Saturday, June 14th, 1924: Honoring Thy Father
In reply to trahernwithglasses (msg # 4):
April 18th, 1918. The Meredith Estate, Arkham.
Mike and Jack clinked their glasses of whiskey together with Jack's father while standing in the parlor of the Meredith household. "To good luck and Godspeed to you two!" Mr. Meredith finished his toast.
Both Mike and Jack wore their Army uniforms, complete with ribbons and badges they earned over the course of their training at Ft. Devens. Though they didn't volunteer for the service, the Selective Service Act of 1917 made sure that they didn't get left behind.
Jack laughed easily, "Don't worry, pop. We'll beat the Germans and be back before you even miss us!"
Though Mike was uneasy with the prospect of going to Europe, Jack seemed to delight in the thought of it. He was always the more adventurous of the two. In a way, he was probably relieved. Mike on the other hand was worried about his folks and their modest living at home. Even so, he was glad that he and Jack were at least going to be in it together.
Mr. Meredith downed his whiskey and poured another one. As he refilled their glasses he pointed two fingers at Mike, "You just make sure this young rabble rouser gets back in one piece."
Mike smiled genuinely. Mr. Meredith was a jovial man with a well manicured mustache that he was absurdly proud of. Though he was in fairly good shape for his age, he had gained a few pounds over the past few years.
"I'll do my best," Mike replied, raising his glass slightly. "Though it's more likely he'll be the one taking care of me."
Jack slapped him on the shoulder affectionately and chuckled light heartedly, "Mike you're a bigger man than I. I doubt that will be the case."
Mr. Meredith laughed a full deep laugh, the kind often heard from those who are nervously inebriated, "Just take care of each other you two. Make sure to write as often as you can, your mothers will be worried sick about you."
The two young men agreed earnestly, "Of course!"
"Well," Mr. Meredith began with a sigh, "I suppose we should head to the dining room. Jack's mother spent all day in the kitchen preparing for this dinner. It's bound to be heavenly!"
The three made their way to the dinner after filling their glasses one more time, laughing like the war was far away, never to darken their doors.
Now. Arkham.
Mike approached the door and hesitated. He looked over his shoulder at Clarke and Byron behind him, then shrugged and raised his hand and rapped on the door three times.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:33, Wed 04 Oct 2017.