“Lad, are you even listening to me?” he asked, feeling mildly frustrated.
“I hear you Doc. Thanks for the advice,” he responded, his tone sounding distracted.
Doc was about to comment, but heard footsteps quickly approaching. He looked over his shoulder and saw David nearing them in a hurry. He jumped to his feet and waited.
“I just got word from Gen. Thomas!” David shouted as he neared.
“And?” Doc asked, impatiently.
Geoff looked at David with apprehension and waited.
“It’s on! Gen. Thomas is planning to attack in two days… on the fifteenth,” David blurted loudly.
“So that’s it then. I’m committed,” Geoff said in disappointed tone. He came to his feet and shouted, “DAMMIT!”
Without another word, he turned quickly and stormed off toward his tent. David stood for a moment, baffled by the teen’s outburst.
“I guess I should have seen that coming. He’s been in denial over this the whole time he’s been here and now that it’s become a reality, I’m guessing he’s having second thoughts,” David said. He smiled at Doc and added, “I’m betting by tomorrow, he’ll give up this whole silly mess and ask to go home.”
Doc stared at David with intensity, his face wracked with torment.
“Did I say something wrong?” he asked, now confused.
“You’d lose that bet, David.”
“What do you mean? Why would I lose the bet?” he asked, now worried.
“Before you arrived, young Geoffrey and I were discussing the future. We were hoping you two’s presence here had somehow changed the weather and would somehow change the dynamics of the battle. If that were the case, then he would…”
“No longer need to kill Arles!” David cut in. “So that’s why he’s disappointed. Wow, that sucks. A delay in the battle… would’ve made things real easy, wouldn’t it?”
“Yes David, it would have.”
“So that’s it then. He really is planning on going through with all of this,” David said.
“Wasn’t he always?” Doc shot back.
“I guess I thought when it came time to pull the trigger, he’d reconsider and forget this crazy plan.”
“From what we’ve seen of Geoffrey, I’d say giving up isn’t in his vocabulary. This really shouldn’t come as a surprise,” Doc said.
“Great! Now what do we do?”
“I don’t know David. Without a glimpse of Compton’s Hill, I really don’t see how you can plan for anything,” Doc replied.
“Dammit!” David blurted in rage once more. “We were right there. We could have seen every detail of that battlefield if the kid hadn’t blown it on us.”
“David, there’s no use in quarreling over this now. It won’t change anything. We need to concentrate on saving young Geoffrey’s life.”
“Yeah, and all the while, he’s trying to take it,” he replied in frustration.
“I’m certain he still thinks he’ll come out of this alive. That may be the key we’re looking for. Now that he realizes he’s facing almost certain death, it might be the edge we need to turn him.”
“You have a plan?”
“I have an idea is all.”
“Well, an idea is better than nothing. Let’s get to work.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
The Battle of Nashville
December 15th, 1864
Artillery and rifle fire shattered the early morning quiet, sending birds and animals searching for cover. Townsfolk within Nashville’s city limits remained inside their homes and waited on news of the battle. As Union troops attacked the Confederates on three fronts, the land trembled from the heavy action on both sides of the conflict.
Even before the battle started, Doc, David and Geoff rushed to prepare the makeshift hospital. Every available man collected wood and water used in sterilizing limbs and instruments. As large vats of water sat boiling above roaring fires, gurneys, bandages and instruments were positioned for the ready. Wooden frame beds were assembled for the more seriously wounded, while beds of straw covered the floors in the stalls for those less injured. Within two hours of the battle’s start, the telltale sound of galloping hooves signaled the first of many arriving wounded.
“This is it boys. Look sharp,” Doc hollered loudly.
Instantly, Doc, David and Geoff, rushed outside to the arriving ambulance. Cries of agony became more clear and distinct as it neared. As it pulled to a stop, the driver engaged the brake with his foot and leaped down off the wagon.
“Sirs, these fellers took the first shell of the scuffle,” the private shouted anxiously. Hurrying toward the back of the wagon, he pointed to the three wounded men and continued, “The feller on the right lost his leg below the knee. He’s bleeding pretty bad. The feller on the left took shrapnel to the gut. He was awake when we left, but kinda sleeping now. This other feller in the middle took shrapnel in both legs and his left arm.” Turning back toward the doctors, he added, “I think he was standing behind the feller with the missing leg.”
“Thanks private, we’ll take it from here,” David said, brushing past him as he climbed up into the wagon.
Leaning over, he looked into the eyes of the man missing his lower leg. Using his thumb, he opened his eyelid, closed it, then opened it wide once more.
