Code name arc angel, p.17
Code Name Arc Angel, page 17
“Where have you two been?” asked Carlton. “I just finished my briefing to the general. I thought you would be part of it.”
“We started talking about the trip and then got into some girl talk. You understand,” replied Maggie.
“Yes I do. How are you feeling? I’m a little tired. This has been a tough day for all of us.”
“I’m fine, Carlton,” said Maggie. “I want to give the general my thoughts as to the request he made of you. General, I am most unhappy about you requesting Carlton to volunteer for a civilian post in your future operation. The United States is not even involved in this war in Europe. As you know, we have two children, and I am four months pregnant with our third child. I don’t believe you have the right to ask my husband to leave us for a war that is killing thousands of people, both civilian and military. The Nazis are bombing England and killing innocent civilians and their children. Having traveled to Germany, I have seen and heard a great deal. I don’t want my husband involved. I told you I had discomfort. This is what it is about.” Maggie was loud and direct, standing in front of the general’s desk.
“Mrs. Fuller, please calm down. Please sit down. I understand your concerns and discomfort. I feel the same way you do. But I have a job to do, given to me by the president of the United States. What happens if the United States enters the war? Shouldn’t we be somewhat prepared? I want the best, most prepared personnel I can find here in our country to be in my organization. Wouldn’t you? Your and Carlton’s insight today have given me hope that I asked a very qualified man to volunteer. I did say volunteer. I know you and he have a wonderful family and a wonderful marriage. I don’t want to disrupt anyone’s life. We have to pray that our country does not get involved in the war. If we don’t, no one will have to volunteer.” The general stopped as Maggie had calmed down. “Please, Mrs. Fuller, may I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you, General,” Maggie replied. “You make your point very well. But you must understand mine. I hope you do. Carlton, can we leave now?”
“Thank you both for your debriefings,” said the general. “They were very complete. They certainly provided a lot of detail that I had no knowledge of. Combined with Major Best’s information, I have quite a package of information I will share with my peers and the president. Yes, Congress has passed legislation this month to begin a draft of personnel for the armed services. I understand the first numbers will be picked on October 29 this year. Things are getting serious. Major Best, please take Carlton and Mrs. Fuller home. This has been a difficult day. Carlton, I will be in touch. Thank you both again.”
“General, you said Congress passed legislation for a draft of men to meet military needs? The first will be picked this month? What is going on?” asked Maggie, who seemed a bit shaken by the general’s statement.
“Yes, Mrs. Fuller it’s true. I heard that this morning in my daily update. Apparently, Congress is very concerned about what is happening around the world. They are concerned should the United States have to get involved to protect ourselves.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it,” was all Maggie could say. The draft legislation shook her up.
“Maggie, Carlton, let’s get going before the general needs something else,” said Major Best lightheartedly, trying to break up a stressful moment.
The trio left the office quietly and headed downstairs.
After they left, the general opened the outside door, walked into Shelly’s office, and invited David Bruce back to his office. “What do you think, David? Did you get all of the nuances I did from the briefings? From my perspective, the Fullers fulfilled the mission I assigned them before they left.”
“They certainly had a fruitful trip,” Bruce said. “I’m glad we were able to finance it. The information they brought back with them confirms a number of issues we have heard about. Mrs. Fuller did a wonderful job of observing and listening. She developed a relationship with the wife of Carlton’s brother, revealing what the wife was thinking and feeling. She felt the coldness, rudeness, and ruthlessness of the German military officers she met. She certainly empathized with what the civilians and innocents in Europe are going through. I was very impressed with the detail she provided us.
“I certainly enjoyed her dialogue with you. She doesn’t want her husband to volunteer for anything the United States is not involved with. She had no problem telling you how she felt. I think that, if she were talking to the president, she would have told him the same thing she told you. She is a strong woman who wants to protect what is hers. I certainly want her as a friend.
