After Cora's birthday in February, the Dawsons moved to Santa Monica, California.
It was now April sixth of 1917.
Rose was twenty-three and Jack was twenty-five.
The twins were going to turn five on April fifteenth.
Alexander was just three years old, almost four.
Rose could swear he was looking more and more like Jack every day.
Europe was in the midst of war, and Rose and her new friend, Angela, were afraid that their husbands would be drafted if war came to America.
Angela's husband was actually Jack's cousin.
His name was Patrick Dawson.
They were really close as kids, but they lost connection when Jack moved to Europe.
Jack came home from work one day, and immediately went to Rose.
"Rose, America declared war on Germany today," he said, in one breath.
"What? Are you going to sign up for the army? You can't. Promise me you won't," she said.
"I can't. I have a family to take care of. I may be drafted, though."
"This is horrible, Jack."
"I know, Rose...I know."
Pat told his wife about the war also.
She was terrified that he'd be drafted.
They didn't have any kids.
Pat and Angela had only been married for three months.
Angie and Rose were best friends.
When Jack and Rose wanted time alone, Pat and Angela would take care of their children.
*****
"Rose! Open the door!" Angie knocked on the door rapidly.
Rose opened the door. "Angie! What are you doing? It's three o'clock in the morning."
"I'm sorry...it's just that....well...I couldn't get to sleep, and since you weren't here earlier, I decided to come over now."
"For what?"
"Pat has been drafted!"
"Oh, my gosh!" Rose gasped.
"He leaves next week. I want to sign up for the nurse's position," Angie said.
"No...don't. What if they hurt you? What if your station gets bombed?"
"I don't know." She sighed.
"Well, you know Pat won't let you. Now go home and get some sleep."