by A. American
We heard more voices and I leaned over to look into the back door. Mike, Ted and Sarge were coming into the house. He didn’t look like he was angry and the guys were carrying on in their usual manner. Everything looked normal.
“He looks alright to me,” I said.
“Time will tell,” Thad said with a smile.
The guys came out and took a seat. Mike was smiling in his usual smartass manner and I asked what he was grinning about. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“What’s the old man doing? In there sniffing around Miss Kay?” I asked.
Mike rolled his eyes. “Enough already. I don’t need the visual.”
Sarge came out the door, “Alright, the grownups are here, knock off the bullshit. Follow me. We need to talk.” He continued out the screen door and into the back yard. I looked at Mike and he shrugged.
“Ted, what’s this about?” I asked.
He got up from the table and slung his rifle. “Come on. You’ll hear it for yourself.”
We all got up and went outside. Danny was out there puttering around the well house and Sarge called him over too.
“What’s this about?” I asked.
Sarge rocked on his heels for a minute before speaking. “Since those chicken-shit bastards in Eustis don’t want to share communication with me, I went over their heads.”
I shook my head. “You just can’t get over it, can you?”
“Hell no, I can’t! Who the hell do those weekend warrior want-a-be shits think they’re fucking with?”
“Why don’t you three just get together and hate-fuck already? Just get it over with,” I replied. Naturally, this got Mike to howling. It even got to Thad a little.
He stifled a laugh. Shaking his head, he replied, “I swear, Morgan you is a mess!”
“Oh, my God!” Mike shouted. “Hate fuck! That’s it! That’s exactly what they need to do! Just rip each other’s clothes off, oil up and hate fuck!”
“You done?” Sarge asked.
Mike held up a finger, “One more time. Hate fuck!”
“You know the problem with you?” Sarge asked. Mike smiled with anticipation. “You’re still here. No one’s killed your dumb ass yet.”
“That’s cause I’m the baddest man alive! No one can kill me!”
Sarge looked at him seriously and in a quiet voice, said, “No, that’s not it. It’s that your mother didn’t have the fortitude to do the right thing and drown your stupid ass when you were a baby.”
“Or eat him when he was a baby. When his bones were still soft,” Ted added.
Mike held his hands up, “Haters gonna hate. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”
“Would you just shut the fuck up for a minute so the grownups can talk?” Sarge spat.
“Whatever. Go ahead.”
Shaking his head, Sarge said, “We’re going to Eglin.”
“The Air Force base?” Thad asked.
Sarge nodded.
“And just how the hell do you plan on doing that? It’s got to be four hundred miles up there!” I asked.
Sarge looked at me like I was stupid. “We’re going to drive. Unless you’ve got a plane up your ass.” Mike started to make a comment, but the old man shot him a look and he let it pass.
“You know what kind of risk that is? How much shit can go wrong on a trip like that?”
Sarge shrugged, “We just have to be careful. We’re going to take two trucks and plenty of fuel and even extra tires.”
“How are you going to haul all that?” Danny asked.
“Sheffield has trailers up there. We’ll just get two of them. And the fuel from that bladder tank. We’re going to be bringing back a bunch of stuff as well, so we’ll need the trailers.”
“Like what?” I asked.
“Ammo, rockets, mortar rounds. That kind of stuff. The general isn’t too happy with Sheffield’s lack of desire to go out and engage the enemy. We have foreign troops in the country. We need them gone.”
“What about a Geiger counter? Can they give us one of those?” I asked.
He nodded. “We’re going to get some NBC stuff too. They’re already sending the 20th CBRNE command towards Tampa to evaluate the situation. We’re getting equipment to monitor the situation as well.”
That made me feel a little better. “That’s good. When do you plan on making this kamikaze trip?”
“Soon as we can get the equipment together. We’ll be gone for a week or so.”
“We who?” I asked.
He pointed at me, “You’re part of we. I need you, and the General wants to see you. You’re the civilian head here, so you gotta go.”
“Like hell! I’m not going on what will surely turn into the Bataan death march. You can kiss my ass. I’ve already done that once and I ain’t doing it again.”
Sarge took a deep breath. “Look, we both know you’re going. I know you don’t want to, but I know you will. We’re also taking Dalton and Ian.”
“Who the hell is going to guard this place?” I asked.
“Just calm down. I’ll tell Sheffield we need a few people for a few days. His guys won’t mind getting out of town for a while and it’ll be less mouths for him to feed, so he won’t give a shit.”
“I couldn’t care less what he thinks!” I shot back. “You’re missing the fucking point here. I’m not leaving my family to go on some wild-ass goose chase across Florida.”
“It’s not a goose chase.” Sarge said. “This is a very clearly defined mission.”
I folded my arms over my chest and asked, “And just what is this mission?”
Sarge gestured with a hand, “I already told you what we’re doing.”
“Going to get a bunch of ammo? Rockets and shit?” I pointed at him and said, “I think you’re just pissed at Sheffield and this is your way of rubbing his nose in it. You giving any of the crap we bring back to him?”