“Now, let’s get to Carlton. He pays attention to detail. He noticed the local’s reaction to his brother when they stopped for breakfast in the village. He was keenly aware of Jodl’s dress, look, and attitude, and he recognized the Iron Cross at the neck of his brother when he was in uniform. I liked, too, the way he described his feeling about the energy at the OKW location in Zossan—like a beehive. Given the mission you have for this man, it is imperative he is able to recognize and evaluate what he will be hearing and seeing. He definitely has the traits necessary to accomplish the job we have for him. Physically, he is perfect. He will have to be trained in the physical requirements of the assignment. The question that needs to be answered is simple: Will he be able to kill as required and step into the role? Our trainers will have to make that evaluation. I believe we have the right person to accomplish the mission. Bill, how do we convince him to volunteer? It will take a serious incident for him to make that decision. One concern I have is, what do we tell his wife? If he volunteers, we will have to keep her in the loop.”
“David, great questions. Thank you for your astute evaluation of the two briefings. I appreciate your insight and the concerns that need to be resolved. That last concern you stated is yours to solve. Carlton, will be under control by your people. You will have to manage him and his situation when he is in place. I know our allies and the underground will help you and him accomplish his mission. I told the Fullers about the draft starting the twenty-ninth. That seemed to impress them a bit. It caused Maggie to flinch. We may have to use that to pressure him to volunteer. Is that fair? No, it isn’t, but the situation the world faces today certainly is not fair,” replied the general, feeling the pressure of the day. “David, when we took the jobs we have today, the president did not say they would be easy, did he.”
“No, he didn’t, Bill. I have a feeling they will get more difficult before they get easier. Thanks for inviting me to listen to the briefings and evaluate Fuller. He is the right man. I must get moving. I have to catch a plane back to Washington,” said Bruce as he shook Donovan’s hand and left the office.
“Shelly, it has been a difficult day. Please call the president’s secretary and see if he can see me tomorrow. We will need plane tickets and hotel reservations,” directed Donovan. The president and I have a lot to talk about. He will be very interested in the information the Fullers brought back with them. I’m also interested in the latest from Churchill.”
THE HOLIDAYS, THE BABY, AND DONOVAN
The family finally started to get back to normal. Maggie began to think about Thanksgiving. She was feeling very sad that they would not be able to have her relatives from Germany for the holiday celebration. She was thinking about Hildegard and her daughter Sara. Maggie knew that, although Sara wasn’t really Hildegard’s daughter, Hildegard treated her as if she was.
Maggie did not even think of Horst as her brother-in-law. He was a Nazi—cruel and evil. The trip to Germany had definitely been an adventure for Maggie. But the reality she had seen and participated in would impact her for the rest of her life. She didn’t want the United States to enter the war in Europe. She knew that, if it did, more death and devastation would follow—only the death would be close to home, for it would be Americans who were killed fighting the Nazis and their allies. She and Carlton discussed the situation at length. They had been listening to the radio more than they had ever done in the past. They read all the war news in the paper daily.
Maggie was getting worried that Carlton would volunteer. She dreaded the day that would happen. She had been spending her time with the children. She helped them in the mornings to get ready for school, making lunches, checking homework, and making sure they were dressed properly. Fall was starting to wane, and winter was approaching. The children never put on enough clothing for the weather. Once they left, it was putting the house in order, figuring out the day’s menu, and getting Carlton out of the house. Since they’d returned from Germany, he had been lingering at home longer than normal. When she asked him about it, he mumbled something about wanting to spend more time with her, she being pregnant and all. She thought it was the residue from the trip and dismissed his good intentions.
Carlton was trying to get his practice back together. He had to cancel a number of court cases and put off a number of client cases. The clients understood but were getting nervous about their issues. Carlton found himself working more hours than he wanted to. But the practice had to come first. He had to make a living and get back his clients’ confidence. He knew that, in time, he would be back to the normal flow of taking care of his clients’ needs.
