I NEED MY SISTERS TO HELP ME OUT

“Do you have to go?” I said while packing Daniels last shirt.

“Oh, Ella, my love. I do. The men need me out there; we have to fight for what is ours.”

“Yes I know, but war?! It’s just too much Daniel!” I felt my heart begin to race, and my eyes began to water, but I have been so strong these past few days trying my hardest not to cry, I can’t start now. I just can’t believe 2 months after we get married, he gets shipped out to that horrid death hole.
I took in a deep breath wanting myself to calm down, but instead of the fresh air, I inhaled the lingering scent of Daniel's cologne. It smelled so good, but after today, I knew that I won’t be able to smell his sweet scent.
My head was spinning, my stomach was churning, I couldn’t take it. It was all too much. I dropped whatever I had in my hand and ran to Daniel, locking my arms around his muscular built body.

“Please don’t go!” I sobbed.

“Ella-“he began, but I cut him off.

I let go of him and stepped back drowning in my own tears. I continued to plead,

“No, Daniel! We just got married 2 months ago!! It’s not fair that you have to leave!! I love you, and if you die out there, I will be left with nothing! you’re everything to me, and I can’t imagine what life will be like without you. You just can’t go!!”

He didn’t say anything for a while; he just stood there staring at me with his eyebrows curved down in sadness. Daniel was never a man to cry, but a tear had escaped from his right eye and trickled down his cheek followed by another one on his left. He quickly grabbed me holding me tight in his arms and whispered, “I love you too Ella. And I promise to write you every chance I get letting you know everything that is happening down there. And I promise that I will always be thinking about you even in the midst of war. But most of all, I promise to come back home to my princess, so we can celebrate together when we win the war.”

As he said those very words, they oozed through my body like hot chocolate on a cold day, easing me to a state where I will actually be able to speak. I slowly looked up at him to see his beautiful green eyes that I loved and adored, but I found them engulfed with tears making my heart crack. I grabbed his face in my cold shaky hands and pressed my lips against his kissing him passionately. This would be my last kiss from the man I love for a long while, so I tried to remember every detail of this waking moment. Everything was so perfect, until a loud obnoxious horn began to sound outside. I instantly knew what it was. They were here for Daniel.

“Remember what I said, okay? I love you Ella. I always will.” He choked right before he left to go to the station wagon.

I can’t believe it, he’s gone. I fell to my knees on the front porch sobbing, gasping for air. It was 30 degrees outside and all I was wearing was a thin night gown, but I didn’t feel a thing except for the ache in my heart.
I had been there crouched on my porch for half an hour when my neighbor Celia saw me through her kitchen window. Moments later, I saw her at my side with a blanket the size of my living room begging me to go inside, but I didn’t budge. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to; it’s that my body wasn’t able to.

“Ella! Get up!! You’re going to die out here if you stay any longer!” Celia protested pushing and pulling me toward the door. After about a good five minutes of her trying to get me in, she said,

“Ella Vanderwoodsen! If you don’t get up this instant, I’m going to call Billy over to carry you in.”

Billy was her seventeen year old son; he was quite built for a lad his age and the whole town would always call him if they needed any help in the yard or moving things around.
Celia just doesn’t understand the shock I’m in of Daniel being shipped out. Her husband, George, had died 3 years ago by a terrible sickness. She will soon understand when next year Billy will have to go, and I’ll be the one on her porch begging her to come in.
I pushed with all the force in my body to get up, and when I was half way there, my body collapsed on the ground.

“ELLA!” I heard Celia scream.

“Are you okay?!”

“Yes, I’m fine. But I’m too fatigued to get up.” I answered.

“Oh MY! I’ll be right over with Billy!!” she said wrapping the blanket around me several times.

I watched as she ran across the field shouting Billy’s name almost tripping over a rake. I have known Celia since I was fifteen, though she was three years older than me. We always used to talk about one day finding the right man, getting married, and having many happy children. Celia married early around 19 and was blessed with Billy. I however stayed unwed until the age of 33 when I met my precious Daniel.
I looked up seeing Billy running over as fast as he can with Celia, when he got to me, he had a look of great worry in his eyes.

