Smiling Through

Chapter Ten

Gary drummed his fingers on the desk, next to an ashtray full of cigarette butts and one half smoked cigarette, impatiently as he waited to be connected with the FBI.

Cat sat nearby, grooming himself nonchalantly.

"Yes? Hello. I need to speak to someone, the head of...J. Edgar Hoover...Is he in charge?" he asked as a voice answered on the other end of the line.

"No, it's very important that I speak with him...You don't understand...It's a matter of life and death. Yes, that would make it very important, wouldn't it?" Gary sighed deeply.
"Alright. Please make sure he gets this message. I want you to give it to him personally." Gary took a deep breath before continuing. "Tomorrow morning, December 7th, just before 8 A.M. Honolulu time, Japanese Zero pilots are going to bomb Pearl Harbor."

Gary tried desperately to remember all he had learned in American History class in High School and what he'd read in the article in the paper.

"Several...most of the battleships will be hit. The Arizona and the Oklahoma will sink. Hickam Airfield will be hit along with Scofield Barracks...No, this isn't some kind of a story. This is going to happen tomorrow unless someone warns...Hello? Hello? Damn!" Gary cursed as he slammed the phone onto its cradle.

Hours later he sat with his arms folded on the desk and his forehead resting on his arms. He'd spent the afternoon on the phone calling everyone he could think of from Washington D.C. to Pearl Harbor. If he got through to anyone at all, they thought he was someone with too much time on his hands with a sick sense of humor.

He jumped when there was a knock on his door. He took a deep breath. The cops, or the FBI, maybe, were here to haul him away. He was sure there was some kind of law against calling in supposed false alarms to the White House. Hadn't one of the many people he'd talked to today, told him so?

Silently he walked to the door and looked through the peep hole and saw Anna.

He heaved a sigh of relief as he opened the door. "Anna. Hello."

"Hello, Gib. May I come in?"

"Sure," he said as he stepped aside, then closed the door behind her.

She set her purse on the table and draped her cape over a chair before turning to him. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked. She wore a navy
velvet dress with a mandarin collar adorned with navy sequins and capped sleeves. The skirt fell to about mid calf and was draped across the front and gathered at the waist with a chiffon flower. Her blond hair was curled softly around her face and one side was pulled up with a blue sequined comb. She wore navy velvet gloves that went up past her elbows and navy pumps.

"Wow!"

"Thank you," she sighed. "I wish...You always make me feel..."

"Oh, I'm...ah...sorry. I...uh, shouldn't have," Gary stammered.

"Don't apologize. A girl likes to have a guy take notice every now and then." She rubbed her arms nervously. "How's your head?"
"It's okay," he replied.

Suddenly feeling all jumpy inside, he rubbed the back of his head.

Anna reached up and softly touched his hand.

"You'll wear a bald spot back there if you don't stop that," she said as she smiled up at him.

Gary's fingers wrapped around her gloved hand and moved it from his head, pausing before releasing her grasp and taking a step back.

"Are you alright? You look so worried," she asked gently. "You don't still think you're someone named Gary..."

Suddenly Gary grabbed her hand and led her to the sofa.

"Gilbert, what is it?"

"Anna, I want to tell you something. Something that is hard to believe, impossible even, but it happened."

She smiled and leaned closer, expectantly. "Yes, Gilbert?"

"I'm really *not* Gilbert Harrison. My name is Gary Hobson and I was born on September 17, 1965 in Hickory, Indiana. I currently live in Chicago at this hotel, in this room, but it's not 1941. It's 1996.

"I met you a couple of days ago in a nursing home. Your bed caught fire and I saved you. I came back the next day with a down comforter for you and you told me about Gilbert being the biggest mistake of your life. And...and...well, I, I think you should stay away from me. That's why I, I'm here. To stop that mistake with me, I mean Gilbert, and to stop December 7th from happening." Gary paused and took a deep breath.

Anna pulled her hand out of his grasp as she eyed him questionably.

"Wha...what mistake am I going to make with you?" she asked quietly.

"I don't think it's you who makes the mistake. It's me, I mean Gilbert and, and if you stay away from me, maybe things will turn out alright for you."

"This doesn't make any sense, Gilbert. How am I supposed to believe this story? Because honestly, it's very unbelievable."

"Could you just take a leap of faith and trust me?" Gary pleaded.
Anna raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, let's see," he said as she scratched his head. "Anna, I...I don't know what I can say to prove this to you." He took her hand in his. "I just really need you to believe me."

