SPOKEN ENGLISH

Chapter Two

Karen has recently been assigned as a nurse to the 4077 MASH. It is her second day and now she has to face the realities of the Korean War and her growing feelings for one of the doctors.

A little nudge to my shoulder, I looked round to see Georgia's pretty round face smiling at me.

"Time to get up Lieutenant," she whispered with a grin,  "Got to get up on ceremony for her highness."

I knew exactly what she meant and climbed from my cot, even that made my head pulse and as I was dressing thought back to the previous evening. Just as I was tying my shoes Major Houlihan opened the door, I stood up as we all did, she was in a milder mood than the previous morning. Her smile seemed sincere as she looked around the tent and then at us. She wished us luck on our first day on the Post-Op and told us it wouldn't be easy sometimes but to keep on in there.

Later that morning I was called into the ward. There was a guy lying with his midriff bandaged, his eyes were staring at the ceiling, another was crying and it was obvious he'd had his legs amputated, a tall man walked toward me, "Told you our paths might cross, spooky huh?" It was BJ,  "Things are kinda quiet at the moment Karen" he said,  "A man over there needs his saline drip checked, and the guy next to him has a serious infection, we operated on him a couple of days ago but there's nothing more we can do - Just hope he makes it". BJ gave me a smile and some notes.

 "Hi, remember me?" I turned to see Georgia,

"We were on the jeep together coming in weren't we"? I smiled

"Some journey huh?" Her eyes rolled, "Major Houlihan's not too bad, back in London we had Matrons in the hospital ten times as worse."

So she was English, I couldn't wait to tell her I was English too, I hoped so much we'd be good friends. Then there was a cry asking for a nurse. As Georgia was laden down with sheets I hurried over and noticed it was the young man with the post-op infection, I smiled and took his hand. I asked him his name and where he was from and stayed by his side; his name was William, he was twenty-three and from Chicago, a steel worker and he was so scared. Suddenly he closed his eyes and I realized he'd died just there in front of me. I stifled a cry. I stayed like that for a minute, I heard a voice behind me; it was BJ.

"We did all we could for him" he sighed, "and that includes you Karen." I looked up at him quizzically through my tears, "After all he was kind of unconscious when I operated on him." BJ attempted a smile, "but you…. well, you were there in his eyes before he went and he felt your touch."  He gave me a little hug on my shoulders and then left the ward. I realized I was still holding William's hand and it felt so warm. Despite BJ's words I didn't feel any better.

As I was checking the saline guy out saw a shadow over me, "Any idea when this man came in nurse?" I turned my head around and then looked up, it was Doctor Winchester.

"I'm not certain doctor." I flushed. "BJ would know I guess but he's not here this minute…"

"Ah, nurse Stanford," Doctor Winchester smiled, "and how has your first day been?" He gazed around the bed and the patient before his eyes rested on mine.

"It has been interesting." I kept my calm, "I did have…" I began.

"So how is this man?" Doctor Winchester frowned.

"OK I think," I replied, "He just needs supervision." I frantically checked my notes.

Dr Winchester smiled, at that moment I couldn't understand how a man could change his mood and expression so fast. He checked the drip and then turned to me. "It must be terrible," he began, fiddling with a valve "to have to deal with these sort of things at your age." He caught a finger and hissed, "When I was your age I was at University, having to deal with the terrible trauma of whether I was a fan of baseball or football," he looked at me again, "I could never say to anybody that I loathed both." He straightened up. "Now," he said "I think I interrupted you telling me about your experiences today." I told him about William, how I felt and Dr Winchester just nodded at me with a straight face.

"Guess I'm made of weaker stuff," I joked but he sniffed the air, and frowning, looked at his watch. After mumbling something about getting something from supplies, he briefly said a goodbye and swept out of the ward with his white coat flowing. I ran to back to the wash-room and bawled my eyes out, just what the hell had I done? Drying my sore eyes and glad I didn't wear mascara I walked back into the ward. I finished my duty and looked sadly on as William was wheeled from the ward. The whole day had made me feel sick and me a nurse. I had gone back to my quarters, I lay on my bed just going over and over again the whole day, tiredness came over and I drifted off to sleep.

 I was so happy, Dad had me on his knee and he was showing me how to play Chess, all I wanted to do was pick up the "Horsy", he was laughing and decided we should start with Draughts. Mamma hated the American term Checkers when we came to live in Maine, in fact she was determined to use every English term possible. She'd insist on talking about walking on pavements, not sidewalks, working on bonnets instead of hoods, like she'd ever worked on a car (God! Not an Automobile!). "We are English," she'd say to Dad and me, "and we should speak English." Dad would look at me and say in his most strong Lancashire accent "Aye up lass, seems we 'ave a right gooden 'ere with all 'er airs an' graces!"

I awoke, it was evening, I was alone and late so after changing I shot to the mess tent, I lined up with my tray poised for poison and as the powdered eggs were slopped on I felt a large, tall man by my side, it was Dr Winchester, his bright blue eyes were kind. I couldn't help it but felt my cheeks burn.

"I want to apologise for my behaviour in the ward Karen," he said, " I have  …..never been good with feelings …I find it difficult…."