“Mrs. Vanderwoodsen what are you doing out here?!” He asked.
Without giving me a chance to reply, he grabbed me and ran inside setting me down on the couch.

“Now I know you’re upset because Mr. Vanderwoodsen left for war, but if you need anything at all, even if you need me to run down to the market for some vegetables, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Thank you Billy dear.”

“Promise?”

“I prom-“ I was interrupted by the sound of a bunch of pots clattering in the kitchen.

“Sorry!” I heard Celia call out. “But where do you keep your kettle?” she asked.

I cracked a little smile at how clumsy she had always been before I called out in a cracking voice,

“The lower left cabinet!” my voice was so hoarse it made Celia call out again, “Don’t try to talk yet Ella! You need tea!”

“Well that’s mother for you. Everything can be solved with tea.” Billy chuckled before walking into the kitchen to help Celia.

Just for a split second there, I forgot that Daniel had left, but the agonizing pain soon filled back in when I didn’t see him through the living room window raking the leaves as he usually does.
I didn’t like how any of this felt, so I curled myself up in the blanket Celia brought over holding it close to my heart and fell asleep.

TIME SKIP TO 6 MONTHS LATER

I was waiting desperately counting down the minutes to 6 o'clock, which was when the man who delivers letters from war comes around.
It was six thirty p.m., and no one had shown up. I began to think he wasn’t coming, until I heard a loud bang at the door followed by a man shouting,

“Mail from the world war grounds!”

My heart skipped a beat, another letter from Daniel! I ran to the door grabbing the letter and thanking the man over and over again for bringing me my letters.

On the top of the letter Daniel had wrote in cursive:

To my beloved Ella.

I quickly ripped the letter open and began to read,

My dearest Ella,

I write this on board a boat that will leave for overseas soon. Our letters are all censored from now on so there is no use wasting my time and the censor's trying to tell you some things. I took in a little of New York last night. I went into the city from Long Island by the way of the tube under the Hudson River. I got out at the Pennsylvania station and spent the rest of the night to 1:30 a.m. just looking around. There wasn't any chance to go to a good show because you know how the advance sales take everything. Harry Lauder is at the Metropolitan, and I would certainly like to have seen him. I saw where the film "The Beast of Berlin" was being shown and right across the street was Arthur Guy Empey, "Over the Top."
The city is full of soldiers and sailors all the time, I guess. Anyway, there were a many of them last night. The city is an easy place to get lost because of the irregularity of the streets. Most all streets out our way cross each other at angles, but in N.Y. they may take any direction. I walked down one street, and when I took a notion to turn and go back, I wasn't on the same street at all and I couldn't tell where I made any turn. I got a good look at the city from the waterfront today. It was a bright clear day and we could see quite a distance. I have seen pictures of N.Y. from the Hudson, and I can say that the real thing was just a picture laid before you. I would like to have stayed at Camp Mills, until I had seen more of the city. The powers that may be seen otherwise. I can scarcely realize we are going. Everything moves off without any trouble or delay that it might just as well be a trip up the river. Well, I have been looking forward to this for quite awhile, and I guess, now that the time for going has come, it fits right into my scheme and ways of thinking that the going seems only a small part of it. Well, I must close so as to mail this right away so, goodbye my love for a time at least. Keep on writing.

With truest love,

Daniel L. Vanderwoodesn.
My address: Co. K, 137 Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces (Letter from an actual World War I soldier)

My heart fluttered with excitement, I was so glad he’s okay! I ran to my bedroom and scrummaged through my belongings looking for a paper and pencil desperately wanting to write back as soon as possible.
I had finally found one in the corner of my desk drawer and began to write furiously,

