Jack poured Audrey another drink, as he gave Mary Ann a significant look. Mary Ann nodded slightly, and Jack visibly relaxed as he put a glass of club soda on ice for her on the bar. Audrey and Mary Ann had been together since Primary Flight School where they had been bunkmates. They stayed in the same classes through Advanced Flight School, and had even failed the same tests for jets, with their scores within percentage points of each other. They both qualified on the Skyraiders and were sent to Vietnam in 1965 as part of the same squadron. The only time they weren't around each other, was when Audrey went back for a second tour in 1967 and Mary Ann stayed stateside in a non-flying role. Audrey and Mary Ann considered each other as "the sister from another mother".
Audrey downed the drink in a single gulp again, not coughing this time. The room tilted as if she banked a 7G turn at full throttle. She swayed on her bar stool, falling against Mary Ann, who caught and steadied her. Audrey started sobbing uncontrollably again, her shoulders shaking. Mary Ann hugged her, rubbing her back gently, whispering quietly in her ear. Something Mary Ann whispered to her caused Audrey to start giggling, laughing and then roaring, until she began to hiccup. Mary Ann had a hurt and offended expression as she exclaimed, "What's so funny about that? I think it's a great idea! After all, witches aren't found under cabbage leaves or precision bombed by storks!"
Audrey managed to stop roaring with laughter and stop her hiccups. She found another napkin and wiped her eyes and blew her nose again. She smiled drunkenly at Mary Ann, gesturing to herself. "Get real, Juggs! Last time I checked it takes a guy to do the deed as well! Look at me! What guy is going to find me attractive, of all people?!" she slurred at Mary Ann.
Mary Ann looked closely at her best friend in the world. Audrey was tall with long shapely muscular legs. She was broad shouldered with a spectacularly impressive bosom, trim waist, and compact hips. Her hair was her crowning glory, with its red-gold highlights, falling in soft waves around her shoulders, when she had it down. Her face was very attractive, triangular in shape, with her high etched cheekbones, straight well shaped aquiline nose, slightly pointed chin, and a dusting of freckles on her cheeks and nose. Her big luminous green eyes added to her appeal. All in all, Audrey was very pretty, in a wholesome, down to earth way. Mary Ann exclaimed, "You're beautiful, Boings! Lots of guys would love to be with you! Just like that cute crew chief who's so sweet on you!"
Audrey started sobbing again as she swayed precariously on her stool. Jack took away the glass in front of her and said, "I'm sorry, Captain. I know you aren't flying, but I'm cutting you off for tonight." He looked at Mary Ann and said. "Lieutenant, can I count on you to see her home safely? Mary Ann slid smoothly off her stool, pulled Audrey to her side, and started making for the front of the bar. Turning her head back to the bar, she said cheerily, "No problem, Jack! I'll get her home and tuck her in. Put her drinks on my tab. I'll see you tomorrow to settle up." Audrey swayed against Mary Ann as they made their way to the BOQ, but Mary Ann held firmly to her. Audrey started sobbing quietly again. Exasperated, Mary Ann grumped, "Gods, you're a sloppy, weepy, lightweight drunk, Boings! You're gonna owe me big time!"
Opening her room, Mary Ann steered Audrey to her bed. She peeled back the blanket and sheet and sat her down on the bed. She bent down and pulled off Audrey's sandals. Next, she pulled off the T-shirt, untied Audrey's hair and took off her bra. Then she pushed Audrey down, and turned her on her left side before pulling the sheet and blanket over her. Mary Ann then stood up, hesitated for a moment, then put the trash can next to the bed near Audrey's face. Mary Ann found a small pitcher and cup as she went to the bathroom. She filled them with water, and set them on the nightstand. As a final gesture, she checked and set the alarm clock for 30 minutes before reveille. As Mary Ann crept out the door, the stentorian snores from the bed confirmed that Audrey was out for the night, as early as it was.
The shrill ringing of the alarm clock shocked Audrey awake instantly. Before she realized what, she was doing, she tossed the blanket and sheet aside and rolled out of bed to her right. She slipped, fell, flailing her arms. As she flailed her arms, she dumped the pitcher of water that was on the nightstand on her bare torso. The shock of water hitting her bare flesh drew a shriek that was audible above the insistent shrill rings of the alarm clock. Finally standing up, Audrey grabbed the noisy alarm clock and flung it as hard as she could against the concrete wall, where it shattered with a loud crash. Crap, she thought, what a fucked up way to start the day, as she stalked her way to the bathroom, a pounding headache coming on with a vengeance. She stripped off her bikini shorts, and grabbed a towel to dry off. Coming back into her room, she used the towel she had to sop up the rest of the spilled water. Throwing the soaked towel in the laundry hamper.
Audrey opened her wall locker and started getting dressed. First bit of clothing was the regulation OD green bikini panties, followed by a bra. Next was a t-shirt. Audrey checked her OD green uniform shirt, making sure her new rank insignia was properly placed before putting it on. Next came the green ankle socks and the black shoes. Audrey turned and looked in the mirror, as she started brushing out and braiding her hair. Securing the braid with a small tie, she coiled it tightly against the back of her head and secured the coil with a couple of bobbie pins. The last things she needed were her flight chronometer watch, her dog tags, which went around her neck and inside her t-shirt, her wallet, and finally her squadron baseball cap. Finally dressed, she stepped out of her room, locked it and headed for the squadron ready room.
Arriving a few minutes ahead of roll call, Audrey got a couple of aspirin, a cup of so-called coffee flavored sludge, and sat down. She swallowed the aspirin, and took a swig of the coffee, cussing as the hot liquid burned her tongue. After roll call, Colonel Donavon, the squadron CO, stood up and said, "Listen up, ladies! Just a couple of announcements. We're on a 72-hour maintenance stand down now. The Vought contractors are out here to check the strikers and our maintenance procedures. You got any gripes, now's the time to speak up! So, no one is flying in the meantime. Last announcement. Captain Gains!" Audrey's head snapped up, and she cussed as she spilled some coffee on her hand. "Yes, Sir?" she said.
Colonel Donavon smiled, and said, "You're supposed to report to the Wing Commander's office at 0900."
"Wing Commander's office, 0900, got it, Sir!" Audrey replied, shaking her burned hand.
"Until then, you can hang out in the ready room, or maybe get some breakfast. Just be there." Colonel Donavon continued, "That's all for now, ladies. The rest of you are scheduled to assist the ground crews and the contractors on their work. They'll be here at 0830, so get ready!"
Audrey headed to the mess hall. The fact that she didn't have dinner last night was balanced out by the queasy uneasiness of her stomach. She settled for scrambled eggs and wheat toast along with orange juice. The scrambled eggs settled the queasiness, and she discovered how hungry she was. Audrey went back for more scrambled eggs, wheat toast, and added ham to it. Topped off by 7 glasses of orange juice, she was starting to feel human by the time she finished. A check of her watch told her it was before 0700, so she made her way back to the ready room, and settled down in one of the leather chairs.