Page 29 of The Women of Oak Ridge
“But?”
She dropped her voice to a whisper when she spoke again. “It has to do with somethin’ called ‘orange oxide’ and what happens to it when it gets to Y-12.”
I frowned. “I don’t like that he shares that kind of information with you. You know what all the signs say around here. ‘Loose talk helps our enemy, so let’s keep our trap shut.’”
She giggled. “Now, Mae, how can Clive telling his own girlfriend about his job help the enemy?”
I hadn’t heard her refer to herself that way before. “You’re getting serious about him, aren’t you?”
A pretty flush filled her cheeks. “I think I’m in love with him, Mae. I ain’t never been in love, but this feelin’ is... I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt for a boy before.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. Even though I was two years older, I’d never been in love either. I knew I had a crush on Garlyn, but we were still a long way from getting serious. We were just having fun.
I could see that wasn’t the case with Sissy. “Have you told your mama about Clive?”
Guilt shone in her eyes when she shook her head. “She wouldn’t like it. She told me not to get mixed up with anyone. Clive thinks it’s best to wait and tell my family about us once the war is over.”
I stared at her. “Has he asked you to marry him?”
“Not in so many words.” Her eyes gleamed. “But the way he talks sometimes makes me believe he will soon. I think it’d be grand to have a spring wedding in Chapel on the Hill, don’t you?”
I didn’t answer. We’d attended the wedding of one of our friends a couple weeks ago. Colleen came to work at CEW last year and met her future husband on the very first day. They were a swell couple, and I was happy for them. But the thought of Sissymarrying Clive didn’t elicit the same feelings. He was too old for her. Too odd. Too... everything.
“I best get going. Mr. Howell doesn’t take kindly to us girls being tardy. Enjoy your day off, Mae.” She donned a sweater and walked out the door.
I stewed over her revelation after she left for Y-12.
It wasn’t any of my business if Sissy wanted to marry Clive. Yet I felt a sense of responsibility for her, considering her youthful age and inexperience. Now that I knew her mama hadn’t wanted her to date while she was at Oak Ridge, I was even more concerned.
Should I write a letter to Sissy’s mother and let her know her daughter was contemplating marrying a man she’d only known a short time? Sissy kept the letters she received from her family in the same drawer in the nightstand where I kept mine. It wouldn’t be difficult to find their address.
Yet how would Sissy feel when she found out what I’d done? Her mama would no doubt tell her who ratted her out. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship, no matter how uneasy I was about her relationship with Clive. Besides, would I want someone to stick their nose into my personal business?
I huffed out a sigh.
I’d simply have to hope Sissy soon tired of the fellow and found someone more amiable. Maybe I should ask Garlyn if he had a friend we could introduce to Sissy. It couldn’t hurt.
Just about anyone would be better suited for my sweet roommate than Clive Morrison.
