1941: The Attack on Sulani (Pearl Harbor)
In San Sequoia, William and Amanda has settled into their new life and house. It's not very big, but comfortable and well suited for the two of them and the new addition to the family, King Charles Spaniel Doris. William was hesitant about getting a dog at first, but Amanda was adamant. If she could not get a child, she at least wanted a dog. How could William deny her that when the room in the house so obviously meant to be a nursery is now his office? They talk about going to the doctors, but decide that it's better to not know who is at fault, and doctors at the time can't do much anyway. Instead they try to make the best of the situation, using the rich night life in San Sequoia by for example going to see the newest movies such as Citizen Kane and The Maltese Falcon at the local movie theatre.
For Amanda it's a bit difficult making the days pass when William is off to work. They are both neat people so there is not much cleaning to do, and Doris is a rather lazy dog who mostly likes belly rubs and shorter walks. Amanda gardens some, tries to get to know the neighbors, though most other women have children and the questions about why they don't and when they will hurts. That's why she suggest that William's family come over for Easter dinner. The house is cramped with so many people, but Amanda for once gets to feel useful and the family gets to spend valuable time together.
But while outings like these are valuable time spent together, Anna is still most happy at her farm and with her horses. Still 1941 is a frustrating year for someone who prefers to do things rather than discuss things. The German invasion of Greece and the Balkans leaves her frustrated, the news that unoccupied France follow Germany blindly leave her furious, the news about the attack on the Soviet Union shocks her. Unable to do anything, she instead focuses on her horses and competitions, getting both Starbucks and Bronco through master competitions. On her 50th birthday, they invite the neighborhood over for dinner.
After a long search they manage to replace their ranch hand. To Johnny's great surprise a woman.
"Can she really manage the job?" he asks suspiciously, but Anna just looks at him.
"Don't I?"
"Well, you're not your typical woman. That's what I like about you."
"You're welcome to try and find a male ranch hand that's not a drunk or too old," she answers, but she's still rather pleased by the comment. Still, she likes the new ranch hand and the woman seems to settle into the job fast enough.
In Sulani Harold has been enjoying his deployment, until one morning the base is "suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." Panic and confusion breaks out as they scramble to remember their training, put out the fires and get to their battle stations.
When the dust settles a couple of hours later, 2 403Americans are dead, another 1 178 wounded and the hospital overrun. Back in Willow Creek Emily and Frank are desperately trying to find out what has happened to their son, and in Chestnut Ridge, Abigail is overcome with worry for her grandson. As the family worry about Harold, wondering whether he's alive or dead, and the President meet with congress and prepares his "day of infamy"-speech, the first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, speaks to the nation, trying ease the worry and pain many are feeling:
"I should like to say just a word to the women in the country tonight. I have a boy at sea on a destroyer, for all I know he may be on his way to the Pacific. Two of my children are in coast cities on the Pacific. Many of you all over the country have boys in the services who will now be called upon to go into action. You have friends and families in what has suddenly become a danger zone. You cannot escape anxiety. You cannot escape a clutch of fear at your heart and yet I hope that the certainty of what we have to meet will make you rise above these fears."
For Amanda it's a bit difficult making the days pass when William is off to work. They are both neat people so there is not much cleaning to do, and Doris is a rather lazy dog who mostly likes belly rubs and shorter walks. Amanda gardens some, tries to get to know the neighbors, though most other women have children and the questions about why they don't and when they will hurts. That's why she suggest that William's family come over for Easter dinner. The house is cramped with so many people, but Amanda for once gets to feel useful and the family gets to spend valuable time together.
But while outings like these are valuable time spent together, Anna is still most happy at her farm and with her horses. Still 1941 is a frustrating year for someone who prefers to do things rather than discuss things. The German invasion of Greece and the Balkans leaves her frustrated, the news that unoccupied France follow Germany blindly leave her furious, the news about the attack on the Soviet Union shocks her. Unable to do anything, she instead focuses on her horses and competitions, getting both Starbucks and Bronco through master competitions. On her 50th birthday, they invite the neighborhood over for dinner.
After a long search they manage to replace their ranch hand. To Johnny's great surprise a woman.
"Can she really manage the job?" he asks suspiciously, but Anna just looks at him.
"Don't I?"
"Well, you're not your typical woman. That's what I like about you."
"You're welcome to try and find a male ranch hand that's not a drunk or too old," she answers, but she's still rather pleased by the comment. Still, she likes the new ranch hand and the woman seems to settle into the job fast enough.
In Sulani Harold has been enjoying his deployment, until one morning the base is "suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." Panic and confusion breaks out as they scramble to remember their training, put out the fires and get to their battle stations.
When the dust settles a couple of hours later, 2 403Americans are dead, another 1 178 wounded and the hospital overrun. Back in Willow Creek Emily and Frank are desperately trying to find out what has happened to their son, and in Chestnut Ridge, Abigail is overcome with worry for her grandson. As the family worry about Harold, wondering whether he's alive or dead, and the President meet with congress and prepares his "day of infamy"-speech, the first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, speaks to the nation, trying ease the worry and pain many are feeling:
"I should like to say just a word to the women in the country tonight. I have a boy at sea on a destroyer, for all I know he may be on his way to the Pacific. Two of my children are in coast cities on the Pacific. Many of you all over the country have boys in the services who will now be called upon to go into action. You have friends and families in what has suddenly become a danger zone. You cannot escape anxiety. You cannot escape a clutch of fear at your heart and yet I hope that the certainty of what we have to meet will make you rise above these fears."
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