“Oh… sorry,” Geoff replied simply, feeling a bit embarrassed about his verbal attack.
“That’s quite all right Geoffrey. Often times, youngsters such as yourself speak far sooner than their minds are ready for. As you get older, you’ll find the opposite is true.”
Geoff nodded, not in understanding, but simply to be polite.
“Speaking of youngsters, how are the lads and lasses?” David asked Doc.
“I recently received a letter from the missus. She’s doing just fine and the children are all getting along well in their studies. After you and I talked earlier, I’ll have to insist that they enter the field of medicine.”
“The last time we spoke, six months ago, I thought they all were headed in that direction anyway… following along in their father’s footsteps, so to speak?” David asked.
“By and large, that’s an accurate statement David, except for the eldest. He’s shown aptitude in mathematics and expressed a desire for accounting of some kind. I suspect I might persuade him to refocus on medicine in short order though,” Doc said with a cryptic wink.
David laughed and then said in a more serious tone, “Jeez Doc, I feel a little guilty. I’d hate to be responsible for pushing your son into something he doesn’t want to do in the first place.”
“Lad, I believe the boy’s intentions are not genuine.”
“I don’t understand,” David said, his expression turned puzzled.
“To be quite blunt, I believe he has his eye on a young lass in town. If he pursues medicine, he’d have to leave for school for two years… and might miss his opportunity,” Doc said, with a wily grin.
“Hmm, I see. Accounting would keep him close, I’m guessing?” David replied, grinning.
“An accurate assessment, Lad… not exactly the correct reasons for making such a choice, I’m afraid.”
“Eh, kids... they never change. They’re always doing stupid stuff like that,” Geoff cut in.
David glanced to Doc and smiled.
“What?” Geoff complained feebly. He thought for a moment, then realized the irony of his statement. “Oh, the whole time travel thing. You guys think I’m one of those stupid kids because I went back in time to save my brother.”
“Absolutely NOT! Nothing could be farther from the truth, Geoff,” David replied emphatically. “You’re a teenager so you might make some rash and impetuous decisions right now. What teen doesn’t? It’s part of being young. But what I’ve seen of you over the last two months has been nothing short of impressive. You think clearly under pressure and your decisions are mostly logical and correct.”
Geoff sat quietly and listened.
“Geoffrey, based on what David has told me about you, I would concur: you’re a very intelligent young lad. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are deeply worried for your safety,” Doc added.
“Well, you don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing,” he replied, confidently.
“Even knowing what you’re doing doesn’t change the seriousness of this endeavor, or our concerns for your wellbeing,” David responded.
“Geoffrey, the fact is there’s a very strong chance you will be killed.”
Geoff heard Doc’s words and swallowed hard. Nervous tension crossed his face. Like he had done so many times in the previous two months, he remembered the image of his brother. Slowly, his desperation to save his brother overshadowed his fear of death.
He came to his feet and stood resolutely next to the fire.
“I don’t want to sound like a jerk or ungrateful or anything, and I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but this is something I just have to do.”
He nodded bravely, turned and walked from the fire.
David shot Doc a surprised stare, then quickly stood.
“Geoff, come back for God sakes. Where’re you going?” he shouted, now growing worried.
Quickly, Doc stood and prepared to chase after the teen.
“Geoff, stop!” David shouted.
Geoff stopped short, turned and stared at the two in disgust.
“What the heck, guys. What’s you two’s problem? I’m just going to take a leak. Jeez, you’re like two old women,” he shouted back in frustration.
David and Doc looked at each other in embarrassment. Looking back at Geoff, they both waved a hand of approval.
“Sorry bud, we thought you were running away or something,” David said, struggling with the right words to say.
“Running away? You kidding me? Dude, it’s not like I’m a ten year old or something. Can’t a guy take a piss in private?”
“Yes Lad, of course… of course you can,” Doc said.
As Geoff turned and walked into the woods, Doc and David shot each other an embarrassed look, then sat back down. Moments later, the only sound was that of the crackling fire and awkward silence.
David cleared his throat and spoke.
“I just don’t get it. After seeing the savagery of the previous battles, he’s still determined. What’ll it take to get through to him?”
“David, you have to understand something. It’s his brother. The emotional connection is too strong for logic.”
“Doc, you’re a real smart guy and I really value your opinion. I’ll be honest with you. I need help on this one. What do we do? Can you think of anything to persuade him to give up this foolish idea of his?”
Doc thought for a moment. He puzzled over the problem momentarily, then smiled.
“Well Lad, when one of my own is giving me problems, I usually put them to work. Funny how manual labor distracts them from their problems.”
