“We are told that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was given the news while in the White House. She received Vice President Harry S. Truman at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance to the White House and informed him of the president’s death. Shortly thereafter, Vice President Truman was sworn in as the thirty-third president of the United States.”

The president was dead. God help them all. What would happen now? Time slowed to a crawl as Nora sat glued to the radio, listening to the reactions of people just like her.

“Nora?” Mary burst through the door. “Is it true?” Her eyes were misty and glazed over in shock.

Nora nodded, stood, and opened her arms to receive her. “It’s terrible.”

“What are we going to do?” The reaction had been much the same from mourners everywhere.

“We have a statement from the White House, from President Truman,” CBS newsman Bob Trout broke in to the coverage.

“Here is what the statement says. ‘The world may be sure that we will prosecute this war on both fronts, east and west, with all the vigor we possess, to a successful conclusion.’”

Tears streamed down both of their faces. “We go on,” Nora said. “We go on, and we finish what the president started.”

Mary burrowed more deeply into her embrace. “We have nothing to fear but fear itself, right?”

“That’s what the greatest president ever said, and they’re words to live by.”

Nora kissed the top of Mary’s head. She wondered idly if this horrific turn of events would change their mission in any way. She supposed she would find out soon enough. But for now, all she wanted was to shut out the rest of the world and hold Mary close.

Ever since the news of the president’s death, Mary and Nora tuned in religiously to the news. The first order of business when one or the other of them arrived home was to turn on the radio. Today, Mary was listening to a description of the Battle of Berlin. According to the commentator, Soviet troops were closing in on the city from two fronts, and Berlin, the heart of Adolf Hitler’s empire, was sure to fall.

Nora breezed in breathlessly and dropped her ever-present attaché case on the floor next to the coat rack. “Hi. I’ve only got a few minutes before I need to get back. I thought we’d grab a quick bite of dinner together.” She skidded to a halt in front of Mary and kissed her.

“I figured you were going to say that, so I heated up a can of soup and some beans. They’re on the stove.”

“You’re the best.” This time Nora kissed her on the cheek. “How was your day? Anything big happen in the news?” She grabbed the dishes out of the cupboard and set the table.

“Looks like Berlin is about to fall to the Russians.”