Chapter 8

The whole day Radar worried about his date with Nessa. What if I do something she doesn't like? How should I dress? What will I say? The questions pounded in his brain as he tried desperately to keep his mind on his work.

He wanted to bring her something but all the flowers have wilted for the winter. He wanted to give her something more than candy, besides the camp was candy dry.

Radar thought of the peddler that came through the camp daily, he usually rolled through camp at about noon. Radar doubted the peddler would have anything nice enough for Nessa but it was his only option. He kept his ears open for the jingle of the peddler's cart.


Radar heard the cart jingle into camp just about the time he expected. He jumped up from his desk and ran outside. The Peddlers spirits grew when he saw opportunity approaching.

"Annyong haseo." Radar greeted.

"What's cookin' Joe?" the peddler responded happily. "You lookin' for somethin' special?"

Radar cleared his throat. "Actually, I'm lookin' for something for a – a girl."

"Ah ha! Little Joe has girlfriend!" the peddler boomed with amusement.

Radar rolled his eyes. "Yeah yeah, keep it down would ya?" he hissed.

"Sure Joe, I got lots a tings to make girl happy." The peddler began to go through his inventory of cheap jewelry, Japanese fans and the likes.

Radar shook his head with disappointment. "Nah, she's real special; you know?" Radar turned to leave.

"Wait minute! I got just da ting." The peddler opened a compartment on his cart and pulled out a doll. He presented it to Radar. "Lady make in Japan. One left, not cheap."

Radar inspected the doll. She was a Geisha and had a royal blue satin kimono and porcelain face, hands and feet. The details on the doll were exquisite. She was perfect.

"How much ya want for it?" asked Radar eagerly.

"Twenty dolla." replied the peddler firmly.

"Twenty dollars! For a doll?!" exclaimed Radar.

"You no want, I find udder buyer." The peddler moved to put the doll away.

"You probably didn't pay more than ten for it. I'll give you fifteen." Radar glared at the peddler suspiciously.

The peddler glared back at Radar. "Twenty dolla, or no deal." He stood firm. He knew Radar wanted that doll.

Radar sighed in defeat. "Fine." he grumbled and handed him the money.

The peddler grinned as he counted the money. "Thanks Joe." He handed Radar the doll and bowed quickly. The peddler then pushed his cart away.

Radar sighed as he inspected the doll again. Twenty dollars, he sulked. Well, I hope she likes it, if not, I'm gonna eat my hat. Radar really didn't mind giving the peddler money. He knew the money would help him and his family.


After he finished his duties, Radar started to get ready for his date with Nessa. As he stood in the shower he began to fret. He thought about the way Nessa looked at Hawkeye earlier. If she likes Hawk, why did she leave him to sit with me? Radar wondered.

Radar tried to shake his negative thoughts aside only to start thinking of her kiss and the way she touched him last night. He reached down to wash himself, only to find he had become aroused. He briefly touched himself, allowing himself to think of making love to her. He pulled himself out of his short ecstasy. God, what am I doing? Could she really want me? Could she ever want me the way I want her? His stomach flipped so much it hurt.

Just then Father Mulcahy entered the shower tent. "Oh hello Radar." He cheerfully greeted.

Radar, being torn out of his intimate thought, yelped and almost jumped out of his skin as he heard the fathers voice. He slipped a little and grabbed onto the walls of the shower stall.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." said Father Mulcahy with concern.

Radars heart was palpitating. "Its ok, I was just - thinking, that's all." he explained, trying to keep the guilt from his voice.

It was awkwardly quiet as the Father got into the stall and started showering. Radar knew his face was red so he looked down as he rinsed off quickly.

"Got a date tonight?" asked the Father.

Radar looked at him dumfounded. "I – uh, well – yes." Radar fumbled as he grabbed his towel and dried off quickly. He dressed and got ready to leave the shower.

"Have fun on your date - and be good." said the Father as he lathered himself.

"I - I will." sputtered Radar.

"See you on Sunday." The father glanced at Radar inquisitively.

Radar vigorously nodded, "Ok." he agreed then put on his foggy glasses and quickly left the tent.

Glancing back at the shower tent, Radar decided that ranked as one the most uncomfortable moments in his life.

After his shower Radar got dressed, combed his hair and cleaned his glasses. His nerves on end, his hands started shaking once again. He picked up the doll, took a deep breath and headed over to Nessa's tent.


Radar knocked on the door. After a moment Kelly answered. She eyed Radar up and down with amusement. "Nessa your date is hear." she sang teasingly.

