"Untitled"
After the war, Peg's POV.
I don't know why I wasn't shocked. Any normal person would be shocked
and mad. Any normal person would scream something but I just stood
there, smiling.
I was a little shocked, but that was more to do with the fact that I wasn't
shocked. I wasn't mad. What I saw was exactly what I expected to see
before I opened the door. Other people would be angry if they saw their
husband in bed with someone else. Other people would definitely be angry
if they saw their husband in bed with their best friend.
Their husband's best friend, their male best friend. But, all I could do was
smile.
The war had ended about 6 months earlier and Bj had been back the same
amount of time. And ever since he got back there I noticed something
different about him. He'd changed. I suppose everyone changes after being
in the middle of the war so I didn't really think about it too much. He told
Erin and me how much loved us and I believed him, I still do, but I always
got this feeling he also loved someone else.
At first I thought he'd had an affair with a Korean woman but I soon went
of that idea. Ever since he'd been back he and Hawkeye would phone each
other about 3 times a week.
They'd be on the phone for about an hour and I'd only hear one side of it,
but it sounded like they weren't really saying anything interesting.
Sometimes it sounded like they talking about the times in Korea and other
times there would be long silences which neither seemed to mind.
About three months ago, they were on the phone again, Bj suddenly jumped
up and shouted that we were going to Maine for a week. Hawkeye had just
told him that he was getting married, to the headnurse of the 4077,
a Margaret Houlihan. I'd heard of her and how she and Hawkeye had hated
each other at first. Bj seemed happy for them but at the same time I
couldn't help notice that he was jealous.
When we arrived at the house in Crabapple cove, Bj was jumping around like
a little kid, saying how great it was he was seeing Hawkeye again. When I
met Hawkeye he gave me a hug and a kiss that felt like any other hug and
kiss you get from someone you've just met. Then he hugged and kissed Bj.
There was something different about that.
Ok, he knew Bj and Bj knew him so it wouldn't be "stranger hug and kiss",
but there was something different.
As though neither wanted to let go, as though they both wanted to be doing
more than hugging.
I met Margaret and we got on really well. In the week before the wedding
we became very good friends. I tried to bring it up but I wasn't sure how to
say it. I couldn't go say that I had this feeling my husband had feelings for
her future husband. And stronger feelings than bestfriendfeelings. She was
sure Hawkeye loved her. I'm sure Hawkeye loved her, just like Bj does me.
Every night after dinner, Bj and Hawkeye made a silly excuse about going for
a walk and left Margaret and me to do the washing up. I always thought
they did a lot more than just walk on those "walks" but ofcource I never
said anything.
Others from the 4077 arrived on the day of the wedding and there was a
little reunion. I watched Hawkeye hug and kiss everyone who came in,
people he knew just like he knew Bj but not one hug or kiss had that vibe
that theirs had.
After the "you may kiss the bride" bit the tragic event happened. No one
could've stopped it, no one could've prevented it. No one could've done
anything to make it different. There were 5 doctors in the room, but
nothing could be done. Hawkeye's father just dropped dead, his heart just
stopped. Ofcource everyone was shocked and no one knew how to react.
In the end everyone ended up staying for
the funeral and then everyone left. Hawkeye and Margaret still went on
their honeymoon, trying to make the best of it.
About a month after the wedding/funeral, so 2 months ago, Bj asked me if
I would mind if Hawkeye and Margaret would come to stay with
us. There was nothing keeping Hawkeye in Crabapple Cove anymore and I
didn't mind if they were here. I liked Margaret and maybe Bj would be
happier too.
From the very first day they were here they did their "after dinner walk"
thing. I'd notice how they'd touch each other in passing, barely touching
really. But sparkles seemed to fly. I wondered if I was the only one who
noticed it but Margaret didn't mention anything. She believed Hawkeye
loved her more than anything else.
I believe Bj when he says he loves me but I don't believe I'm the only one.
Tonight we were watching some film on the television. I don't remember
which one. Suddenly Bj announced he was going to the bathroom and he
stared directly at Hawkeye as though it was a hidden message. A few
seconds after Bj had left the room, Hawkeye said he was going to make a
snack in the kitchen. After about 20 minutes neither were back. Margaret
hadn't noticed or maybe she didn't want to notice. I made an excuse about
checking on Erin and went upstairs.
The first room was that of Bj and me, it was empty. The next room was
the bathroom, that was empty too. Just like I thought it would be. Next was
Erin's. Erin was fast asleep. I quietly closed the door again and went to the
next one. That of Hawkeye and Margaret. I stood at the door for a second
and listened. I could hear a faint breathing. The door was only open a little
crack but I could just see in. What I saw was exactly what I was excpecting
to see.
I don't know why I wasn't shocked. Any normal person would be shocked
and mad. Any normal person would scream something but I just stood
there, smiling. I was a little shocked, but that was more to do with the fact that I wasn't shocked.
I wasn't mad. What I saw was exactly what I expected to see before I
opened the door.
Other people would be angry if they saw their husband in bed with someone
else. Other people would definitely be angry if they saw their husband in bed
with their best friend. Their husband's best friend, their male best friend.
But, all I could do was smile.
The way I saw it I had two options. One, open the door and wake them up
and try to look shocked and angry and two, go back downstairs and carry
on watching the film. I decided to go with number two.
I left them there and quietly went back downstairs.
