THE CROSSING

“You think the water’s gonna be this choppy the whole way?”

“Would it matter? Ain’t like we’re turning back now.”

“Don’t say that, man. Just trying to keep my breakfast where it belongs.”

“Better get used to it, buddy. Breakfast might not be the only thing you lose.”

“Come on, leave him alone. We’re all thinking it.”

“Thinking what?”

“That this is it. No more training exercises. No more drills. The real thing.”

“Yeah, no kidding. The real thing. Bullets, bombs, and Krauts waiting to punch a hole in us soon as they get eyes on this tin can.”

“Hey, easy with that talk. Nobody’s punching anything in anyone. We’re gonna hit that beach like a hammer, you hear me? Like a hammer.”

“You keep saying that, but how many of us even make it off the boat?”

“Shut your mouth with that. Everybody makes it off this boat.”

“Everybody? You sure about that? You been to Normandy before?”

“No, but—”

“Exactly. So how about you don’t start making promises you can’t keep?”

“Would you two quit it? If the Krauts don’t kill us, you two will with your damn bickering.”

“Alright, fine. But I’m just saying—”

“Don’t. Don’t say it.”

“…Fine.”

“…You hear that?”

“What? Hear what?”

“Silence. No planes, no shells, no nothing. Just us and the water.”

“Don’t get used to it. Quiet never lasts long in a war.”

“You think it’s true what they say? About the shore being covered in mines?”

“Yeah, and machine gun nests. And mortars. And snipers. The whole damn buffet.”

“Great. Real confidence booster there, pal.”

“Look, you asked.”

“Hey, what’s the name of this boat again? What’d they call it?”

“Lucky Seven. Why?”

“Just curious. You think it means something?”

“Means the guy naming it was superstitious, same as the rest of us.”

“I dunno. Feels like a bad joke. Like calling a sinking ship ‘Unsinkable.’ You know?”

“You got a problem with it, take it up with the Navy after we win the war.”

“…If we win the war.”

“God, you’re a real ray of sunshine, you know that?”

“Just being realistic, man. Hitler’s got the whole continent, and we’re the ones crossing an ocean to fight him. How’s that fair?”

“Fair? You think war’s about fair?”

“I’m just saying it feels like we’re doing all the heavy lifting.”

“Hey, tell that to the Brits. They’ve been at it longer than we have.”

“Yeah, and don’t forget the French Resistance. Those guys’ve been blowing up bridges and sneaking messages for years now. Give ‘em some credit.”

“Sure, sure. But let’s not kid ourselves. Today? This is all us. This is the Americans’ day.”

“And don’t forget the Canadians. They’re out here too, you know.”

“Fine, it’s mostly our day. Happy?”

“Guys, shut up a second. Is that… Are those planes?”

“Yeah. Bombers. Hundreds of ‘em.”

“Look at that. Like a swarm of bees.”

“Bees don’t drop bombs, though. Krauts’ll know we’re coming now.”

“They’ve known for weeks. Doesn’t change anything.”

“You think those planes are gonna soften ‘em up for us?”

“Better hope so. Otherwise, we’re just fish in a barrel out here.”

“Fish? More like sardines. This boat’s packed tighter than my mom’s Sunday roast.”

“You thinking about food right now?”

“Hey, if I’m gonna die, might as well think about something nice.”

“Don’t say that. Nobody’s dying. Not here, not today.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because we’ve got each other. That’s how.”

“…You serious? That your pep talk? ‘We’ve got each other’?”

“Damn right I’m serious. You think I’m letting any of you bastards die on my watch?”

“Appreciate it, Sarge, but you don’t exactly control the bullets.”

“No, but I can control my squad. And I say nobody’s dying today. Got it?”

“…Got it.”

“…Yeah. Got it.”

“Good. Now let’s focus. Check your gear again. You lose your rifle out there, you’re as good as dead.”

“Already checked mine three times.”

“Check it again.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hey, Sarge… You ever been in combat before?”

“Once. North Africa. Different fight, though.”

“How different?”

“No beaches. No cliffs. Just sand. But it’s all the same when the shooting starts.”

“You scared?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yeah. It matters.”

“Alright, fine. Yeah, I’m scared. So what?”

“Just… feels better knowing I’m not the only one.”

“Nobody’s not scared. The trick is, don’t let it stop you.”

“…How?”

“Keep moving. That’s it. One foot in front of the other. No matter what.”

“Even if the guy next to you drops?”

“Especially then. You stop, you die. Simple as that.”

“…Great.”

“Hey, remember why you’re here. That’s what gets you through it.”

“Why I’m here? You mean besides Uncle Sam sending me a letter?”

“You’re here because of your family. Your friends. The ones counting on us to stop that son of a bitch in Berlin.”

“Yeah, well, Berlin’s a long way from here.”

“Then start with the beach. One step at a time, remember?”

“God, I hope you’re right.”

“Guys… Guys, I think I see something.”

“What? The shore?”

“No. Something in the water. Ahead.”

“Mines?”

“Could be. Hard to tell from here.”

“Jesus.”

“Relax. That’s why we’ve got those guys clearing the way for us.”

“Yeah, but what if they miss one? Huh?”

“Then we’re screwed. Plain and simple.”

“Thanks for the optimism.”

“Hey, just being honest.”

“Look, focus on what you can control. Worrying won’t stop a mine from blowing up.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one puking your guts out over here.”

“Would you quit with the puking already? We’re almost there.”

“Almost where? The slaughterhouse?”

“Knock it off. You’re scaring the new kid.”

“I ain’t scared.”

“You’re shaking like a leaf, kid. Don’t lie.”

“Alright, fine. I’m scared. You happy now?”

“No. But it’s normal. First time’s always the hardest.”

“…What about the second?”

“Still hard. Just… less surprising.”

“That supposed to make me feel better?”

“It’s the best you’re getting.”

“Alright, boys, listen up. This is it. When that ramp drops, you move. Fast. Don’t stop for anything. Don’t look back.”

“…Not even if someone falls?”

“Not even then. You hear me?”

“…Yeah. I hear you.”

“Good. Now say your prayers if you need to. We hit the shore in two minutes.”

“…Two minutes?”

“Two minutes.”

“God help us.”

“He will. Just stay close and keep your head down.”

“…See you on the beach.”

“Damn right you will.”

“…Yeah. See you there.”