Chapter Eight: Tat Aluf
Author's Notes: Although Rick will have to go through a long and difficult physical therapy regimen to regain his full strength I am not going to dwell on that aspect. Some authors like to describe pain and physical struggles in detail. I don't. There's enough of it out there.
New York City.
Her vision blurred and her world spun as Kate collapsed into the chair, her slender frame racked by sobs, a low moan, then a protracted wail;
"NO! Oh God, no, no, not now, please no!"
Ryan had the sense to call Lanie as soon as the captain had shown him the paper, but had only said that Kate needed her. Lanie arrived only two minutes after Kate's collapse that she rushed into the bullpen and into the captain's office. Kate was sobbing, her face buried in her hands.
"Kate, what happened, is it your dad?"
"No, Kate sobbed out, Rick, he…he's been wounded, critically and that's all we know."
"Wounded isn't dead, girl, if he was dead, they'd have printed it. Have you talked to Martha yet?"
"No, I just found out."
"That's this morning's paper. She may know something by now."
With Lanie's comfort and her own innate strength, Kate's moments of weakness passed.
"You're right, Lanie, he may only be wounded. I won't assume the worst. I'm going to call Martha; then will you go to church with me and pray for Rick?"
"Yes, I will. Hey Kevin, Javi, we're going to church to pray for Rick, you coming?"
"Ryan answered;
"Yeah, we're coming. I'm going to call Jenny. She'll come too."
After a call to Martha, at which Martha said that she didn't have any more information. Kate then asked if Martha and Alexis would join them at the church. Martha agreed.
Father O'Brian was surprised to see the troubled young woman walk into the church with several other people. He approached them.
"Hello Katherine, how may I be of service?"
"Father, the man I told you about, General Rodgers, has been badly wounded. We have all come to light candles and pray for him. This is his mother, Martha, his daughter Alexis, and his friends, Kevin, Jenny and Javi."
Father O'Brian smiled a gentle smile and said;
"If you like, I'll pray with you."
Kate nodded. "Yes, thank you."
After the candles were lit and the prayers said. Javi took one hundred dollars out of his wallet.
"Pot this to use in the parish, Father. I was a soldier too."
Tel Aviv, Israel, three weeks after the battle.
Brigadier General Richard Rodgersslowly became alert. They'd awakened him a couple of hours ago to remove his breathing tube and give him a little water to soothe his throat. He'd then drifted off again and was now fully awake. He didn't have to ask where he was, the smells of sterile alcohol, disinfectants and other less pleasant smells were all too familiar. Hospital.
The oxygen canula and the pain in his side, chest and leg were also pretty good indicators.
A young male nurse came into the room, alerted by the change in a monitor, He had an unfamiliar insignia on his tan scrubs.
"Where the hell am I?" Rick rasped.
"Tel Aviv, Tat Aluf. I'll get your doctor sir."
A few minutes later a man in a white lab coat with the same unfamiliar insignia on it, walked in.
The man was tall, but stocky with dark curly hair and brown eyes.
"Good afternoon General Rodgers, it's good to see you awake. I'm Doctor Moishe Stein, or Colonel Stein, if you prefer."
"What am I doing in Tel Aviv, not Kaiserslautern and what the hell is a Tat Aluf?"
"I'll answer the second question first. Tat Aluf is Israeli for Brigadier General and you're in Tel Aviv because it was felt that you were so critically wounded that the flight to Kaiserslautern was too long and too risky."
"Okay, what's the damage."
"You had a concussion, three broken ribs, second degree burns, a sucking chest wound and collapsed lung, shrapnel wounds, a damaged but not broken femur, damage to your quadricep and we had to resect your liver. Your liver is a regenerating organ. The damaged part will regrow. You were in surgery for sixteen hours total. We had to keep you in a medically induced coma for two and a half weeks to help your body heal, then slowly bring you out. On top of that you had enough contusions and abrasions to use up an entire medic's supply of bandages and a quart of arnica cream. That's all the bad news, the good news is that all the surgeries were successful and you're out of danger. I'm afraid, however that full recovery will take a while."
"Have my mother and daughter been notified and kept abreast of my situation?"
"Yes, they have and arrangements are being made to fly them over here in about ten days. You should be able to walk around and stay out of bed for a couple of hours by then."
"What's my prognosis?"
"We'll keep you in the hospital for another month and then move you to out patient status. You will need physical therapy for six to eight months to regain full strength and health. We have made arrangements with your government to recover here in Israel if you wish. The climate here will be very beneficial." The colonel smiled, and with a twinkle in his eye, said;
"I'm sure that we can pretty Sabras to feed you chicken soup, good kosher brisket and latkes."
