In History, bent over her notes, Zoey did her best to catch up with Mr. Feeny as he stood in front of the class and was about to end his discussion about Pearl Harbour.
"And so the United States entered World War II on December 7th, 1941. As FDR said ' a day that will live in infamy." Mr. Feeny concluded as the bell rang. "I want to thank those of you who brought in some of your family mementos. It helped to snow that this war was not just a point in history but an event that touched all our lives. Thank you."
Zoey stood up and filed out of the classroom after everyone else and caught up with her friends in the hallway as Topanga showed Cory a photo of her grandparents.
"You know, he asked her to marry him on December 7th, 1941." Topanga said.
"Wait, I know that date." Cory realized. "Help me out here."
"Pearl Harbour." Shawn replied. "The day that will live in infamy. Feeny was just talking about it."
Zoey gave her boyfriend a smug look. "You listened to Feeny."
Shawn paused for a moment before he stared at her in shock. "Oh my god. I listened to Feeny!"
Zoey couldn't help but laugh as her and Shawn began walking down the halls.
"It's not so bad, you know... listening to Mr, Feeny." Zoey told him with a smirk.
"No, it's bad." Shawn disagreed. "Hey, I was wondering if I could see that picture of your grandparents."
"Sure." Zoey replied, showing her boyfriend a photo of her grandparents as they walked out.
Shawn smiled as he looked down at the photo of the happy couple. "They look so in love."
"They still are." Zoey said, smiling proudly.
Shawn furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait. So hold were they when they got married?"
"They were our age." Zoey answered
Then a black cat roaming the halls caught Shawn's attention.
"Hey, kitty, are you lost?" He cooed as he scooped the cat into his arms.
"You know, my grandpa never knew if he'd make it home, but that's the way it was back then. People never knew how their lives would turn out." Zoey said in fascination.
"I know." He sighed as he scratched the cat's head. "I don't know how I'd handle living back then. I wonder what it was like during World War II"
The black cat, Salem Saberhagen is 500-year-old witch who was sentenced to spend 100 years as a cat by the Witches Council as punishment for attempting to take over the world. But he still had his powers so he decided he would let Shawn see exactly what it was like during World War II.
"And away we go." Salem said but it sounded like a purr to everyone around him.
••••
(December 6, 1941)
Shawn and Zoey walked down the school hallway dressed in era-suitable clothing. Shawn wrapped an arm around his girlfriend as the pair stopped to study the 'I want you' poster hung up on the wall.
"Well, I'm glad the US of A ain't mixed up in this war because I could never be away from my best gal ." Shawn admitted, kissing her nose sweetly.
Zoey pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "I could never be away from you, kiddo."
Just as the couple shared a sweet moment, Mr. Feeny walked into the hallway with a solemn expression. "Attention, everyone. Please? It is with great sadness that I must inform you that the United States has entered the war. May God be with us all."
Cory marched down the stairs and joined them in the hall with a determined look.
"Shawnie, I'm going down to enlist. Uncle Sam wants us. I wasn't going to go, but he was pointing right at me." He said as that very poster of Uncle Sam pointing was right behind him. "I'm going to defend our country, Shawn. Are you coming with me?"
••••
The Hunter men were over at the Matthews' house discussing details of their impending departure into World War II. Alan Matthews and Chet Hunter were the squadron's sergeants and their sons were part of that squadron. Well, except for Eric.
Zoey strolled in through the backdoor
"Hi, everyone." Zoey greeted with a big smile. "Shawn, did you hear the news? Glenn Miller and his bag band orchestra are coming to town. What do you say we go?" She then paused, her smile faltering when she noticed everyone staring at her sadly. "Jeepers, why you guys looking at me all funny?"
"Shawn, you didn't tell her?" Cory asked quietly in shock.
Zoey's eyebrows furrowed. "Tell me what?"
Shawn sighed and gulped dryly before he cupped her cheeks fondly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Zo.... I enlisted. I'm going to war."