“Hell no!” Sarge shouted. “I’ve got my orders and this material is going to be used to fulfill that mission.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Just pissing off Sheffield. That’s what I thought.”
“Sounds like he’s onto you, boss,” Mike said.
“Shut up, Mikey,” Sarge barked.
“Look, Morgan. It’s on the up and up,” Ted said.
I looked at him and he nodded. “Under one condition.”
“You name it,” Sarge replied.
“I want to get some stuff while we’re there. I want some things we don’t have now. Things to make everyone’s life around here better.”
“Done.”
“You don’t even know what I want!”
Sarge held his hands up. “Maybe not. But knowing you, you’re not going to be asking for anything crazy, and I’m sure Fawcett will do it for you.”
“He damn sure better,” I replied. “Oh, and there’s one more thing.”
“What?”
Jabbing my finger into his chest with every word, I said, “And-you-tell-Mel.” I looked up onto the porch and saw her sitting with Mary and Bobbie. She was going to be pissed.
The old man saw me and looked back over his shoulder. The look on his face was priceless. “That’s just not fair.” He said, “She’s going to hate me.”
“She’s going to hate both of us, so you won’t be alone.”
“She can’t be first, but she can be next,” Sarge replied with a sigh. “Come on, supper’s ready.”
Mike leaned in close as he walked past me. “It’s a long-ass list. Like, taping the pages of a phonebook end to end. Like a Manhattan phonebook.”
I laughed and slapped him on the back as we walked towards the house. “Maybe. But now he’s going to be on Mel’s bad side.”
“Don’t sweat it, Morg. Th
is’ll be a milk run,” Ted said.
“Your optimism is refreshing, if misplaced,” I replied. Ted laughed and shook his head.
The porch was now crowded. Everyone was there and in good spirits. We’d taken to running a large fan during meals. It helped to make it bearable between the airflow and the natural cooling the onset of evening brought. The fan was loud, but it couldn’t be heard over this crowd. The kids all sat together at one table, laughing as they ate.
Miss Kay was at the head of the picnic table, ladling stew into bowls and handing them out. Mike took his bowl and went to the kids’ table and sat with them, eliciting loud giggles when he took his seat. Sarge looked at him as he waited for a bowl and said, “That’s where he belongs.”
Miss Kay looked at him, shaking her head, saying, “Oh, be nice, Linus.”
As he reached for his bowl, he added, “I’ll nice him to death.”
Kay pulled the bowl away, saying, “Keep talking like that and you’ll go hungry.”
He smiled at her and replied, “Yes ma’am.”
She handed him his bowl, saying, “That’s better.”
I saw Fred, Jess and Aric all sitting together at one table. I stepped up to Kay and she handed me a bowl. Holding it up, I took a long sniff. “This sure smells good, Miss Kay. What is it?”
“Just a little stew. Thad fixed up a selection from the garden and I browned some beef. It’s quite good.”
“It always is. You ladies never cease to impress.”
She gave me a swat and gushed, “Oh, Morgan, go sit down!”
I walked by Aric and bumped into his elbow as he was taking a bite, spilling it onto his shirt. He looked up at me and I said, “Sorry. I thought you said something.” He looked around the room then back at me. “You do it, or I will.”
He looked at Fred, who had a look of excited anticipation on her face. Then looking back at me, he said, “Would you?
I leaned down and whispered in his ear. “If I do it, I’ll start off saying you were too chicken shit to say it yourself.”
“You wouldn’t!” Fred said.
I stood up and smiled. “You willing to bet?”
Fred slapped him on the arm. Her eyes narrowed, and through clenched teeth, she said, “You better not let him say that!”
It made me smile. I looked up and said, “Hey, everyone…” Aric was immediately on his feet, with Fred helping push him out of his seat.
But he didn’t hesitate. “I have something to say,” he said. Then he looked down at Fred, holding his hand out. She took it and stood up with him, blushing. “We have something to say.” He looked at her for a moment before continuing. “Fred is pregnant.”
All the ladies on the back porch began to pour out their excitement. They all came over to her and hugged her. It was exactly as I pictured it. Mel asked how far along she was and Fred said she wasn’t sure.
“I say six weeks,” Jess said.
Kay put her hand on Fred’s belly. “Oh, you sweet thing. A baby! This is amazing news!”
Even the guys hugged her. They shook Aric’s hand. It totally interrupted dinner, but in a good way. Bobbie was giving her a hug when she noticed the ring on her finger and asked, “What is this?”
Fred held her hand up so everyone could see the ring. Saying, “Aric and I are married.”
This seemed to cause a little confusion. “When did you get married? And how?” Mel asked.
Aric and Fred both looked at me. Aric asked, “You wanna take this one?”
All eyes were now on me, waiting for an explanation. I chuckled. “They’re married because they say they are. We don’t need a judge or someone to say so. They say they’re married. So, they’re married.”
There was more excitement. More hugs and handshakes. Miss Kay started to cry. Sarge went to her and put his arm around her, concerned. But she shooed him away. “These are tears of joy, Linus. You men just don’t understand these kinds of things. I’m just so happy.” She got control of herself and added, “You two are married. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a ceremony.” She started to cry again. “I’ve been saving some flour for a special occasion. I didn’t know why, just being a silly old woman. But now I know why. It was for your wedding cake.”