As time went on, he was getting concerned about the situation in the world. Things were continuing to escalate. The allies’ shipping losses were the heaviest since the beginning of the war. In October alone, the losses totaled 198,000 tons of material. The submarines seemed to be winning. The Italians, under Mussolini’s direction, had attacked Greece and Albania. The air Battle of Britain was continuing. Although their aircraft and pilot losses were high, the Germans continued heavy bombing in England. The English retaliated by bombing Berlin, Naples, Danzig, Dresden, and Hamburg.
Both Carlton and Maggie voted in the presidential election. They discussed who to vote for at length. They both decided to vote for Roosevelt. He was elected to his third term as president of the United States. Carlton told Maggie his election was unprecedented, as he was the only chief executive to have served more than two terms in office. Carlton was ecstatic over his victory. He told Maggie he would be listening to the president’s inaugural address.
Maggie didn’t have time, as she was planning for Thanksgiving and beginning to think about all things that had to be done for the Christmas holidays. She was going to invite Oma for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She took it for granted that Carlton would not have an issue with that. He was working too hard to worry about the holidays. The trip had really turned his practice upside down. Maggie was listening to the afternoon news on the radio when a news bulletin flashed on. Neville Chamberlin had died. The newscaster explained that Chamberlin was a past prime minister of the United Kingdom. Chamberlain, who’d had to deal with Hitler’s rise to power, was best known for his appeasement foreign policy. He’d signed the Munich Agreement, which had conceded the German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia, Sudetenland, to Hitler. The newscaster continued, saying the signing of this agreement would always be part of Chamberlain’s legacy.
When Maggie told Carlton of the former PM’s death, all he could say was, “He gave away a part of a country to Hitler. I’m sure the English won’t miss him.” Maggie was shocked that Carlton even knew who this man was. Maggie was starting to get concerned that Carlton has been paying so much attention to the war and world affairs. He never had before the trip.
Thanksgiving holiday was lesser news, which was overcome by the war. Still, the people of the United States had much to be thankful for this year, as the United States was not yet participating in the horrendous war going on overseas. Maggie invited Carlton’s mother over for Thanksgiving dinner. She was ecstatic to be spending the day with Carlton’s family and offered to help with the dinner and dishes. Maggie accepted her help graciously.
The Fuller family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Maggie and Oma put together a glorious dinner. Carlton had been given a fifteen-pound turkey by one of his clients. Maggie, being an American, made candied sweet potatoes like her mother did, mashed white potatoes, gravy from the turkey giblets, and a green bean casserole. Oma made the rolls and baked an apple strudel that dripped butter and sugar. Carlton and the children volunteered to wash the dishes and put the kitchen back together. The weather in Cleveland on Thanksgiving Day was cold, with rain and snow showers. Oma was a little nervous about Carlton driving her home that evening. She asked Carlton if she could stay the night and spend more time with them and the children. Carlton and Maggie were more than happy to have Oma stay. The kids were excited, as Oma could read to them and play games. It would be a grand evening.
December was coming, and the Christmas holidays were not far away. There would be more planning and decorating to be done at the Fuller residence. Maggie loved Christmas and looked forward to the decorating and shopping that had to be done to prepare for the holidays. But it was a lot of work to do, and it would be a little more difficult this year, as she was pregnant and would probably require more help from Carlton.
“Carlton,” called Maggie, “How do you feel about helping me this year getting ready for Christmas?”
“Works for me, honey. I know you are pregnant. I had been planning to do most of the heavy work. I’ll be pulling down the boxes, getting the tree, rearranging the furniture, and taking the kids to see Santa Claus. Is that okay?” said Carlton.
“Of course it’s okay,” quipped Maggie. “I am so lucky to have you. You are thinking of me and the effort that we put into the holidays. Thank you very much, honey. Come over here and give me a kiss,” she called.
Carlton walked over and hugged and kissed her approvingly. Oh how he loved this woman.
“Maggie I haven’t told my mother about Donovan’s request. Do you think I should tell her what he wants me to do?” he asked.
