Charlie Mike (1985), page 28
Bud liked her. It was more than that, really, but any other word would be presumptuous. After all, he hardly knew her. And, yet, he knew Jean as he knew no other woman, because she had bared her secrets to him.
They were going to see each other soon. They had discussed it excitedly, planning to meet at the in-country R&R center in Da Nang. Jean already had made reservations. Their good-bye was eased by the knowledge that they would see each other again. They would hold each other on a beach far away and have time to learn what it was that drew them together. Maybe when they met, the time they had spent apart would have taken its toll, and the strange feelings would be gone; but now, right now, he longed for the day when he could hold her again.
“Sir, we have a general coming in from Corps. His aide called thirty minutes ago.”
“Who’s coming, Top?”
The broad-shouldered soldier strained to read the paper he held. “Sir, the first sergeant’s got to have his darn glasses to see his small note.”
Colven laughed as he hopped out of his jeep and put his arm around the black sergeant’s shoulder. “Come on, you old blind buzzard, let’s go find the first sergeant’s glasses so he can make sense of his chicken scratches.”
Sergeant Demand smiled broadly. “You know, you as old as the first sergeant, sir.”
“Yeah, Top, but I’m a hell of a lot prettier.”
They walked, laughing, into the headquarters building. The first sergeant collected his glasses from his desk and quickly followed the major into his office.
“The aide said a General Burton was flying in and would be here at sixteen hundred hours. He said he was gonna give you some info on an upcoming ball game and also make presentations of some medals. Sir, what’s he talking about?”
Colven sat down, leaning back in his chair. “Top, make sure Dove is ready to pick him up. General Burton is the deputy Corps commander. He was my brigade commander at Fort Benning and is one helluva soldier. Don’t worry, he’s talking about an operation that might come up. The medals are for Sergeant Grady, Meeks, and Lieutenant Sikes.”
“Oh, and, sir, we got another call—The Red Cross recreation office. They gonna send some girls over at sixteen hundred hours to make a little visit and eat in the first sergeant’s mess.”
Colven grinned. “You mean we’re not gonna have you serenade us for chow this evening, Top?”
“Aw, sir, the first sergeant wouldn’t know how to act unless he got a little hollering in, but I might have to ease off just a bit. I wouldn’t want to embarrass them Doughnut Dollies.”
“Okay, Top. Troops are in classes now. They’ll be done at sixteen-thirty. We’ll have a quick formation and present the awards. Call and tell the Doughnut Dollies there’s no use showing up till sixteen-thirty. They can talk to the troops in the chow line and then eat with them afterwards. The general might want to eat with us, so make the arrangements.”
The first sergeant nodded and walked out as Captain Shane walked in.
“What the fly-boys have to say, Ed?” asked Colven, looking up from his desk.
“Sir, the aviation battalion commander and his ops officer will be over tomorrow to get our briefing. They were very responsive and seemed ready to go.”
“What kind of guns we getting?”
“We’re lucky. They said we’d have the Warriors as our gun support. They’ve got the Hotel models.”
“Good. What about our TOC? You gonna have it ready for operations in a couple of days?”
“We’ll have it ready by tomorrow. Sergeant Ingram and I will get the maps up and have the commo gear installed tonight. We’ll be ready, sir.”
“Okay, Ed, it’s your show. Hey, go down and check the companies training for me. I’m going to be too busy to get away. Let me know how it went at chow.”
“Will do, sir.”
Colven stood and walked to his window as his new ops officer departed. Bright rays penetrated the thin glass, casting warmth on him as his thoughts drifted thousands of miles away to a rambling house nestled among green pines. Sybil would be digging in her flower beds. Spring was coming. She loved spring; it was her favorite time of the year. The letter in his breast pocket said she was tired of winter. She prayed for spring because it meant he’d be home soon. Home … so damn far away. He had missed too many springs with her … too many. We’ll have next spring, Syb, and all the rest we’ll have together.… I promise.
