“I appreciate that, Mister President,” said Hammond humbly.
“You also do not need the extra burden of having to deal with people who seem to have difficulties understanding what you need. I recalled General LeMonde last night and placed another general in command of French forces,” said Bayard calmly as he reached to the desk and pressed a button.
“I hope the general is not disgraced by this,” said Hammond.
“No, he will have a job in our defense ministry which he has been wanting for a while. I have replaced him with someone you have worked with,” Bayard said as the door opened and someone entered the room.
Hammond immediately recognized General Gagne, LeMonde’s deputy, resplendent in his formal uniform. He stood and greeted him. “Paul, you are taking over?” he asked. The smile on Hammond’s face told Bayard all he needed to know.
“Yes, Roger. I will step up. You also should know that I am not like LeMonde. I fully understand what you are doing and will do my part,” Gagne said with a grin.
“Good. I can see things have improved already,” said Bayard. “Is there anything else France can do for the Supreme Commander?” he asked with a grin.
Hammond turned to Bayard. “No, Mister President. You have been most kind.”
“Nonsense. We are all in this war together. It should never be said that France was not a full participant. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have another appointment,” Bayard said dismissing the men.
Both saluted and left the room. As they left, Gagne asked, “You speak French?”
It was Friday evening before Rod Jeffers felt the tension and stress slough off. Whether it was his Mom’s cooking or just getting out into the clean mountain air, he could feel his shoulders lifting and a smile returning to his face. There had been all the questions about what he was doing and where he might be going. Unfortunately, he couldn’t really tell them anything. He did say that he would probably be going to sea within the next month. That had upset his mother terribly. The naval losses had led the news reports for a while and the thought of her boy being on one of those ships was almost unbearable. It was his father who had calmed her and set things straight.
Now it was Saturday evening. Since Rod would be leaving the next day and wouldn’t be home for Christmas, the whole family came to share a meal and spend time together. It was almost like Christmas. There was a turkey, ham, squash casserole, rice and gravy, green beans, fresh roles and several other side dishes. A fire was in the fireplace. Not one of those gas log things, but a real wood burning fire. The rooms filled with warmth, laughter and good natured kidding.
After the meal, Rod and his brother Jason gathered the dishes and began cleaning them off and placing them in the dishwasher. It was a job he had grown up with and felt like he needed to do. They were about finished when they began to hear people tuning up instruments in the large family den. Rod got a big smile on his face and quickly placed the last dish in the machine and turned it on. He made his way to his room and pulled out a case, then making his way back down to the den. He was halfway there when he heard the group break out into the old gospel song, “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.”
They were all there. His Dad, Uncle Jennings and Uncle Wilfred were playing guitars. Grandma Ruby had brought out her autoharp. Cousin Caleb was picking his bass fiddle and Cousin Josh had his mandolin. Mom even brought out an old washboard she had kept from Great Grandma Hattie. She might be tone deaf, but she had a rhythm that you could set a watch to. Aunt Janice had even pulled out her old fiddle. The rest of the family was gathered around the room, some sitting on pillows and others in chairs brought in from the dining room. As the group played, the rest joined in with the singing. Rod was the last to sit down. He opened the case and pulled out his five string banjo. He had tuned it earlier and hopped right in with the rest.
It was something the family did every so often during the year. Yes, the Jeffers family was what people called ‘well to do,’ but none of them ever forgot where they had come from. The hills of Tennessee were imbedded deep in their souls and despite the college educations and acquired sophistication, this was where they felt at home. Song after song drifted from the house into the surrounding countryside. It was almost like a healing balm for everyone there — a natural part of home. In between each song the family members would show their approval, praising one family member or another and the talent they displayed.
A few songs in, Rod’s father quieted everyone. “Okay, hold on. Now tonight we wanted to get the family together because Rod, here, is getting ready to go be a part of this war. Our family has proudly served from the revolution up through this latest in Korea. Rod is the first one who is serving as an officer. Rod, the family is proud of you and we wanted to get together this one last time before you left. When you get back we’ll do it again to celebrate. So tonight is yours, son, what would you like to do?” he father asked.
Rod was blushing slightly. “I’m enjoying all of it. Grandma, what would you like to do tonight?” he asked.
Grandma Ruby broke into a wide grin. “Let me sing “Sunny Side” to you,” she said. Rod’s father gave her a wink. “Jennings, lead this off.”
Uncle Jennings began strumming the melody on his guitar and Grandma Ruby began strumming her autoharp. She sang the stanzas and the family joined in on the chorus.
Everyone sat back and let the music flow from them. Rod could tell that the song was Grandma’s way of telling him to be careful and stay upright. That alone touched him more than anything. When the song ended, Rod almost immediately broke into the “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.” He knew it was one of her favorites ever since he learned to play it. His fingers seemed to fly across the strings and the others were letting out whoops as he led the way. On occasion, he would nod to one of the others and they would pick it up, adding spice to the mix and exciting the others in the room. In the end, Rod took off with it again and wrapped it up. On the last note several of the family jumped out of their seats, calling out their approval.
“Boy, you sure do know how to pick that thing,” exclaimed his Uncle Wilfred.
“Best Christmas present we ever got him,” laughed his father. He turned to Janice. “Sister, you get better with that thing every day,” he shouted.
By now, everyone was talking and laughing. It only stopped when Janice started playing an old song called “Down Yonder.” After a few measures, the rest joined in. As before everyone seemed to have an instinct of when to take the lead and when to step back. Song after song filled the house with the sweet country sounds until finally Rod’s Mom announced that the cake and coffee were ready and everyone broke up. They all got their dessert and sat around in small groups around the room, talking quietly. Rod found himself beside Grandma Hattie.
“Do you know how long you will be away?” she asked in a cracking voice.