Mary pulled her winter coat tighter around her narrow waist. “I’m not sure enjoy is a word I’d use. Do you think the Japs will reach the U.S.? The movie made it seem so real. I mean, I guess I don’t want to think about the fact that it could come true. After all, they bombed Pearl Harbor, and we didn’t think they could do that.”

Nora expelled a breath, releasing a puff of moisture into the air. She wished she could share her own fears with Mary, along with her supposition about what exactly they were creating at Y-12.

They passed the billboard that read, “Who Me? Yes You… Keep Mum About This Job.” It was a grim reminder about the absolute need for secrecy. Three times this month she’d heard about people disappearing because they blabbed or speculated about what they were really working on. Then there were the rumors of disguised counterintelligence agents living among them. No, she couldn’t say a word. Even if no one overheard them, it would jeopardize Mary if she knew too much and inadvertently said the wrong thing to the wrong person.

“I suppose anything is possible, but I don’t think it will come to that. I trust Roosevelt and Churchill. I believe we’ll get to them before they get to us.”

“I wish I had your faith.”

They walked along in companionable silence for a little while. “Have you gotten word from your father? I know you said you hadn’t heard from him for a while.”

Mary shook her head. “No, and I’m getting really worried.”

“How often do you normally hear from him?”

“At least once or twice a month.”

They went inside the house and hung up their coats. “What does your mother say?”

“She hasn’t heard anything either, which is even more alarming.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep praying for his safety.”

“Thank you. I didn’t know you were religious.”

“I’m not. That doesn’t mean I don’t have faith. They’re not the same thing.”

“I guess I never thought about it that way.” Mary moved closer. “You know what I have thought about?”

For a moment, Nora was so captivated by her face she forgot to answer. “What?”

“This.” Mary ran her hands underneath Nora’s sweater and claimed her mouth.

Every cell in Nora’s body responded at once. Several times, her brain reminded her that she needed to turn on the stove or they’d never get to the dinner part of the date. Finally, she pulled away long enough to say, “If we don’t stop now, dinner will be ruined.”

“I don’t care.”

Mary took a step forward, and Nora took another step back.

“I waited in line for hours to get pork chops. I wanted this meal to be special.”