“Why should you? It would only upset her. You haven’t done anything about his request have you?” she replied, the negativity in her tone clear.
“No, no I haven’t,” he assured her. But I feel guilty not saying anything to her. With all the activity going on about the draft, she may hear about it from her friends and begin to worry about me. I certainly am the right age. I do have to register.”
“I don’t think the government will draft you. You have a mother; a wife; and two, soon to be three, children. Let’s wait until you hear from the draft board to say anything. Christmas is coming. You and I have too much to do. I just pray the unfortunate in Europe have something to celebrate,” said Maggie.
The children came into the room. “Mommy when are we going to see Santa Claus?” asked Charlotte. “Carlton, Jr., keeps telling me that, if we don’t get there soon, all the presents will be asked for by other children, and we won’t get any presents this year. Mommy, is that true?”
“Oh, Charlotte, that isn’t true at all,” replied Maggie. “He is just kidding you. Daddy will be taking you both to see Santa Claus soon. In fact, your dad and I have been talking about the man in red today. Haven’t we, Dad?”
“Yes we have.” Carlton grinned. “How about going to see Santa this Saturday morning? I’m sure he has office hours Saturday at Higbee’s Department Store. We’ll make a day of it. We’ll take the streetcar downtown, visit with Santa, and have lunch at Higbee’s Silver Grille Restaurant. What do you guys think about that?”
“Hooray!” shouted Charlotte. “We’re going to see Santa. We’re going to see Santa.”
“Aw, Dad,” said Carlton, Jr. “I knew we were going to see Santa, I just wanted to kid Charlotte. I’m also looking forward to seeing Santa. We are going to have a fun day Saturday. I told you so, Charlotte. You just don’t remember.”
With that, both of them took off running.
“Watch yourselves,” called Maggie after them. “Thank you, honey. Let’s get started decorating the house. Let’s get up to the attic and bring down the Christmas decorations.”
Christmas 1940 had begun at the Fullers. The family became embroiled in the holiday season. The United States was looking forward to a joyous time. Stores were full of shoppers, families were spending time together, Congress took its Christmas recess, and the churches were full on Christmas Day. The people of the United States prayed for peace that day. And unbeknownst to them, it would be the last peaceful Christmas for the next four years.
The war news was full of the British fighting the Italians in Africa. The Greeks were making headway against the Italians, but because the army was still using horses and old equipment, progress was slow. The Germans continued to bomb England. England continued to retaliate. Thirty-six thousand Italians were taken prisoner, captured in the Western desert of Africa. On Christmas, King George IV broadcast a message: “The future will be hard, but our feet are planted on the path of victory. And with the help of God, we shall make our way to justice and to peace.”
The Luftwaffe did not bomb England on Christmas Day but resumed on the next day. President Roosevelt, setting the stage, broadcast the following message: “We must be the arsenal of the democracies.”
Hitler issued his New Year’s proclamation: “1941 will see the German army, navy, and air force enormously strengthened and better equipped. Under their blows, the last boastings of the warmongers will collapse, thus achieving the final conditions for a true understanding among the peoples.”
Great Britain suffered massive civilian casualties in December—during that month 3,800 were killed and 5,200 were injured. The war went on.
Maggie visited the doctor for her monthly appointment. It was very routine visit. When she got home from the visit, she told Carlton that the doctor believed she would have a normal-sized child and a normal delivery. She has gained eight pounds. He expected the baby to be born in March. Happiness was an uneventful pregnancy.
“I’m happy it went well at the doctor’s honey,” Carlton told her, adding. “I registered for the draft. The place was packed with men and what seemed like boys signing up. There seemed to be a lot of grumbling going on. From what I heard, the Selective Service Act requires all American males between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-six to register for the draft. The act requires that only nine hundred thousand men at any given time can be in training. If you are drafted, you will serve only twelve months. The act also provides that, once drafted, you can only be located in the Western Hemisphere or in a US possession located in other parts of the world. That doesn’t seem to be a bad deal to me. I don’t understand why so many are upset about the issue.”