“This man’s real shocky.” Turning to Geoff, he shouted, “Quick, get a tourniquet on him and get him inside. Put him under and get that bleeding under control as fast as you can.”
“No problem. I’m on it,” Geoff responded instantly.
David knelt down and examined the man in the middle. Although the young private was bleeding heavily, his wounds weren’t life-threatening.
“Doc, you and I can work on this guy until others arrive.”
“What about the other feller?” the driver interrupted, his voice filled with concern.
“He’s dead,” David responded bluntly.
Doc nodded in understanding and turned back to the private.
“I’m sorry son. We have to focus on the others now. Can you help me get them into the barn?” he asked, sympathetically.
“Yes Sir. Right away,” the private responded.
Minutes later, the three men began work on their patients. As the ground rumbled beneath their feet, loud violent sounds of war penetrated the walls of the makeshift hospital, distracting them from their work.
As Geoff cleaned the mangled leg of his patient, a loud explosion caused him to shudder momentarily.
“What the heck was that?” he shouted.
“I believe that was an artillery shell Lad. Must have gone astray. Sounded close,” Doc responded.
“Yeah, I’d say it was close.”
“How’re you doing over there, Geoff?” David asked, hoping to refocus the teen.
“Fine. His leg is clamped and I’m tying off the bleeders now. Shouldn’t take too long.”
“Take extra care cutting the bone. Try to save as much as you can below the knee,” he advised.
“Duh… this isn’t rocket science,” Geoff joked.
David chuckled at the irony of the joke. Looking up at Doc, he noticed his serious expression and nodded knowingly.
“Geoffrey, on a matter far more personal, have you given any consideration to your death tomorrow?”
Silence fell between the three. David stared into Doc’s eyes and waited nervously for the teen’s response. Geoff’s mind raced as he struggled to deal with the harsh reality of Doc’s statement. Slowly, reluctantly, he answered.
“No,” he responded simply.
Doc could see the discomfort in Geoff’s eyes. Guessing at the teen’s next response, he continued.
“Geoffrey, I know you may feel that this is none of my business, but I’ve grown very close to you. Like I do toward David, I feel about you almost as a son and therefore feel I must make this my business. By this time tomorrow, the reality is you’ll probably be dead.”
He stared at Geoff
and watched his body language. Seeing him fidget with his suturing, he knew he was listening intently.
“I’m very sorry if my words sound offending, but I cannot sit idly by without voicing my concern. It is very easy to turn a blind eye and make decisions detrimental to our survival. Most of the time, luck and circumstance provide a positive outcome. I am certain this is not one of those times. Look down at that man you’re working on. Look at the savagery of his injury. With his loss of blood, he is near death.”
Geoff stared grimly at the bloody torn flesh at the end of the man’s leg. He swallowed hard seeing the fractured jagged bone jutting out the end of the mangled stump. For a brief moment, he envisioned his own leg similarly injured.
“Look at the man David and I are trying to save. He has gaping wounds in his flesh. He’s also near death. Either one of these poor souls could be you tomorrow… or worse, you could be that third man in the ambulance the private referred to as sleeping.”
Geoff stopped working. His mind hurried from tangent to tangent trying to find escape from the ugly topic. No longer could he rationalize and deny. He was forced to face the truth and inevitability of his plan.
“Geoffrey, the passing of your brother was an awful thing, the pain of which has driven you to exceptional measures. If you saved Bobby and he woke only to learn it was at the cost of your death, do you really think he’d stand by and do nothing about it?
“What do you mean?” he asked nervously, not sure if you wanted to hear the answer.
“What I mean to say Geoffrey is, if Bobby loves you as much as you love him, do you not think upon learning of your death, that he would pursue the same desperate measures that you yourself pursued to save him?”
Geoff stood as a statue. Doc’s words struck him deep within his core. He knew he was right. Bobby would try to travel to the past to save him and without the help from others, he would almost certainly fail.
“So, you think I should just give up and do nothing?” he said incredulously. “I’ve come all this way. There’s got to be something I can do.”
David turned and stared at Geoff. His face looked serious and resolute.
“There is. You can go home alive,” he said.
Geoff stared back at the two. His world had suddenly collapsed. All his plans, all his efforts had been for nothing. He felt the crushing blow of defeat. Staring at Doc and David suddenly became a stinging reminder of his failure. He wanted to escape. He needed a moment of peace.
He dropped the forceps in his hand, turned and ran toward the door.
“Geoff, stop! Where’re you going?” David shouted.
Before David could move, Doc reached out and grabbed him by the arm.
“David, he needs time alone. Let him be,” he said in a calm understanding tone.
David looked down at Doc’s hand, then back at his face. He knew he was right. He nodded and asked simply, “Can you take his patient?”