The helicopter landed gently, and Brigadier General Burton hopped to the ground, holding out his hand to the approaching major.
“Good to see you, John, been a long time since Benning.”
Colven shook his hand warmly. “Yes sir. I see you haven’t changed any. Still can’t keep you in the office.”
Before the general could answer, Colven’s eyes shifted to the young officer who had swung out of the helicopter. Burton turned as the limping officer began approaching with a broad grin.
Colven blinked and put his hands on his hips, speaking gruffly. “You weren’t supposed to be back for a couple days yet, kid.”
“Sir, they threw me out. Said I was ruining their image.”
The major stared at Bud for a few seconds before shooting out his hand. “Okay, kid, I guess I’ll keep ya.”
The general thought the young officer might cry, but Sikes lowered his head quickly and took the major’s hand without speaking.
Burton clasped Colven’s shoulder and asked about his health to allow the lieutenant to recover his composure as they walked toward the waiting jeep.
“Corps is the damnedest place I’ve ever seen. Why, hell, I’ve even got a shower and sink in my room. In my room, John!”
“Damn, sir, some might say you’re a REMF.”
“The hell of it is, they’d be right! Me, a REMF Shit. John, get me to your place fast. I wanna smell a dirty Ranger and feel like a soldier again.”
“Right this way, sir.”
They walked to the waiting jeep and climbed in. Sikes couldn’t climb over the back tire, so he stood there embarrassed. The general, realizing his predicament, rose quickly and stepped into the small back seat with Colven.
“You sit in front, Lieutenant. I wanna talk to your major.”
“But, sir, you’re supposed to—”
“Sit down, son. Damn, John, your boy leaves for a vacation and forgets how to obey his generals.”
Sikes smiled sheepishly and sat in the front seat. Dove winked at him. As the jeep pulled away Bud adjusted the kit bag on his lap. A small yellow dog jumped from Dove’s lap to the bag and sniffed the new passenger.
“What’s this, Dove?”
“Aw, it’s just a dumb mutt one of the guys pawned off on me. I’m selling it soon as it gets a little bigger.”
The puppy tried to open the bag, gave up, and crawled back over to the blond driver.
“You gonna sell it, huh?”
“You bet, sir. I’ll tell ’em it belonged to an NVA commander or something. Heck, I might paint a red star on her head for effect, you know?”
Bud smiled inwardly. Dove didn’t sound too convincing, especially since his left hand constantly patted the dog’s head.
“How’s your leg, sir?”
“It’s fine. I’ll be a hundred percent in a couple of weeks.”
Dove briefly glanced at the lieutenant before returning his attention to the road.
“Sir, I’m sorry about the Two-Four.”
Bud dropped his head. “Yeah. How’s Grady taking it?”
“No sweat with Grady, sir. He’s doin’ okay. He and the team didn’t lose none of the edge. They hung tough.”
Bud nodded, understanding. “How’s the business?”
Dove smiled. Sikes was cool; he understood his operation. “You know, sir, a little slow. We just got in and all, but the Dove hasn’t really gone out yet and gotten serious. He will, though … he will. Hey, we’re home!”
The jeep pulled onto the dirt road leading to the Ranger camp. The red dust cloud that followed billowed like a miniature thundercloud.
The first sergeant stood in front of the assembling company. “Hurry up, Rangers! This ain’t a bird-watchin’ tour.”
The men quickly fell into a company formation.
“Rangers, we got us a surprise today. In fact, we got two surprises. We got a general gonna give a couple of our heroes some medals, and we got us some Doughnut Dollies come to visit. Now, Rangers, don’t none of you embarrass your first sergeant. Be nice! Take two minutes and blouse your boots and look presentable. Sergeant Grady, Meeks, fall out and get up to the major’s office. You two is he-roes today!”
Twenty minutes later Lieutenant Sikes, with Grady and Thumper, stood at attention in front of the formation of Rangers. Major Colven followed the general as they marched out and positioned themselves in front of the awardees. Captain Treadwell began reading the citation as the general took the Air Medal from Colven and pinned it on the chest of Lieutenant Sikes.
