“How did he do it?”

“You mean, how did he propose? Oh, it was dreamy. We went for a long walk, and then he took me out for dinner. At first, I was confused, because the sign on the door said the restaurant was closed. He knocked on the glass, and the chef let us in. There wasn’t another soul in the place. Turns out the chef was Truman’s uncle. We had a private dinner for two and he proposed over dessert.”

Mary hung on every word. “Did you say yes?”

“Uh-huh. We were going to get married right after graduation, before Truman gets called up, but then this all happened.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know. Truman still wants to go ahead with it, but I’m worried about Mom. Besides, how would it look, us getting hitched right after Dad passed away?”

“A lot of girls are marrying their fellas before they ship out. I think it would be fine. If you wanted to, I mean.” Mary bit her lip. This probably wasn’t the best time to ask, but she might never get a better opening. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Anything.”

“How did you feel?”

“How did I feel about what?”

“When Truman popped the question.”

“Are you kidding? I was in Heaven. My heart nearly pounded out of my chest. I would’ve married him right there if we’d had a minister.”

Mary frowned.

“Why are you asking me this? Is Sam going to propose?”

“That’s the trouble. He already has.”

“Oh, Mary! You’re kidding me? Why are you only now telling me this?”

She shrugged.

“You said yes, of course.”

Slowly, Mary shook her head. Quietly she said, “I haven’t answered him.”

“How long ago did he ask you?”

“I don’t know, a few weeks?” She couldn’t make eye contact.

“Have you lost your mind? Sam is about the most handsome guy in town and he’s never going to have to go to war. What are you waiting for?”

What was she waiting for? I’m waiting to fall in love with him. “I don’t know. I guess… I’m not sure I feel for him what I should feel for the man I’m going to marry.”

“How do you want to feel?”

“How do you feel when you’re with Truman?”

“That’s easy. Like nobody else in the world exists. Like if the two of us were stranded all alone on a deserted island, I’d be perfectly happy. Like if I never saw him again I’d just die.” Phyllis sighed dreamily.

“Have you…? You know.”

“Not yet,” Phyllis whispered, “but we’ve come really close a couple of times.”

Mary’s mood continued to plummet. “Did you want to? I mean, was it hard for you to hold back?”