That's OK Dr Winchester." I smiled up at him. He turned and asked for real tomatoes and not the tinned puree as he put it and I walked away to find a place at a table. Sitting there I looked over as he placed himself at a table the other side of the mess. I smiled over at him and I was rewarded by a small return smile. I so wanted to get to know him; it was obvious there was a kind, sensitive man underneath that austere and pompous persona. Of course I found him attractive too. felt confused at that fact, he was balding and as Mamma said once of Mrs Cable "Built for comfort and not for speed", and he was considerably older than me. But I couldn't help but be drawn to his strong, unusual features…. and those eyes.

"Hellooooo!!" It was Hawkeye. "Sorry never saw you today," his lanky frame clambered over the bench and he plonked himself beside me. I had to grin even though my mouth was full of fake tomatoes. "Had to go to help out at another unit, BJ told me you had a really bad first day, I'm sorry about that."

"That's OK Hawkeye," I said, and it really was, I hadn't given him a thought all morning.

"I saw you were talking with our local Nobility," he said.

"What?" I looked at him

"Charles, our resident Aristocrat; actually I'm pretty impressed with him lowering himself to talk to a mere nurse, I mean that is his opinion and not mine, to me a nurse can never be mere, and I see he's still mooning over Lady Muck."

I looked over and Dr Winchester was in close conversation with a good-looking blonde woman who had just placed her slim behind next to him, I felt my heart sting but felt ashamed of my ridiculous jealousy.

"You mean that woman he's sitting with," I stated, my voice trembled a little.

"Dr Celia Mathews," grinned Hawkeye sarcastically "Ever since she got here he's been dying to show her his thermometer."

"She is a very good-looking woman," I said.

"Yeh, but as cold as a wet wind in a Korean winter, mind you their wallets were made for each other."

"How do you mean?" I really didn't want to hear anymore but I was compelled to ask.

"Well it looks like the only son of Boston's finest family has met the only daughter of New York's and it could be a marriage made in this hell." The jealousy I felt deepened. Then Hawkeye's tone changed, as did his expression, "Tell you what, I think we should both go to the Swamp tonight and drown each others sorrows, the one that floats is the witch."

"The Swamp?" I asked, it sounded both disgusting and dangerous.

I looked over again at Dr Winchester and the woman; she was so different from me, glamorous, tall and immaculate.

"Don't panic Karen," Hawkeye replied, "It's just my tent, well our tent, BJ, Charles and myself try to sleep there. Call us Roomies, well Tenties… You're not listening to me at all are you?" Hawkeye grinned, "If I knew I had this effect on women I would have become an anaesthetist." He gulped his coffee.

"Oh, I am sorry Hawkeye," I stammered "Just a million miles away."

"No problem," he said "I'd buy a one-way ticket to just a million miles away today."

 He was such a nice person despite his arrogance.

"Well how about it?"

"About what?"  Jeeze, I felt like an idiot, and I felt so rude.

"A drink at the Swamp." He stared straight into my eyes, "I promise you I'll behave like the perfect gentleman."

"OK," I smiled "but only one drink Hawkeye, I want to retire early, my head was so bad this morning."

"My kind of nurse," Hawkeye winked "See you at eight?" I nodded and he left me to my dinner. I kept one eye on Dr Winchester and his companion who were now in deep conversation, suddenly he laughed out-loud and then she then joined in flashing perfect dazzling teeth. My appetite waned and I left the mess tent, what the heck, I was going to enjoy my drink with Hawkeye, I was determined at that.

When I reached the Swamp that evening Hawkeye was casually dressed and went straight to an odd sort of arrangement of tubes and vessels in the tent, he poured two glasses of a clear liquid and gave one to me, "To the War," he toasted and quaffed his drink down in one, and I followed suit and wished at once I hadn't. My, it was like rocket fuel! Suddenly I had to sit down, Hawkeye placed himself next to me with his grin and glass. "Yeh, forgot to tell you this is a special vintage, good hour, 8 O'clock I believe," he went over to the still and filled up a specimen jar with some more.

"Look Hawkeye," I said, "I said I could only stay for one, I want a fresher head tomorrow than the one this morning."

"Trust me, this stuff mellows by the minute," he sat down again and topped up my glass and then his. I thought back to Dr Winchester's lovely companion and again drank the stuff back stiffly, this time I was prepared for the shock when the fire reached my throat. Hawkeye and I talked a little about Maine, he too came from there, we discussed our families – well he talked about his, I wasn't sure how much to say about mine. One thing we had in common is that we were both close to our Dads and he offered his condolences when I told him mine had passed-on, he didn't push the subject though.

"You know Karen," he snuggled up to me, "I messed up so badly with you yesterday, I could have been a little more romantic, I can't imagine what you thought of me."

"Don't worry about it," I said softly and he put his arm around my shoulder, he then reached over and kissed me very gently on my lips and I pulled his head closer. My head spinning slightly I felt his hand touch my bare knee, I panicked and broke away. I was breathless. Hawkeye suddenly sat up straight before putting his head in his hands.

"I did it again," he groaned, "Boy do I feel like a low-life."