Her expression softened before she got up and walked to the window. She was silent for several minutes before she spoke again. "You said I was in a nursing home. Do Roland and I marry?"

Gary moved to stand behind her. "I'm, I don't think so."

She turned to look up at him. "So, you believe what happens between us, I mean between Gilbert and me, will happen tomorrow?"

Gary wished he could have felt some elation in the fact that she'd corrected herself, but the look on her face broke his heart.

"Yeah."

"You also said you were here to stop December 7th from happening. You said it like it was an important date. Like something of significance will happen..."

"That, no, that doesn't concern you."

She stared at him for a few moments before turning back to look out the window. "I'm not sure I totally believe you."

Gary placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. He looked down into eyes that were moist with tears. "I promise you. I'm telling the truth," he whispered.

She tilted her face to his and he leaned closer.

"Anna, as much as I would love to kiss you right now, I can't. I won't!"

She stepped back and blinked rapidly. "Oh my word!" she gasped. "Do you think I seduce you and Roland finds out? If he did, he'd kill us both. He's so terribly jealous. He drives me insane with his jealousy."

Gary swallowed hard.

"This...this can't be happening! How *could* this happen? You look just like Gib, you sound like him, but there...there *is* a difference," she cried.

She nibbled on her bottom lip, then turned to look at the clock as it chimed.
"Anna, I don't know how..." Gary began.

"I have to be going. I'm meeting Roland downstairs in the Balinese Room. I don't want to be late," she said nervously. "I hate to go. I feel like there is more we need to talk about."

"It's okay. You should go."

She picked up her cape and purse and Gary followed her to the door.

"I guess it's out of the question for you to join us?" she asked.

"I'm afraid so," Gary said as he opened the door.

"Anna? What are you doing here?" Roland asked.


Chapter Eleven

"Roland!" Anna gasped. "I...was just on my way to meet you."

"Ah. I see. You just took a little side trip to visit Gib?"

"Yes. Just a quick one. I wanted to see how he was feeling," she explained.

"And how are you feeling, Gib? A little randy tonight, maybe?"

"I'm feeling much better. Thank you for asking," Gary replied coolly.

Roland placed his hand on Anna's arm. "Let's go. We wouldn't want to be late," he literally hissed.

"You don't care if I join you, do ya? I haven't eaten all day and I'd hate to have to eat alone," Gary stated.

Roland stiffened and Anna looked relieved.

"I don't think so," Roland replied. At the same time Anna said," That would be nice, Gib."