Doc smiled. “Certainly David. Thank you for understanding.”
An hour later, the barn door creaked slowly open. Doc and David smiled in relief.
“Geoffrey, would you mind lending me a hand with this man’s leg?” Doc shouted from across the barn.
Geoff stiffened momentarily, then smiled.
“Yes Sir,” he responded respectfully.
He walked over to Doc’s gurney. He smiled to David in hello. As he washed his hands in a basin of sterilized water, he watched the two momentarily pause in their work and watch him.
“I’m ok now,” he said, apologetically.
Both David and Doc exhaled in relief. Continuing on with their work, Geoff spoke once more.
“So, I guess we’ll be leaving soon, huh?”
David smiled proudly back.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
-----*-----*-----*-----
As the battle for Nashville wore on, casualties poured in and Doc, David and Geoff worked tirelessly to save them. Operating nonstop throughout the day, by midnight the three had exhausted themselves. With other surgeons there to take their place, they stopped for a bite to eat and some well-deserved rest.
Seated by the fire, they warmed themselves in the cold December air. Wrapping wool blankets around them, they finished their food quickly, then talked about important issues before they headed back to their tents to sleep.
“You did a fine job again today Geoffrey. You must have performed twenty amputations. I do believe your timing is faster than mine,” Doc praised.
Geoff yawned, then replied, “They’re so easy, I can do them in my sleep now.”
“Funny you should say that. The last two you performed, I saw your eyes close a couple of times,” David said, chuckling.
“I was thinking,” Geoff shot back.
Doc smirked at the humorous banter, then suddenly became sad and despondent. David noticed the change in his expression right away.
“Doc, is everything alright,” he asked.
Doc softened his posture in a weak attempt to hide his emotions, then replied, “I’m fine.”
“Doc, I’ve known you for a couple of years now. I’m pretty sure I can tell when things aren’t fine with you. So what gives?”
Doc stiffened and stared into the fire for a moment, collecting his thoughts. As David was about to inquire once more, he cleared this throat and spoke.
“I just realized that you and Geoffrey will be gone soon. I guess I’m feeling a bit saddened by it all. A year ago, I lost my greatest friend and now I feel I’ll be losing two.”
David stared at Doc in stunned silence.
“Gee Doc, I don’t know whether to feel happy or sad about that statement,” David responded. “I guess I should start by saying, I too feel you’re my greatest friend. We’ve been through thick and thin together, created a bond that’s transcended time. I’m going to feel a great loss when I leave here. I’m really going to miss you.” He paused to think, then continued. “I kind of wish there was some way I could come back and visit you from time to time. Unfortunately, I know that’s not possible.”
“Yeah Doc, the same goes for me too,” Geoff cut in. “I’ve grown to love you like I did my grandfather. He’s a great man too. It’s really going to be sad when we leave. Like David, I’m really going to miss you.”
“The irony of all this is I’m closer to you two lads than I am my own family. You may not have known this about me, but before I knew you two, I was a very reserved man. You David, and now you too Geoffrey, have brought out the emotional side of me. When I return home from this darned war, I plan to become much closer with my family and I thank you both for that.”
“What a cruel irony,” David said, thoughtfully.
“How so?” Doc asked, unsure of this exact meaning.
“It’s funny. We had to travel back in time to find that which we couldn’t find in the present,” he replied.
Geoff stood abruptly and headed away from the fire. Doc looked over to David, puzzled. David shrugged his shoulder.
“Where’re you going?” David shouted in lighthearted tone.
“All this mushy talk got to me. I’m going into the woods to cry,” he shouted back sarcastically.
“Ok, I’ve got toilet paper in my tent if you need it,” David said, understanding Geoff’s message.
“No thanks. It’s the other relief I’m looking for,” he joked. “I’ll be back.”
David turned back toward the fire. As both men continued staring at the flames, their minds wandered. Minutes later, Doc smiled to himself.
“That Geoffrey’s a real character, isn’t he?”
“One of a kind,” David replied, jokingly.
“I’m so relieved we were able to persuade him into making the right decision.”
“Yup, that was good thinking on your part Doc. Relating that wounded man he was working on to his own circumstances really made him see the reality of things,” David said with admiration.
“I figured it would. Nothing more convincing than a goo
d dose of reality,” Doc said with a slight chuckle.
While David and Doc were talking, Geoff snuck up on the two from behind. Holding in his laughter, he prepared to scare Doc once more. As he came within listening range, he began to overhear their conversation.
“Sometimes you have to use trickery to get the youngsters to follow you,” Doc joked.
Prisoner in Time (Time travel) Page 45