Hi. I'm back. Hope you enjoy!
In the balmy heat of a Florida morning, twenty-nine young women gathered. They sleepily stared forward and waited, inhaling the distinctive earthy scents of boggy marsh wetlands. A few drifted into quiet conversations but the vast majority remained silent.
From behind approached their C.O., Lieutenant Johnson. He was tall, standing six feet, and handsome – blonde hair, blue eyes, and a strongly sculpted jaw. If it wasn't for his murderously cruel attitude the nurses would have all admired him. In his sturdy arms he carried an object in the unmistakable shape of a rifle.
"Good morning ladies. I hope you're ready for a day of vigorous activities."
Lt. Johnson rubbed his chin as he considered the women before him.
"Ladies, do any of you know what this is?" He shouted as he thrust the gun into the air above.
The nurses looked from one to another – wondering just what exactly this lesson would involve.
"A gun, sir?" One ventured.
"Thank you, Nurse Cathleen. Clearly this is a gun."
His voice was heavy with sarcasm. He paused, waiting, but there was only silence, save the sound of a hawk.
"No one? Not even Nurse Eva has something to say?"
He parted his way through the nurses until he came face to face with Eva.
"Yes, Lt. Johnson?"
Her voice had a slight twang – a hint of her southern origins.
As the C.O. stared down at her, he couldn't help but notice the way her white poplin dress fit tighter than any of the other nurses' did – hugging the curves of her petite frame. He eyed the two top buttons she had accidentally left undone - and the tiny bit of cleavage that peeked through. Eyes trailing over the rest over her body, he reluctantly looked back up at her face. Her doe-eyes glared up at him – no hint of amusement in them.
Vicious, mocking, and stubborn – she was the only nurse that refused to be compliant. Perhaps she believed her insubordinate attitude would make him respect her more. She's mistaken, he thought gruffly. Eva's rebellious behavior simply increased his need to control her. As a result, she was the main object of his attention and was constantly being quizzed, drilled, or punished.
She stared up at Johnson. His eyes glittered with dark humor.
"It's a M1903 Springfield rifle with a scope, sir."
Johnson's jaw clenched. His expression did not reflect his surprise at her knowledge – although his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Ladies, Eva is right." He called – not moving from his spot in front of her as he continued his lecture.
"I don't care that you are nurses. You are members of the Army and therefore you require at least basic knowledge of one of our most commonly used weapons."
His eyes regularly wandered back to Eva as he continued. She stared about- clearly not listening to his speech. This, he felt, was blatant disrespect.
"Nurse Eva, you look bored. Are you bored?" He inquired in a rather savage voice.
"No."
He turned away from the nurses.
"Since you feel the need to not pay attention then I have to assume that you must already know everything about the Springfield – including how to accurately use it. Is that correct?"
She was silent for a moment.
"Yes."
Lt. Johnson froze.
"Well then, maybe you could demonstrate for all of us." He growled dangerously.
Eva stepped forward and extended a hand toward the rifle. Lt. Johnson, face red in rage, handed the gun to her.
"There's no ammo in it."
The Lt.'s jaw clenched tighter and he grudgingly handed her a magazine of five bullets from his pocket. She loaded the gun.
"What's my mark, sir?" She asked.
Lt. Johnson gazed out into the misty field before them.
"There," he pointed – the dark smile returning to his face.
Some 400 yards away a young buck was barely visible as he calmly foraged the sweet grass.
Whispers came from the nurses behind Eva.
"That poor deer," mumbled one woman.
Another nodded in silent agreement.
Eva steadied the Springfield and stared down the Weaver telescopic sight. Everything about the gun was familiar – from the evenly distributed weight to the wooden finish. She quickly sighted the deer and set her crosshairs on the nape of its neck. An accurate shot would sever the deer's spinal cord – crippling it instantly.
She exhaled and pulled the trigger. The sharp unmistakable crack of the rifle echoed through the peaceful field. Thirty pairs of eyes watched as the buck staggered and unceremoniously fell to his death.
Eva smiled as she looked into the disbelieving face of the lieutenant. His mouth had fallen slightly agape. Noticing her glance, he quickly gathered his composure and grasped the Springfield from her hands.
"Ladies, you may leave for the mess hall. I expect you to meet me at Hangar 2 for our meeting with flight nurse Genie at 0900."
The women turned to leave – shamelessly discussing their newest topic of gossip, the little nurse from Alabama - Eva Harris.
"Not you, Harris."
Eva eyed Lt. Johnson. He was no longer wearing his usual self-satisfied smirk but instead looked thoughtful.
"Did you need me?" She asked after a few moments of silence had passed.
He looked startled, as though he had forgotten her presence.
"Harris, have you ever used a Springfield before?"
"Clearly,"
Ignoring her snide remark the Lt. continued, "When?"
"I've been using one since I was about seven."
Lt. Johnson stared at her inquisitively – another question clearly playing on his lips.
"My father was in WW1," She began.
"When he came home he brought his Springfield with him. During the depression he sold all of his guns except the Springfield. Times were rough so we lived off the land and hunted for our food. My mother died during childbirth - he never had a son so he raised me up like one."
The lieutenant quietly reflected upon this – the thoughtful expression remaining on his face.
"I take it this wasn't your first time shooting a deer then?"
"Obviously not,"
"You mean, 'No, sir.'" Johnson corrected her.
"No, sir." Eva repeated grudgingly – nearly spitting the words as though they were venomous.
"Are most of your shots that accurate?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well Harris, I might just have an interesting opportunity for you then."
The lieutenant smirked and walked away – leaving Eva to contemplate his mysterious words.
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