Page 33 of All We Thought We Knew
“I don’t believe so. As I said, the men being detained aren’t soldiers. This gentleman has indicated he has hospital experience, and according to the DOJ, the detainees are allowed to work while they’re here. I suspect there will be others working in various departments around the base. I’ve been assured an armed escort will always accompany them. That should alleviate any fears.”
I gave a hesitant nod.
“Obviously, I will assume responsibility for this man, which is why I thought it necessary that you be made aware of the situation. While I don’t foresee the need for you to interact with him, I didn’t want you to be taken by surprise when word of the detainees finally leaks out to the staff.”
“Are Miss Marsh and the other secretaries aware of the situation?”
He shook his head. “I’d like you to inform them. Just the basic information.”
“Yes, sir.” I rose to leave, but he stopped me with a question.
“This may not be the best time to ask this, considering the news I’ve just delivered, but how do you like working at Camp Forrest, Mrs. Delaney? Is it what you expected?”
I returned to my seat. “I admit that after my first day, I was positive I’d made a mistake by accepting the job. But I think that’s probably true of any new situation. Thanks to Bren and the other girls, I feel I’ve settled into the position well.” A sudden thought brought a pang of anxiety. “Have I disappointed you, sir, with my job performance?”
“Not at all, Mrs. Delaney. I’m very pleased with your work. I appreciate the efforts you’ve shown to learn the ropes. The hospital will only get busier as the war progresses, so it will be imperative that we stay one step ahead of things.” He smiled. “I think you and I make a good team.”
His words of affirmation were a balm to my anxious heart. “Thank you, sir.”
I left his office with a lighter step. Bren took notice and came over to my desk.
“Looks like you and the colonel are getting along,” she whispered, a sly grin on her lips. “He is quite handsome. And single.”
I’d felt comfortable enough with Bren to tell her about Richard. I hoped it hadn’t been a mistake. I had no interest in dating anyone.
“It’s nothing like that. He simply said I was doing a good job. I do have some news to share with you and the others, though.”
Bren called over the other two secretaries, Stella and Ethel, and I passed along the information about the German detainees. However, none of the three young women appeared as shocked as I’d been.
“We’ve heard rumors about a group of men who are being kept in a fenced-off area of the camp,” Bren said. “It’s guarded, with towers and ten-foot-high barbed-wire fences, but no one knew who they were.”
“Are they Nazis?” Stella asked, her blue eyes wide. “My brother is in Europe fighting Hitler’s army. I don’t like knowing there are Germans right here in Tullahoma.”
“Colonel Foster doesn’t believe these men are dangerous. They were in our country legally when the war started, but now the government considers them enemy aliens. The colonel believes the men were arrested because they were born in Germany, not because they are a threat to our safety. But he wanted us to be aware that at least one of them will be working in the hospital.”
“I wonder what Captain Leonard thinks about this,” Bren said. “Her son is a B-17 pilot. She may not appreciate having Germans working so closely with her nursing staff.”
“The Department of Justice is in charge of the detainees, and they’ve given the men permission to work while they’re being held.”
The outside door opened, and the supply officer entered the room. Bren hurried to greet him, and Stella and Ethel went back to work. I stayed busy the remainder of the day, but my conversationwith Colonel Foster was never far from my mind. When we prepared to leave for the evening, Stella whispered her plan to drive past the detainees’ area to see if any of the men were in the yard. Bren and Ethel eagerly said they would follow her. I secretly thought it a foolish idea, considering the area was restricted to military personnel only. The last thing I needed was to lose my job because I ignored the rules. Besides, getting a peek at prisoners considered dangerous enough to lock behind barbed wire wasn’t something I was interested in.
I bid them good night. As their vehicles disappeared around the corner, I headed the Ford in the opposite direction, toward the safety of the farm.
• • •
A week had passed since Colonel Foster informed me about the German detainees. Bren and the other secretaries reported no sightings the night they drove past the fenced-off area. They did, however, see dozens of small huts, guard towers, and enough armed soldiers to ensure no one could attempt to escape the area without being caught. After the initial uneasiness regarding the foreign men living on base, the topic faded into the day-to-day busyness of running a military hospital.
I’d just settled at my desk that morning when Colonel Foster brought me another stack of personnel files.
“I’m sorry to assign this task to you again so soon, but we’ve had another turnover of workers. A group of doctors and nurses shipped out yesterday, while others have joined our staff. These records need updating. I’m afraid this will be an ongoing situation for the duration of the war.”
I stood and accepted the folders. “I’m certain it will go faster now that I know my way around the hospital complex.”
He nodded, then seemed to study me for a long moment.
“You look very nice today, Mrs. Delaney,” he finally said. “I like the way you’ve done your hair.”
His compliment flustered me. “Th... thank you,” I stuttered, my face growing warm.