Dear Daniel,
I am so glad you’re safe and okay! I have missed you so much! Things here are the same as always, though Billy has been doing much of the yard work for me. If you are wondering about the crops, they are doing just fine. I maintain them with water and their usual caring in the morning and Billy comes by in the afternoon to do the hard work for me. He really is a great lad.
Anyway Celia is making a big neighborhood dinner for all of us and I just wish you could’ve been here! I am helping her with making a few dishes, like the corn bread, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a chicken pot pie. Oh! And Mary from next door, Johns wife, volunteered to make some decorations for us to liven the mood.
John and Mary told me to give you there best regards and that they hope to see you soon. They also have been a wonderful help to me these past few months. But I want you here Daniel! When do you think you will be able to come home?
How are things out there? Are you still in training? Before you go out to fight anywhere Daniel please let me know! I pray for you every day, but I want to at least know what is going on so I can pray harder and harder for you. God will always be right there with you ever step you take, don’t ever forget to pray and thank him every day for keeping you alive.
I love you so much and can’t imagine what life would be like without you, so please if you’re willing to kill yourself to help, think of me before you do. Think how miserable I will be if you left me. I know you Daniel. You are willing to do the craziest things sometimes just to help because of your nobility and selflessness. But Daniel my love, I need you.

Forever yours,
Ella W. Vanderwoodsen

TIME SKIP TO 3 YEARS LATER

I sat there, alone on my couch watching as the sun faded away. It has been 3 years since I haven’t seen Daniel, he hasn’t written me in over a year. Could he have forgotten about me? No worse. He might have died. It was every Monday now that I sit waiting for the mailman who never comes, my heart torn to shreds every time the thought of Daniel passes my mind. I felt a scorching hot tear run down my face, but it wasn’t from sadness. No, it was from anger.

I quickly slapped the tear off my face and ran to my room, I threw open my closet door and franticlyshook down my closet trying to catch where I had placed my red dress with black buttons on the back.

“Yes! Finally!” I shouted when it finally turned up in the bottom drawer of my bedroom set.

I quickly slipped it on buttoning the back up. I brought out my makeup bag and applied the powder with my fluffy powder puff with downward strokes.I then took my cotton ball wet with rouge and made circles on my cheek bones going nor further then the tip of my nose. For my lips I took my maroon red lipstick and traced the outside of my lip filing it in, giving me the cutpidbow look. I brushed the hairs on my eyebrows up from the bottom then down from the top to create the arched line, with a small dab of petroleum jelly to keep them in line and add a bit of shine. Now for my eyes, I used a pencil in a shade that matches my natural hair and drew a line along my upper eye lid only continuing past the edge just a hair. Next I used some brown liquid/cream makeup and applied it first to my fingers then to my lashes batting them lashes onto my finger to make my lashes look fuller and darker.
I stepped back and looked in the mirror very satisfied with the way I look. I grabbed my coat and purse and headed straight for Celia’s house.


“Oh my! Ella you look stunning!” She busted as soon as she opened the door.

“Celia. I want to have fun tonight.” I said holding back all my anger.

“What do you mean Ella?” She said gesturing me to come in.

“I have waited 3 years for Daniel writing him constantly! But he hasn’t answered for an entire year! He surely forgot about me and I want to have fun and let loose because I can’t remember the last time I did since he left.” I huffed plopping myself on the couch.

“Ella dear, Daniel loves you with all his heart and will never forget you. I heard earlier that they began to release some men, maybe Daniel is one of them.”

“If that’s all true then why hasn’t he written, Celia?!”

“He must be too busy to write back Ella! They are in war remember!”
“I understand that, but a whole year Celia?! Doesn’t that seem like a bit much to you?”

“Mrs. Vanderwoodes?” Billy interrupted sorrowed.

“Yes dear?” I sighed

“Well I couldn’t help but over hear your predicament but Daniel, pardon, Mr. Vanderwoodsen told me to give you this if you ever felt this way…” Billy said handing me an Envelope with Daniels hand writing on it.

I was speechless. I just took the letter and opened it slowly afraid of what was going to be inside, yet so relieved that he did this.