“We started talking about the trip and then got into some girl talk. You understand,” replied Maggie.
“Yes I do. How are you feeling? I’m a little tired. This has been a tough day for all of us.”
“I’m fine, Carlton,” said Maggie. “I want to give the general my thoughts as to the request he made of you. General, I am most unhappy about you requesting Carlton to volunteer for a civilian post in your future operation. The United States is not even involved in this war in Europe. As you know, we have two children, and I am four months pregnant with our third child. I don’t believe you have the right to ask my husband to leave us for a war that is killing thousands of people, both civilian and military. The Nazis are bombing England and killing innocent civilians and their children. Having traveled to Germany, I have seen and heard a great deal. I don’t want my husband involved. I told you I had discomfort. This is what it is about.” Maggie was loud and direct, standing in front of the general’s desk.
“Mrs. Fuller, please calm down. Please sit down. I understand your concerns and discomfort. I feel the same way you do. But I have a job to do, given to me by the president of the United States. What happens if the United States enters the war? Shouldn’t we be somewhat prepared? I want the best, most prepared personnel I can find here in our country to be in my organization. Wouldn’t you? Your and Carlton’s insight today have given me hope that I asked a very qualified man to volunteer. I did say volunteer. I know you and he have a wonderful family and a wonderful marriage. I don’t want to disrupt anyone’s life. We have to pray that our country does not get involved in the war. If we don’t, no one will have to volunteer.” The general stopped as Maggie had calmed down. “Please, Mrs. Fuller, may I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you, General,” Maggie replied. “You make your point very well. But you must understand mine. I hope you do. Carlton, can we leave now?”
“Thank you both for your debriefings,” said the general. “They were very complete. They certainly provided a lot of detail that I had no knowledge of. Combined with Major Best’s information, I have quite a package of information I will share with my peers and the president. Yes, Congress has passed legislation this month to begin a draft of personnel for the armed services. I understand the first numbers will be picked on October 29 this year. Things are getting serious. Major Best, please take Carlton and Mrs. Fuller home. This has been a difficult day. Carlton, I will be in touch. Thank you both again.”
“General, you said Congress passed legislation for a draft of men to meet military needs? The first will be picked this month? What is going on?” asked Maggie, who seemed a bit shaken by the general’s statement.
“Yes, Mrs. Fuller it’s true. I heard that this morning in my daily update. Apparently, Congress is very concerned about what is happening around the world. They are concerned should the United States have to get involved to protect ourselves.”
“Oh my God. I can’t believe it,” was all Maggie could say. The draft legislation shook her up.
“Maggie, Carlton, let’s get going before the general needs something else,” said Major Best lightheartedly, trying to break up a stressful moment.
The trio left the office quietly and headed downstairs.
After they left, the general opened the outside door, walked into Shelly’s office, and invited David Bruce back to his office. “What do you think, David? Did you get all of the nuances I did from the briefings? From my perspective, the Fullers fulfilled the mission I assigned them before they left.”
“They certainly had a fruitful trip,” Bruce said. “I’m glad we were able to finance it. The information they brought back with them confirms a number of issues we have heard about. Mrs. Fuller did a wonderful job of observing and listening. She developed a relationship with the wife of Carlton’s brother, revealing what the wife was thinking and feeling. She felt the coldness, rudeness, and ruthlessness of the German military officers she met. She certainly empathized with what the civilians and innocents in Europe are going through. I was very impressed with the detail she provided us.
“I certainly enjoyed her dialogue with you. She doesn’t want her husband to volunteer for anything the United States is not involved with. She had no problem telling you how she felt. I think that, if she were talking to the president, she would have told him the same thing she told you. She is a strong woman who wants to protect what is hers. I certainly want her as a friend.
