|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 3, 2008 11:33:32 GMT -5
It was a very dreary day, the rain coming relentlessly down, making large puddles in the narrow streets. Of course Pat would be on the Brooklyn bridge when the sky had decided to let its misery fall, and she had not seen it coming. After all, she was a nurse, not the weatherman.
She pulled her jacket around her tighter as the rain sheeted her, causing her to squint lest she get it into her eyes. She walked quickly towards a small shelter on the bridge that she could wait it out under. Once she was safely under it, she noticed that she had not been the only one with this plan of refuge. Glancing around, she saw that there were a few other people standing, some huddled together and others alone, under the over hanging as well.
She smiled apologetically to them, as she was now taking up some of their space, and made herself comfortable on the only other empty spot on the bench. There was someone next to her, and She sat there, awkwardly wondering whether she should strike conversation with them or not. She cleared her throat and said, "Lovely day, ain't it?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 3, 2008 20:43:01 GMT -5
Frankie made his way along towards the bridge. He was on break from the dock work he did and decided to get himself some coffee. Frankie lived off the stuff, it was probably the only thing that kept him standing throughout the day since his nights were rarely ever filled with sleep.
He was almost to the bridge when the sky opened up, pouring itself upon him. Frankie looked up, the raindrops covering his face, rolling down it to drip off his chin. Blinking the water from his deep green eyes he shook his head spraying water that had beaded into his hair off in all directions.
He looked around, his gaze falling on a little shelter not far away and he jogged towards it. He wasnt the only on there and he took a seat on one of the benches. Thankfully he still had his coffee, if he couldnt walk, he at least some kind of stimulation. Bringing it to his lips he took another drink, gazing out from the shelter watching the rain come down and soak everything.
Not long after someone took a seat next to him and a femenine voice spoke. Frankie turned his friendly gaze to her and nodded a slight chuckle in his tone. "yes... very lovely.." he replied. "Think itll last long?"he asked her, his gaze once again returning to the rain for a few moments before turning back to the girl. "Im Frankie"he told her holding his hand out to her. They were stuck there till the rain was over and since conversation had been initiated it was only mannerly to introduce themselves then. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 4, 2008 0:10:43 GMT -5
"yes... very lovely.." he replied. "Think itll last long?""Im Frankie"
Pat smiled broadly at his friendliness and took his outstretched hand, shaking it much more firmly than the average female.
"Lieutenant Patty Ridge." she said in reply to his introduction. Lieutenant was such a habit that she didn't even think about how she had just thrown it into her name. It had become a part of her. "I sure hope it doesn't last long...I have to get to Harlem for a damn job interview.." she said staring out at the Grey sky. She had only recently arrived in NY, and had not made any acquaintances or met any people she could call "friends", so it was good to have a friendly voice talking to her. In fact, she hadn't heard a friendly voice since she joined the Navy.
Pat chuckled, "It's been a long time since I've heard a real friendly voice, kid.." she said grinning at him and shaking her head. It had also been a long time since she had used correct English to talk and did not cuss profusely while she did. She may have been raised right, but after being in the Navy, she had a mouth like a sailor.
As far as Pat was concerned, the only thing the Navy ever taught her that was of consequence was nursing a wounded soldier in the thick of battle - other than that, she merely learned many choice words of profanity, much to her mother's dismay.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 4, 2008 12:01:45 GMT -5
"Lieutenant huh?"He said, "Didnt know id meet someone important today..."he looked down at himself. He didnt look the cleanest, dock work wasnt a clean job. He had black smudges on his clothes and if he hadnt washed his hands earlier they would have been filthy as well. He gave her an apologetic shrug. He was surprised by her firm handshake. She was such a tiny woman that he hadnt expected it from her. Then again now adays things always seemed to be more then what they seemed.
