Hogan strode out of his quarters to grab a fresh cup of joe and was surprised to see Kinch sitting at the common table, playing gin with Carter and LeBeau.
"Kinch? What are you doing up here? I thought you were supposed to be manning the radio."
Kinch frowned. "Yes sir I was. But London called in with an unusual request, and that's why I'm up here."
"An unusual request...?" Hogan looked around the room. Something was amiss. A card game in progress without their most prominent player? "Uh fellas, where's Newkirk?"
Kinch nodded. "That was the unusual request. They wanted Newkirk to receive the incoming message instead of me. I was told to head up to the barracks and wait here for him to bring the message to you."
Hogan looked at Carter and LeBeau, who each shrugged in puzzlement. He sighed and joined his men at the table. "Okay then. I guess we wait."
A few minutes later, the bunk entrance to the tunnel opened up to produce a grinning Newkirk. "Gov! I've got an urgent message for you from London! 'ere! I think you'll find it very interestin'."
The Colonel took the piece of paper and quickly read it. "Well we sure are getting an education on the many different types of poetry!" he proclaimed.
"How's that Colonel?" asked Carter.
Hogan began to answer when he was interrupted by Newkirk.
"Because this one's a cinquain!" crowed the Brit.
Carter turned to give Newkirk a scowl. "You don't look like the Colonel to me!"
"Oh leave off Andrew! Wait until you hear who..."
Hogan cleared his throat loudly and raised his eyebrows at his eager English Corporal, who wisely took the hint and shut up.
"This one's been a long time coming. I can understand why Newkirk is so excited. Okay fellas, listen up. Here it is:
Radioman.
Steadfast, reliable.
Always waiting patiently.
Worthy second in command.
Kinch."
"See? Ain't it grand?" Newkirk came round to slap Kinch on the back. "Fits 'im to a tee!"
Kinch shook his head in embarrassment. "Oh c'mon Peter. I think whoever wrote that exaggerated quite a bit."
"No mon ami!" LeBeau chimed in. "It is completely true. There have been so many times when you have had to stay behind while we carry out a mission. I have felt bad for you, and yet I have been grateful at the same time. You show us what true courage is. You must stay behind yet you never complain, unlike some people I know..." he cast a calculating gaze over at Newkirk.
"Oy! Don't talk about me mate Andrew like that Louie!" Newkirk rolled his eyes and walked over to punch LeBeau gently on the arm.
"Gee Louis! I didn't know you were talking about me! Do I really complain..." Carter cut his protest short when both Newkirk and LeBeau sighed loudly and turned to stare at him in disbelief.
"Never mind Andrew! 'e wasn't talkin' about you!"
"Oh. Sorry. I just..."
Hogan decided to step in before things escalated as they were wont to do. He didn't want anything to distract from Kinch's moment. "Okay fellas, knock it off unless you want me to have to send you to bed without your supper!"
"Yes mum!" Newkirk snorted before he could stop himself. He then realized what he had said and quickly produced a patently innocent, blank expression that silently proclaimed Who me Gov?
Hogan knew that look well. "Especially you Peter!" He got up and moved to stand behind Kinch. "I happen to agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments of this particular poem. I couldn't ask for a more capable second. We owe you more than we could ever tell you Kinch. Thank you for being there for us." He handed Kinch the poem.
Kinch felt his face flush and hoped his friends couldn't tell. He really didn't feel comfortable with the adulation, but was grateful his commanding officer and friends had such confidence in him. He raised his hands to forestall any further comments. "Thanks sir, fellas. I'm just trying to do my job."
"You do it well mate. Thanks!" Newkirk winked at him before he jumped up onto his bunk.
"He's right Kinch. We couldn't do anything without you. I mean, if we had to depend on Peter to man the radio..." Carter cut himself off at Newkirk's stony glare.
LeBeau decided to steer the conversation in a less sensitive direction in deference to Kinch. He jumped up from the table and moved over to the stove. "Who wants some fresh coffee?"
"I'll take some Louis," Kinch replied. He looked at his French friend, grateful for his discretion. Thanks Louis!
The men sat and sipped their coffee in companionable silence, each glad for the other's friendship and loyalty.
Author's Note: As you have probably noticed, the author of this submission was not revealed. Submit your guess as to the identity of the author in a review and let's have some fun!
AN: That was the original author's note. Since it's been a while, I'll give you a hint. The author has submitted to this anthology before. Also, since Thanks Louis! didn't have any quotation marks, I took it to mean that Kinch was silently thanking him. Thus, I italicized it to emphasize thought.