After the war, Peg's POV.
I don't know why I wasn't shocked. Any normal person would be shocked
and mad. Any normal person would scream something but I just stood
there, smiling.
I was a little shocked, but that was more to do with the fact that I wasn't
shocked. I wasn't mad. What I saw was exactly what I expected to see
before I opened the door. Other people would be angry if they saw their
husband in bed with someone else. Other people would definitely be angry
if they saw their husband in bed with their best friend.
Their husband's best friend, their male best friend. But, all I could do was
smile.
The war had ended about 6 months earlier and Bj had been back the same
amount of time. And ever since he got back there I noticed something
different about him. He'd changed. I suppose everyone changes after being
in the middle of the war so I didn't really think about it too much. He told
Erin and me how much loved us and I believed him, I still do, but I always
got this feeling he also loved someone else.
At first I thought he'd had an affair with a Korean woman but I soon went
of that idea. Ever since he'd been back he and Hawkeye would phone each
other about 3 times a week.
They'd be on the phone for about an hour and I'd only hear one side of it,
but it sounded like they weren't really saying anything interesting.
Sometimes it sounded like they talking about the times in Korea and other
times there would be long silences which neither seemed to mind.
About three months ago, they were on the phone again, Bj suddenly jumped
up and shouted that we were going to Maine for a week. Hawkeye had just
told him that he was getting married, to the headnurse of the 4077,
a Margaret Houlihan. I'd heard of her and how she and Hawkeye had hated
each other at first. Bj seemed happy for them but at the same time I
couldn't help notice that he was jealous.
When we arrived at the house in Crabapple cove, Bj was jumping around like
a little kid, saying how great it was he was seeing Hawkeye again. When I
met Hawkeye he gave me a hug and a kiss that felt like any other hug and
kiss you get from someone you've just met. Then he hugged and kissed Bj.
There was something different about that.
Ok, he knew Bj and Bj knew him so it wouldn't be "stranger hug and kiss",
but there was something different.
As though neither wanted to let go, as though they both wanted to be doing
more than hugging.
I met Margaret and we got on really well. In the week before the wedding
we became very good friends. I tried to bring it up but I wasn't sure how to
say it. I couldn't go say that I had this feeling my husband had feelings for
her future husband. And stronger feelings than bestfriendfeelings. She was
sure Hawkeye loved her. I'm sure Hawkeye loved her, just like Bj does me.
Every night after dinner, Bj and Hawkeye made a silly excuse about going for
a walk and left Margaret and me to do the washing up. I always thought
they did a lot more than just walk on those "walks" but ofcource I never
said anything.
Others from the 4077 arrived on the day of the wedding and there was a
little reunion. I watched Hawkeye hug and kiss everyone who came in,
people he knew just like he knew Bj but not one hug or kiss had that vibe
that theirs had.
After the "you may kiss the bride" bit the tragic event happened. No one
could've stopped it, no one could've prevented it. No one could've done
anything to make it different. There were 5 doctors in the room, but
nothing could be done. Hawkeye's father just dropped dead, his heart just
stopped. Ofcource everyone was shocked and no one knew how to react.
In the end everyone ended up staying for
the funeral and then everyone left. Hawkeye and Margaret still went on
their honeymoon, trying to make the best of it.
About a month after the wedding/funeral, so 2 months ago, Bj asked me if
I would mind if Hawkeye and Margaret would come to stay with
us. There was nothing keeping Hawkeye in Crabapple Cove anymore and I
didn't mind if they were here. I liked Margaret and maybe Bj would be
happier too.
From the very first day they were here they did their "after dinner walk"
thing. I'd notice how they'd touch each other in passing, barely touching
really. But sparkles seemed to fly. I wondered if I was the only one who
noticed it but Margaret didn't mention anything. She believed Hawkeye
loved her more than anything else.
I believe Bj when he says he loves me but I don't believe I'm the only one.
Tonight we were watching some film on the television. I don't remember
which one. Suddenly Bj announced he was going to the bathroom and he
stared directly at Hawkeye as though it was a hidden message. A few
seconds after Bj had left the room, Hawkeye said he was going to make a
snack in the kitchen. After about 20 minutes neither were back. Margaret
hadn't noticed or maybe she didn't want to notice. I made an excuse about
checking on Erin and went upstairs.
The first room was that of Bj and me, it was empty. The next room was
the bathroom, that was empty too. Just like I thought it would be. Next was
Erin's. Erin was fast asleep. I quietly closed the door again and went to the
next one. That of Hawkeye and Margaret. I stood at the door for a second
and listened. I could hear a faint breathing. The door was only open a little
crack but I could just see in. What I saw was exactly what I was excpecting
to see.
I don't know why I wasn't shocked. Any normal person would be shocked
and mad. Any normal person would scream something but I just stood
there, smiling. I was a little shocked, but that was more to do with the fact that I wasn't shocked.
I wasn't mad. What I saw was exactly what I expected to see before I
opened the door.
Other people would be angry if they saw their husband in bed with someone
else. Other people would definitely be angry if they saw their husband in bed
with their best friend. Their husband's best friend, their male best friend.
But, all I could do was smile.
The way I saw it I had two options. One, open the door and wake them up
and try to look shocked and angry and two, go back downstairs and carry
on watching the film. I decided to go with number two.
I left them there and quietly went back downstairs.