Frankie nodded. "ah.."He said "what are you ineterviewing for?"He asked with interest. Frankie was probably one of the most genuine personk out there. He was friendly and patient to pretty much everyone, even when they were trying his patience. He wasnt a violent man, usually leaving fighting to be the last option if everything else didnt work.
Frankies brows rose as she called him kid. He was by no means a kid, well granted compared to a lot of the older gentleman that worked on the docks he was a kid, but this woman didnt look any older then what he could be, she even looked younger, but maybe it was just something she was use to saying to everyone. She was a lieutenant after all. "Really?"he said. "Well Im sorry to hear that. I wouldnt think anyone would treat you unfriendly."
Frankie believed women should be treated with respect, but he knew how the men treated most women, generally they were the barmaids or the other women of lower class, but this woman didnt look like she was of low class. Then again the way she spoke was a bit brazen for women. He didnt mind it though, it was less intimidating for him. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 5, 2008 2:11:49 GMT -5
"Lieutenant huh?" "Didnt know id meet someone important today..."
Pat chuckled and shrugged. She didn't think of herself as 'important', but she did have some pride in the things she had done, even though they had led to some quite unpleasant things.
"ah..""what are you ineterviewing for?"
"I'm a Navy Nurse, and I wanted to hone my skills while I'm stuck here recuperating - so I am applying at the hospital in Harlem. I just hope they take me...They have something against nurses ive been told. They only want Doctors.." Pat said right away. If there was one other thing that you had been trained to do, it was to answer immediately - especially to senior officers.
"Really?" "Well Im sorry to hear that. I wouldnt think anyone would treat you unfriendly."
Pat scowled. How naive the youth were nowadays. "You haven't seen war like I have kid...There ain't no good guys or bad guys...And there ain't no winners. The world is cruel." she stated harshly.
She had seen it first hand, experiencing it to its fullest. She had been tortured, defiled, and her pride had been damaged. She had been completely defeated. But now the war had ended and she was in New York, far from her hometown in North Carolina, and she was recovering from that damaging experience. Oh, how the tables can turn so easily.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 5, 2008 2:35:50 GMT -5
"I'm a Navy Nurse, and I wanted to hone my skills while I'm stuck here recuperating - so I am applying at the hospital in Harlem. I just hope they take me...They have something against nurses ive been told. They only want Doctors.."
"oh well I wish you luck then. The hospital could use you"he gave her a slight smile with a nod. His brows rose a bit. "hm...'he said, "Well... theyd be fools to turn you down" he took another drink and then had a second thought. "Would you like some?"he asked. "its coffee.."He held it out to her in offering. 'and I assure you im not sick nor am I carrying any kind of diseases"
"You haven't seen war like I have kid...There ain't no good guys or bad guys...And there ain't no winners. The world is cruel."
Frankie didnt know the war like she did it was true, nor would he try to say he did. He'd thought about joining up a few times but the government thought he was dead. It was half the reason why he hadnt been drafted yet.
"yes... I suppose it is"he told her. "or maybe just competative"he said, then stopped and just... kept his mouth closed. Really both sides were the same, just from different backgrounds, but the each pretty much wanted the same things... right? Frankie really didnt know much about what was going on or what it was about. He decided hed just keep his mouth shut. Why speak of something he knew nothing about. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 5, 2008 2:46:19 GMT -5
"oh well I wish you luck then. The hospital could use you""hm...'"Well... theyd be fools to turn you down" "Would you like some?""its coffee.."'and I assure you im not sick nor am I carrying any kind of diseases"
Pat eyed the cup and after a pause said, "As much as I'd love to share...It completely goes against my training..." she grinned.
"yes... I suppose it is"he told her. "or maybe just competative"
Pat shook her head, "Naw...It's greed. They all want more and more...And then end up drafting good people to fight for bad causes." she stated sadly. It was true. "Or theres the idiots like me who volunteer because they want to do something worthwhile...Become a hero, ya know?" she added chuckling.
