Page 35 of The Book of Summer

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Ruby shook her head. “It’s just that Sam can be so serious. Moody.”

“That he can,” Topper said with a nod.

“It’s nice to watch him reveling in the night, having a drink, dancing. He’s been so worried, lately. Hitler. This war. It’s not even our war. He’s distraught over nothing!”

“Nothing?” Topper threw her a strange look. “Whaddya mean he’s upset ‘over nothing’?”

“The war in Europe…”

“Listen, darling, that ain’t nothin’.”

Topper took to dancing again, this time more slowly, deliberately, a subtle shift between his feet.

“I know,” she said. “It’s a war. And now there’s conscription. But it’s overthere.”

She jerked her head, though it was not in the most accurate direction. Essentially she was aiming toward Boston.

“Yes,” Topper said, his brow darkening. “It’s ‘over there.’ For now.”

“It’s like he’s infected everyone.”

“Who? Hitler?”

“No! Why would I bring up Hitler on a night like this? I meant Sam!”

“Whoa, girl,” he scoffed. “‘Infected’? Don’t you think that’s a mite hard-nosed?”

“I didn’t really mean infected, per se.”

“I agree with your husband,” Topper reminded her. “We need to get involved in this war. Am I infected, too?”

“Well, that’s different,” she said. “You’re still in college.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m sure at Harvard it’s the very fashion to…” Ruby shook her head. “The thing is, Daddy’s started making gas masks and even Mother is in the blue moods about it all.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She’s thinking of joining the Grey Ladies.”

“No!” Topper let out a fake gasp. “Do-gooding and Bundles for Britain?! Say it ain’t so! We cannot have that kind of philanthropy in our family. We might earn a reputation for being kindhearted!”

“Hilarious.” Ruby gave him a swat to the shoulder.

“This war, Red. We can’t stay out of it forever. By us I mean the United States. I mean you, I mean me.”

“Don’t get any ideas.”

“I’m going over,” he said. “If I’m not drafted, I plan to sign myself up.”

“Topper! You can’t! Mother wouldn’t survive it. I wouldn’t!”

“It’s a matter of time, the only question being… do I go the army route, or do I climb aboard a ship?”

“This isn’t funny!” Ruby yipped. “Of all the nights…”

“I have to go, Red. It’s the right thing to do.”

“But this war isn’t ours to fight!” Ruby looked up at him, a crick already forming in her neck. At six-four, Topper had a good foot on her. She spent ninety percent of their time together with her face tilted toward the sky. “Lindbergh says they’re making the same mistakes from the first war. You’re going to risk your life for that?”

“Dear God. Don’t even talk to me about Lindbergh.” Topper pretended to spit.

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