Page 26 of All We Thought We Knew
I wound my way through unfamiliar streets, looking for the buildings that comprised the hospital complex among the many plain white structures that all looked the same. After two wrong turns, I came to a long line of one-story buildings. Military ambulances, with red crosses on a white background, sat in front. I parked at the far end where I’d been instructed. A glance in the rearview mirror assured me my lipstick was still in place. I’d taken special care with my appearance this morning, another fact that irked Gertrude.
A day spent behind a typewriter doesn’t require makeup and a fancy dress.
While her disapproving words were theoretically accurate, I knew a good first impression was vital. I’d never worked in a place as big as Camp Forrest, nor had I made as much money as I’d been promised. This job was key to unlocking the door to my future, and I’d do just about anything to make sure I kept it.
With a gulp of air, I climbed from the car and smoothed my skirt. The dark gray wool gabardine suit I’d purchased the day after I accepted the job made me feel like a professional. Although I preferred brighter colors, I was a widow in mourning. Gertrude hadn’t approved of my desire to make a splash on my first day, but I knew she couldn’t find fault in the ensemble.
A pleasant-faced young woman greeted me when I entered the building. Like the administration office where I’d completed the job application, the space I entered was spare. Four desks filled the room, with two occupied by young women busy at their typewriters, surrounded by bare walls and plank wood floors.
“I’m Bren Marsh.” She smiled. “Colonel Foster isn’t in at the moment, but he left instructions for me to get you settled.”
She led me over to the unoccupied desk. A typewriter sat in the center, along with a stack of files next to it.
“This is your area. You’re welcome to bring a framed photo from home, but I must warn you—your desk will be crammed with paperwork. I wouldn’t advise filling it up with too many personal items. The colonel’s office is through there,” she continued as she pointed to a closed door behind the desk. “You’ll work directly with him. You’ve probably already been told, but Colonel Foster oversees the entire hospital, so you can imagine how busy you’ll be. His previous secretary couldn’t keep up with the workload, so she quit.”
I suddenly felt unsure of myself. “May I ask why you or one of the other girls didn’t fill the vacancy?”
“We’re just general secretaries. You must have some special skills since they chose you over all the others.”
Oh dear.
I thought back to the day I applied for the job. Had I exaggerated my qualifications on the application? I couldn’t recall answering any of the questions dishonestly, but now I wondered if I’d overestimated my abilities. I never dreamed I would work for theofficer in charge of the hospital. A simple clerk, like Bren and the others, is all I’d had in mind.
“The colonel should arrive within the hour. You might take that time to get your desk organized the way you’d like it. You won’t have time later. Let me know if you need anything. Oh, the ladies’ room is in the adjoining building.”
With that, Bren returned to her own desk and immediately went to work.
The small room echoed with the clacking and clanging of typewriters. After eight months of living on a horse farm in the country, I’d grown used to days filled with peace and quiet. The noise and constant company would take some getting used to.
I took off my pillbox hat and gloves and laid them on the desktop. Seated at the back of the room, I had a view of everyone who might come and go, including my boss. The fact that he was a colonel made me nervous. Visions of a war-hardened man flashed across my mind, silly as it may be. What was Colonel Foster like? Was he so demanding that he ran off the previous secretary? Had I bitten off more than I could chew?
All my questions would be answered soon enough. In the meantime, I took Bren’s advice and organized the supplies in my desk. I’d just completed the task when the front door opened, letting in bright morning sunshine. A tall man in an Army-green uniform filled the doorway. The sound of typing immediately silenced.
“Good morning, Colonel,” the three young women chimed in unison.
“Good morning, ladies.” He closed the door, tucked his hat under his arm, and moved to stand in front of Bren’s desk. “Miss Marsh, I have a meeting at thirteen-hundred hours with Major Williams. I’ll need the supplies report so I can go over it with him.”
“Yes, sir.” Bren turned to me and smiled. “Sir, this is your new secretary, Mrs. Delaney.”
The man’s gaze landed on me, his expression indicating he hadn’t noticed my presence until now. For a long, uncomfortable moment, he simply stared at me. Finally, as though remembering his manners, he cleared his throat.
“Mrs. Delaney. Welcome aboard.”
“Thank you,” I said, a nervous wobble in my voice. “I’m happy to be here.”
He didn’t smile. “I hope you still feel that way at the end of the day.”
The three young women giggled and went back to work.
Colonel Foster made his way to my desk. “Bring a notebook and pen, and we’ll get started.” He disappeared into his office without another word.
My stomach knotted, but Bren turned to offer an encouraging grin over her shoulder.
“He’s really very nice when you get to know him,” she whispered.
I hoped she was right. Thankfully I knew exactly where to find a notepad and pen and hurried to follow him. I started to close the door, as I’d always done when meeting with my boss in Nashville, but the colonel stopped me.
“Leave it open.”