“Manual labor? What do you suggest?”
“Well, you had the boy assigned to you under Gen. Thomas’ command, correct?” he asked rhetorically. “I know you figured you’d assign him something menial to do, but I suggest maybe something that will occupy his mind.”
“I’m listening,” David said simply.
“You claimed he was a surgical assistant before the war… why not really make him one.”
“Doc, he’s just a kid, and he has no experience at all. It could be disastrous.”
“We could teach him… together. There really isn’t much to assisting in surgery, David. I think it would be good for him. Who knows? By the time December rolls in, seeing all the dead and wounded might change his mind.”
David smiled a broad smile.
“And that’s why I asked you. That’s it. I think we’ve found our boy a job.”
“What job?” Geoff asked, startling the two as he quietly walked up to the fire.
David turned to Geoff and smiled.
“Have I gotta job for you.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
The next two days, they rode south through the forested valley following the west side of Rocky Face Ridge heading south. Gen. Sherman’s army had moved through the valley several days before, leaving an unmistakable path for them to follow. As the mountains became lower and the forest less dense, they knew they were close to the valley’s exit. Shortly thereafter, the terrain evolved into rolling hills and open fields where the three continued south toward Rome, Georgia.
Doc exhaled a sigh of relief.
“You all right Doc?” David asked.
“I am now, Lad. It’s always worrisome traveling through enemy territory.” Pointing, he continued, “Gen. Thomas’ headquarters is just up ahead on the other side of that bluff.”
“Cool, I’m beat. I could really use a rest,” Geoff responded. “I had no idea riding a horse was so tiring.”
“You get used to it after you get comfortable in the saddle,” David responded.
“I’m afraid there won’t be much rest for a while, Geoffrey,” Doc cut in.
“Why’s that?” Geoff asked, his tone now sounded frustrated.
“We’ve been hearing the sounds of war near Resaca since we left. I’m guessing a great deal of those casualties were sent here for treatment. I’m quite certain the doctors there a
re engaged in surgery as I speak. Once we report to Gen. Thomas, there’ll be little time to rest after we arrive.”
“Well that sucks,” Geoff spat in disgust.
“Yes lad, it does suck, but that is the nature of war. Never pleasant, never convenient,” he responded grimly.
As the three stopped at the crest of a bluff, a large field stretched out before them. At the far side, they could see several rows of large canvas tents that marked the location of headquarters. In the foreground, smaller tents dotted the field barely visible through the sea of wounded men.
David swallowed hard in despair.
“Holy Crap! There’s thousands of wounded. That’s a lot more than I anticipated. We’ll be working for days,” he remarked.
“DAYS?” Geoff shouted in disbelief.
“I’m afraid so, Lad,” Doc responded grimly. With a resolute nod, he said, “Let’s not dally here boys. Those lads need our help.”
He squeezed his legs against the horse’s ribs, signaling him to move. Slowly the horse trotted forward. Instinctively, the two other horses followed. As the three made their way across the field, they quickly surveyed the extent of the wounded.
“This is awful,” Geoff said in a low sympathetic tone.
The groans from the men were deafening. Geoff’s mouth grew dry and his stomach churned at the sight. As they rode up to the general’s tent, he felt a moment of relief that he was finally through the carnage.
-----*-----*-----*-----
“Doc, you’ve returned… and not a moment too soon,” a loud masculine voice shouted off to their right.
The three men turned and watched as a large, slightly overweight man in his fifties, hurried toward them. On his shoulders, each person noticed the unmistakable sight of the two brass stars.
“Yes Sir, Gen. Thomas,” Doc shouted back. Pointing to David, he continued, “I do believe you remember Dr. David Warner?”
“By God man, you are alive,” Gen. Thomas responded, in surprise. “To be honest, I didn’t quite believe the reports of your sudden appearance.”
“Alive and well, Sir,” David said, stepping down off his horse.
He extended his hand to the general who promptly shook it with enthusiasm.
“Glad to have you back. Your timing is impeccable, as you probably observed,” he said, pointing to the wounded all around them.
“I wasn’t expecting so many,” David replied.
“We’ve been assaulting Gen. Johnston for the past few days now. Each time we out flank him, he withdraws, repositions himself and counterattacks. He’s a wily one,” Gen. Thomas explained.
He looked up at Geoff, as the teen struggled to get down off his horse. David noticed his stare and said, “This is Geoff Robbins, Sir. He was my assistant before the war started. I’d been training him in medicine when I enlisted. We were just recently reunited and he now has expressed an interest in enlisting as a medical assistant.”
Geoff stood at attention and waited for the general to address him.