Neither man had noticed the beautiful Israeli woman standing in the doorway listening,
Leah Winegard marched into the room, smiled at Rick and said;
"With all due respect, Colonel, that will be ONE pretty Sabra, and her mother, we have a prior claim." She boldly pushed past the colonel and kissed Rick full on the mouth. Both Rick and the doctor were shocked as her words and action.
Her smile got softer, a little sultry and perhaps even triumphant. She said;
"I told you that I hoped to see you again, God willing, and apparently he is willing for here you are and here I am. I'm going to visit you every day, until you're out of here." She turned to the doctor with a raised eyebrow.
"Are you finished for now Colonel?"
"Yes I am."
"Good, may we have some privacy, please?"
"Very well, Major but stay no more than half an hour. General Rodgers needs to rest."
"Thank you Colonel I promise not to tire the general. (Sotto voice) Yet."
It was obvious that this particular major had a hell of a lot more power or influence than an ordinary major did.
New York City.
Martha and Alexis had been told that Rick had regained consciousness and that he was stable the day it happened and Martha had informed Kate. She relayed it to everyone else. Kate was both relieved and hopeful at the news.
One week later.
Martha received a telephone call at nine in the morning.
"Hello, Martha Rodgers speaking."
"Ms. Rodgers, I am Stanley Freidman of the Israeli consulate. If it is convenient, I would like meet with you and your granddaughter at four pm this afternoon."
"In regards to what Mr. Freidman?"
"In regards to your son Ms. Rodgers. Don't worry, it's nothing bad at all. Actually, it's quite good but I do not wish to discuss it. Over the phone."
"Very well, Mr. Freidman. Four o'clock."
Precisely at four o'clock, the doorbell rang. Martha answered it. A man who appeared to be in his early thirties stood there. Medium height, slim, with dark curly hair and an olive complexion. He wore a grey suit of conservative cut. He handed her his consular identification and said;
"I'm Stanley Freidman, Ms. Rodgers. May I come in?"
"Please come in, Mr. Freidman. I'm pleased to meet you." Martha extended her hand. They shook hands and Freidman said;
"And I am honored to meet you Ms. Rodgers. It's not often that one gets to meet the mother of a distinguished soldier and a hero to two nations."
"To two nations?"
"Yes Ms. Rodgers. First, several times his tactics caused the Iranians to break and retreat thus reducing allied causalities and hastening victory. Second, an Israeli battalion was part of the mixed nations force under his command. That battalion suffered a much lower percentage of causalities than any Israeli unit engaged. They would follow your son anywhere. He laughed. They even have an unofficial nickname. Rodgers' Butt Kickers. Third, he personally saved the life of a very important Israeli officer. Israel owes your son a great deal."
Alexis came down the stairs.
"Mr. Freidman, may I introduce my granddaughter, Alexis."
"I am pleased to meet you sir." Alexis said.
"And I you Alexis."
"You sound like an New Yorker, Mr. Freidman." Martha said.
"That's because I was born here, Ms. Rodgers. My parents moved to Israel when I was ten. I have dual citizenship."
"Won't you please be seated, Mr. Freidman. Would you care for coffee or tea?"
"Coffee would be very nice, thank you. Black is fine."
After the coffee was served, Freidman said;
"Shall we get to the point of my visit?" Martha nodded.
"As I said, Israel owes your son much. We wish to fly you to Israel, as guests of our government to visit your son. You will stay at Tel Aviv's finest hotel, for as long as you wish. 0r, the embassy apartments. A car and driver will be at your disposal. We have already contacted Marlowe Prep and arranged for Alexis' studies to be continued at the American embassy school, if she wishes. She will also be given a foreign studies credit for a tour of Israel. Are your passports in order?"
"Yes, they are."
"Good your visas will be ready for you. If you wish to go, can you be ready to depart by the day after tomorrow?"
Alexis said, excitedly;
"Please Grams, we can see dad and it will be the opportunity of a lifetime for me."
"Yes, Alexis, we can go. I don't know how to thank you for this, Mr. Freidman."
He smiled and stood.
"No thanks are necessary Ms. Rodgers. It is my pleasure and the pleasure of the people of Israel. I will have a consulate car pick you up at nine o'clock Wednesday morning. Good afternoon, ladies."
Martha wasted no time calling Kate and giving her the good news.
"Martha, please give Rick the good wishes of all of us at the precinct and please get some pictures for me. I want to see proof that he's alright." Oh, Rick how I wish that I could tell you that I love you, that I want you to come home and love me too.
Precisely at nine o'clock the doorbell rang. Martha answered it. Two men waiting, again showed her identification. Both tall, but other than that, utterly average looking men.
