It's a little short, but I thought it would be clever (Yes? No? Maybe?) to have a letter chapter

Disclaimer: I do not own M*A*S*H or any of the affiliated characters


7. Letters

Hawk,

I guess one month is the average time the army gives when there's a death in the family; time for the funeral, time for mourning, time to get all the affairs in order. The funeral was the day after I got back, and for the last ten days, I've been helping my mom. That's about it. So yesterday, I went up to Crabapple Cove. It's a nice little town, I have to admit. I stopped in Kringles, and you're right, of course, they are the best fries I've ever had.

I met your dad. I don't know if you get this a lot, or hate to hear it, but he reminds me of you. And you know what? I think he likes me. You were the major conversation topic. He showed me a lot of old pictures, and you look good in a football uniform. I try to visit him as often as I can. My mom's handling things in her own way, so it's actually better to leave her to cooking and cleaning. The house is overflowing with casseroles and smells of cleaning products so much that it gives me headaches, so I spend a lot of time with him. I think he likes the company.

Things are still the same here. Can you believe that? Everywhere I go, I expect to turn the corner and be back in the O.R. No matter what goes on there, or what we've been through, nothing over here is different. I used to think that here was the real world and Korea was the nightmare. Now, Korea is the most real thing I know. If it weren't for the newspaper headlines, I'd think I just left one world and entered another. Most of the time I wake up and think I'm in my tent. It's weird, but a pleasant surprise not to be.

Even though I can take a shower and eat real food, I miss you. And everyone else, so give them my love. But mostly you.

Love,

Andi


Andi,

When I didn't get a letter the day after you left, I started to worry. Just ask BJ. It was a rather trying time for me.

I'm glad you like the fries. I'm glad you met my dad. I'm glad he likes you. I'm glad you think I look good in a football uniform. I'm not so glad that I'm a major discussion topic. If he showed you any bathtub pictures, please, for your own sanity, forget you saw anything. If he didn't show you, forget this conversation.

I miss you. Actually, around here, we all miss you. Except Frank, who's oblivious to everything, so don't take that personally. With you gone, we're back down to two doctors, three if you count me as two.

Speaking of Frank's incapability as a surgeon, Potter's been hard at work with your transfer request. He's not one to admit it, so I will for him. He likes you, or at least thinks you'll be more of a help than Frank. He got the forms, signed them, and sent them out to the 58th. Hollis just sent them back with his signature yesterday, and Potter is getting ready to send it in with the rest of the mail. Now it's just waiting for that official stamp of approval. By the time you get back, you'll be stuck with us for good. Hope you don't mind.

And stop bragging. I haven't had a decent shower or a decent meal since I went on leave. And, mind you, it was only decent. Dream or no dream, I'd like to see my dad, take a really long shower, eat real food, maybe take you out to dinner one night.

We've got patients everywhere and I find myself elbow-deep in some man's stomach eight out of seven days a week. Nothing has changed since you were last here. I go out to that tree a lot; it really does help clear my head. It's where I am right now. BJ came with me once and said I started grinning like an idiot. He doesn't know why.

Give my dad my best.

Love you,

Hawkeye