Zoey was white as chalk. Her eyes and mouth were froze widen open in an expression of stunned surprise. She couldn't believe that he would do something like this.
"But you said you couldn't be without me. We were going to be together forever." Zoey said, her voice breaking slightly.
"Zo, there's some things you just gotta do." Shawn told her immediately.
••••
(December 7, 1941)
Everyone was down at Chubbies to say goodbye to their future soldiers before they were shipped out. Meanwhile, instead of joining in on his last bit of freedom before he went to war, Shawn was trying to call Zoey. She wasn't picking up but he just kept calling.
"Operator? Yes. Connect me to Miss Zoey Francis at Zenith 6-5000. No answer again, huh?" Shawn sighed sadly and ended the call. "Golly. You can drive from Philly to Cleveland in a week, but they don't have a machine that can take a message."
"Oh, Don't worry, Shawn. That dame loves you to the sky and back. She wouldn't let you ship out without saying goodbye." Cory reassured him.
"Yeah. Well, I ain't just saying goodbye." Shawn reminded his best friend.
"Don't say ain't." Mr. Feeny scolded him as he passed. "Your mother will faint. Just because you're in the Army doesn't mean you have to talk like a sailor."
Every time Shawn heard footsteps echo from the staircase, he looked up hopefully only to be disappointment when it turned out not to be Zoey.
"Where is she?" He mumbled under his breath.
"Before you ship out, I want to wish our boys courage, perseverance and a safe trip home." Mr. Feeny said into the microphone as it came time for them to leave. "And during the lull in the fighting, I'd like a thousand-word essay on 'what I did during my summer in Europe'."
"And, boys, remember, 'please' and 'thank you'." Mrs. Matthews added quickly, standing in the middle of Chubbies. "Just because you're at war doesn't mean you can't be polite."
"I give the orders now, Amy." Mr. Matthews said as he put on his hat. "All right, everybody! Let's load the buses and head to Europe!" No one moved. "Please!" Everyone finally started moving towards the stairs. "Thank you!"
"Well, come on, Shawnie. We gotta hit the road." Cory said, patting his friend on the shoulder.
Shawn frowned. "Zoey's not here yet. Maybe she doesn't love me the way I thought."
"Of course I love you, you big lug." Zoey's voice rang out from behind them. She walked over to her boyfriend with a warm smile. "I wouldn't let you leave without a proper goodbye."
Shawn motioned Cory to leave them alone.
"Listen, I'm not just saying goodbye. There's something I need to ask you." He told her.
She smiled. "Name it, cupcake."
Shawn grabbed her hand into his. "I know we're young, but we still love each other. Now, these are crazy times. Who knows what's gonna happen?"
Shaw had practiced exactly what he wanted to say to her all night long but now, looking at her beautiful smile, his mind went blank.
"Shawn, what are you trying to say?" Zoey asked.
"Marry me, Zo." Shawn announced as he got down on one knee.
Zoey's eyes widen in shock. "You want me to be Mrs Shawn Hunter?"
"More than anything in the world." Shawn responded.
"Shawnie, you're out of time, buddy! We're pullin out!" Cory called from the top of the stairs.
"I need an answer, Zo." Shawn said desperately, starting to get nervous.
"Yes, Shawn. Of course, I'll marry you." Zoey said and pulled him in for a kiss. "I'll be right here waiting for you, and when you return, we'll have the rest of our lives together."
••••
In the trenches, the boys were sitting around the camp. Shawn had taken his usual position next to the typewriter with Zoey's picture on it. He had missed her so much.
"Alright, you dog faces. Brooklyn, distribute the K-rations. One can per person and no bellyaching." Mr. Matthews ordered the boys in the trench. He then handed his son a container. "Cory, your mum sent you a Waldorf salad, dressing on the side."
Everyone stared at Cory.
"I have a little trouble keeping the K-rations down." He explained. He turned to his best friend. "So, Shawnie, any word from Zoey."