"Great. I'll get my jacket."

~~~

Gary could hardly appreciate the splendor of the Balinese Room as they entered, even though it was spectacular with its white marble walls and columns. Large paintings of tropical scenes with flamingos and semi nude native women and palm trees adorned the walls. Each table was covered in a white linen tablecloth with a yellow floral centerpiece. Two orange and two green colored chairs surrounded each table and in the center of the room was an oval, copper dance floor. At one end was a stage with a five piece band, including a female singer.

The trio was seated near the dance floor and none of them were speaking.

Gary was beginning to realize that even though Roland had the look of an innocent kid on the surface, underneath his temper simmered on the edge of boiling. Better judgement told him to stay away from both of them, but he couldn't leave Anna alone with Roland. She deserved something better than a jealous husband who was capable of murder.

The band began to play 'Faithful Forever' and Roland led Anna onto the dance floor.

Gary lit a cigarette and looked around the room at people laughing and eating, dancing and smiling. Unaware that their world would be turned upside down in less than 24 hours.

His gaze settled on Anna and Roland. Did she really love him? He could leave this room right now and go away, and he was pretty sure Gilbert wouldn't be murdered, but then what would happen to Anna? Would her future be worse than it already was?

Their food was brought and even as hungry as Gary was, he ate without tasting the food.

He cleared his throat. "Roland. You told me this morning, we'd been friends since we were kids. I defended you against a bully on the playground?"

"Yes, you did. I decided then and there that I wouldn't be pushed around again and I learned to fight my own battles. You even taught me how to throw a punch," Roland added.

"Gee, aren't I aces?" Gary said under his breath. "Why, uh, am I living here? In a hotel?"

"Gib said a room here suited his lifestyle better than a rambling old mansion," Anna said.

"What she means is, you never plan on marrying or having kids, so why have the upkeep of a big house and servants? This way you still get waited on hand and foot and it's mighty convenient when you find a sweet dolly, here at the bar," Roland winked.

"Oh, well, I, uh..." Gary stammered as he blushed.

"You're lucky your parents are dead. You have sole control over the money and can do what you want. I'm expected to work at that mill every day and learn the business, or I get nothing," Roland said as he crushed a cigarette in the ash tray.

"Roland! What a horrible thing to say. I'm sure Gib would rather have his parents than all that money, any day," Anna chastised.
"Don't you talk to me in that tone," Roland replied angrily.

"You know what I'd like is to dance with Anna. You don't mind, do ya, Roland? I mean it's out here in public and I couldn't be accused of trying to steal your gal with you right here, now could I?"

Roland's face turned red with anger and Gary knew he was pushing him. He stood and took Anna's hand and led her to the dance floor as the band began to play, 'We'll Meet Again'.

"You really shouldn't push Roland like that," Anna whispered.

"I know I shouldn't, but I can't seem to help myself."

"We should be careful. Both of us. Just in case," she pleaded with him.

"Is he like this all the time? Angry, I mean?"

"Not all of the time. It's been tough on him at the mill. Business is hurting and he's afraid he might lose some or all of his inheritance. He's so concerned with money. I wish he could be more like you. I mean Gib. Gib has a lot of money but he doesn't flaunt it. And all of that talk about him being a ladies' man, he's not. It's all a big show. I think Gilbert is scared of getting hurt. Of loving someone and losing them, like he did his parents. They died in a boating accident on Lake Michigan a few years ago. I understand his pain. I lost both of my parents, too."

Gary nodded. "I'm very sorry."

Anna smiled sadly.

"How did you meet Roland?"

"It was here, actually. In this room. I used to be a singer with a band, but after Roland and I got together, he didn't think it was proper. So now I work in a typing pool at the mill."

Gary didn't like what he was hearing. Not at all. "Why do you stay with him? You could do so much better."

Anna shrugged. "I..I don't know. I used to love him, but now...I've had to give up so much for him. Should love be that way? Should I have to give up something I love so much, for Roland to be able to love me?"

"No. Love shouldn't be that way," Gary said as he pulled her a little closer to him. "Are you a good singer?"

She looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with longing. "I'm very good. I love to sing."
"Sing for me."

"What? Here? Now?" she asked, embarrassed.

"Yes. Sing this song. Just for me," he whispered.

He knew he was treading on dangerous ground but he couldn't help himself. It felt as if sometimes, someone else took over and he had no control.

Anna dropped her head and cleared her throat, then began to sing softly.

'Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
Till the blue skies chase those dark clouds far away

And I will just say hello
to the folks that you know
Tell them you won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as I saw you go
You were singing this song

We'll meet again, don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again
some sunny day.'

The music stopped and dancers applauded as Gary and Anna continued to sway in each others arms.

"That was beautiful," Gary whispered.

"Thank you."

"You say Gib has a lot of money?" Gary asked.

Anna nodded.

"If I gave you enough money, would you leave Chicago and go far away from here and Roland?"

"Why? Why do you want me to go?" she asked.

"You're making a spectacle of yourselves," Roland whispered. "People are staring."

Anna stepped back quickly. "Thank you, Ga...Gib. Dance with me, Roland," she said as she took Roland's hand in hers and gave him a brilliant smile.

Slowly, Gary backed away.


Chapter Twelve

Gary tossed and turned that night, sleep eluding him.

He finally rose before dawn and lit a cigarette before he went out onto the patio to watch the sun come up.

He was sure he'd made matters worse last night. He hadn't had another chance alone with Anna to see if he could convince her to go away so that she'd be safe.

*Thump* "Meow!"

Gary turned, surprised that the paper would come today. He made his way to the door and stepped out of the way after he opened it, and cat trotted in.

Gary picked up the issue of The Sun and stared at the bold headline announcing the attack on Pearl Harbor.

"Damn! They didn't do anything."

He slammed the door and ran to the phone, thinking he still had time.

He had the operator connect him to every radio station and newspaper in Honolulu. All of them hung up on him, several giving him a few choice words before they cut off the connection. He didn't know what else to do. He looked at the paper again. Nothing had changed. As Gary lit a cigarette he realized that this was the same paper he had made copies of a few days ago. There, in the bottom right hand corner, was the article on Gilbert's murder.

