Radar knew that sound even better than he knew the distress calls from his animals. Darn choppers. Why did they have to come now, when he'd be of no help to
anyone? He waved goodbye to Major Houlihan who smiled and blew him a kiss. "You know, you're okay!" It was the nicest thing she'd ever said to him.
He accepted goodbyes from Father Mulchay, who blessed Radar and his family, another goodbye from Major Winchester, who said it was a pleasure working with
him in such a dismal place, and Klinger, who promised to make him proud. But he wasn't prepared to say goodbye to Colonel Potter.
His friend stood before him, his lip quivering, tears in his eyes. It was something Radar had never seen before. "Well, Radar, this isn't the way I'd planned to say
goodbye."
Radar nodded, thinking of the party that they had planned for him; the banners that read Good Luck, Radar and We Love You, Radar. The party he'd never get to
have. "I know, sir."
"Goodbye, son."
The hug was tight and unexpected. But when Radar hugged Colonel Potter in return, another hug came back to him; one that was eerily similar and he feared
that the fate might be the same. And the words
"You'd better behave yourself or I'm going to come back and kick your butt…"
Not exactly a compliment, but the last words he'd ever hear.
He hugged Colonel Potter tighter, suddenly not wanting to let go.
He stepped back. "Maybe I shouldn't go."
"What?"
"Whether you know it or not, you need me here, sir."
"Radar, we went over this already! Your mother needs you at home, in Iowa! I've already signed the discharge papers. It's a done deal!"
"Oh, I know but gee, sir, does it have to be this way? I mean, my ma will be all right. I'll just-"
"Things will be fine, Radar. Different, but fine. You've served your time and now it's time to go home."
"I know, but-."
"It's scary. That's a damn fact. But you're stronger than you know."
Radar took a deep, shuddering breath. "Thank you, sir, but I-."
"What's wrong?"
He was afraid to look Colonel Potter in the eyes. But he knew that he had to tell the truth. "I'm scared, sir. Real scared."
"Like I said, you've been here a long time. And this will be a whole new experience for you. Your mother needs you."
"I know, but-."
"What are you afraid of? Going home?"
"Well…"
"Come on, Radar, you can tell me."
Radar swallowed hard. "Well, the last time I told Colonel Blake goodbye-when he hugged me like you just did, it was the last time…. I mean…"
Colonel Potter nodded. "I see. I never knew the man but I didn't have to know him to know that he was a damn fine person. I know he's terribly missed around
here and what happened to him… well that's a tragedy that I wouldn't want to wish on my worst enemy. But don't worry about me-or any of us. We'll be fine.
And so will you. I'm not going to lie. I'm going to miss you like crazy. I've always thought of you as one of my own. But you need to go home to your family.
They love you and miss you too."
"Will we ever see each other again?"
"I'm going to do my darndest to make sure that happens, Radar. You've made my life so much better just by being here."
This time it was Radar who hugged Colonel Potter, tighter than before. "Thank you, sir. For everything. I'm glad I found Sophie for you."
"So am I, son. The best gift I ever received and the best gift anyone could ever give me. I'll take good care of her."
A jeep pulled up and Radar's stomach did a little flip. "I guess this is me."
"Goodbye, son."
Radar's throat felt tight as Colonel Potter helped him load his bags into the jeep. As it drove way, the CO became smaller and smaller in the distance.
And Radar's heart hurt more and more. He sure loved everyone at the 4077. But he loved Colonel Potter most of all.
~Fin~