Radars ears turned red almost immediately. Nessa rushed to the door and smiled excitedly at him. She made his heart quicken.

Nessa turned to see her bunk mates staring at her with stupid looks on their faces. She blushed then stepped outside and let the door slam behind her. Oh my God he is so adorable, she thought as she looked at Radar all shiny like a new penny.

"I - I got you something." said Radar as he nervously presented the doll to her.

"She's so pretty Radar." gasped Nessa as she took the doll. She ran her fingers over the delicate face and hands of the doll. "How wonderfully thoughtful." she complimented as she looked into Radars smiling eyes. Nessa leaned in and kissed Radars cheek and it made his fingers and toes tingle.

Radar was pleased she liked the doll and he beamed at her. He couldn't take his eyes from her. Her hair and eyes sparkled. She wore an olive drab sweater which hugged her luscious body exposing every curve of her breasts. He couldn't say a thing as he drowned in her beauty.

"Just let me go put her in my foot locker so she won't get ruined." Nessa explained and went into the tent again.

Radar heard the nurses giggling and mumbling then Nessa emerged again, her face was glowing. She made him so happy. She took his hand and they started off toward the officers club.

Nessa chuckled to herself. "What's so funny?" asked Radar suspiciously glancing at Nessa.

"I'm sorry. It's just, Kelly was going on about how great you look." Nessa looked Radar up and down seductively.

Radar looked at Nessa with shock. "Really?"

Nessa smiled warmly at him and squeezed his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb on the back of his hand. "Yeah, you know Radar, Kelly had a big ole crush on you."

"No, you're just foolin' around with me." said Radar with a pout.

"No I'm not." Nessa said and stopped abruptly. Radar stopped and turned to her. Nessa took Radars other hand and looked deep into his eyes. "Radar, you are a very special guy. Any woman would be lucky to have you. I think your adorable and I'm not the only woman in this camp to think that."

Radar looked down shyly and Nessa pulled him to her and kissed him softly. Radar almost feint as he felt her soft wet lips against his. They ruefully broke apart then walked on quietly, hand in hand.


When they got to the officers club they were pleasantly surprised to see that neither of the majors were there. They sat at a table and Radar got them a couple of drinks.

Radar told Nessa about how he tried to join the Marines but didn't make it because he didn't pass the medical. He told her about his home town, the farm and family. Nessa told Radar about where she grew up in New York and about how her father died in WWII. They shared their lives, likes and dislikes and talked about the camp and all the people. They made each other laugh.

Radar started to feel a little less self conscious as he got to know Nessa but at the same time he was falling madly in love with her. His insides burned for her. He was just so frightened of falling in love.

Nessa eyed the Juke Box. "I'm going to go put on a song." she said as she got up. Radar watched her at the Juke Box and his heart ached. Nessa came back to him. Stormy Weather started to play and she extended her hand to him. "Dance with me?" she begged.

Radar took her hand and got up. As they got to the center of the room they embraced closely and started swaying to the music. Nessa wanted him so bad. She caressed his body and nuzzled her face in his neck.

Radar smelled Nessas hair and felt her soft skin against his face. He hasn't smelled anything so pretty since he left home. A vision entered his mind, of the delicate cream colored tea roses that grew up the trellis next to his house in Iowa. Radar lost control over himself as he became intoxicated by her. "Your beautiful." he whispered into her ear.

Nessa caressed the back of his neck. "So are you." she breathed against his neck.

"I never felt like this before." Radars voice quaked.

"Oh Radar, I wanted you the moment I saw you." whimpered Nessa, then she kissed his neck.

Radar pulled her to him tighter. "I can't believe this is happening." he gasped, his voice barley audible.

Their lips met again, but this time Nessa slipped her tongue into his mouth. It momentarily shocked him but then he eagerly wrapped his tongue around hers. They kissed deep, pulling themselves into each other like they wanted to become one.

They broke from their kiss and hid their red faces into each others necks. Radar grew numb as he realized what a display they made. He didn't want to look and see who was in the club with them. They just stood in the middle of the floor holding onto each other.

Nessa felt light headed and she wanted to be alone with Radar. "Will you go for a walk with me?" she whispered.

Radar pulled slowly out of their embrace and looked at Nessa with a dazed look in his eyes. "Ok." he agreed.

Radar looked around the club briefly before Nessa pulled him by the hand outside. A couple enlisted guys were there with nurses and Hawkeye and BJ were sitting at the bar. They must have come in while he was dancing. They all stared at Radar with astonishment.

Aw geese, thought Radar as he exited.