Chapter 3
All the sheep along with Charlie and Sue were gathered in the operations shack.
"Ok, ladies and meatheads this is it,"Boyington addressed the crowd, "A transport plane with pick up Charlie and Sue at 06:30 headed for Rendova. We'll take off at 07:30 to rendezvous with them at Rendova, then escort their bomber to Munda, any questions?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Ladies," Boyington said, "We are having a welcome party for you tonight, you girls up for it?"
"You got it Major," Charlie replied.
"Sounds great to me," Sue said.
"Ok, dismissed, but let's not drag the party out, with this new mission, I don't want this bunch all flying with hangovers," Boytington said, "We'll see all of you in the Sheep's Pen later."
Charlie and Sue showered at the nurse's shower and made their way back to their tents. Boyington had already informed them they could wear whatever they wanted to when they were on La Cava. They both changed into shorts and tops and headed for the sheep's pen.
As they entered, T.J. Wiley walked up to Charlie, while Anderson started talking with Sue.
"Ladies, what'll you have?" Anderson asked, "And for once we have more than scotch and beer. We've been keeping a couple of cases of wine in the ocean at the beach. We brought a case for tonight."
"Wine is fine with me," Charlie replied.
"Me too," Sue answered.
As T.J., and Anderson got their drinks, both Charlie and Sue scanned their eyes over the Sheep's Pen.
"Stop it, Charlie, I've already looked, Greg and Larry aren't in here yet. They're probably still irked with us because we didn't tell them we were coming here," Sue said.
"I know, but I couldn't help but look, Sue, it's just something about Greg, I wish I could put my finger on it." Charlie replied.
Anderson and T.J. returned with the bottles of wine and cups. Anderson poured some in the cups he provided.
"So where are you ladies from?" T.J. asked.
"I'm from Boston," Sue replied.
"Me," Charlie answered, "Memphis, Tennessee and everywhere."
"Everywhere?" T. J. asked.
"Service brat, Army," Charlie replied.
"Philadelphia," T.J. replied.
"Well I was born in Kentucky, but raised in Ohio." Anderson answered.
Someone started up the jukebox.
"Charlie, would you like to dance?" T. J. asked.
"Sure."
Taking her hand they began dancing. Soon Anderson and Sue joined them.
An hour or two had gone by, the wine was getting low, so Anderson brought out some scotch.
Then, the door to the Sheep's Pen opened and in walked Casey, Boyington, and Gutterman. They headed to the bar.
"Any more of that wine left?" Boyington asked.
"Yea, Pappy, we saved the last bottle for you, I was just getting ready to bring out some scotch," Anderson replied.
Boyington grabbed the last bottle of wine and walked over to Charlie.
"Would you like to join me in this last bottle of wine?" Boytington asked.
"T.J., this has been nice, but do you mind?" Charlie asked.
"Hey Pappy, come on," T.J. said.
"Hey nothing personal T.J. but I think Greg and I have a few things to discuss." Charlie said.
Charlie leaned over, gave T.J. a kiss on the cheek. Boyington held the door open for her and they left the Sheep Pen.
Meanwhile, Casey had managed to squeeze in between Sue and Anderson at the table.
"Hey," Anderson said.
Sue held her hand up.
"Bob, its ok, no offense, but Larry and I need to straighten something out."
"Yes, you could say that," Casey said, "A walk on the beach."
Sue shook her head yes.
"Thanks for a great evening Bob and T.J., see you in the morning."
Larry escorted Sue out of the Sheep Pen.
T.J. turned to Anderson.
"How does the Phantom on East Philly strike out like that?"
"T.J.," Anderson replied, "I think those four have some unfinished business. Come on, let's go see if it's shift change at the hospital."
"But they changed the locks again," T.J. said.
Gutterman pulled a key out of his pocket.
"Doc Reese gave me a spare." He grinned.
As Charlie climbed in the jeep, Boyington's bull terrier jumped in her lap.
"Meatball," Boytington said, "Get out!"
Charlie petted the dog and in response Meatball licked her face.
"Oh, come on Greg, he wants to go," Charlie said, "I don't think he'll be interrupting anything, we're just talking remember?"
Charlie continued to hold the dog in her lap while Boyington drove to a secluded area. It was a special place the sheep usually went to think and drink alone. Knowing the spot would be empty, that's where he decided to take her. Neither had spoken during the short drive. When the jeep stopped, Meatball jumped out to do some exploring.
"Well?"Boyington asked.
"Well? What?" Charlie said, "I guess I owe you an explanation."
"You might say that." Boyington responded.
Pouring some of the wine in cups, he handed one to Charlie.
"Ok, Greg," Charlie began, "When I realized who you were it was too late to back out of what I told you I did. Most men when I've told them what I do, they look at me like I have two heads or something. And oh yeah the other thing, yes, General Thomas Moore is my uncle. My dad is General William Montgomery, US Army. And then there's me, the Woman Air Force Service Pilot."
"Well, I can kind of see why you did it," Boyington said.
"Really?"
"Yeah, I do, that's a long line of history there."
"I'm sure General Moore said something to you, but I don't want hear any of it. I'm a pilot under your command."
"Yeah, but this one thing."
Boyington took her in his arms and kissed her. Charlie broke away for a second, smiled and kissed him back.
"I think we can keep this professional & personal separate," Boyington said.
"Yeah, me too, I think I better hit the sack, that transport will be here early enough," Charlie said.
They both drink the last of the wine and Boyington drove Charlie back to her tent.
Before she opened the tent flap, she heard Sue giggle. Then heard Casey's laugh.
"Are you guys decent?" Charlie asked.
"Yes, come on in, Larry was just leaving," Sue said.
"Come on Larry," Boyington said, "We better let these girls get a little sleep, I'll take you back to your tent."
Casey pecked Sue on the lips.
"See you in the morning, blue eyes," Casey said.
Charlie winked at Boyington
"Goodnight."
Charlie and Sue settled in their bunks.
"Well?" Charlie asked.
"Well what?" Sue replied.
"Good night, Sue, sweet dreams."
"You too, Charlie."
Between the long day and the wine, neither had any problem falling asleep.
