Marci Perrine - Christian Author

Savannah, Georgia
March 1922

*tap*.... *tap*.... *tap*.... Tabitha woke to a strange tapping noise on her window. She struggled to open her eyes as she felt for her watch. It was five minutes after midnight. Who would bother her at such a late hour? She slipped on her red flannel robe, and shuffled over to the window. Tabitha cracked the window so as not to let in too much cold on this chilly night. On the lawn below was the silhouette of her beau.

"Seth! What are you doing?" she said with a loud whisper 

"Do you think you can come down here?" His tone matched Tabitha’s.

Tabitha sighed as she rolled her eyes. "I guess. Just give me just a minute." She pushed the window back down. She quickly changed into her blue muslin day dress and wrapped a warm quilt around her. Tabitha hurried down the stairs, and made sure to miss the squeaky spot on the next to bottom step. She opened the front door and held it still as it latched behind her. She almost screamed when Seth came up behind her and whirled her around.

"Seth Landry! What do you think you are doing here this time of night, and what is all this foolishness about?" she said indignantly, but a smile threatened to break free and belie her objections.

"It's done, Tabby. I'm enlisted in the Navy." Seth hugged her close and kissed her forehead. "I leave first thing tomorrow."

"You're leaving? Tomorrow? But what about our plans?" Her eyes squinted in confusion.

"We'll still make our plans, but we'll just change them a bit to fit in with the Navy now. Can't you see? This is our future, Tabby." Seth paced a few steps away. "They just commissioned the USS Langley as an aircraft carrier. Imagine that. Planes taking off right in the middle of the ocean." Seth's eyes lit up with excitement. "The Navy has so many exciting advancements now, and I want to be in the thick of it learning all about them."

"Well, if this is the direction that you are going, then what else can I do except support your decision." Inside her heart was racing and her stomach felt like a thousand birds were fluttering inside. Things were changing too fast.  

"That's my girl." Seth squeezed her hand and bent down for a quick kiss. "You know I love you, right?"

"Yes, but how can you be so excited about going away?" A whine crept into her voice, though she didn’t mean for it to happen. She wanted to be supportive, but she was going to miss him. What would she do all of those days and nights with him gone?

"That's why I came by. I couldn't leave without saying 'bye to my girl." Seth chucked her chin, and looked into her eyes. "I'm going to marry you someday, Tabby.” He pulled her into his arms. “But while I'm at sea, it's going to get awful lonely." Seth leaned in for a kiss and lingered there as he stroked her back and her arms. Tabitha melted into his strong chest as he held her close. 

She continued to kiss Seth as his hands wandered to places she'd never dare let them go before. After all, they were going to marry some day. She continued to let his hands roam as he cooed words of love and commitment. 

"I want to be with you, Tabby," he whispered against her ears, and it sent shivers down her spine. "Please let me have this tonight..." Soon, they crept up the stairs and she led him to her room, knowing that this was her last time with him for a long while. 

 

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Later that night, she lay in her bed weeping silent tears. Seth was gone, and he wouldn't be back for at least two months. She hadn't meant to give herself to him fully, but she kept reminding herself that they would eventually marry. There should be nothing wrong with wanting to feel this closeness of lovemaking before he left. Right? Well, it was too late now, and she would cherish this night until she could see him again...