"Not yet and everyday that goes by that I don't hear from her I miss her that much more." Shawn replied.
"This man's hurting!" Cory exclaiming, a hand on Shawn's shoulder and turned to their squad. "Any of you other mugs got a hard lucks tory of a loved one left behind?"
Everyone's attention turned to Jack.
"He's just my roommate!" Jack said defensively.
"You know what, Cory, I can't expect the mail to be on time with a war on, right?" Shawn asked.
"Mail call!"
Shawn ran up to the postman. "Anything for Shawn Hunter?"
"Maybe." The man replied as he pulled out a letter. He lifted it to smell the paper. "Looks like this girl Zoey's got it bad for you."
Shawn's eyes widen in disbelief. "You read my mail?!"
"Something's gotta keep me going through this war." The man explained.
Shawn grabbed the latter and quickly unfolded it.
My dearest Shawn,
I can only count the days until you return. Every night I dream about out future. A house in the country, children playing in the yard, someone to grow old with... Please come home soon.
Love, Zoey.
Then all of a sudden explosions came overhead.
"Incoming!"
The camp became a sudden flurry of action as everyone grabbed their weapons and took up their positions.
"Man your battle stations! It looks like we've got a war on our hands!" Mr. Matthew's voice called over the noise.
Cory handed Shawn a helmet. 'Shawn, keep your head down. You don't want to make Zoey a widow before you even marry her."
"Cor, listen to me." Shawn began seriously. "I made Zoey a lot of promises, okay? Now, if I don't come back and you do, I need you to do something for me."
"Sure, pal. Anything." Cory responded.
"Marry her." Shawn told him.
Cory's eyes widen. "Wait a minute. She's your sweetheart. Shawn, I wouldn't feel right about that. Kissing her would be like kissing you."
Shawn narrowed his eyes. "Hey, you. I said nothing about kissing. I just want you to marry the gal. Zoey's a real peach, she deserves everything she's ever dreamed of."
It took him a moment but Cory nodded. "Okay. I'll marry her."
••••
The war was over and the Allies had won. But, unfortunately, as is to be expected with a war, not everyone made it back. And among those lives lost was Shawn Hunter. He'd left Zoey Francis a widow before he'd even married her.
"Any word, Mr. Hunter?" Zoey asked desperately as she and Cory walked into the Matthews' backyard. "I'm all busted up inside."
"Any minute now, I just know he'll be walking through that door." Chet said but his voice wavered and even he didn't if he was trying to convince Zoey or himself.
Everyone turned to look at the door, but it stayed shut, and their hopes were crushed.
Cory sighed. "Well, I guess I've put this off long enough. Zoey, I need to ask you something."
"What's on your mind, Cor?" Zoey asked.
Cory got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
Everyone gasped in shock and Zoey immediately slapped him.
Cory winced and rubbed his stinging cheek. "I probably should have mentioned it was Shawn's last wish."
"Oh." Everyone muttered in understanding.
"If it's what Shawn wanted....." Zoey said, breathing heavily.
Cory stood up and pulled out the ring Shawn had been planning to give to Zoey.
"He couldn't wait to put this ring on your finger." Cory said, smiling sadly as he slid the ring onto her finger.
"It's swell." Zoey commented.
"If you blow into it, it makes a siren sound." Cory told her, trying to cheer her up but sighed. "You're not happy."
"You're not Shawn." Zoey said weakly as tears gathered in her eyes.
"Well, I guess we should make plans." Cory insisted softly.
But that's when it seemed too much for Zoey because, without another word, she turned on her heel and rushed off as the tears finally fell.
••••
At Chubbies, Topanga being the maid of honor, lead her best friend down the aisle. Zoey looked beautiful in her long, white silk dress. As they approached the Hunters.
"Mr and Mrs. Hunter, any word yet?" Zoey asked hopefully.
