My mouth drops open in surprise.

"Are you pulling my leg? Please tell me you aren't." I bounce up. "Well don't look so happy because where we're going there's not a lot of that." Conjoining my arm with her she leads me inside.

"You'll bunk with us tonight. I see you already brought your suitcase with you."

"Yes, so can I ask you something?" I nervously ask. "Sure but as long as it's not about how I get my hair this curly everyday. It's too long of a process and if anyone asks, the curls are natural, got it?" She grins at me. Sweet Jesus does she love to talk. As long as she's nice to me, that's all that matters.

"How'd you know my last name was Decker?" I question her, curious. "Honey, news and rumors soar faster than fighters." I nod wondering who started it.