Page 18 of The Women of Oak Ridge
An odd expression filled his face. “Well,” he said, dunking two fries in a dollop of ketchup, over and over. “That’s not exactly true.” He glanced around, as though to make sure no one else was listening. When he spoke again, it was in a hushed tone. “I’m in the Army, but I’m part of a group of soldiers called the Special Engineer Detachment. I’ve been assigned to K-25.”
“But you don’t wear a uniform like the other soldiers at CEW.”
“They want us to blend in.” He paused. “What I just told you isn’t necessarily a secret, but like everything else around here, we’re not supposed to talk about what we do. I can trust you, can’t I, Maebelle?”
I nodded. “Of course. I’m certainly not one of those spies they warned us about when I first came to the Reservation, handing secrets over to the Germans.”
“Those aren’t the spies I’m worried about,” he whispered.
When I offered a confused look, he said, “A lot of people on the Reservation are watching and listening to everything around them. If they hear anyone discussing information they shouldn’t—like what I just told you about the SEDs—they report it.”
My eyes widened. “Who do they report it to?”
“The FBI, if rumors can be believed.”
I didn’t know what the FBI was, but his revelation unnerved me. Sissy and I agreed we didn’t know anything of importance to share with anyone, but Garlyn’s words served as a reminder I needed to watch what I said and to whom I said it.
“What happens to someone if they speak out of turn?”
“Most of them lose their job and are immediately escorted off the Reservation. Sometimes not even their friends or coworkers know what happened to them.”
The seriousness of his tone told me he wasn’t jesting.
I couldn’t afford to lose this job. Mama confessed in her last letter that Pa wasn’t doing well, so the money I sent home was vital to my family’s well-being. More than anything, I wanted to make it possible for Pa to quit working in the mines.
“Mr. Colby says you’re one of his best employees,” Garlyn said, “so I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Just be careful.”
We finished our meal and walked outside into a humid evening. The scent of rain hung in the air, and clouds over the hills on the southern horizon looked dark.
“I hope we don’t get another storm,” I bemoaned as we made our way along the wooden walkway, heading in the direction of my dormitory. “I haven’t been able to buy a pair of galoshes yet. Every time the stores get a shipment, they’re snapped up before I can get there. My shoes won’t last much longer if I have to keep walking through mud. Without a shoe ration card, I can’t get another pair.”
A look of empathy crossed his face. “It’s crazy how quickly things fly off the shelves.”
We reached the entrance to the dormitory just as light rain began to fall. “Thank you for dinner. That was a real treat.”
“My pleasure.” After a beat, he added, “I hope we can do it again.”
Suddenly shy but pleased, I smiled. “That would be nice.”
The rain fell harder.
“I better go before I get soaked.”
“Do you live in the men’s dormitory?” I asked, indicating the group of buildings not far from the women’s dorms.
“No. The SEDs are housed in barracks in Happy Valley.”
This news surprised me. “You came all the way to town just to have dinner with me?”
The look he gave me sent a shiver racing up my arms that had nothing to do with the turn in the weather. “I did, and I’d be happy to do it a lot more. Goodnight, Maebelle.”
“Goodnight.”
I watched him jog down the wooden walkway toward the bus stop. He’d be drenched when he finally got home.
I turned and went upstairs. I hadn’t wanted to date anyone at CEW. Romance was the last thing on my mind. Sending money home to my family was the sole reason I was here.
But spending time with Garlyn tonight had been more than pleasant. I looked forward to doing it again.
I giggled as I reached my room.
It seems I may have changed my mind about romance.
