greatgrandad: Writings from my fourth book, "Sarah's Secrets," chapter 10, midsection. Sarah's eyes blanked then froze--- she could not believe it; by the door stood Janet, who had evidently had followed her to the Officers Club when she had left the majors office, and was now eyeing her across the room. Is she stalking me, Sarah questioned, eyeing her back and wondering what she might be up too. Does she want to talk or pull my hair, Sarah thought while waiting her next move, would she turn and leave or come over and confront her. Had she really followed her or was this an inonsent club entrance, but if not, what did she want? Janet then moved toward her... Sarah instently tensed not knowing what to expect; she set up straight in her chair preparing herself, as in military training, for the unexpected. Janet made a beeline toward her; to others watching, she might have been simply going to the bar just past her table. But Sarah knew better, the eyes said otherwise, they keep flashing at her as she came across the room. As she neared the table, Sarah stood. Janet tried to force a smile. Although Sarah had never seen her smile, she doubted that was it. Janet's probing eyes fastened on her as she stopped just short of the table and spoke... "Captain Kirtland, may I sit and talk for a minute?" To Sarah, her eyes looked everything but friendly; maybe even a hint of danger lurking. "Yes. please do," she invited. As Janet set down Sarah breathing a little easier as she thought, it didn't seem that she is going to pull my hair, at least not yet, it appeared. Janet craddled both hands in her lap clutching her purse. Sarah waited for her to speak having no idea what was on her mind or what she wanted to talk about... unless James had told her about their last college days together. But somehow she thought not, was she suspicious? She would soon find out. Janet squarely upon her and got right to the meat of her intentions. "Did you know my husband before we came to Mountain Home Air Force Base?" Sarah eyes widened, she was a little surprised by the question, but more-so that she would ask her. Evidently, James had not told her anything... had he refused, or had she not asked him? Regardless... she was suspicious for some reason and was prying, maybe just from a hunch. Sarah wasn't sure she wanted to answer the question... and refrained for a moment. She certainly didn't want to lie to her, but definitely didn't want to tell her the truth, as it seemed James had not. Seconds later she answered, "Why would you ask me that, Janet? It seems to me that would be something you would discuss with your husband if you were interest in his past." Janet frowned slightly, as if the question hurt, then continued... "James, from a force of habit or from military protocol has always used rank for names, even with old acquaintance, except for you. With you, 'Sarah' slips out as if embedded deeply somewhere in his memory. Sarah couldn't understand why another women's name mentioned by her husband would bother her so much. She then remembered James calling her Sarah at the hospital, rather than captain with Janet eyes flashing up at him when he did. Was she an over-jealous woman or had something been said between her and James that left her suspicious, other than the name dropping? It was also possibility that the major had used Sarah in private mentions with her, after seeing the roster of new people under his command, wondered if Sarah Kurland was the same Sarah he had met in college. They both had talked of flight school while in college; he shouldn't have been to surprise. Janet's head tilted slightly as she eyed her. Sarah, you haven't answered my question... but that's ok. I know that you and he did know each other in college. I have picture of you and him together, in his year book. Sarah flinched slightly, so she did know, and tried not to show her surprise, but a load seemed to lift; she didn't have to lie to her about it. But suddenly the load had returned weightier than before. Was she suspicious of Alex? Her mind raced, how could she though? She had never met Alex. She then realized Janet was still watching her closely, waiting for a comment. "Yes Janet, I knew James in college, he was our school's Quarterback. Everyone knew him." Janet swallowed hard and broke eye contact. Sarah watching her and wasn't sure if she was satisfied with her answer, or if burdened with it. But something was troubling her, her eyes seemed to be searching as she looked back. Did you know him more personal... as a friend, rather than just your school quarterbacks? Sarah eyed her, then said. "Janet, you are about to get personalwith your questions, what are you getting at?" Janet's eyes never wavered, and she was quick to answer, "I have a yearbook with pictures of you and him together in it, cheek to cheek, can you explain that." "I sure can, if you will leaf through the book, I'm sure you will see pictures of him with other girls, cheek to cheek. Every girl wanted pictures made with him, as close as possible, I was now acception." Her eyes seemed to be searching Sarah face for more, dancing between her eyes. "Well, you must have made quite an impression on him with those pictures, for him to still recall you years later by your first name." Although Janet had stopped talking, she seemed still in a thinking mode; Sarah could see her eyes were still working her face, as if wondering and questioning what might have went on between them. Sarah then spoke her piece of mine, trying to deflate Janet's seemed inflated imagination with her own imaginations at the time. "I must not have made an impression on him... and if you think so... he never called or got in touch with me after he left school, so can you explain that?" Janet eyes held on her for a minute longer... then broke away again, as if trying to analyze what she had just said. Old Charlie, noticing the Majors wife and not aware of the conflict being played out between the two, did his duty. "Mrs. Nelson, could I get you something to drink?" Her eyes flashed up at him, "No thank you. I'm leaving in a moment," and glanced back at Sarah as he refilled Saerah's cup. He left abruptly feeling the tension. Janet continued. "You said I was about to get personal, could I ask you a personal question?" It seems you have already, but yes, go ahead." "Did you and James date during college?" Sarah was suddenly tired being grilled by this, evidently jealous woman, and in silently whispered, again, you should be ask you husband those question. And not wanting to go there, she answered... "I don't know if that is any of you business." Janet's eyes blazed. "It's my business when it comes to my husband!" Sarah,s eyebrows arched and she fired back. I don't believe he was your husband then, so it's still none of you business." Janet face flushes red and she cut loose, "I believe there were more between you and my husband then just a couple of picture took together. I will not stop until I get to the bottom of it." With her accusation dashed at Sarah, she stood whirled and quickly walked away, if not proudly, challenging with her head held high. Sarah watched her go breathing a sigh of relief, but her stomach was far from it... it was tied in knots; knowing that there was more; and hopping she would never find out. |
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