Gary put down the paper, then showered and dressed. He ordered up breakfast and tried to eat. He looked at his watch--12:30. He turned on the radio and waited for the news to come in.

Breakfast weighed like lead on his stomach and his heart raced. If only he could have stopped it.

'Dreaming' was playing on the radio when the announcer broke in.

"We interrupt this program to bring you a special bulletin. The Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. The White House announces, Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Oahu, Hawaii this morning in a sneak attack."

Gary turned off the radio and made his way downstairs. A few people were talking quietly when someone ran in and cried out, "We've been attacked. The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor!"

The quiet of the day was broken with that news as men exclaimed in anger and women began to cry.

Out on Michigan Avenue, life seemed to go on unchanged; for now.

Gary stepped into a cab and asked to be taken to the North Avenue Beach. There wasn't anything he could do about Pearl Harbor, now. He knew he had to try and focus on Anna and Gilbert. Maybe if he stayed at the beach he could stop Gilbert from dying.

He arrived at the beach and made his way to the bench. He sat there, contemplating what to do as he looked at the newspaper. The article about Gilbert's murder hadn't changed, so staying away from everybody was not going to change the fact that a young man was going to die and Anna would spend the rest of her life alone. Heartbroken? Guilt ridden? Either way, Gary wanted to find some kind of solution that would give her a better future. He wasn't sure why he felt so strongly about that.

He pulled a cigarette out of his jacket and lit it and as he brought it to his lips he stopped and looked at it. "Why am I smoking? I don't smoke?' he said out loud as he dropped the cigarette and crushed it beneath his shoe.

"Gib..Gary," Anna paused and sighed. "I'm not sure what to call you."

Gary turned at the sound of her voice. "Anna. What are you doing here? I told you to stay away from me."

"Yes, you did. About 3 minutes before you invited yourself to dinner with Roland and me," she shot back.

Gary dropped his head. "Fair enough. How did you know I was here?"

"I didn't. Gilbert comes here when he needs to think and I thought...I'd hoped you'd be here too."

Gary nodded as Anna sat down next to him.

"Are you alright? You look so pale," he stated.

"You haven't heard about the attack?"

"Pearl Harbor." He nodded. "I knew."

Anna looked at him thoughtfully. "Oh my Lord! This was the other thing you mentioned that you were trying to prevent. Isn't it?"
"I'm sorry. I tried. I really did."

She reached out and took hold of his hand. "I'm sure you did everything you could."

"It still wasn't enough."

Gary squeezed her hand slightly as they sat in silence.

"I'm scared," Anna said, breaking the silence. I can't believe we were attacked. How could this happen? Why?" She looked up at Gary. Her eyes wide with fear. "Will there be more attacks today?"

"Shh," Gary uttered as he gently stroked her hair. "There won't be any more attacks. They thought they could scare us. That this would keep us out of the war."

"But, we'll go to war, won't we? We can't let them get away with this," Anna stated.

"Yes, we go to war," Gary answered softly.

"Will we win?" she asked as her voice faltered.

Gary looked down at her, her eyes brimming with tears. "Yes. We win. In Europe and in the Pacific."

"We fight Hitler, too? Tell me it won't last long. Tell me we beat them all very soon," she pleaded.

"I wish I could. The war won't end until 1945. It's...."

Gary wished he could remember more of the battles fought and won, details of Midway, D-Day and Guadal Canal, but it was probably best not to tell Anna any more than he already had.

"...It's going to be okay."

The wind off the lake was cold and stung their cheeks as they sat in silence, staring out over the lake. Anna leaned against him and he placed his arm around her and pulled her close.

"Gary, is it alright if I call you that?"

He nodded.

"What's going to happen today? To me? Why do you want me to leave town?"

Gary rubbed the back of his head. "Anna, it's probably best..."
"If you tell me, I will take the money and leave."

"You'll go away and never set foot in Chicago again? You'll go out there and sing so everyone can hear you and you'll find someone worthy of your love?"

She took a deep breath. "It's Roland. He's going to kill me, isn't he?"

"No. No, he's not, but he is capable of murder. You deserve someone so..."

"He's going to kill you, I mean Gib, because he knows it's Gilbert that I really love."


Chapter Thirteen

"You love Gilbert? But you told me he was the biggest mistake of your life!" Gary exclaimed.

"I..I can't imagine why I'd say such a thing, unless it is because I was the reason that Gilbert died."

"Anna, are you sure you love Gilbert?"

"Oh, yes. There was something about him the first time I met him. He was so kind, with gentle eyes. And the way he looks at me and compliments me, he always treats me like a lady. He has a reputation as a ladies' man, but he's not. He's really so desperate to love someone and be loved in return. He's told me, here on this bench, how much he wants to find someone to love and to marry and have children with. I've wanted to tell him for so long that I love him, but I've been scared to. Scared he'd reject me or scared he'd actually love me in return and mostly scared of how Roland would react. Gary, if I leave tonight, he'll still kill Gilbert, won't he?"

Gary said nothing.

"Please tell me. I have to know Gilbert will be safe if I leave."

"Yes," Gary lied. "Gilbert and you will both be safe if you leave town."

He could see the conflict in her eyes, could understand she was torn.

"Come with me. If you aren't here, Roland can't kill Gilbert. And if he doesn't, you'll go back to where you belong and Gilbert will be with me. Safe."

"I can't go with you. If I do and he realizes it, do you think he'd just let us go?"

She sighed. "No, he wouldn't. He'd come after us."

"We'll figure this out somehow. I'll get you the money and we'll decide on a destination and put you on a train. I'll...I'll go back to the Blackstone and won't let on like I know where you are. I'll leave a note where Gilbert can find it and when I'm gone and things are safe he can come to you. I know he will."

She shivered as she inhaled the cold air. "You look like Gilbert," she said longingly. "If I leave, I might never see him again. Never get the chance to tell him I love him."

Gary gently caressed her face. "Just in case," he whispered as he leaned forward and tenderly kissed her lips. They were sweet and tasted like peppermint.

His hand moved behind her head and cradled it as he deepened the kiss. Tears flowed down her cheeks and salted their lips.

"Gilbert, I love you," she breathed on Gary's skin.

He pulled away and looked into her eyes and smiled. "No worries, okay? Everything will turn out fine."

She nodded as he stood up and took her hand.

