“Master Sergeant, you will remain in this room for at least one more day so I can make sure you don’t have some kind if infection,” said the doctor in a patient voice. “That is an order,” he said as he snapped the chart shut and glared at him.
“Look, Doc, it won’t be so bad in the BEQ. I can sit in my bed and read or something for a few days,” he said almost pleading.
“That’s good,” the doctor said. “It will wait for at least 24 hours, and then you can do just exactly that. You need to know that if that bullet hadn’t bounced off the rib the way it did you wouldn’t even be here talking to me so disrespectfully,” he chided. “An inch to the left and you would have swallowed the damn thing when it went through your esophagus. So far, you have been one lucky guy. Don’t blow it by being stupid. Besides, at least here you can look at the nurses,” he said with a grin.
Hufham gave up. He didn’t really feel like arguing. The pain in his arm was dull but there. It was propped up by a soft cast that allowed the wound to heal. “I can’t argue with that,” he grunted.
Ricks walked in the door. “You tell him, Doc. But I would have those nurses duct tape him to the bed to make sure he stays. Or better yet, for their own protection,” he said.
Hufham gave a disgusted look. “See what I have to put up with? Can’t you find something for this guy to do?”
“I’m sure he has plenty to keep him busy,” the doctor said. “I’ll check back in with you a little later,” he said as he left the room.
Ricks walked over and sat down beside the bed. “You get nasty when you’re hurt.”
“Kiss my ass,” he said with a smile. “What did you do last night?”
“Went to bed,” Ricks said in mock hurt. “I checked into the BEQ. I have at least five days before I have to return. They’re giving us old guys a break while the youngsters get a handle on things,” he said sitting back in the chair.
Hufham looked at Ricks closely. Something was changed about him. He looked happy — something neither of them had looked in weeks. It became obvious Ricks had not slept in his BEQ bed. He started grinning at him.
“What?” Ricks questioned.
“Oh nothing. How’s Su Lynn?”
“Great. Still at the shelter. I’m going to check on a few things and get back with her at lunch,” he said. His face beamed when he mentioned her.
“She’s a great girl. You two should have a great family,” he said easing deeper into the pillows.
Ricks got a look on his face like a deer looking into some headlights. He sputtered a second.
“Don’t give me that innocent look. Look, Dale, we’ve both known Su Lynn for a while now and you are my best friend. Don’t you think I can read the tea leaves?”
“Yea, but I just…”
“About damn time, too. You go take care of business. I gotta sit here in this glorified brothel for another day anyway. Do this for yourself, Dale. I’ll be around to be your best man.”
Ricks looked over at the man who had once been someone he aspired to be like. If Hufham approved, he must be on the right track. He nodded at Hufham. “Okay. I need to stop by and see the Colonel anyway. I was also going to see a chaplain to see what I needed to do.”
“Good. You might go by the old Lodge and see if they have a room somewhere. At least you might find a place to be alone. The BEQ is no place for a honeymoon,” Hufham said.
Ricks stood. “You need anything? Su Lynn and I will come by later.”
Hufham waved him off. “Nah. I’m okay, but I would like to see her again. If they cut me loose later I might need a little help.”
“Good enough. I’ll be back,” he said with a wave.
Hufham watched the young man leave the room. Both men had grown close over the months since that night at the DMZ. Ricks had turned into what the Army would consider a poster boy. He was a natural born leader. Too bad it took a war to bring it out, but what better way to temper steel. He thought about the things they had gone through together and smiled. Maybe they could get stationed together again. He looked around for the remote for the TV, then remembered it didn’t work. “Shit,” he said to the empty room.
Lt. Colonel Peterson was preparing to leave. The doctors had sewn him up and made sure there was no infection. He was getting ready to walk over to the BOQ when Ricks walked in. “Well look what the cat dragged in,” Peterson said.
“Hello, Colonel. I just wanted to check in on you. You getting reprieved?”
Peterson nodded. “Yeah, they don’t keep people who get shot in the ass. Throw a bandage on it and walk home,” he joked. “Have you seen Hufham?”
“Yes, sir. He has to stay another day, but he’s fine. I heard the Doc say he was lucky as hell. In the mean time I was told we have a week to recuperate,” Ricks said.
“Maybe more than that, Ricks. You and Hufham have been at it hard since the beginning. I talked to the Division Commander. He said the way this is going it could end pretty quick. ‘Till then we are to rest. What do you have planned?”
Ricks looked a little sheepish. He looked at the floor and shuffled around a little. “Well, sir, that’s something I wanted to ask you about. Sir, is it still required for me to get permission to get married?”
Peterson stopped at that one. He looked at the young man standing before him. “Well I’ll be damned! Su Lynn?” he asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Anybody else I’d say no. Permission granted. Dale, this is great. When’s the day?”
“I don’t know, Colonel. I need to check with the chaplain. But with all this going on, I’d like it to happen real soon.”
Peterson chuckled and slapped Ricks on the shoulder. “Talk to Chaplain Henderson and tell him I said OK. There are some forms to fill out and all, but nobody can really stop you. Henderson has ways of cutting through the BS anyway,” he said.
“Thanks, Colonel,” Ricks said.
“My pleasure, Dale. Su Lynn’s a really nice girl. I’ll be at the BOQ. Let me know how things go. If I can do anything, come see me. And if somebody gives you any shit at all, I’ll make them wish they were never born,” Peterson said with an evil grin.
“I appreciate it, sir.”
“Now get out of here and marry that girl. Make something good come out of this crap,” Peterson said extending his hand.
Ricks shook the Colonel’s hand warmly. “Take it easy, Colonel.”
As Ricks left his room Peterson chuckled to himself. Of all the places to fall in love, he thought. He winced in pain as he bent over to pick up his cover. Damn pain in the ass. Well, at least I don’t have to stay in the hospital. Peterson centered his cover on his head and walked out the door.
Chapter 16
It had been a month since the task force had arrived in Korea. The ground forces made their way up the peninsula and were in heavy action for the last few days. At sea, Admiral Thacke kept busy hitting any target that came within twenty miles of the coast. It meant the ship’s crews had to remain alert and at increased readiness for long periods of time. It had also meant the ships remained on station longer than Thacke had planned. Underway replenishments were starting to get old. As the ground forces moved toward the original DMZ, fewer and fewer targets came within gun range.
“I’m sending you and the North Carolina in to Sasebo for three days,” said Admiral Thacke. “I need you to get refueled and rearmed and back here as soon as you can. I’ll be changing ships while we’re there. Not that you’ll miss me,” he joked to Hammond.
Hammond chuckled. “I’m not complaining. My guys have been pushing it for months now, not like the others haven’t. But I do need some bullets,” he said.