To my truest love,
Ella my darling if you are reading this then the moment I have feared has come. If I haven’t written back it means that there was no way possible too, any chance I get I promise I will write you back. If you’re beginning to fall for another man because I haven’t been there for so long, please Ella hold on just a little longer and I will come back to you. If you think I have fallen for another woman, you are wrong. You are the only one I see in my dreams and the only one I will love ‘till the day I die. You are my everything and no matter how long I haven’t seen you, or how far apart we are, I will never stop loving you. Please Ella hold on to me a little longer and don’t give up. I talked to Billy and I have his word that he will take care of you with anything you need. I hope this gave you a little more hope for you to still have faith in me. Again, and I will never get tired of saying it, I love you Ella W. Vanderwoodsen.

Your one and only,
Daniel L. Vanderwoodsen.

He still loves me. My hand flew to my mouth and I began to sob letting all my tears flow right out of my eyes, not caring weather or not my paint will run. He loves me.
I could tell Celia was very confused so I looked at her and handed her the perfectly worded letter.
Her eyes ran through the paper like a lawn mower on fairly short grass, giving me the biggest smile I have ever seen her have.

“Ella…” she whispered.
I just nodded agreeing with her, knowing what she was going to say next.

I broke out into a smile myself and gave Billy a bear hug followed by a long kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you my boy. For always being here for me.”
He hugged back and said,

“No problem Mrs. V, you’re like a second mother to me.”

I took the letter back from Celia, put on my coat and grabbed my purse.

“Celia my dearest friend, thank you.” I said as I walked out the door walking across the field eager to head home and rest.



The next morning I got up to the sunshine shining bright in my face. I went to the restroom to freshen myself up when I heard a voice yelling my name out side.
I quickly raced to the living room and saw it was Billy screaming his head off waving his cap back and forth. What could be the matter? Could Celia be in trouble?

Billy ran so fast as soon as I opened the front door he was right there panting, trying to catch his breathe.

“Billy what’s the matter?!”I questioned.
He was bent leaning on his knees gasping for air.

“I—was-- at work and--“ I cut him off.

“Oh child get inside and go get some water!” I said shoving him toward the door.
He went straight to the kitchen and poured a whole cup of water from the pitcher, chugging it like it was a babies Sippy Cup.
“Now tell me what all the fuss is about!”

“Okay so today when I was at the mines I overheard a bunch of men talkin’ and they said that they sent some men home from the war already. Now I don't know who IS comin’ but I reckon Mr. Vanderwoodsen could be one of them.”

“Oh Billy you always come baring good news! Does Celia know?”

“Yes I told her right before I came to you.”

“Oh this is wonderful! When do you think they will arrive?”

“Well as far as I know they have been send out a while ago so maybe after tomorrow at the latest.”
“Do you really think Daniel might be one of them?!” I asked my heart now fluttering with excitement.

“He could be, but I just didn't want to bother the men there and ask. They already have a problem with me workin’ there.”

“Oh no dear that's okay! But I need you to snoop a little deeper and find out where they will be docked so I can be the first one there.”

“No problem Mrs. V tomorrow afternoon come over to my house and I will have the address for you. Snoopin’ is one of my best traits ya know.”

“Hahahaha yes Billy I know. You can find out a person’s whole entire life just by a couple questions.”

“Hahaha yes, you know it!”

“Okay well head on over to your mother before she begins to worry and Billy once again, thank you dear.”

When Billy left my mind wouldn't stop processing anything. I just kept thinking about Billy and how he was always here for me, and Daniel who I might finally see after three years the day after tomorrow. The tables have turned, just yesterday I was willing to give Daniel up but now I haven’t loved him more. I just hope he is one of those men coming back.


The next morning I got dressed as quickly as I could and headed to Celia’s for moning coffee and to wait for Billy to come back to let me know the news. The cold brisk air stung my face as I marched right through it not caring a bit, I just wanted to see Daniel already.

“Good Morning Celia!” I said as she opened the door.

“Why look at you better already! I suppose Billy told you the news?”

“Yes he did! And it was wonderful!”

“Oh sweetie I’m so happy for you!” she exclaimed walking toward the kitchen.

“Would you like some coffee El?