~~~

Gary had located the bank president and convinced him to open the bank for him to withdraw funds. As a condition, he had to swear to the man that he wasn't going to withdraw every penny and he'd keep the transaction on the QT. The city was in a panic and the banker feared how it would effect his business if word got out.

With that done, he'd taken Anna to her apartment and helped her pack. When they arrived at Union Station, he bought her a one way ticket to New York.

He'd watched her board the train, but she had begged him not to stay and watch her go, claiming it was bad luck.

He arrived back at the Blackstone, wondering if he'd made a mistake in letting Anna leave town alone. Maybe he should have gone with her. If he packed a bag and boarded a train bound for New York, he, actually Gilbert, would be out of harm's way for a while and he wouldn't die. Anna could fill Gilbert in, and it would be up to him to take care of Roland. Gary looked at his watch. He didn't have much time.

He ran across the lobby to the elevators. Impatiently he rode one to the top floor and ran down the hall to his room. He opened the door and went straight to the bedroom and grabbed a suitcase. Quickly he began tossing clothes into the case. He went into the bathroom and hurriedly tossed necessities into a smaller bag. He stopped when he heard footsteps inside the room and the dead bolt on the door click into place.
Gary cursed under his breath.

"Looks like you're going someplace. You weren't going to tell me?"

"Roland. Uh...uh, what are you doing here?"

"I came to see how you were handling the news and you weren't here. So, I've been waiting. Where have you been?" he asked suspiciously. "I was out," Gary replied as he tried to remain calm.

"I see. And you're going *out* again? Looks like you're planning a trip. Are you traveling alone?"

Gary laughed nervously. "Of course I'm traveling alone."

"You weren't going to say good-bye? Not even to an old friend?"

"Well, I...there," his voice cracked. "Wasn't time. I'm...I'm...I'm going to sign up...to fight...that...that's it. I'm going to join the Army," Gary said as he closed the lid on the suitcase and snapped it shut.

"We're sure to join the war now, after this. I've got to do my part," Gary lied as he pulled the case off the bed and walked past Roland. He held his breath, hoping he'd get to the door.

"Really? You're going to join the Army?"

"Of course. Don't ya believe me?"

"I don't know, Gib. There was a time when I thought I could trust you with my life, but now I can't trust you with my own gal. So you tell me?"

Gary rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Roland," he said as he turned to face him.

"Hmm. Why are you leaving tonight? It's late, Gib. You couldn't wait till morning?"

"Well, I, uh, I'm anxious to get started," Gary said as he slowly reached for the door knob.

"I bet you are," Roland replied coolly as he pulled the gun from his coat pocket and aimed it at Gary. Gary's hand froze in mid air.

"You never were a good liar, Gib. Your problem is, you have a conscience. You can't tell a good lie if you feel guilty about it."

"Listen, Roland. You've got this..."
"Why would you feel guilty, Gib? You wouldn't be running off to meet Anna, would you?"

Gary grabbed the door knob.

"Not so fast, friend," Roland said evenly as he cocked the pistol.

Gary let go of the knob and held his hand up.

"Roland, listen to me. Don't do anything rash. I'm gonna set this suitcase down and we can talk about this," Gary said as he slowly lowered the case.