“Now, let’s get to Carlton. He pays attention to detail. He noticed the local’s reaction to his brother when they stopped for breakfast in the village. He was keenly aware of Jodl’s dress, look, and attitude, and he recognized the Iron Cross at the neck of his brother when he was in uniform. I liked, too, the way he described his feeling about the energy at the OKW location in Zossan—like a beehive. Given the mission you have for this man, it is imperative he is able to recognize and evaluate what he will be hearing and seeing. He definitely has the traits necessary to accomplish the job we have for him. Physically, he is perfect. He will have to be trained in the physical requirements of the assignment. The question that needs to be answered is simple: Will he be able to kill as required and step into the role? Our trainers will have to make that evaluation. I believe we have the right person to accomplish the mission. Bill, how do we convince him to volunteer? It will take a serious incident for him to make that decision. One concern I have is, what do we tell his wife? If he volunteers, we will have to keep her in the loop.”
“David, great questions. Thank you for your astute evaluation of the two briefings. I appreciate your insight and the concerns that need to be resolved. That last concern you stated is yours to solve. Carlton, will be under control by your people. You will have to manage him and his situation when he is in place. I know our allies and the underground will help you and him accomplish his mission. I told the Fullers about the draft starting the twenty-ninth. That seemed to impress them a bit. It caused Maggie to flinch. We may have to use that to pressure him to volunteer. Is that fair? No, it isn’t, but the situation the world faces today certainly is not fair,” replied the general, feeling the pressure of the day. “David, when we took the jobs we have today, the president did not say they would be easy, did he.”
“No, he didn’t, Bill. I have a feeling they will get more difficult before they get easier. Thanks for inviting me to listen to the briefings and evaluate Fuller. He is the right man. I must get moving. I have to catch a plane back to Washington,” said Bruce as he shook Donovan’s hand and left the office.
“Shelly, it has been a difficult day. Please call the president’s secretary and see if he can see me tomorrow. We will need plane tickets and hotel reservations,” directed Donovan. The president and I have a lot to talk about. He will be very interested in the information the Fullers brought back with them. I’m also interested in the latest from Churchill.”
THE HOLIDAYS, THE BABY, AND DONOVAN
The family finally started to get back to normal. Maggie began to think about Thanksgiving. She was feeling very sad that they would not be able to have her relatives from Germany for the holiday celebration. She was thinking about Hildegard and her daughter Sara. Maggie knew that, although Sara wasn’t really Hildegard’s daughter, Hildegard treated her as if she was.
Maggie did not even think of Horst as her brother-in-law. He was a Nazi—cruel and evil. The trip to Germany had definitely been an adventure for Maggie. But the reality she had seen and participated in would impact her for the rest of her life. She didn’t want the United States to enter the war in Europe. She knew that, if it did, more death and devastation would follow—only the death would be close to home, for it would be Americans who were killed fighting the Nazis and their allies. She and Carlton discussed the situation at length. They had been listening to the radio more than they had ever done in the past. They read all the war news in the paper daily.
Maggie was getting worried that Carlton would volunteer. She dreaded the day that would happen. She had been spending her time with the children. She helped them in the mornings to get ready for school, making lunches, checking homework, and making sure they were dressed properly. Fall was starting to wane, and winter was approaching. The children never put on enough clothing for the weather. Once they left, it was putting the house in order, figuring out the day’s menu, and getting Carlton out of the house. Since they’d returned from Germany, he had been lingering at home longer than normal. When she asked him about it, he mumbled something about wanting to spend more time with her, she being pregnant and all. She thought it was the residue from the trip and dismissed his good intentions.
Carlton was trying to get his practice back together. He had to cancel a number of court cases and put off a number of client cases. The clients understood but were getting nervous about their issues. Carlton found himself working more hours than he wanted to. But the practice had to come first. He had to make a living and get back his clients’ confidence. He knew that, in time, he would be back to the normal flow of taking care of his clients’ needs.
