Sharon. Sioux Dallas

      “Can I at least choose curtains and items to make this seem more like a home?”

      “Yeah. Yeah. If it means that much to you, do what you please. I’ll be in later. I have people to see.” Jeremy snapped and strode out without any explanation.

       Heavenly Father, I love my husband and am trying to be a good wife. I’ll need y our help a lot because all of this is new to me. I wish Jeremy would confide in me and tell me what’s worrying him. He hasn’t been the same since we married. I’m sure going to need my guardian angels. Guide me, please.

      Sharon was grateful to those who came to welcome her to the base and offer help if needed. Some even brought prepared food so that she wouldn’t have to cook much until she was settled in.

      Linda Pallister introduced herself as a neighbor across the section facing Sharon, and two houses down. “My husband is a military attorney, Captain Philip Pallister,” she said more proudly than she intended to. “And you might as well know, I am silly in love with him, possibly even more than I was when we married eight years ago.”

      Laughing at the woman’s confession, Sharon felt herself drawn to Linda. I like all of the wives who came today to welcome me, but, for some reason, I feel that Linda and I are going to be great friends.

      Jets taking off and landing actually caused a vibration in the house. “I’m not sure I can ever learn to sleep through the unfamiliar noises. I may even have to buy ear plugs,” she told Jeremy one morning and that day she did buy them.

      One morning at breakfast she asked a silent grace as usual. It disturbed her that Jeremy objected to praying before meals. She quietly studied the stern face of her husband. “Darling, why haven’t you told me exactly what you do.”

      “Why? I thought you knew. Lady, you have an important husband,” he leaned back in his chair. “I’m a flight instructor for the new soldiers. Their first few days are spent in the classroom and then I take them out to teach them to fly our planes.”

      “How exciting. Are you the only instructor?”

      “Of course not. There’s too many new recruits coming in for one instructor to handle. I’m the best though.”

      “You don’t have to tell me something I already know. What else do you do?”

      “I fly the big brass wherever I’m told to take them.”

      “My goodness. That’s a big responsibility. Does it mean you’ll be gone overnight sometimes?”

      “Sure. For instance, if I fly to Washington, D.C., it could mean two or three days.”

      “I am in awe of you, my darling. Your job is much more important than I realized. Could you teach me to fly?”

      “No! I can’t use military equipment for personal reasons and besides, you don’t need to know how to fly.” His unreasonable temper was confusing.

      Disturbed at his anger, she changed the subject. “Oh, look at the time. We have to hurry and get ready for the orientation meeting.”

      “You don’t mind going alone, do you? I have some things I must take care of.”

      “Jeremy, please come with me. I’ll feel awkward going by myself.”

      “There’ll be plenty of wives there alone. Not all husbands can have free time whenever they wish. Gotta go. Enjoy.” He was gone in a rush without a hug or a kiss.

      “Linda, I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you volunteered to go to this meeting with me. “ Sharon was grateful for Linda, but embarrassed that Jeremy was not there.

      “Think nothing of it. There’ll be many new wives, or rather new to the base, but I’m already acquainted with the base and people and thought I might be a help to you.”

      “You’ve helped me just by accompanying me. Thank you.”

      The Commanding Officer, General James Huff, made all of them feel welcome and at ease. He reminds me of a sweet, old grandfather, Sharon thought and smiled to herself.

      After the orientation meeting and refreshments, Linda took Sharon and two other new wives for a drive around town to sightsee.

      The sun had just gone down over San Antonio as a tall, thin man, in a rumpled suit, hurried along Nogalitos Street. He looked furtively around and then stepped quickly into a phone booth. He asked for reverse charges on a number he wanted in northern Florida.

      “Hey, Hank, it’s me, Duke. You won’t believe it. The Fool has went and got hisself married and he never said nothing to me about it.”

      Strong profanity came over the phone before the person said, “Well --keep an eye on him.”

      “Sure thing. Do you want me to tell him to talk to you?”

      “No. Don’t say anything. Report to me as soon as you find out anything more. I want to know all about the woman he married and what they’re doing. Be sure he understands you’re still his contact.”

      “Gotcha. Ring you later.”

      Sharon happily made a home for Jeremy while learning how to cook and sew. She hoped that Jeremy would change his mind about having children. I would love to start a family, and I bet Jeremy would love a child of his own.

      Gradually Sharon began to notice abrupt mood changes in Jeremy; his sulking and his hurtful words to her. Although her heart was heavy, pride, self-respect and loyalty to her husband, helped her to hide her feeling from others behind a brave smile.

      On Sharon’s twentieth birthday, some of the women took her out to dinner and gave her gifts. Linda Pallister had planned the evening. Although she was nine years older than Sharon, they had become close friends. Linda and Philip often took short trips with Jeremy and Sharon and ate out together as often as possible.

      Jeremy was disturbed that Sharon was out with the women and he could not hear their conversations. When Sharon came home, she was shocked to find him drunk and passed out on the couch. If I wake him, he might be too angry for me to handle. I’ll just leave him alone and let him sleep it off. I don’t know when he started drinking. He wasn’t raised to indulge. Why is he unhappy? Am I doing something wrong?

       Chapter Two

      Their first wedding anniversary soon followed, which Jeremy ignored. Sharon’s parents and Malcolm Taylor sent gifts and best wishes. The days came and went, but Jeremy wasn’t seen or heard from for two days. It was late when he staggered in disheveled, smelling of alcohol and cheap perfume. She was hurt and confused when she got the brunt of his unreasonable anger. She had never experienced a male, in her life, being so cruel and unreasonable.

      As time passed, Jeremy was seen in town with a variety of questionable women. The military men, who saw him, told their wives, but Sharon didn’t hear of it.

      Sharon wrote to both of their parents regularly. Agnes wrote letters only to Jeremy and never acknowledged Sharon. Agnes was angry because Sharon had a more enviable social position. Even though Sharon didn’t seek the spotlight, Agnes was jealous because Sharon was younger and prettier. Too, Sharon was with Agnes’ son, and she wanted him all to herself.

      Sharon was careful never to hint at her troubles with Jeremy. Her parents were not suspicious because she always kept her letters and phone calls light and cheerful.

      Malcolm Taylor, however, knew his son. He called Sharon every week and asked her questions, as a good attorney would, that made her scramble for answers. He realized that she was being evasive, and it worried him.

      After talking to Sharon one day and not getting satisfactory answers, Malcolm leaned back in his chair and placed his feet on his desk. I have a feeling that everything is not roses and light, but I can’t help Sharon if she won’t confide in me. Lord, be with them.

      As