#antonia caruso

Victor’s Journal

I told Antonia the news— I have been drafted and am to report for duty soon. “Don’t cry, my love,” I told her. “It is what I must do and as soon as I get back we can continue our lives together. I promise.” There I saw my life laid out before me— serving in the army, coming back home, and proposing to Antonia, then starting a family with lots of children..

“If you must go, Victor,” she said, “I will go, too. I’ll become a volunteer nurse so that I can serve as well and help the soldiers. God willing our paths will cross.”

What a brave and kind girl I was dating! “You’d make a fine nurse, Antonia, and an even better wife someday,” I assured her. Though in my heart I knew I still harbored affection for Lorenzo, looking at Antonia, I saw a future of which I was certain.

Victor’s Journal

I expressed my concerns and worries about the war and my Papá’s safety to Antonia today. I could get drafted any day now, since they lowered the age to eighteen. I came to the conclusion that since we live in such uncertainty, I had better ask Antonia to be my girlfriend and go steady while I still could.

“Yes, yes, Victor, of course I will be your girlfriend!” she said. I was so happy that she agreed. I hope that we can enjoy life while we’re young and still have the time.