As time went on, he was getting concerned about the situation in the world. Things were continuing to escalate. The allies’ shipping losses were the heaviest since the beginning of the war. In October alone, the losses totaled 198,000 tons of material. The submarines seemed to be winning. The Italians, under Mussolini’s direction, had attacked Greece and Albania. The air Battle of Britain was continuing. Although their aircraft and pilot losses were high, the Germans continued heavy bombing in England. The English retaliated by bombing Berlin, Naples, Danzig, Dresden, and Hamburg.
Both Carlton and Maggie voted in the presidential election. They discussed who to vote for at length. They both decided to vote for Roosevelt. He was elected to his third term as president of the United States. Carlton told Maggie his election was unprecedented, as he was the only chief executive to have served more than two terms in office. Carlton was ecstatic over his victory. He told Maggie he would be listening to the president’s inaugural address.
Maggie didn’t have time, as she was planning for Thanksgiving and beginning to think about all things that had to be done for the Christmas holidays. She was going to invite Oma for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She took it for granted that Carlton would not have an issue with that. He was working too hard to worry about the holidays. The trip had really turned his practice upside down. Maggie was listening to the afternoon news on the radio when a news bulletin flashed on. Neville Chamberlin had died. The newscaster explained that Chamberlin was a past prime minister of the United Kingdom. Chamberlain, who’d had to deal with Hitler’s rise to power, was best known for his appeasement foreign policy. He’d signed the Munich Agreement, which had conceded the German-speaking part of Czechoslovakia, Sudetenland, to Hitler. The newscaster continued, saying the signing of this agreement would always be part of Chamberlain’s legacy.
When Maggie told Carlton of the former PM’s death, all he could say was, “He gave away a part of a country to Hitler. I’m sure the English won’t miss him.” Maggie was shocked that Carlton even knew who this man was. Maggie was starting to get concerned that Carlton has been paying so much attention to the war and world affairs. He never had before the trip.
Thanksgiving holiday was lesser news, which was overcome by the war. Still, the people of the United States had much to be thankful for this year, as the United States was not yet participating in the horrendous war going on overseas. Maggie invited Carlton’s mother over for Thanksgiving dinner. She was ecstatic to be spending the day with Carlton’s family and offered to help with the dinner and dishes. Maggie accepted her help graciously.
The Fuller family had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Maggie and Oma put together a glorious dinner. Carlton had been given a fifteen-pound turkey by one of his clients. Maggie, being an American, made candied sweet potatoes like her mother did, mashed white potatoes, gravy from the turkey giblets, and a green bean casserole. Oma made the rolls and baked an apple strudel that dripped butter and sugar. Carlton and the children volunteered to wash the dishes and put the kitchen back together. The weather in Cleveland on Thanksgiving Day was cold, with rain and snow showers. Oma was a little nervous about Carlton driving her home that evening. She asked Carlton if she could stay the night and spend more time with them and the children. Carlton and Maggie were more than happy to have Oma stay. The kids were excited, as Oma could read to them and play games. It would be a grand evening.
December was coming, and the Christmas holidays were not far away. There would be more planning and decorating to be done at the Fuller residence. Maggie loved Christmas and looked forward to the decorating and shopping that had to be done to prepare for the holidays. But it was a lot of work to do, and it would be a little more difficult this year, as she was pregnant and would probably require more help from Carlton.
“Carlton,” called Maggie, “How do you feel about helping me this year getting ready for Christmas?”
“Works for me, honey. I know you are pregnant. I had been planning to do most of the heavy work. I’ll be pulling down the boxes, getting the tree, rearranging the furniture, and taking the kids to see Santa Claus. Is that okay?” said Carlton.
“Of course it’s okay,” quipped Maggie. “I am so lucky to have you. You are thinking of me and the effort that we put into the holidays. Thank you very much, honey. Come over here and give me a kiss,” she called.
Carlton walked over and hugged and kissed her approvingly. Oh how he loved this woman.
“Maggie I haven’t told my mother about Donovan’s request. Do you think I should tell her what he wants me to do?” he asked.
“Why should you? It would only upset her. You haven’t done anything about his request have you?” she replied, the negativity in her tone clear.
