Major Robert Westin

Challenge #12: Connect the following in an 800 word story: 

1947 convertible, switchblade, and parachute.

Wind whipped through the C-47 and slapped the buckle straps against Robert's face, jarring him from his transient daze. He went over each connection on his parachute in a systematic manner, drawn from dozens of previous jumps. Each thought was routine, ingrained. His complete cognizance was unnecessary as he noted the fraying shoelace of his right boot, the bristling blonde hair on the neck of the private before him, or the pallid coloring of the first jumper's face.

His mind was now sharply focused as his body floated above the dirt owned by Italy, specifically Gela, Italy. Earth crumbled beneath his brown leather boots as he slid to a stuttered halt. Robert was grateful for the modified Type T-5 parachute he was wearing with the quick release box. Not every serviceman was as lucky and several were gunned down while attempting to escape their chutes. Captain Westin used the high grass of the fertile plain as his cover as he crawled toward the tree line. 

Twenty-eight men remained of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Captain Westin determined the route his men would take to link up with the 1st Infantry Division in Sicily 80 kilometers north. An hour outside of Gela dust clouds alerted the 504th of incoming vehicles. The men crouched on the east side of the road lying prone. Instead of a feared enemy tank they were met with one of their own, a beloved "Deuce and a Half" known to civilians as the GMC CCKW. The nickname originated from the 2.5 ton weight of this military supply truck.

Westin and his men rode into camp at Sicily the following day with enough time to shovel down c-rations and a gulp of black coffee, cold. Exhaustion loomed over many of the mens' heads as they trudged toward Italian troops and certain death for many. Robert fought valiantly and was awarded the Silver Star, but his treasured possession gained during the fight was an Italian switchblade he stripped from a fallen adversary. The blade was known as the Italian stiletto for its design. The blade came to a point and was engineered brilliantly for a thrusting motion. Another memento he carried was shrapnel buried in his left thigh. Robert wasn't enthusiastic about this souvenir, however it was the one that granted him a trip home to Chicago. 

Life picked up once he landed in O'Hare and he started on a speaking tour selling bonds. Robert was promoted to Major to help win over donors. Major Westin was a natural at public relations and after the war he used his knack for talking to people to earn a living. Selling cars was something he was very passionate about and followed naturally his passions from youth. Growing up he idolized his mechanic father and loved all things cars. That passion never waned and was thriving as he opened Westin Motors in 1946.

Business was steady and Robert felt satisfied, but he longed for companionship. He viewed women like the automobiles on his lot: shiny paint didn't mean a quality engine, fast ones are fun but not reliable for everyday, and a dream car, just like a dream woman, was worth the wait. Little did he know that with his latest shipment of Buick Roadmaster convertibles his story would change once more. His lot proudly displayed three of these brand new cars, one black, one gray, and one red to match the "fireball dynaflash" under the hood. Robert loved the pearl gray version and daydreamed of cruising that 8-cylinder beauty down a country lane at sunset as the wind tickled his neck.

Major Westin was closing up one Thursday in June when Eva walked onto the lot. She was a thin brunette with ruby red lips and a twinkling smile and she wanted a test drive. Eva explained that her family lived west of Chicago in Brookfield and this car would be driven on mostly dirt roads, the type of road where she intended to take her test drive. They coasted kicking up a trail of dust. Wind danced through Eva's hair and carried her melodic laughter with it. The setting sun was eclipsed only by her exquisite aesthetic.

When they arrived back on the lot, Eva had a determined look and informed him the car was overpriced and she would offer him $1895 and not a penny more. Robert offered her a different deal: the car was free if she agreed to marry him; if she didn't agree to the terms, he vowed to sell her the car for the exact price she quoted and spend the remainder of his days convincing her to be his wife. Luckily for Major Westin, Eva took the deal and they were married that August.