Captain Shane, standing behind the formation, turned and nodded to two Red Cross women as they came over from their compound. One was a tall, well-built, raven-haired girl, and the other was a short, pretty blond who held her head up as if she were a princess.
“Mary Ann, why can’t we get closer?” Sarah whispered.
“It will disturb the presentation. Now, remember what I told you the first sergeant said: They had five men killed the other day, and—”
“The following award is announced. Grady, David C., Jr. 447-48-6006, Sergeant, E-5, United States Army, Company S, Ranger, Seventy-fifth Infantry Airborne …”
“What’s going on, Mary Ann?”
“… awarded the Silver Star by direction of the President of the United States for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Grady …”
“Those three soldiers out front are getting medals,” Mary Ann said. “The man in front with the green fatigues is a one-star general. I don’t recognize him. He’s not with the division. He must be from Corps.” Mary Ann gave Sarah a sideways glance. “All the Rangers are here. Which one attacked you?”
“What?”
“Which one attacked you?”
“Oh, the one standing in front of the general.”
“… Sergeant Grady’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great …”
Mary Ann stared openmouthed at the soldier. “You mean the one the general’s pinning the medal on now?”
Sarah sighed indifferently. “Yes, that’s him.”
Mary Ann shook her head in disbelief. “My God, Sarah.”
Sarah lifted her head indignantly. “Well, how was I supposed to know he was some kind of hero?”
Mary Ann’s breasts bounced as she held her stomach and turned around so as not to be heard.
“What’s so funny?”
The presentation ended a few minutes later. The awardees were marched into headquarters to talk to the general while the company was reassembled. Sergeant Ingram escorted the Red Cross women to the mess hall, where they would have a chance to talk to the men while they waited outside.
When the general, the major, and the awardees walked out, Colven told the first sergeant that the general wouldn’t be eating with them but that he should take Grady and Meeks down to meet with the Doughnut Dollies.
First Sergeant Demand led Grady and Meeks around a large group of laughing Rangers. The Red Cross women were putting on a routine. They had picked out four “volunteers” and were pantomiming a movie. The men were trying to guess its title by their actions.
Thumper tried to move closer to see the women, but the first sergeant tapped him. “Come on, I’m taking you two inside. Now you two he-roes don’t embarrass your first sergeant. I want you to be nice and watch your language.”
Grady balked at the door. “Look, Top, I don’t wanna meet any bony broads. Hell, the company is gonna give me enough shit as it is.”
The first sergeant narrowed his eyes and motioned the two men inside. “You best not cuss around your first sergeant, boy. Now, you two get your food and sit at that corner table. And, Grady …”
“Yeah, Top?”
“Don’t you embarrass me. Be nice or I’ll have you and your team burning manure for a year. I’m goin’ to get them sweet thangs for you.”
Thumper grinned at his sergeant’s discomfort. Grady picked up his tray, then noticed the big man’s expression.
“What the hell you smiling at? We’re screwed, you know? The guys will be hasslin’ us for a month of Sundays.”
“Aw, hell, Grade, relax. It’ll be nice to talk to some ladies for a change.”
“The hell it will.”
The two men picked up their food and walked to the far table. Grady sat facing the wall opposite Thumper.
“Thump, this is dumb.”
“Will you relax, Sarge?”
Grady looked down at his stringy roast beef, picked up a large piece, and dropped it into his open mouth.
“You better hope Top doesn’t see you, Grade. He said wait till …”
Grady snickered. Thumper’s eyes widened.
“Shit, Grade, they’re comin’.… They’re …”
“Hi, I’m Mary Ann.”
Thumper shot up, smiling.
Grady rose but turned only slightly toward the voice as he chewed hurriedly his mouthful of meat. He could see the light-blue pinstriped dress and an outstretched hand held out to him. He tried to swallow, but the mouthful was too big. Then he tried to smile over tightly clenched teeth, as though nothing were amiss.