“No, no I haven’t,” he assured her. But I feel guilty not saying anything to her. With all the activity going on about the draft, she may hear about it from her friends and begin to worry about me. I certainly am the right age. I do have to register.”
“I don’t think the government will draft you. You have a mother; a wife; and two, soon to be three, children. Let’s wait until you hear from the draft board to say anything. Christmas is coming. You and I have too much to do. I just pray the unfortunate in Europe have something to celebrate,” said Maggie.
The children came into the room. “Mommy when are we going to see Santa Claus?” asked Charlotte. “Carlton, Jr., keeps telling me that, if we don’t get there soon, all the presents will be asked for by other children, and we won’t get any presents this year. Mommy, is that true?”
“Oh, Charlotte, that isn’t true at all,” replied Maggie. “He is just kidding you. Daddy will be taking you both to see Santa Claus soon. In fact, your dad and I have been talking about the man in red today. Haven’t we, Dad?”
“Yes we have.” Carlton grinned. “How about going to see Santa this Saturday morning? I’m sure he has office hours Saturday at Higbee’s Department Store. We’ll make a day of it. We’ll take the streetcar downtown, visit with Santa, and have lunch at Higbee’s Silver Grille Restaurant. What do you guys think about that?”
“Hooray!” shouted Charlotte. “We’re going to see Santa. We’re going to see Santa.”
“Aw, Dad,” said Carlton, Jr. “I knew we were going to see Santa, I just wanted to kid Charlotte. I’m also looking forward to seeing Santa. We are going to have a fun day Saturday. I told you so, Charlotte. You just don’t remember.”
With that, both of them took off running.
“Watch yourselves,” called Maggie after them. “Thank you, honey. Let’s get started decorating the house. Let’s get up to the attic and bring down the Christmas decorations.”
Christmas 1940 had begun at the Fullers. The family became embroiled in the holiday season. The United States was looking forward to a joyous time. Stores were full of shoppers, families were spending time together, Congress took its Christmas recess, and the churches were full on Christmas Day. The people of the United States prayed for peace that day. And unbeknownst to them, it would be the last peaceful Christmas for the next four years.
The war news was full of the British fighting the Italians in Africa. The Greeks were making headway against the Italians, but because the army was still using horses and old equipment, progress was slow. The Germans continued to bomb England. England continued to retaliate. Thirty-six thousand Italians were taken prisoner, captured in the Western desert of Africa. On Christmas, King George IV broadcast a message: “The future will be hard, but our feet are planted on the path of victory. And with the help of God, we shall make our way to justice and to peace.”
The Luftwaffe did not bomb England on Christmas Day but resumed on the next day. President Roosevelt, setting the stage, broadcast the following message: “We must be the arsenal of the democracies.”
Hitler issued his New Year’s proclamation: “1941 will see the German army, navy, and air force enormously strengthened and better equipped. Under their blows, the last boastings of the warmongers will collapse, thus achieving the final conditions for a true understanding among the peoples.”
Great Britain suffered massive civilian casualties in December—during that month 3,800 were killed and 5,200 were injured. The war went on.
Maggie visited the doctor for her monthly appointment. It was very routine visit. When she got home from the visit, she told Carlton that the doctor believed she would have a normal-sized child and a normal delivery. She has gained eight pounds. He expected the baby to be born in March. Happiness was an uneventful pregnancy.
“I’m happy it went well at the doctor’s honey,” Carlton told her, adding. “I registered for the draft. The place was packed with men and what seemed like boys signing up. There seemed to be a lot of grumbling going on. From what I heard, the Selective Service Act requires all American males between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-six to register for the draft. The act requires that only nine hundred thousand men at any given time can be in training. If you are drafted, you will serve only twelve months. The act also provides that, once drafted, you can only be located in the Western Hemisphere or in a US possession located in other parts of the world. That doesn’t seem to be a bad deal to me. I don’t understand why so many are upset about the issue.”
