Hawaii—November 1941
The wave of white just seemed to keep on coming. Sailors. So many sailors.
They attracted stares of both disapproval and admiration as they sauntered down the busy avenue, chattering and squawking at high volume, reminding Elizabeth of the flocks of white cockatoos that often swarmed around her home back in Australia. The crisp white of their navy uniforms was blinding in the bright Hawaiian sunshine, bellbottoms pressed to perfection, Dixie cups sitting atop regulation military haircuts.
As the mob came closer, almost as one, ten pairs of eyes zoned in on them. Well, on Maggie, anyway. Elizabeth both marvelled and worried at how her little sister seemed to attract men like bees to a flower. Maggie’s honey-blonde hair was curled in perfect waves across her shoulders, left bare by the halter-neck dress she’d purchased that morning which their father would never approve of.
Which was probably exactly why she bought it.
‘Howdy there, little lady,’ one of the sailors called. His greeting was promptly echoed by a multitude of voices and plenty of whistles.
Elizabeth lowered her eyes, intent on walking right on through the gaggle of sailors, but as she came out the other side, she realised she was alone. Turning back, she was unsurprised that Maggie had stopped, and was now surrounded.
‘Well, howdy yourselves,’ Maggie answered, her dimples winking as she smiled flirtatiously.
‘Where y’all from?’
‘Australia.’
‘Australia! Hot damn, boys, we got ourselves a real Aussie here.’
Elizabeth sighed, trying to rein in her impatience. ‘Maggie, come on.’
‘Maggie!’ the chorus sang out.
‘Sorry, boys,’ Maggie responded, pressing her way out of the circle of admirers. ‘My big sister calls.’
‘Oh, Maggie, you’re breakin’ my heart!’
One of the men called out to Elizabeth. ‘Hey, big sister! Come with us so we can get Maggie a shave ice?’
‘Thank you, but we must be going,’ Elizabeth declined, smiling politely.
‘Aw, come on now, sweetheart.’
‘Bye, boys!’ Giggling and obviously enjoying herself, Maggie joined Elizabeth and they crossed the street, heading back towards the distinctive pink building of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.
‘Maggie, you really shouldn’t encourage them.’
‘Oh, don’t go getting all high and mighty, Elizabeth.’ She waved it off. ‘It’s just a bit of fun. You can be such an old maid.’
Elizabeth opened her mouth to object, but closed it again just as quickly, too tired to argue. She understood her sister just wanted to have some fun, but while there was only four-year age difference between them, she often felt the gap was immeasurable…
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