The train ride was a long one—from northern California, where he left Sarah, to Chicago, and then a transfer to New York. From there, he would board a flight for England. Gerard settled into his seat on the train, expecting to be alone with his thoughts for quite a while.

“Hey, you there!” A boisterous voice boomed at him just as his eyes closed. He opened them to see a young man, he estimated a few years younger than himself, standing in the aisle and looking down at him with a wide grin across his freckled face.

“Yes?” Gerard asked, not unkindly.

“Mind if I park myself here? Most of the rest of the car is full, and I don’t fancy sitting next to a family of screaming brats the whole way to Chicago.” The young man explained as his grin widened.

Gerard motioned to him to sit, and the young man did.

“I’m Billy. From Virginia, but I was at college in Long Beach. You shipping out, too?” Billy extended his hand to Gerard in a friendly gesture. Gerard took it and shook Billy’s hand, smiling a little at the guileless nature of this youth.

“Gerard, and yes I am. What part of Virginia are you from, Billy? My people come from that part of the country.”

“Norfolk. Whereabouts are your kin from, Gerard?” Billy asked earnestly and a little anxiously.

“I’m originally from Charlotte, in North Carolina, but I’ve been living in California for the past couple of years, trying to make it as a journalist in San Francisco. Tell me, Billy. How old are you?” Gerard asked gently, trying to put the younger man at ease.

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Billy hesitated before answering, looking around the train car before lowering his voice conspiratorially. “I’m only 16, but I fudged the paperwork a little. I’ll be 17 in January, so it’s not like it’s that big of a deal. Besides, when your country calls,” he added, puffing out his chest with pride, “you answer!”

Gerard chuckled. “Yes, Billy, I suppose you do. Well, don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. Do you know your assignment yet?”

“Sure do! The 29th I.D.,” Billy responded happily. “The Blue and Gray.”

“Well that’s just swell, Billy. Looks like we’re going to be in the same Division.” Gerard said with a reassuring smile.

“Really? Well that is swell, Gerard! Gee, I’m sure glad I met you!” Billy beamed.

“Stick with me, okay?” Gerard said, suddenly serious. He had a strange feeling of protectiveness wash over him in regards to this kid. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

Billy gave him a strange look for a moment, then the huge grin broke out across his freckled face again. “Well, sure! You’re the first friend I’ve made since joining up in the service. I’m not letting you out of my sight!”

Gerard couldn’t help but laugh a little at the open candor of the kid, but something nagged at the back of his mind. Only 16, he thought. Far too young to be enlisting, even if it is for a good cause… He shook his head to dispel the thoughts muddling around in there, and smiled back at Billy.

“What do you say we hit the dining car and try to rustle up a meal, Billy?” Gerard asked to take his mind off of the doom and gloom thoughts.

Billy’s grin widened, if that was even possible, and he nodded his mop of reddish blond hair. “That sounds like a great idea!”

The two stood and walked through the train, both lost in their own thoughts. Billy, thrilled to have made a friend so early on in his journey and excited about what he would find. Gerard, worried about Billy and what was to come.