Fred’s eyes lit up. “You mean we could have an actual ceremony with a cake?”
“Of course, dear, of course.”
Then Fred’s expression changed a little. “What about a dress?”
“I still have mine,” Mel said. “You’re more than welcome to wear it.”
“Mom!” Taylor nearly shouted. “We found wedding dresses in some of the houses!”
“Yeah,” Lee Ann said. “We’ll get them all, so you can take your pick.”
As discussion about the wedding dress continued, Doc walked out onto the porch. He saw everyone bunched up and Miss Kay and now Fred crying. He stopped in the doorway, taking it all in, then cut his eyes at me. He walked over and asked, “What the hell’s going on?”
“Fred and Aric are getting married.”
He looked up and smiled. “That’s awesome.”
“And she’s pregnant,” I knew that would get the Doc in him going.
He looked back at me wide-eyed, “What? How the hell did that happen?”
I laughed out loud. “Really, Ronnie?”
He shook his head. “You know what I mean. It’s a big risk.”
I stood up and gripped his shoulder. “She’ll be alright. She’s got you. No pressure.”
“Kiss my ass.” A look only describable as nausea came over him. “God, I hate deliveries. The crying, the screaming,” he shuddered.
“Not to mention all the racket the mother makes,” I replied. Naturally, that got me a fuck you look. “Now go congratulate the bride and groom.”
He pulled it together and walked into the chaos that was happiness overflowing from the porch. Thad hugged Fred, lifting her off the floor. She squealed and Kay admonished him to be gentle with the soon-to-be mother. Back on the ground, Fred smiled at him and said, “You’re going to make a terrific big uncle.” Hearing the words, tears welled up in his eyes.
He smiled and wiped them away. “I’ll love her like my own.”
“Him. Love him like your own,” Aric corrected, getting a laugh from Thad and a playful swat from Fred.
“The baby will have all kinds of uncles!” Mike shouted.
“Yeah,” Sarge replied, “Every kid needs a crazy uncle.”
Mike didn’t miss a beat. “Glad to see you volunteer for the job!” This got a roar of laughter from everyone, even the old man. He nodded, replying, “Touché.”
Kay broke up the festivities. “Alright, everyone, sit down and eat before your supper gets cold! There’s plenty of time to plan this out.”
All the women gathered at one table. I think Aric was relieved for the chance, or excuse to escape. He joined the rest of us at our table, where he naturally received a fair amount of good-natured ribbing.
“Go ahead, Doc. Tell him what you told me about how much you enjoy delivering babies,” I said.
He gave me the finger, but Aric was looking at him expectantly. Doc rolled his head, “Ok, it’s not my favorite thing to do, admittedly.”
“But you do it so well,” Ted said.
Sarge pointed at him with his spoon. “If I remember right, you delivered a baby in Iraq in the middle of a firefight once.”
“No shit?” Aric said, surprised.
“Yeah, he did. Like a boss!” Ted shouted.
“Don’t let Ronnie fool you. He’s much better at bringing life than he is at ending it,” Mike chimed.
“Some things are more rewarding,” Doc replied.
Mike gripped his shoulder, rocking him back and forth. “Well, bud
dy, in about eight months you’re going to get a hell of a reward.”
Doc slapped Mike’s hand from his shoulder. “I’ll make an exception for your ass.”
“You ain’t the only one,” Sarge added, getting everyone to laughing.
“How long you known about this?” Thad asked me.
“I found out today. They were all nervous about what everyone would think.”
“What do you mean?” Danny asked.
“You know, they’re not married and worried that we,” I circled my finger around the table, “would judge them for some reason.”
“What a load of hog wash,” Sarge said.
“They got nothing to worry about,” Thad said. “It’s wonderful news. With all the loss of life we see, seeing one start is a nice change.”
“With all this in mind,” Danny said, “Can you guys get medical stuff for her when you go to Eglin?”
Doc nodded, “Yeah, I’ll round up what I need.”
“It don’t take much,” Sarge said. “I’ve seen them dropped in the dirt in Africa.”
“Where they have one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates,” Doc replied.
“Yeah, but that ain’t happening here,” Thad said.
“No,” Sarge replied. “Between Doc and all them henpecks over there, I think there’s more than enough help.”
Looking to change the subject, Aric asked, “What’s up with Eglin?”
“We’re going to make a run up there. I need to go see the general and pick up some supplies for us,” Sarge said.
“It’s your lie. You tell it,” I replied.
“Who’s going?” Aric asked.
“Not you,” nearly everyone at the table said in unison. Causing all of us to laugh, except Aric of course.
“Sorry, son. You’re about to get married and have a baby coming. You’re staying inside the wire,” Sarge told him. It was not what Aric wanted to hear.
“I can still do my job. This doesn’t change anything.”
“It changes everything, buddy. But you’ll still be doing your job. Just not on this mission,” Ted said.