Winter of the World

‘There’s nothing democratic about it,’ Joanne said hotly. ‘Cobb doesn’t represent the people of the south. Only white people are allowed to vote there.’

Gus said: ‘Nothing is perfect in this life. Cobb supported Roosevelt’s New Deal.’

‘That doesn’t mean I have to invite him to my wedding.’

Woody put in: ‘Papa, I don’t want him either. He has blood on his hands.’

‘That’s unfair.’

‘It’s how we feel.’

‘Well, the decision is not entirely up to you. Joanne’s mother will be throwing the party, and if she’ll let me I’ll share the cost. I guess that gives us at least a say in the guest list.’

Woody sat back. ‘Heck, it’s our wedding.’

Joanne looked at Woody. ‘Maybe we should have a quiet town hall wedding, with just a few friends.’

Woody shrugged. ‘Suits me.’

Gus said severely: ‘That would upset a lot of people.’

‘But not us,’ said Woody. ‘The most important person of the day is the bride. I just want her to have what she wants.’

Rosa spoke up. ‘Listen to me, everyone,’ she said. ‘Don’t let’s go overboard. Gus, my darling, you may have to take Peter Cobb aside and explain to him, gently, that you are lucky enough to have an idealistic son, who is marrying a wonderful and equally idealistic girl, and they have stubbornly refused your impassioned request to invite Congressman Cobb to the wedding. You’re sorry, but you cannot follow your own inclinations in this any more than Peter can follow his when voting on anti-lynching bills. He will smile and say he understands, and he has always liked you because you’re as straight as a die.’

Gus hesitated for a long moment, then decided to give in graciously. ‘I guess you’re right, my dear,’ he said. He smiled at Joanne. ‘Anyway, I’d be a fool to quarrel with my delightful daughter-in-law on account of Pete Cobb.’

Joanne said: ‘Thank you . . . Should I start calling you Papa yet?’

Woody almost gasped. It was the perfect thing to say. She was so damn smart!

Gus said: ‘I would really like that.’

Woody thought he saw the glint of a tear in his father’s eye.

Joanne said: ‘Then thank you, Papa.’

How about that? thought Woody. She stood up to him – and she won.

What a girl!

(iv)

On Sunday morning, Eddie wanted to go with Chuck to pick up the family at their hotel.

‘I don’t know, baby,’ said Chuck. ‘You and I are supposed to be friendly, not inseparable.’

They were in bed in a motel at dawn. They had to sneak back into barracks before sunup.

‘You’re ashamed of me,’ said Eddie.

‘How can you say that? I took you to dinner with my family!’

‘That was your Mama’s idea, not yours. But your Papa liked me, didn’t he?’

‘They all adored you. Who wouldn’t? But they don’t know you’re a filthy homo.’

‘I am not a filthy homo. I’m a very clean homo.’

‘True.’

‘Please take me. I want to know them better. It’s really important to me.’

Chuck sighed. ‘Okay.’

‘Thank you.’ Eddie kissed him. ‘Do we have time . . . ?’

Chuck grinned. ‘If we’re quick.’

Two hours later they were outside the hotel in the navy’s Packard. Their four passengers appeared at seven-thirty. Rosa and Joanne wore hats and gloves, Gus and Woody white linen suits. Woody had his camera.

Woody and Joanne were holding hands. ‘Look at my brother,’ Chuck murmured to Eddie. ‘He’s so happy.’

‘She’s a beautiful girl.’

They held the doors open and the Dewars climbed into the back of the limousine. Woody and Joanne folded down the jump seats. Chuck pulled away and headed for the naval base.

It was a fine morning. On the car radio, station KGMB was playing hymns. The sun shone over the lagoon and glinted off the glass portholes and polished brass rails of a hundred ships. Chuck said: ‘Isn’t that a pretty sight?’

They entered the base and drove to the Navy Yard, where a dozen ships were in floating docks and dry docks for repair, maintenance and refuelling. Chuck pulled up at the Officers Landing. They all got out and looked across the lagoon at the mighty battleships standing proud in the morning light. Woody took a photo.

It was a few minutes before eight o’clock. Chuck could hear the tolling of church bells in nearby Pearl City. On the ships, the forenoon watch was being piped to breakfast, and colour parties were assembling to hoist ensigns at eight precisely. A band on the deck of the Nevada was playing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’.

They walked to the jetty, where a launch was tied up ready for them. The boat was big enough to take a dozen passengers and had an inboard motor under a hatch in the stern. Eddie started the engine while Chuck handed the guests into the boat. The small motor burbled cheerfully. Chuck stood in the bows while Eddie eased the launch away from the dockside and turned towards the battleships. The prow lifted as the launch picked up speed, throwing off twin curves of foam like a seagull’s wings.

Chuck heard a plane and looked up. It was coming in from the west, so low it looked as if it might be in danger of crashing. He assumed it was about to land at the naval airstrip on Ford Island.