“Oh yes please!”
She poured me a mug of the dark bitter liquid adding milk and sugar to my taste.

“When does Billy usually get out of work?” I asked axciously.

“Usually around two and then goes to your house to fix your crops.”

“Oh no, not today. Today he is my partner in crime and we will go straight to the adress and wait there for Daniel.”

“Oh Ella, I just adore how in love you are with him.”



The day zoomed by as we waited for Billy, when he finally opened the door.
“Billy!” Celia and I shouted like two little school girls waiting for him to arrive.

“Did you get it?!” I asked running up to him.
He didn't say a word, just walked a little closer smiled and wove a small piece of paper with an address written on it in front of me.

“OH BILLY YOU'RE THE BEST!” I shouted giving him a hug.

“They are docking tomorrow at nine AM on Washington Blvd.”

“Where is Washington Blvd.?” I asked.

“It’s not far ways far here, ‘bout 20 minutes in the station wagon.”

“Oh this is amazing! I’m going to be able to see my Daniel again! Oh it’s been so long!”
I was so happy I grabbed Celia’s hands and started jumping like a teenage girl who got her first boyfriend. My heart wasn’t racing but it was beating so hard I felt like it would jump out any second now.

“Ella! You’ll be able to see Daniel again! Look at how happy you are!” Celia said between small laughs.

“Yes and I can’t wait to- Oh my god. What am I going to wear? I haven’t seen him in three years I simply can’t just wear anything.”

“Come on then, let’s go to your house and pick out an outfit!” Celia exclaimed and sounded as happy as I was.
Without another thought we grabbed our coats and headed out the door.


“So what did you have in mind Ella?” Celia said opening my closet.

“Well I have this yellow skater dress that I love but haven’t got the chance to use it yet.”

“Perfect. Let me see it.”
I got down on my knees and pulled out a purple box from under my bed that had my dress in it. I opened it up and pulled out an eye popping yellow skater dress that I have been saving for a special day.

“That. Is. Perfect.” Celia said with no emotion in her voice, then squealed really loud as if it were too much to hold back.

“I think we found what you’re going to wear El!”

“You think Daniel will like it?” I asked.

“No dear, he will love it! Now I’m ganna head on out so I can start a big dinner for tomorrow. You rest up and just think of happy thought. THINK OF DANIEL!” Celia shouted right before exiting the house waving her hands in the air.

Now all I have to do is wait for 9 AM.


I woke up the next day before the sun came out, but how can I sleep when I might see Daniel today?! I just tossed and turned imagining all the different possibilities in my head over and over again when 8 ‘o ‘clock finally came around. I shot up out of bed and got dressed painted my face a tad and ate a bite for breakfast, when Billy honked the horn of the station wagon outside. It’s time.

I got in the car and we drove off into the morning mist.

When we got to Washington Blvd. the street was filled with so many festivities it looked like a giant confetti ball exploded. Everyone was in the streets waiting with big flags up above their heads when finally I saw a big boat dock the shore. Everyone was cheering and hollering but I zoned out of everything as Billy shoved me through the crowd until we reached the boat.
My heart was at full speed and my hands were shaking, I felt like crying but I held everything in. I just kept whispering his name under my breathe over and over again. Billy was right next to me with a tight grip around my shoulders. Looking around anxiously, I wanted them to lower the stairs so they can come down all ready but it took an eternity before they even began to un latch them.

The soldiers filed down one by one each wearing there uniform looking very posh, I examined every one of their faces closely knowing Daniel may have changed over the past years. But each soldier that came down met their family member down on the ground.
My heart fell and my tears were steaming hot, but I didn't let them fall. They still didn't raise the stairs so that means there are still more to come. It was a good five minutes of me holding my breath and praying to god that he came, and that's when I saw a man on crutches with another man helping him walk down the stairs with a very familiar suitcase.
I clutched Billy balling his shirt into my fist hoping my Daniel was here, but not wanting him to be the man in crutches. When he reached the ground I slowly walked over to see if it was him or not, but I couldn’t recognize the face.
It was broader and had much more facial hair then Daniel has ever liked, but there was one little sparkle in his eye that reassured me that my Daniel was home. I walked up to the man and whispered,

“Daniel?”