One said;
"I'm Abraham Levin and this is Aron Weinstein. We're from the consulate. May we take your luggage?" The two men took the luggage and escorted Alexis and Martha to a Mercedes SUV. After a brief stop at the consulate to pick up their visas, they were driven to LaGuardia and boarded an El Al 787, and escorted to first class. Two people met them there. A dark haired handsome man and a very pretty blonde. Alexis goggled and said;
"You look like…" He grinned and said, in a very credible English accent;
"Bond, James Bond." Then he smiled and said;
"Actually, I'm Josef Cohen and the lady is Ester Schapiro. We're diplomatic security. Your escorts to Israel. Please just relax and enjoy the flight."
After thanking them, Martha sat down and thought. They're really pulling out all the stops. But why? We're not celebrities. Richard is, but we're not. And we're not diplomats either. I don't understand. But I'm certainly not going to complain. After they were airborne Martha was offered wine or a cocktail and Alexis soda or fruit juice.
Tel Aviv.
Rick was walking, with Leah's help around a small patio. Thankfully, done with the hospital gown, he was wearing a pair of tan pajamas, a tan robe and slippers. The robe had the insignia of a Tat Aluf embroidered on it. Leah wore her uniform. She giggled.
"I'll have you know, my very dear Tat Aluf, that I am officially assigned as your liaison officer, interpreter and temporary aide de camp, until your new aide arrives from the states.
An Israeli senior general had come to see him yesterday and in a long discussion explained what Israel wanted to do and the U.S. Army had agreed to, if Rick was willing. Since it would be between six and eight months till back to full strength but he'd be able to do light duty when he was discharged from the hospital, the Israeli general staff wanted Rick to stay in Israel for up to a year, to serve as an advisor to the armor corps in developing a more effective armored cavalry system. Their heavy armor was some of the best in the world, but they'd been awed by the effectiveness of Rick's armored cavalry tactics.
Leah said;
"Rick, your mother and daughter will be here to see you tomorrow morning. Do you want me to be here when they arrive?"
"Of course, I do, Leah. Why wouldn't I?"
"Don't you want private time with them?"
"Yes, but it doesn't have to happen the moment they arrive. You've been here, supporting me every day since I regained consciousness. You have been and are, a true friend. You deserve to meet them and they need to know how good you've been to me and for me."
We are more than friends Rick and as soon as you are able we are going to resume the physical part. I know that our affair cannot be permanent, we are from different worlds, but while you are here we will laugh and sing, dance and make love. And I will always love you as a dear friend.
Amazingly, Rick's thoughts were running in a similar channel, although neither one said anything.
"We had better get you back into bed, we don't want you to strain anything. I also don't want that miserable charge nurse Major Goldstein after me. She's got a tongue dipped in acid.
The next morning Rick was sitting in an armchair in his room, freshly barbered and shaved, Leah standing beside him when Martha and Alexis came into the room. Rick carefully stood as Alexis rushed to his side, hugged and kissed him. He winced a little.
"Careful, Pumpkin, still a little tender." Alexis smiled and sobbed at the same time.
"Sorry Dad, but I'm so happy to see you and that you're alright."
"I'm not, not yet but I will be. Don't worry the doctors here are great." Martha took her turn. Dropping her usual sarcastic manner. She loved her only child, deeply, but rarely showed it openly.
"Oh, my son, my son, thank god you're alive." Rick sat back down, then said;
"Mother, Alexis, I would like to introduce my liaison officer, aide Major Leah Winegard of the Israeli Defense Force, Leah, My mother Martha and my daughter Alexis.
Leah stepped forward to shake hands with Alexis and Martha, a warm and welcoming smile on her face.
"I am so pleased to meet you both, welcome to Israel. General Rodgers has been so anxious for you to get here. You're all he's talked about. In a couple of days, we'd like to take you on a brief tour of Israel."
Alexis smiled and returned the greeting, while scrutinizing the Israeli woman. Although in army uniform, there was no disguising the woman's beauty or stunning figure. Tall, at five feet, nine inches, dark wavy hair and large brown eyes, set in a classically beautiful face. She could well have been a fashion model, or even Miss Israel.
"Mother, Alexis, I want you to know that Leah has been a great help to me, ever since I regained consciousness. She's visited every day, made every day a pleasant experience, helped me through the pain, made me laugh, smuggled in some real food. Hospital food would choke a goat. She's much more than an aide, she's a friend."
Leah blushed and smiled, then spoke.
"Ms. Rodgers, if it not for your son, I wouldn't be standing here today. He not only saved my life, he saved me from a brutal, degrading, humiliating death at the hands of Palestinian terrorists. My parents and my uncle consider him a hero. The prime minister of Israel considers him a hero. I am proud and thankful that I have such a friend."
When Martha distracted her, Alexis continued her appraisal of Leah. Although she had referred to Rick properly as General Rodgers, there was something in her eyes and body language that said that she had a far warmer regard for Rick than that of an aide and merely a friend.