Thumper, seeing his sergeant’s dilemma, quickly reached over and grabbed the surprised woman’s hand, throwing her off balance.
Grady took two quick chews, turning his back as if coughing. Another feminine voice spoke directly behind him.
“Hello. I’m Sarah Boyce.”
Grady quickly chewed again, clenched his teeth, and turned to nod. His gaze swung first to her waist, then slowly rose to her smiling face.
Her! Son of a … He choked.
First Sergeant Demand, standing behind the blond, ran to Grady’s side, as did Thumper, who bent his sergeant over and pounded his back with a loud slap. The two women stood shocked, against the wall, unable to take their eyes from the poor, gasping man.
Thumper’s blow knocked Grady forward, but it did the trick. The first sergeant handed him a napkin, then turned to the women, trying to smile.
“Sorry, ladies. It’s been so long since this boonie rat seen pretty ladies. He just don’t know how to act.”
He turned back to the recovering sergeant, throwing him a scowl.
Sarah stepped toward the first sergeant, smiling. “Oh, no, Sergeant Demand. I know Sergeant Grady quite well.” She turned toward the wide-eyed Grady and extended her hand. “Don’t I?”
Grady bent over and coughed again.
Thumper and the first sergeant exchanged quick confused glances. Then they turned and stared at Grady, waiting for an explanation. The embarrassed sergeant smiled meekly at the two men and shook the woman’s hand without looking at her.
Mary Ann pulled back a chair and sat next to Thumper. “Isn’t it nice that old friends can meet again? Now, shall we eat? This big girl needs food.”
The first sergeant, still stupefied that the blond had professed to know his team sergeant, forced a laugh and pulled out the chair beside Grady for Sarah, then excused himself and grumbled as he walked away. Small Vietnamese girls who worked in the mess hall set down full trays before the women.
Thumper tapped Grady’s foot under the table and shifted his eyes to Sarah and back again, trying to get a response. Grady glanced up and shrugged, looking very uncomfortable.
“I must say, Sergeant Grady, I know I’m a little larger than most women, but that’s never made a man choke before.”
Sarah and Thumper laughed, but Grady only nodded with a faint smile and quickly picked up his water glass.
Sarah decided to explain. She spoke to Thumper. “Did your sergeant tell you I struck him with a stick yesterday? I didn’t have a chance to apologize then, so I’ll take the opportunity to do that now.” She turned and smiled at Grady, who took another sip of water and nodded.
Mary Ann, seeing Grady’s discomfort, began eating and making small talk, but he was still so distracted that he excused himself to get another glass of water.
On the pretense of looking over the mess hall, Sarah turned and watched the sergeant as he walked over to a far table and began talking to a huge, round-faced black soldier, then took some food off the man’s plate. He then did something Sarah had never seen him do before: He smiled.
Sarah smiled faintly herself. “He likes them, doesn’t he?”
Thumper glanced at Sarah then over to Grady.
“Yep, we’re kinda like family. You know, that Silver Star we got today? It’s Grady’s second; plus, he’s got a bunch of Bronze Stars. He’s the best there is. We, the team, are really lucky.”
Sarah picked up her iced-tea glass. “Does he have any education?”
Thumper’s eyes narrowed, and Sarah instantly knew she had made an error, so she quickly added, “I mean, of course, does he have any special training that would prepare him better than the others for the work he does?”
Thumper’s eyes shifted from the impertinent blond to his sergeant, who was now turning toward the food line. “Grady has two years of college and is leaving ’Nam in a few months to finish up. Education has got nothing to do with his being a leader. Some just have it. Others don’t.”
Grady walked back and sat down.
Thumper chuckled. “Ben loaded his tray again, huh? I saw you relieving him of some calories.”
Grady smiled. “Yeah, he didn’t think I’d check.”
Mary Ann quickly put her hands over her food. “Don’t take away any of my food, Sergeant.”
Grady grinned. “Ma’am, a lady as pretty as you shouldn’t have to eat in a common mess hall.”