That was what had gotten her into that whole mess in the first place. She wanted to give her family a good name, so she lied about her age and enlisted. According to the military and government, she was 24 years old, but in reality she was only 20. Sure they had noticed that she hadn't even been fully developed when she joined at 16, but they had been so desperate for nurses, that they took her anyways - ignoring the fact that she seemed so young.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 5, 2008 2:59:57 GMT -5
"As much as I'd love to share...It completely goes against my training..."
He just nodded and pulled his arm back. "alright.."he said. He wasnt offended or anything of the sort. "Well...'He said looking around. "If you dont mind faring the rain, how bout we head over to that little place over there and I could buy you a cup or if you dont drink coffee they have some good hot chocolate"he offered. It was completely friendly and besides he needed a refill. He took another drink, all that was left was another small drink filled with grains.
"Naw...It's greed. They all want more and more...And then end up drafting good people to fight for bad causes."
He nodded again. Frankie was no coward, though he was semi glad that he hadnt been drafted or that he hadnt gotten that need to do something heroic and volunteered. When he had been younger he probably would have rather done that then become a newsie, or done the odd jobs that he had done. he had anger back then and his attempts on finding his family killer had been barely anything. He was a child how could he have done anything.
Though, now at 24, he thought he had more of a chance of finding the man. He had no idea where to start, but when he wasnt working down at the docks he was trying to play detective. And even after all these years it wasnt doing him much good. He barely remembered the face of the man, most of that night was a blur except for in his dreams. In his dreams it was clear as day, but it was half the reason he didnt sleep. The other half was Guilt. In the little he did sleep it wasnt long enough to dream, but even though he tried he couldnt seem to sleep any longer then what he did. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 5, 2008 3:11:23 GMT -5
"alright..""Well...' "If you dont mind faring the rain, how bout we head over to that little place over there and I could buy you a cup or if you dont drink coffee they have some good hot chocolate"
Pat chuckled, "Well, if your buying...Lead the way." she said grinning. She was always like that, joking around and messing with people. She always had a fun time torturing sailors (mentally of course). It was easy when you had such feminism.
As she got up to follow Frankie, she asked, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but how old are you?" he seemed young, yet old enough to have enlisted. She wouldn't jump to conclusions, though she figured he could be older than her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 5, 2008 3:19:19 GMT -5
"Well, if your buying...Lead the way."
He grinned back at her and nodded> 'yes.. my treat. Usually that gets people to go"He joked lightly as he stepped down onto the now muddening grass. He held his hand out to her in offer of assistance. 'Careful..'He warned. "Its getting muddy now, we dont want to dirty you up before your interview"
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how old are you?"
Frankie looked over at her, he felt a bit uneasy telling her. For someone as commited as she he felt that she would look down upon him. "24" he replied. Then again if her thoughts werent what he was thinking and she was just being inquisative becuase thats how people were when you met them then... But he wasnt sure.
Once they got to the place he opened the door for her and followed her in, finding them a nice booth. "So I take it you love what you do?"he asked. She seemed passionate about it, but then again he wasnt always that good at reading people. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 5, 2008 4:54:45 GMT -5
'yes.. my treat. Usually that gets people to go" 'Careful..'He warned. "Its getting muddy now, we dont want to dirty you up before your interview"
Patty rolled her eyes and grinned, "Hun, Ive stepped in worse than mud.." she said, but took his offered hand anyways. At his response of 24 years old, Patty glanced over at him as she walked, "Really? I am too...Sorta.." she said grinning mischievously.
"So I take it you love what you do?"
Patty shrugged as she sat down in the booth. "I guess so...It's given me quite a bit of heartache..But its all been worthwhile. I wouldn't give it up for anything." she said thoughtfully. Well, that wasn't entirely true...Her experience in Spain wasn't the greatest a person could have.
"What about you? What do you do?" she asked, trying to turn her mind away from the happenings in Spain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 6, 2008 0:33:16 GMT -5
"Hun, Ive stepped in worse than mud.."