In the time since Kate's apology, she'd been spending a lot of time with Alexis and Martha and Alexis was warming to her, even starting to become close. Alexis had admired Kate before the fiasco and the admiration was returning. She wasn't at all happy with what might be developing here. You consider him a friend, do you? How good a friend, a friend with benefits? Well not yet, obviously but how long will that last?
They visited for about two hours then Rick dropped his bombshell on them.
"Mother, Alexis, I won't be coming home quickly. I will be recovering here in Israel and after I'm released from the hospital I will start on light duty. At the Israeli government's request, the army has asked me to accept an assignment as an advisor on armored cavalry tactics to the IDF. It will probably be a year's tour of duty. I've decided to accept. Before you say anything, the orders have already been cut, arguing or recriminations aren't going to do a bit of good."
Both Martha and Alexis were appalled but knew from his tone of voice and facial expression, that there was no use in arguing. Alexis, however broke down in tears.
"How could you do this, Dad, haven't you done enough?"
"It's my duty, Pumpkin. I'll be doing something important, even vital here. Can you say that about anything I'd be doing at home? You're almost an adult. And don't worry I'll take leave and fly home for your graduation. You can delay starting college for one semester and by then, I'll be home for good. This is a promise, Alexis, this is my last tor of duty. I will retire from the army after this. I want you to relax and enjoy Israel, without worrying. This is not a combat assignment. The only time I'll be in the field, is on the training field."
The month passed surprisingly quickly, with Martha and Alexis touring Israel, shopping and generally enjoying themselves. Rick had healed enough, halfway through the month, to leave the hospital grounds for a couple of hours, several times. Despite her suspicions, Leah's open, friendly personality caused Alexis to warm up to Leah and through her good offices meet some Israeli teens and be invited to a couple of parties.
One of the things that Rick had given Alexis, a few days after her arrival was a Canon DSLR camera and a photographer friend of Leah's taught her how to use it properly. Alexis found out that she thoroughly enjoyed the camera, opening up a new hobby for her. One friend that Alexis made was a Jewish girl named Sarah Morgenstern. Sarah was from New York, spending a year in Israel. She promised to get in touch with Alexis when she returned to New York City.
One week after Rick was discharged from the hospital, Rick, Martha and Alexis were invited to a formal dinner at the American Embassy, Leah as his dinner partner. Rick, Alexis and Martha were in total shock when they were introduced to the Israeli prime minister. He smiled as he shook Rick's hand.
"I am honored to meet the man who saved my niece's life. Leah is my brother's daughter. Our family owes you a debt we can never repay. Beyond that, Israel owes you a debt. Your courage on the battlefield was an inspiration to your troops and that Israeli troops served under your command showed all Israel that America stands with us."
"He then turned to Martha. Madam, you must be a remarkable woman to have raised such a son."
Rick got another set of surprises. General Walker came over to him. A stunning female captain with him.
"Good evening General Rodgers."
"Good evening sir. What are you doing here?"
"Several things. But I need to speak to you in private. Please excuse us, ladies." They stepped away, into a small alcove.
"Rick, I know that you won't like it, but be that as it may the needs of the service have priority. Captain Lange is MI. She is a qualified armored cavalry, seconded to intelligence. She is being assigned as your aide de camp and will do that job. Her primary mission, however, is intelligence. When I introduce her, I expect you to give the objection you would normally give in such a situation."
Yes sir." They returned to the group.
General Rodgers, I'd like to introduce you to Captain Alana Lange. Alana was one of the first female officers to qualify in armored cavalry. She's your new aide. Captain Carstairs was medically evacuated to Kaiserslautern. Alana extended her hand.
"I am very pleased to meet you General Rodgers. I look forward to serving with you."
Rick shook her hand, then said;
"Please don't take this wrong Captain, I am sure that you're a fine officer, but a general usually selects his own aide after interviewing several officers." General Walker intervened.
"That's usually the case General Rodgers but the army can't pull several captains over here to be interviewed. Captain Lange was available and has some skills that will prove valuable to your mission."
"Be that as it may, sir, I still should be able to pick my aide. I really don't need another aide, Major Winegard is doing a fine job."
"I don't doubt that, General, but the assignment has already been made, so shut up and soldier."
"Very well sir, but I won't stand for Major Winegard to be displaced or replaced."
"No one's suggesting that. There is no reason that you can't have two aides, as long as the Army only has to pay for one of them."
Rick sighed and nodded. He gestured for Leah to join them.
"Major Leah Winegard, I'd like to introduce Captain Alana Lange. She's been assigned as my aide. She will be working with us. Your assignment will not change." The two women shook hands and exchanged formal greetings but it was easy to see that both smiles were artificial.
General Walker noticed it and thought; "Oh, I hadn't anticipated that. One very large thorn caught between two roses. This ought to be interesting, to say the least.
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