A Happy Accident

Calista McCloud was running late, it always felt like she was running late these days. Between the compressed course work she was engaged in, the work she was doing for Geographical Section, General Staff (GSGS at John Bartholomew & Son Ltd. and the constant traffic jam of troops and equipment in Edinburgh she always seemed to be rushing somewhere. Today she was carrying so many books she could barely see over them, so when she rounded a corner it was no surprise that she ran straight into a blonde in a US Army WACS uniform with sgt stripes on her sleeve. “O, I’m terribly sorry!” She bent down to gather all of her books up. The blonde stooped down to help her, her Alabama drawl contrasted with Calista’s clipped academic Scottish accent. “Oh don’t worry about it darlin, You have a pile of books there as big as you. Let me help you carry some of them wherever you are heading.” “Oh, really that’s not necessary. I’m on my way down to John Bartholomew & Son Ltd for the work I do with GSGS and–.” “Well darlin, you’re in luck because I’m headed that way too. I’m part of the staff liaison from Army Map Service (AMS) for European Theater Operations, US Army. (ETOUSA).” “Well that’s different then, that’s quite a mouthful of titles they’ve created.” “Believe me I know. One thing I’ve learned in the last year: the army loves its acronyms and they need long names to make em up I guess.” Kate said this with a bit of a laugh. As they’d been talking they’d been gathering the books up and stacking them into two neat piles. Now that they were almost ready to go. Kate stuck out her hand, “My name is Katherine Smith but please call me Kate.” “It’s nice to meet you Kate, I’m Calista McCloud.” When their hands touched something unspoken passed between them. Neither woman let go immediately. “I’m sorry darlin but have we met before?” Kate asked “No I don’t think so,” Calista replied “I think I’d remember you if I had but… isn’t it funny there is something that feels familiar about you.” “Well it must be that deja vu I heard about” Kate laughed. They picked up the books and headed towards the office of John Bartholomew & Son Ltd. Kate looked over at Calista in her academic tweed and asked, “What’s taking you to GSGS you aren’t part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) I’m guessing since you don’t have a uniform on”. Calista replied, “No I’m still finishing my coursework at the University of Edinburgh but I’ve been seconded to GSGS because I’m a history and anthropology major.” “And a lovely one you are, beautiful and smart that’s what we call a winning combination back home.” Kate replied lightly. Calista’s smile had a hint of embarrassment. “Are American women always so forward? I’ve been dealing with the male Yanks for the better part of a year now and how can I be polite about this…” Kate laughed, “they’re more handsy than a raccoon in a hen house?” “That’s not quite how I’d have phrased it… but yes.” “Don’t mind them darlin, most of those boys are overpaid and oversexed. I just appreciate people for who they are and I’m not afraid to say so.” Calista smiled again. Kate could have been a model for some of the nose art she’d seen on RAF and USAAF Bombers so it made her a bit flustered that such a woman was calling her beautiful.”