Frankie chuckled lightly. "Well... Im sure you have, but you know what I meant"he said his hands in his pockets as he looked down at the wet cement and the puddles that were quickly forming.
"Really? I am too...Sorta.."
"Oh really?"he smirked. "well you look good for 24. Must be tapping into that fountain of youth"he teased lightly. "Youll be those lucky few that will be 85 and look like they're 65" he grinned at her.
"I guess so...It's given me quite a bit of heartache..But its all been worthwhile. I wouldn't give it up for anything."
"hmm..."He nodded as she talked, listening to what she had to say. 'I cant imagine what you could have gone through"He told her. "but at least you dont regret it"he rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers flitting over the chain of the necklace hidden beneath his shirt. He dropped his hand to the table top. "Life shouldnt have regrets..."he said, though it was inevitable, but it should at least be something you should try not to have in your life.
"What about you? What do you do?"
"hm... well.. nothing as... amazine and admirable as you"he said, "I work at the docks'He said leaning back in his seat. He looked up as the waitress came and asked for their order.
"Just a coffee for me and anything shed like"he said waiting for her to give her order. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 8, 2008 4:48:22 GMT -5
"well you look good for 24. Must be tapping into that fountain of youth"he teased lightly. "Youll be those lucky few that will be 85 and look like they're 65"
Pat laughed and put her hands up in mock surrender. "Ok, ok... I'm 20..But don't tell anyone, ok?" she said grinning.
'I cant imagine what you could have gone through""but at least you dont regret it""Life shouldnt have regrets..."
Pat lowered her eyes to the table and nodded slowly. She didn't regret any of it...Without those experiences, she wouldn't be who she is today. She wouldn't be a hero. But if she had stayed home on her farm, she wouldn't have had to go through so much torture. She could remember everything vividly. Those things just weren't things that left your mind. They left you traumatized.
"hm... well.. nothing as... amazine and admirable as you"he said, "I work at the docks'
Pat looked back up, smiling brightly. "So you have to deal with sailors..? Or just merchants..?" she asked inquisitively. Working around sailors and ship goers was something that Pat had dealt with in her experiences, and it would give them some understanding.
"Just a coffee for me and anything shed like"
Pat looked up, "Oh - Umm...Same for me." she added quickly grinning.
|
|
|
|
Post by Frankie on Mar 14, 2008 3:09:25 GMT -5
The waitress nodded and left to get their drinks.
"Ok, ok... I'm 20..But don't tell anyone, ok?"
Frankie gave a little chuckle and he made a cross sign over his chest. "cross my heart" he said. "your secrets safe with me"he gave her a small playful wink.
"So you have to deal with sailors..? Or just merchants..?"
"ah.. well... both really"He said giving a thankful smile to the waitress as she brought their drinks over. His deep green gaze held hers a moment over the rim of his cup as he took a drink before he looked away, his eyes finding themselves on the passerbyers outside as they rushed quickly back and forth for shelter.
"so now if you hadnt gone and done this"he said, "What would you be doing?"he asked curious to know what she would have ended up doing or being if she had not gone to help serve. |
|
|
|
Post by Patty Ridge on Mar 14, 2008 3:24:15 GMT -5
"ah.. well... both really"
Pat nodded, "Me too." she stated. Being around Sailors all the time, she had picked up on there colorful language. Her mother would be appalled at her language, but her father would be proud of her discipline.
"so now if you hadnt gone and done this" "What would you be doing?"
Pat grimaced, "More than likely cleaning out a barn..." she muttered. But then after a moment of thought, she shook her head, "No - actually, My parents would be searching for a husband for me, and I would probably be in a stuffy dress sitting in some parlor with some ugly old man." she added, making a face of disgust. That was just how her family was. They had nothing, so they would have to marry their children into "socially well off" families, even if that meant that there 20 year old daughter had to get married to a 60 year old man.
((Bla..short..Gotta go. ))
|
|
