Back in her time by Patricia Corbett Bowman Read Free Book Online

now he’s ready for the loony bin with this séance malarkey,” said Whitey.
    â€œMaybe it’s not all foolishness,” said Taylor. “Maybe there’s something to it, this talking to spirits or getting messages from them.” Look at their faces. They think I’ve lost it. “For example, remember at that town, I just knew there was one more sniper left in the church and that he was unarmed?”
    â€œThat was a lucky guess. You said so yourself.” Mac snickered.
    â€œWhat’s up, men?” asked Sarge as he came up to the group.
    â€œJunior, here, is telling us he talks to spirits,” said Whitey.
    â€œNot talk to them. Sometimes I just know things. Sarge, you remember how I knew your wife’s name and what you did to earn a living?” Have I gone too far?
    â€œI thought that was just a game. You really believe you have some sort of power?”
    â€œNot power, just a gift. Okay, Sarge, think about how many brothers and sisters you have. Got a number?” said Taylor.
    The sergeant’s eyes narrowed. Mac, standing to Taylor’s left, made a hand twirling sign, pointing to his own head.
    â€œOkay, Sarge. You’re the oldest of nine children. You have three brothers, the rest sisters. Their names are …”
    â€œHow the hell did you know that? You worked in records at headquarters? That’s it.” Lips pressed together, Sarge smiled knowingly.
    â€œFaker. Of course that’s how he done it,” said Red, laughing.
    â€œNo, no. I’ve never worked at headquarters. Let me prove it. We broke the Gustav Line and are headed toward the Hitler Line. The way is heavily booby-trapped and barbwired. The Germans have really dug in trying to keep us out. Three infantry from Able Company will be killed, but our group will get by with just some minor shrapnel injuries. I can’t remember the exact date. Pops said it happened right after the celebrations of the tank takeover. They’re looking at me like I’m a geek. This was stupid.
    â€œHa. You really had us going there, Junior. Everyone knows the enemy is trying to keep us from breaking the Hitler Line and reaching Rome. Of course they’ve put out a protective screen all around. You don’t have to be a mystic for that. Sure, some men will be hurt and die.” Sarge walked away chuckling.
    Taylor shrugged and walked away to sit by herself and think.
    â€œBut how did Junior know about Sarge’s family? That was an awfully good guess,” said Whitey, scratching his head under his helmet.
    * * *
    I’ve blown it. They think I’m nuts. I’ll just have to wait for that skirmish and I’ll prove it to them. Soon, Pops will know the truth about who I am. Taylor found her pack, rolled out her ground sheet and one of her two blankets, lay down, rested her head on her kit, and fell into a fitful sleep.
    â€œWake up, oh mighty mystic,” someone whispered in her ear. Taylor sat up abruptly to see Mac leaning over her. “Hit the road, Junior. We’re on to our next battle. You know. The one where we get hit by shrapnel.”

Chapter Eleven

    The late May sun was warm on Taylor’s back by mid-morning, but she kept her khaki jacket on over her tee shirt to hide her small breasts. So far, it had worked. Taylor lifted her face to the sun to soak in the rays. An abandoned farmhouse could be seen topping a hill about half a mile away. Its tiled roof glimmered reddish orange on this brilliant day. Taylor sat apart from the others. She wasn’t in the mood for their ribbing. How can the day be so beautiful when I feel like shit? I’m right back where I was at home. Shooting off my big mouth. The kids at school were right. I’m a geek, even here in the past.
    â€œWe wait here for awhile. Able is patrolling the farmhouse up the road. We wait for an all-clear before we move forward.” Sarge passed the word around. “Junior and Mac