"We, we have to face it." Mr. Hunter said with a frown. "Shawn is-"
"No! I know my son is still alive and he loves this girl." Mrs. Hunter exclaimed, pointing at Zoey. "There, I said it."
"It's time." Mr. Feeny announced as he stood on the stage, holding a bible. Topanga moved off to the side to allow Zoey and Cory stand in front together. "Well, Cory marrying Zoey. This is weird. On the other hand, who would have thought, as principal, that I could perform marriages?"
"Wait. I-I object." Zoey announced, raising her hand. She turned to the Hunter family. "Mrs. Hunter, I can't do this. Shawn's alive, I can feel it. When you love somebody, you just know."
"That's why I sent Eric." The older woman replied.
"Mum, think about what you just said." Morgan pointed out.
With that the audience began to disperse.
••••
"As the best friend of the brother of the groom, I'm pretty sure I'm ordained to perform the wedding ceremony." Eric decided as he used the diner's host stand as a podium.
Shawn was alive after all the time. All he remembered was waking up naked, his clothes burned to a crisp, and he was speaking perfect French. And now he is marrying a French waitress, Versailles.
"This is what you want, yes, Pierre?" Versailles asked shyly.
"Yes, of course." Pierre, Shawn, replied with a forced smile. "A house in the country, kids playing in the field, someone to grow old with...."
Versailles frowned. "What's wrong with you, Pierre?"
"Nothing. Nothing. Of course, it's what I want. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." He said quickly, trying to convince her and himself.
"Is that really what you want?"
Everyone turned to face the double doors of the restaurant to see Zoey standing there in her wedding dress.
Eric and Jack gasped. "Zoey!"
Versailles gasped. "I recognize this girl. She's the one from your painting."
Shawn looked at Zoey up and down. "Perhaps... But I don't remember."
"Maybe you'll remember this." Zoey said as she cupped his face and pulled her in for a kiss.
"I-it seems familiar." Shawn stammered. "Versailles, what do you got?"
Zoey narrowed her eyes and grabbed his chin. "Shawn Hunter, if you think for one minute that I'm going to stand here-"
"Zoey!" Shawn cut her off, his eyes brightening with recognition. "Where am I? The last thing I remember, I was climbing out of a foxhole to see you, and then..." He froze for a minute. "Oh, my gosh, I'm in heaven."
Zoey chuckled. "Shawn, you're alive. You just lost your memory."
"Yeah, but what about Cory? What about the promise?" Shawn asked as he wrapped his arms around her tightly.
"Shawn, I could never be with anybody else." Zoey said truthfully. "All those things I'd ever dreamed about, a house in the country, kids playing in the yard, they mean nothing to me unless they're with you."
"Me, too." Shawn agreed with a smile. "I told you I'd come back."
Zoey smiled. "I found you, you big lug."
••••
The next day, Cory and Shawn were both walking down the school hallway, wondering what they were going to do next in their life when they just went to war.
"So, Shawn, now that the war is over, what are you gonna do about Zoey?" Cory asked his best friend.
"I'm going to pop the question all over again." Shawn replied with a smile.
Cory chuckled. "You got moxie, kid."
"She's gotta know that I really do care about her." Shawn explained as he pulled the Cracker Jack ring out of his pocket. 'And I'm not just asking because of some crazy war. He took a deep breath before he walked over to Zoey, who stood by her locker. "Zoey? There's something I really need to ask you..."
••••
(November 7, 1977)
Zoey looked up at her boyfriend expectantly. "Shawn, you were going to ask me something?"
"I found this really cool siren ring in my Cracker Jack box." Shawn sad, showing her the ring. "Would you like it?"
'Thanks. I'll treasure it forever, you big lug." Zoey said with a wide smile as she slipped the ring on her finger.
"I love you." Shawn told her.
"I love you too." Zoey responded as she pressed a kiss against his lips.
_____________________
PUBLISHED: September 15, 2018
WORDS: 2972