"There's nothing to talk about. I know what's going on with you and Anna. You think I'm stupid or something? Telling her how swell she looks, meeting her in the park, telling her all about how you feel about being alone and losing your parents. You don't think I know how that can turn a girl's head? And you did it all out in the open so you could say you weren't going behind my back. You had everything and you decided you needed Anna, too. Well you can't have her!"

"Okay. You're right. I was trying to steal her from you, but it didn't work. She doesn't love me so there isn't anything for you to worry about."

Roland laughed. "I've seen the way she looks at you. The way she'll never look at me," Roland said as he aimed the gun at Gary's head.

"You won't get away with this, Roland. You...you're in a hotel. People will hear the shot and they'll see...see you run from the room," Gary explained. "There's no need to do this. I promise, I'll sta...stay away from Anna."

Roland seemed to waver for a second.

"Thanks, friend. You know, you're too honest for your own good. It's gonna get you killed one day."

Gary gulped.

Roland took a step towards him and waved the gun at the window that led to the balcony. "I think maybe the attack this morning was too much for you to handle and you'll jump to your death." Roland laughed. "I could always count on you to get me out of a mess. Not that I'd have any trouble, but just in case..."

"Good thinking, Hobson," Gary muttered.

"Rowr!" Cat growled.

Surprised, Roland looked in the direction of the cat and Gary took the opportunity to rush him. He grabbed Roland's wrist and tried to wrench the pistol from his grasp.
Roland moved his foot behind Gary, tripping him and they fell back onto the sofa and rolled over onto the coffee table, which collapsed underneath them.

Roland swung his fist and made contact with Gary's cheek, stunning him momentarily. He loosened his grasp on Roland's wrist and his attacker broke free and stood up.

"I'll teach you to steal my girl," Roland sneered as his face contorted with anger.

Gary heard the cat hiss and Roland curse. Gary scrambled backwards and bumped into the end table causing the lamp to topple over and hit him in the head, just as a shot rang out.


Chapter Fourteen

"Gar? Gar, wake up."

"Mr. Hobson?"

"This doesn't look good, Boswell. Maybe you should call an ambulance."

"Yes, Mr. Fishman."

"Gary," he repeated as he carefully rolled Gary over. "Wake up."

Gary awoke with a start and grabbed Chuck's hands and flipped him so that he landed on his back with a thud and a whoosh of escaping air.

"What. The. Hell. Was. That. For?" Chuck groaned.

"Chuck? It's really you?"

"Yes, it's me. Who'd you think it was? Hulk Hogan?"

Boswell snickered.

They both turned to look at him.

"Should I notify the ambulance that there are two persons in need of assistance?" Boswell asked.

"No, you need not tell them that," Chuck said sarcastically as he sat up.

"What's today?" Gary asked.

"It's the 6th of December," Chuck replied.
"1996, right?"

"Uh, yeah!"

"I didn't stop it. I should have got on that train. It was stupid to come back here. I got him killed," Gary mumbled as he stood, carefully.

"You got who killed?" Chuck and Boswell asked in unison.

"Gilbert."

"Who?" Chuck asked as he scratched his head.

"Gilbert Harrison. The man who was murdered in this room in 1941. The Blackstone Murder. You told me about it, Boswell."

"I don't recall telling you that, Mr. Hobson. To the best of my knowledge there has never been a murder in any room in the Blackstone."

"But you told me his ghost haunted this room. You told me that, yesterday."

Boswell shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

Gary rubbed his hand over his face. "It was all a dream," he said under his breath.

"You sure you're alright, buddy?" Chuck asked.

"Meow!"

Gary turned to see the cat waiting in the hall on top of the paper. He walked over and slowly bent down to pick it up.

"Uh, could you excuse us, Boswell?"

"But, the ambulance."

"No need for one. I'm alright. Really. I feel swell."

"Swell?" Chuck frowned.

"Thanks for the concern, Boswell. Really. I've got, ah, stuff now. So, good-bye," Gary said as he ushered Boswell out of the room and shut the door behind him.

