"Mother do we have to go back today?" Eloise looked down at her upset daughter.
"Darling, what's the matter?" She bent over and fixed the red ribbons in the girl's blond braids.
"How come we haven't heard from daddy yet?" Eloise felt her heart drop as a cold shiver raced down her spine. She shook her thoughts away and reassured her daughter.
"Never mind that, your father is hard at work, he'll be coming home soon. Now we have to go." Eloise reapplied her red lipstick before she left for the corner store.
Walking around in a town that was now largely filled with women and children, seemed so strange to many of the women now having to fill men's places in the town work. Everywhere Eloise looked she saw pinned-up hair and heels. Occasionally she would catch herself searching through the crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of her husband. Her heart ached for him every day, and it pained her even more how her daughter might react to the news.
"Good morning little Sophia, how are you doing this fine evening?" Both smiled at Mr. Smoth, The owner of the corner store. He was one of the very few men who weren't shipped off to war due to his age.
" I don't know, I'm kind of upset." Sophia started fiddling with her pink plaid skirt.
" Oh, and why would that be young lady?" Mr. Smoth Walked both of them towards the door as fast as his cane and bad hip would allow him to do so.
" Well, daddy hasn't written back in a while." Mr. Smoth and Eloise both exchanged looks before he tried to cheer Sophia up while Eloise set up the window where she and Mrs. Patterson would be displaying war bonds and stamps.
"Sophia go into the back and help Mr. Smoth organize the selves."
"Good Morning Mrs. Barnsley, how are you this evening?" Eloise turned to see Mrs. Patterson walking in.
"I'm fine, and you?"
"Oh, just fine." She sat a basket down that was filled with stamps. "I just got a letter from John, he's getting sent back home!" She exclaimed in excitement.
"Oh my! That amazing, but how come? The war isn't over yet."
"Yes I know, he was shot in the chest and it got caught in his ribcages. He's in much pain but I'm looking forward to seeing him soon."
"That's lovely, I'm so happy for you." Eloise smiled even though she was envious that her friend was going to be able to see her husband again.
"Excuse me, Ma'am, may I have one?" Eloise turned to see a young man looking to be freshly eighteen.
"Does your mother know your here?"
"I'm required to serve my country, I'll tell her tonight when I get home."
"Alright, well thank you for your service." Eloise handed him a war bond and gave him a faint smile as he walked away. She hoped that his mother Didn't have to feel the way she does for her late husband.
"Eloise, we have other customers." Eloise looked from the boy walking to a small line of men gathering around the corner store window.
"Ah sorry." She cleared her throat and got back to work.
Hope this is ok ✌
