Papa's Story

It is 1944, and war is raging in Europe and Japan. Chuck is still in high school but his dream is to join the army and fight the Germans. One day, in the spring of 1944, he was walking on a lonely road and met someone that caused him to have another dream. This dream began when he met Betty Watson, the bank president's daughter. His good fortune began when, by a chance meeting, the Desoto she was driving had a flat tire. Her misfortune became Chuck's continuing desire to marry the girl of his dreams even though she was a few years older than he was.Although the two became good friends, Betty frequently reminded him that she had a boyfriend and that he was serving his country in the military. That information, although disheartening, did not keep Chuck from pursuing her. Betty and Chuck spent weeks together going places such as the bowling alley, the skating rink and the movies, while both insisted they were not dating.Chuck's older sister spilled the beans about the couple to his father who was not thrilled. His father suggested he date girls in school that were closer to his age but to no avail. Chuck had a one-track mind and that one track was Betty. In conversations between them Betty expressed doubt about a commitment from her soldier boyfriend and that was all the encouragement Chuck needed.After avoiding Chuck for several weeks, Betty confided in him that she was pregnant and her boyfriend, Bobby, was the father of the child. The announcement was a blow to him but Chuck was still not ready to give up on marrying her. However, when Betty's parents found out about her pregnancy, they shipped her off to California to have the baby and place it up for adoption.With one dream dimming the other was still very much alive. He graduated from high school and joined the army. Even though the war in Europe was winding down, the war in Japan was still very much alive. Chuck continued to write letters to Betty but at some point, her letters stopped. Chuck's interest in Betty had to be put on the back burner because of his military duties including guarding a brothel in Japan. After his discharge from the army Chuck attempted to rekindle their story but by that time Betty had married the father of her child. Even though he was still in love with Betty, he felt it was time for him to move on with his life. Where would he go from there?