Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (story reading txt) 📕

"Oh, I know," Patricia whispered fiercely. "I'm just shocked that the Navy sends a doctor and a nurse down to check on them!"

Jennifer shrugged.

"Well, it's either have us check them or have some working girl put an entire destroyer out of commission," Jennifer stated. "Hell, the woman I was mentioning who was 'fine' was lucky we didn't take her word for it."

Patricia was at a loss for words, something that caused Jennifer to actually giggle.

"Sorry, I shouldn't laugh," the nurse said. "But the look on your face right now is priceless."

Patricia suppressed a sneer, or at least attempted to. Jennifer looked at her knowingly.

"We're trapped on an island with thousands of men who are afraid they're about to die," Jennifer observed. "I, for one, am glad that the authorities have provided an 'outlet' for their urges."

She may have a point, but I don't have to like it.

"You don't have four brothers and a fiancée here on the island, Jennifer," Patricia returned, her tone somewhat icy.

"With the exception of the fiancée, I don't think I would particularly care what my brothers did."

Patricia looked at the nurse in shock as Jennifer continued.

“The whole 'maybe possibly dying' thing. Plus let’s be honest: everyone here is someone's son, father, or brother. Doesn’t make their needs less valid."

Patricia opened her mouth to speak, closed it, and just as suddenly her tears started anew..

"Oh my gosh," Jennifer said, her voice suddenly panicked as she pulled out more tissues. "Did something happen to your brothers?"

Patricia laughed bitterly.

"Yes, but not what you might think," she replied, then proceeded to talk about her night. The words came out in a rushed whisper, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly. To her surprise, Jennifer put her arm around her shoulders in a side hug about halfway through.

"So, yes, I guess I am just that stuck up bitch no one likes to have around because her nose is in other people's business," Patricia observed.

"I know it might not be much consolation, but I think your brothers are all capable of figuring out a way you didn't have to be there tonight," Jennifer observed. "They clearly wanted you to be there."

"Yeah, they just didn't want me to interfere," Patricia seethed.

"Well, would you have if you'd known?" Jennifer asked.

Patricia opened her mouth to protest, then thought about it.

"I…I honestly don't know," she said. "I feel like Nick was rushing horribly into things and hardly knows the woman. Who apparently has been engaged before, and Lord knows mother and father won't approve of that when they find out."

Patricia realized how manic she was sounding when there was a bit of silence in their corner of the bus. Jennifer turned from regarding her with a slight smile to the two men in front of them, both of whom had stopped talking and were clearly listening to Patricia ramble.

I have the urge to scream.

Looking at Jennifer and making a shushing motion, Patricia glared at the back of the sailors' heads. Watching the light haired one start to blush, Patricia had an idea.

"Dale Arden," Patricia said brightly, her countenance in no way reflecting the homicidal rage she could feel rising.

"Excuse me?" the dark haired sailor asked, whipping around before he realized his mistake. He looked sheepish for an instant, and Patricia pressed her advantage.

"Well, I of course figured if you were going to be nosy about our conversation we should actually join yours," Patricia continued sweetly. "So Wilma Deering is, by far, the superior heroine to Dale Arden, if for no other reason than Ms. Deering actually does something besides go, 'Oh Flash, save me!'"

"Wait a second, that's not…" the blonde sailor started to say, then stopped as he too realized he'd made an error. Patricia, having already noted his drawl, recognized a fellow Alabaman when she heard one.

"Well, while I cannot account for your friend's upbringing, I can tell from your accent that you were certainly raised better," Patricia stated.

It was only when she saw half the bus turn and look that Patricia realized about how loud she'd inadvertently become.

No matter, this young man is going to get the scolding of his life.

"So, I trust that you will now mind your own business and leave me and my friend to continue our conversation like your mother taught you some manners."

"No, I can't see why your brothers were scared at all," Jennifer muttered lowly as the chastised sailor brushed to the roots of his hair. Thankfully, the bus began slowing to a stop as the bus driver called out the next destination.

"Pearl Harbor!" the man shouted. "All off for Pearl Harbor!"

The bus began to empty in short order.

You know, improving shuttle bus system was one of the few smart things that idiot Admiral Jensen did.

Jennifer and Patricia were the last to step off.

"Well Nurse Zempel, I don't need you for anything else," Dr. Morrison said. "Sorry that took longer than expected."

"I'm just trying to figure out where the houses seem to be getting these new women," Jennifer replied. "I thought there was a moratorium on new mouths to feed coming to the island?"

Morrison shrugged.

"General Short's been more focused on getting troops to Australia than he has been dealing with some of the administrative stuff here," Morrison said. Belatedly realizing he'd said too much, he looked at Patricia.

"I assure you, Doctor, if I'm a spy then I'm very poor at my job," Patricia said drily. "Mata Hari is surely not rolling in her grave at my powers of perception or garnering of intelligence."

"In any case, since President Roosevelt has forbidden the imposition of martial law there's not a whole lot he can do about civilians coming and going," Morrison continued. "It's the same reason the blackout and curfew weren't vigorously enforced after the first month."

Patricia shook her head.

I suppose there's no real fear of the Japanese swooping down upon us given all the fighting has been on the other side of the Pacific.

"In any case, I'm going home to take a hot shower in disinfectant," Morrison said. Patricia