“He’s wearing our uniform. Has he been enlisted already?”
“No Sir. Gen. Sherman lent him these clothes in anticipation of his enlistment.”
Gen. Thomas eyed Geoff head to toe. He stuck out his hand.
“So you’d like to assist Dr. Warner, I take it?” he said, now shaking Geoff’s hand.
“Yes Sir,” Geoff responded confidently.
The general heard his voice and felt the firmness of his handshake, and smiled.
“Well son, you have two choices: infantry or doctor’s assistant. Which will it be?”
“Doctor’s assistant Sir,” Geoff replied without hesitation.
He nodded approvingly.
“A fine choice.”
Looking back to David, he said, “I trust you’ll take care of the paperwork?”
“Yes Sir,” David said, with a knowing smile.
“Well gents, I’d love to stand around here all day and lollygag, but as you can see, there’s a war on,” he said with a sarcastic grin. “I’ll be in my tent.” He turned away, then stopped. Looking over his shoulder, he added, “Welcome back David.”
“Thank you Sir,” David replied simply.
As the general stepped away, Doc looked over at the two and nodded.
“Surgery’s this way lads.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
Geoff stood nervously at the edge of the wagon and watched as David administered chloroform to the wounded soldier. Suspending the apparatus over the man’s mouth and nose, David poured several drops of liquid into it. As the liquid diffused through the filtering chamber, the man continued to writhe in pain. Moments later, his eyes closed and his body movements ceased.
“Ok, he won’t be out for long, so we need to work fast. Hand me that scalpel with the short blade,” David asked.
Geoff stared down into the metal bucket containing sterilized water and surgical instruments. He reached his hand into the still warm water and pulled out the scalpel.
“This one?” he asked, nervously.
“Yup, that’ll be the one,” David responded humorously, hoping to ease the tension.
He handed the scalpel to David point first. David hesitated, then grabbed the other end.
“Make sure you hand the instruments to me handle first, ok? Otherwise, I’ll end up slicing up my hands in the middle of surgery,” he corrected.
Geoff nodded nervously and continued to watch.
“This poor guy took a bullet just below the knee. It smashed through his tibia, the main supporting bone that runs between his knee and ankle, tearing away muscle and nerves. If we were operating in modern times, I could easily save his leg. Unfortunately, with the extent of his damage, he’s going to lose it.”
“Oh my God! How awful,” Geoff exclaimed in horror. “How will he walk?”
“Wooden prosthesis,” David replied. He saw the puzzled look on Geoff’s face and added, “Wooden leg. He’ll have to be fitted for a wooden leg.”
“Wow, that’s going to really suck,” Geoff responded, sympathetically.
David nodded in understanding and continued.
“Ok, we’ll amputate at this location here, just above the fractured bone,” he said, pointing with the scalpel, adding, “If we were to amputate at the point of injury instead of above it, we’d be opening ourselves up to a long list of complications.”
Geoff nodded in fascination as David continued.
“First, we’ll dissect down to the bone, separating back the various layers of skin and muscle. Once we’ve done this, we can then cut away the bone. After that, we’ll release the muscle and tissue we’ve pulled back and it will naturally cover the end of the bone, giving him a bit of cushion for his prosthesis.”
He glanced back at Geoff, ensuring his understanding, then began. He placed the blade at the top of the leg and sliced through the top layer of skin, rotating around to the underside of the leg.
“Eeewe,” Geoff squealed from the sight.
David glanced back to insure he was ok. Geoff’s eyes shifted in embarrassment at his own response.
“It’s ok to be squeamish Geoff. It’s a natural reaction to something that isn’t natural. You’ll eventually develop a tolerance to it.”
He nodded reluctantly as David continued in his work. Bringing the scalpel back to the top of the leg, David sliced through the top layer of skin on the opposite side of the first incision. He sliced down to the bottom, creating a divide between the upper and lower shin region.
Next, he sliced under the upper layer of skin, separating it from the muscle. Geoff felt slightly sick to his stomach as the blood oozed from the incision. He focused more intently on the procedure, forcing his emotions to the back of his mind.
Minutes later, David moved onto the next step in the operation.
“Ok, needle and thread,” he asked.
Geoff pulled the needle from the water and quickly threaded it. David took the needle and nodded approvingly.
“I’m going to place a couple of stitches in the loose skin and pull it back out of the way. Once the procedure is done, I’ll cut the threads and the skin will basically snap back in place, covering the stump of the leg like I explained earlier.”
David worked quickly. In less than a minute, he had the skin sewn back and the muscle exposed.
“Scalpel, long blade,” David asked.
Prisoner in Time (Time travel) Page 33