He Told Me His Name Was Everett

Across the road from Killeen and Fort Hood the government built many barracks, which were like apartments for the service men and their wives to live in. It was called Fort Hood City. In the evenings after work I went roller-skating in Killeen or at Temple or to the USO or to the dances. The bus had chaperons on them that took us girls to the service club dances. We couldn't go out of the building. They had cement that they let us dance on just outside the door when it was really hot. The first time I went out on the bus with Shirley she said come over and sit with our gang. Someone will ask you to dance. Just about that time a GI asked me to dance and I said, "I don't know how." but Shirley said pushing me to my feet, "Oh yes she does." When we were dancing he said, "You are a good liar, you are a smooth dancer." Soon someone taped his shoulder and that is the way the evening went. The Army Band played at every dance. That was the way it was but I did keep going to Church on Sunday. At 12:00 The Band played Goodnight Sweetheart Good night. We all headed for the bus. This was every Thursday evening and on Holidays. When it was a Holiday Dance we wore something real nice. One Thanksgiving I wore all green. Back then the fishtail two-piece suit or dresses were all in style. I had one and wore green hose with green wedge heel shoes with a big gold buckle that looked like a Pilgrims style shoe. We girls were given a paper bag with a ribbon to go around our arm and that evening the GI's had to pay to dance with us. One Sunday after that we were taken out to camp and had a picnic with the GI's. I turned in $125.00 that evening and I was proud, but I loved to dance then. One evening after their payday I had went skating. While Wilda and Aileen took their dates to the show in Temple, we were to meet back at the Camp Hood bus station to go home together. One of the GI's was a blind date Aileen had gotten for me but I didn't like his looks so while we were waiting for the bus I stood outside to hold our place in line while Wilda and Aileen sat inside the bus station. Two GI's came across the street from town and propped one foot on the bus station. I could tell they had been drinking the way they were standing. One said to the other, "If you don't want to talk to me, I bet she will." I turned on my heel and said, "Yes honey what are we going to talk about?" One said, "Where are you going?" I said, "Home, when the bus gets here. I'm saving a place in line so we wouldn't have to stand all the way to Belton." When the bus came I sat in the seat over the wheel on the left side and when these guys came up one ask, "Is this seat taken?" I said, "No" and moved over next to the window. The one I was looking at sat down beside me and we sang all the way to Belton. As the bus rolled into the station He ask, "Can I walk you home?" Since I was with my sisters I said, "Yes." He told me his name was Everett. While we were on the bus, we didn't let them go all the way to our home as we knew Dad would fuss at us. I told Everett I come out to the dances at the service club on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Yes, he finally came over and tapped the guy on his shoulder that I was dancing with. We danced a slow number then a fast one started and I said, "I don't dance fast ones." Everett said, "Just do a two-step fast and I'll do the rest." To my surprise I really loved it and he said to me, "You did fine."