"Gary, you're acting more strange than usual. Maybe I should take care of this today," Chuck said as he reached for the paper. Gary moved it out of his reach.
"I don't think so. If you'll excuse me, I've got things to do," Gary said as he opened the door and let Chuck out.

~~~

After showering and bandaging his head, he looked through the paper for any saves. He had two small incidents that morning then he had a two hour break before the afternoon saves.

With the two morning saves taken care of, he hurried to the Lake Shore Nursing Home.

Jackie greeted him with a smile.

"Hello. I bet I know who you're here to see."

Gary's heart plummeted. She was still here. "Is it okay to go see her?"

"Sure. You know the way."

Gary rushed down the corridor to room 220, anxious to see Anna and find out why she'd returned to Chicago.

He tapped on the door and entered upon the invitation issued.

"Anna. I've got so many questions to ask you. You might not even remember, but....who are you?" Gary asked as he stared at the strange woman in Anna's room.

"Oh, Gary. You silly boy," the woman laughed.

"You...you know me?"

"Of course I do. You rescued me from my burning bed a few days ago. Then brought me this new down comforter."

"But...but that was Anna. You're..."

"Emma. Emma Parks. Gary, are you alright? Did that bump on your head cause you to get things mixed up?"

Gary touched the bandage on his head. "Yeah, maybe it did."


Chapter Fifteen

Gary's feet were heavy that night as he walked down the hall to his room. He had just visited the Marble and Balinese rooms and their condition depressed him. He looked up at the faded wallpaper in the hall and wondered if the mural might still be underneath. And he wondered about Anna. Surely it all hadn't been a dream or a figment of his imagination.

Tomorrow was December 7th. 55 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. It had sure felt like he'd been there. His heart felt heavy with the weight of not being able to stop such an event. But of course, he couldn't have stopped it. He wasn't there. He shook his head. The paper was driving him insane. That had to be it.

After visiting the nursing home, he'd wanted to go to the library to see if he could find out anything on Anna and Gilbert, but the paper hadn't allowed time for that. Maybe tomorrow.

He walked into his room and shut the door behind him. Walking over to the coffee table, he dropped his keys before bending over to pick up the photo copies stacked neatly on the table. His heart sped up. He'd really made photo copies. 'Wealthy Bachelor Shot at Blackstone Hotel.' Gary frowned. He could have sworn the headline had said murdered before.

A cold breeze caused him to shiver and he looked up to see the window leading out to the balcony was open. His shoulders drooped. It looked like he still had his ghost, even if no one remembered him.

He walked to the window to close it.

"Gary?"

"Holy sheeeeesh!" Gary jumped and dropped the papers.

"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"Startle me. Hell, you scared me half to...." he paused as the woman outside his window bent down and stuck her head into the room. She sat down on the window sill and carefully maneuvered her legs through the opening. She took Gary's offered hand, then stood up.

"The doorman let me in. I waited a while in here, then I thought I'd step outside to see the lights. It's certainly brought back memories being in this room." She dropped her head and laughed softly.

She looked different than she had at the nursing home. Now she stood straighter and her hair was shiny silver and elegantly styled and subtle makeup accentuated her features.

"Anna," Gary finally whispered.

She let out the breath she had been holding.

"It is you. You really do exist. All these years I wondered. I doubted, I...I didn't know what to think or believe anymore."

She began to shake and Gary took her hand and led her to a chair to sit down. He then closed the window, picked up the scattered papers and returned to the sofa and took a seat, laying the papers on the table.

Gary scratched the back of his head. "You've had 55 years to wonder what happened. I've had less than a day and I thought it was all a dream. I went to the nursing home and you weren't there."

Anna laughed. "Thank goodness."

"When did you come back to Chicago?" Gary asked.

"I never left."

"Howzat?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

She leaned over to the table and picked up the stack of papers and looked through them, until she found the one she wanted and handed it to Gary.

'Wealthy Bachelor Shot at Blackstone Hotel.'

'Gilbert Harrison, 25, was shot in the shoulder last night in his room at he Blackstone, during an altercation with Roland Sinclair. Matters could have been much worse if police had not been notified of Mr. Sinclair's intentions to cause Mr. Harrison harm, by Miss Anna Parker. Police arrived at the scene just as Mr. Sinclair fired his weapon, wounding Mr. Harrison.'

"You didn't leave town on that train?"

"How could I? If I left, Gilbert would die."

"But I told you..."

"I know you told me Gib would be okay, but you're not a very good liar. I'm just stubborn enough that since I couldn't convince you...Gib to come with me, I had to make sure he'd be okay. I'd been through so much with Roland and I'd finally decided I wasn't going to be scared of him any longer. I had to do something. I asked you not to wait till the train left, so I could get off and call the police. I told them that I was afraid Roland was going to do something serious to you. That he was very jealous. They said they'd check it out.
"They’d had problems with Roland in the past and I think they were looking for a way to lock him up. You see, money bought his freedom many times. Victims were paid off and money talks as they say.

"Gilbert had money, so he couldn't be bought. He pressed charges and Roland finally paid for his behavior.

"When I got to Gilbert in the hospital, he didn't remember anything of the previous few days. I took a chance and told him I loved him. He took my hand in his and held it to his mouth and told me he loved me too. We married as soon as he was released from the hospital. I told him about you, what you had done. I don't think he ever truly believed me. I wasn't sure if I believed it myself, but I swore if I was alive on this date I would see if you were here and if it had really happened."

Gary smiled. "So, you had a good life?"

"Oh, yes. Very good. While Gilbert was off fighting in the Pacific, I entertained troops at home, singing for the USO at Navy Pier. We had a son who was born after Gib shipped out. Gary was three before he ever saw his father."

"You...you named your son after me?"

"If it hadn't been for you, I would have never had him or married his father. I couldn't think of a more perfect name for him."

Anna cleared her throat and continued. "When the war ended and Gib came home, we had two more children. Girls. And we now have 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren."

"That's wonderful. I'm very happy for you."

"Thank you, Gary. I don't know how you did it, or who caused it to happen, but thank you."

Gary stood and hugged Anna close to him.

She pulled away slowly. "I should be going. Gib's waiting for me downstairs. Would you...would you like to meet him?"

"Yes. Yes, I would."


Epilogue

Snow fell softly to the ground as Gary entered the Blackstone and rode the elevator to his floor.

It had been a long day, full of more surprises than Gary was capable of comprehending at this point. Time Travel? Santa Claus is real? It was enough to make a tired man grumpy.

The door to the elevator opened. "Merry Christmas!"

"Yeah, same to you," Gary replied, not even looking up as he passed the Blackstone employee who had spoken to him.

He unlocked his door and entered his room, shutting the door behind him. He paused as he looked up in shock at the sight of a decorated Christmas tree standing in his living room. He looked around the room. No one was there.

Slowly he made his way to the tree. Cat looked up at him and meowed. Next to him was the Paper with the headline, 'Snow Slows After Christmas Shopping'.
Gary took his hat off and walked to the window and sat down. He looked out at the falling snow and suddenly felt all alone. Marissa and Chuck were with their families. Both had invited him to come, as had Anna and Gilbert. But he'd declined the invitations. He didn't want to feel like the odd man out.

He wished he was home eating Christmas cookies and drinking hot chocolate with his parents. As a kid, they'd always let him open up one gift on Christmas Eve. He missed that.

He got up and walked to the bedroom and picked up the box he'd received from his parents and brought it back into the living room. He opened it and placed the presents under the tree. He held back a small box and unwrapped it, revealing a leather billfold. He smiled wistfully as he caressed the soft leather.
"If this is what it feels like to be alone at Christmas..." he said out loud, then paused.

He thought of Emma at the home and how he hadn't had time to visit her since the day he'd shown up looking for Anna.

He grabbed his cap and headed out the door.