“ELLA!” the man shouted dropping his clutches and embracing me in one of the best hugs I have had in a while. Then a soft breeze of wind blew in and lifted a scent from Daniels uniform, it was his cologne that always made me weak around him.
I had an instant flash back of the day he left, us in the same position but at the cabin in our bedroom. I was now bawling at this point not wanting to let go of him kissing his eyes and ears not believing that he actually arrived.

“I missed you so much.” I wailed.

“Oh my princess I missed you more.” Daniels face was also wet with tears, I kept thinking this was a dream but it all seemed too real it can’t be a dream.
I then remembered Billy turning around sharply to call him over making Daniel stumble almost falling on the floor. His leg. I completely forgot about the crutches.

“Daniel! Are you alright?!” I shouted helping him up.

“Yea, ugh I’m fine.” He grunted.

“Oh my god Daniel, what happened to your leg?!” I asked handing him his crutches.

“Were on war grounds and one of my friend soldiers was shot very near to his heart, and I thought that I could’ve gotten him out of there before they began with the bombs but as soon as I lifted him over my shoulder they threw the bomb and the entire place got totaled including my leg. Thankfully we weren’t too deep in where they had been throwing the bombs but the other soldier didn't make it.”

Both of my hands were on my mouth trying not to just fall on the floor right there in front of everyone, Daniel noticed that I was trying not to freak out so he smiled and acted like it was nothing asking where Billy is.
I tried my hardest to go right along with it and I went to go call Billy over.

“Billy! He’s here he’s really here!” I called.

“Take me to him!” He pushed eager to see him.
And we weaved right through the crowd and straight to Daniel.

I stood a little ways from them so they can have their moment, knowing that Daniel was like a father to Billy. I saw the excitement flourish in Billy’s face almost knocking Daniel over when he went in for a hug. The bond they share is very strong and you don't need a genius to figure it out.
They wrapped it up and began to walk towards me so we can go home.

“Oh Daniel I just can’t believe you're here!” I squealed.

“Neither can I princess, neither can I.” he responded and we just continued walking to the station wagon hand in hand.



We arrived at Celia’s house first because she had made a big dinner for Daniel’s arrival. It was such a lovely cozy dinner just like old times.
Night time came around pretty quickly and I was very tired from all of today’s events that I just wanted to crash onto my bed, but now it wasn't just me. I had to wait and see what Daniel would want before I make any decisions.

“Daniel honey I am very tired, would you like to go home or stay a little longer?” I asked.

“I am very tired too, I say let’s get going and I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Daniel said patting Billy’s knee.

I helped Daniel get up and handed him his coat and crutches when he asked if Billy can drive us home, even though it was just across the field he was too tired to walk with just one leg on crutches this late at night when he is this tired. I too was relieved because now I don't have to walk all the way there and we will just be lifted.


Life went on better then ever, since Daniel had gotten injured we have gotten plenty of money from the army. Aside from that our crops have never been better and are selling very fast.

Soon enough we had enough money to buy a house down in the city, which was very exciting for me since I have never lived down there. Before we bought anything I made sure that Daniel had bought an amputie leg so now he can walk without his crutches.
In the new house everything was perfect. The furniture, the nighbors, everything put together. I guess you can call it a dream. A dream that all Americans wished for, and here I am living it to its full potentioal.

Then one day we were blessed with my two baby twins, one boy and a girl. We named the boy Philip, which was after the soldier that Daniel couldn't save on the war grounds and the girl Alina which was after my great grandmother who I purely adored. Celia and Billy visited very offten and even spent the night over. I mean why wouldn't they? The house was so big we can practically live together and we wont be bothered.
This dream that I am living couldn't be better, and I hope for everyone out there to be able to expeirence this wonderful dream. The American dream.

Notes

Some of the spacings and things got a little funky since this is not a word document but still PLEASE comment all the good AND BAD.