It was February fifteenth when Dorothy Millikan got the letter. "It is with deep regrets and sympathy that the United States Department of War must inform you that Colonel Eugene Millikan was killed in action in the Ardennes Forest, Belgium. The date of death is unknown. Colonel Millikan's remains were recovered, February 3, 1945. Within a few weeks, a Military Escort will deliver to your home the colonel's effects which include his medals and a newly awarded Purple Heart."
The children were at school. Dorothy was alone. She was glad. She didn't want the children to see her first response. She couldn't let them; they wouldn't understand. Her only response was a tearful relief. The children shouldn't see that. They were young. They would grieve. Their grief would be hard enough for them. She didn't want them to also have to bear her reaction. She had to be strong for them.
After two hours alone with her confusion she needed someone. She had met several of her neighbors but knew none well enough to feel comfortable sharing this most vulnerable moment. But she needed someone. She needed to vent before the children came home. She tried to call Irene Furman. She didn't know Irene well but from what she'd heard, Irene might be the right person for this situation. Irene wasn't home. Dorothy ended up just sitting, staring out the window.
Larry Waverlay had moved his heifers away from the fields near roads to a field behind the Millikan's barn. He took that moment to drive his pickup, loaded with bailed hay, past that window. Dorothy had gotten to know Larry as a good man and a good friend. As Larry got out of his truck, she called to him from the back door. Larry came into the house and Dorothy fell into his arms and sobbed. Without having to be told, Larry knew what had happened.
By the time the children got home, Irene had been called and was there. Larry had also stayed. Both were with Dorothy when she told the children. Eleven year old Rick sat stunned, no tears, blank eyes with a hint of anger in them. After several minutes he almost screamed, "God damned krauts!" Then he sobbed and ran to his room.
Emma Lou seemed stunned. She was cuddled into her mother's arms: her face blank, her eyes empty. At eight, Larry thought she was too young to grasp the situation. Irene, however, knew the child was almost in shock. She took the child from her mother, laid cold compresses on her forehead, cuddled the child and sang softly to her. After a half hour, Em too began to sob. It was a good sign.
Dorothy depended heavily on Larry, Irene, and Jack for making the funeral arrangements. Gene had not been a religious person. He, after all, was Colonel Eugene Milligan. He didn't need God. He didn't need anyone. He was not really anti-religion but would not have wanted the kind of service that Rev. Craig would have preformed. Jack was a member of the Rotary Club in Bad Ax. The Bad Ax Presbyterian Church pastor was the chaplain of the club. Jack arranged for Rev. Eifort to do the service and also convinced Rev. Craig and the Church Board that the service should be held in the neighborhood church. That made it possible for more of the Millikens' acquaintances to attend.
There was a mild backlash among some members of the church. They were offended at having a "Modernist" in their pulpit. When asked what was said that was offensive, they had no answer. It was the man, not his message that offended them.
There was no brouhaha. The majority of the members had no problem. They were used to that tiny clique of the super holy being unhappy with everything.
Irene made a point of visiting with Dorothy every day for several weeks. As often as she could, Millie went along. Millie took Emma Lou under her wing. Just as did her mother, Millie seemed to know just what to do and say to comfort the girl. Em grew very close to Millie. It's heady for an eight-year-old having a "big" girl pay her attention but there was more. Millie would take Em to her house and play dolls with Em. Millie still enjoyed her dolls but would have died if her friends saw her playing with them. With Em she could comfort herself by the fact that she was just watching the little girl. Millie would help Em with her schoolwork. Millie did not overly intrude in the Milliken family but she instinctively knew when Dorothy needed time by herself and when grief was overtaking Em. For Em, Millie was kind and fun but the real reason Em grew to love Millie was the little girl could feel Millie's compassion.
Freddy and Rick had not been close friends but they were part of the same playgroup. Rick was smart and athletic so it was natural for Freddy, Dallas, Rick and a few other boys to gravitate to each other. By nature, Freddy would have been for Rick what Millie was for Em. They did spend some time together and Rick took comfort in age-mate togetherness. But Freddy soon discovered that Rick did not need him as Em needed Millie. Rick's soul mate was Larry Waverly.
Soon after he learned of his father's death, a crying Rick had told Freddy that he knew it was a sin but he was glad his father was dead. He could never please his father. Everything he did was wrong. He had never been shown affection. Even his mother had been forbidden to hug him. Affection was for girls and weaklings. Rick had been supposed to grow to be a tough soldier like his father. Rick had learned at an early age to find ways to stay away from his father.
Larry Waverly farmed the Milliken's place. He kept heifers in the Milliken's barn in the winter. At about age seven, Rick went to the barn every time he saw Larry go in there. At eight, Larry was paying the boy to feed the heifers. At nine, Rick was going to Larry's to "help" with the milking. Rick never got physical affection from Larry but he got approval. Larry liked him. Larry didn't criticize, he taught. Larry didn't punish a mistake, he showed Rick how to do a thing. Larry was Rick's friend. He was pleased that Freddy Ferman spent time with him after they knew that his father was dead but it was Larry who comforted the boy. Rick and Freddy got to be better friends but Freddy saw that Rick didn't need him like Em needed Millie.