~~~

He knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in. Gary! What a surprise!" Emma said merrily as Gary entered the room.

He paused as he looked at the decorations in her room. In a corner, on a table, stood a small tree adorned with multi colored lights and ornaments that looked like they'd seen many years on a Christmas tree.

White, twinkling lights were stapled around the window and Christmas music was playing on the radio.
"Hi. I...uh...I wanted to apologize for not...for leaving here so suddenly and not coming back."

"Are you alright? I've been worried about you," Emma said kindly as she waved him to a chair.

He nodded. "These are for you. Merry Christmas," he offered as he set a pot of red poinsettias on a table then sat down.

"Thank you, Gary. They're lovely. And Merry Christmas to you, too."

He sighed deeply.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"Huh? Oh...I just wanted to, you know, apologize and...uh...bring those by," he stammered.

"Are you not spending Christmas with family?"

Gary shook his head.

"Looks like you and me are in the same boat, kiddo," Emma said.

Gary smiled sadly. "You seem to be dealing with it better than I am."

She shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, I could be depressed that I've outlived most of my loved ones. My husband and daughter are both gone and my grandchildren live far away, but I just have to keep smiling through and use this time to think back on my life. I'm especially fond of the Christmas memories. They always make me smile. I bet your mother made Christmas very special for you growing up."

"Yeah. She did. We always had a real Christmas tree. No artificial ones were allowed in the house. It was always a big ordeal to pick out the perfect tree, but we always found it. When we got home, Dad and I would get the tree into the stand, while mom fixed us hot chocolate. She always had a few gifts already wrapped, so as soon as the tree was decorated there would be gifts underneath it."

Gary laughed as he gazed out the window at the falling snow and realized he felt relaxed. And happy.

"I remember this one Christmas...I must have been about nine years old...."

~The End