"It was my fault," I said, "But I think I need another drink," and I stood up and walked to the Still. "How do you work this thing?" I asked.

Hawkeye came over, "Like this," he said with a laugh, and some more of the fuel poured into my glass. "You wanted a fresh head tomorrow and instead you get a fresh me tonight." His light blue eyes looked at me from under his black fringe, I poured the drink down my throat, "Hey Karen," Hawkeye said, "Go steady with that stuff," but I didn't care, all I kept seeing was Dr Mathews lying in Dr Winchester's arms, looking into his eyes, laughing, joking. What stupid jealousy, I hardly knew him but it felt like a knife. I looked at Hawkeye; well Hawkeyes by that point and his face really did look concerned. I had been truly awful to him, and he had behaved like a gentleman albeit one with a twinkle in his eye. My eyes welled up with tears and I couldn't help but let them fall, Hawkeye took me gently in his arms and hugged me, stroking my hair as I sobbed into his chest.

"What the hell do you think you are doing Pierce?" I turned round to see Dr Winchester standing there in the doorway.

"Look Charles," said Hawkeye, "This has nothing whatsoever to do with you."

"The poor girl is obviously distressed." Dr Winchester came towards us "And I'm not in the least surprised, you plying her with that…gut-rot, you are disgusting."

I put myself between them, "Really Dr Winchester," I dried my eyes on my hands, "Nothing has happened, I'm in no danger…"

Hawkeye glared at the Doctor. "That's true Charles, I may have wandering hands but they don't reach to ladies' necks."

"Dr Winchester" I pleaded, "I'm just a bit upset that's all and it really has nothing to do with Hawkeye." My head felt fuzzy and I stumbled towards him steadying myself by grabbing hold of his shirt, I felt myself fall slightly forward and I found my head against his chest. I attempted to unglue myself from this embarrassing position but Charles instead placed his arms around me protectively.

"Oh for God's sake!" he spat at Hawkeye, "It's this young girl's honour not her life that is in danger, you and your philandering and drinking..."

"Drinking!!!" Hawkeye laughed, "You hypocrite Charles, I heard you've been supping at the spring of Saint Boozalus since this afternoon so don't give me all that soberer than thou baloney!"

"I might have partaken of a glass or two of vintage wine this evening when talking with Dr Mathews but my senses never leave my head and graduate to my lower regions."

Hawkeye remained silent and then as I looked round I saw him grab his robe, "I'm sorry Karen, I just got to go before I do something very un-gentlemanly to this pompous ass like being the first doctor to do harm with a scalpel. Oh, maybe not the first, I forgot about Frank," he stormed towards the door and before leaving said to me softly "I'll be in the Officer's Club Karen, I'd love it if you joined me soon." Everything was quiet for a moment and I looked up at Dr Winchester.

"You were wrong you know," I croaked, I felt like crying again.

"I'm sorry " he sighed, "I couldn't see you get into a situation, deeper into a situation I mean." We broke contact and he looked at me, "You are so young Karen," he said gently, "And I would hate if anything unfortunate happened to you, I hated to interfere but…". He did seem a little drunk but then who was I to judge. He staggered to his cot and then lay down. I felt so lousy, there I was standing in the middle of the Swamp, I'd been here only two days and I'd caused problems already. Mamma was right, I was trouble and I always would be. I put on my sandals and went to leave.

"Stay." I heard a whisper.

"Excuse me?" I replied.

Dr Winchester had propped himself up on his elbow and I had to smile as he looked rather like a startled koala bear, what was left of his brown curly locks exploding from both sides of his head.

"Please come and talk to me," he said in a deep soothing voice, "I am …I must explain, I'm a tad drunk, Pierce was right that it was really none of my business, just come and talk to me if only for a minute."

I stumbled over to his cot; that alcohol really got to me and it was like Braille feeling my way over there, but with as much grace as I could muster I sat in the chair next to him. He looked over to me. I could feel myself trembling.

"I am concerned," he began in a sort of slur, "That you might put yourself, not intentionally of course, in a position…" he paused and stroked his head "where you could have been taken advantage of and I'd really hate to see that. You see…" and he sat up putting his feet onto the floor "Hawkeye, no don't get me wrong, he is a fine surgeon and has a modicum of intelligence…well, just he..."

"He was fine to me Doctor," I interrupted, "I was the one who insisted on drinking too much, Hawkeye was worried about me too."

Doctor Winchester smiled. "I hope you don't resent me leaping in as I did", he said.

"Of course not, as you say, you were just concerned and I appreciate it." I then leaned forward and touched his shoulder; he placed his hand on mine and brought it to his lips, his warm breath breezed through my fingers. I had never felt such a surge of total emotion but felt terrified all the same. I managed to catch my breath.

"I really must go", I said

"To Pierce?" He then sighed, "Oh, I apologize, it's really none of my business." He put my hand to his cheek.

"No Doctor Winchester," I replied feeling the softness of his face, "I think I should go back to my tent and sleep." I thought I sounded sensible and rational enough although to be honest I felt I never wanted to go back there that night.

"Please call me Charles," he whispered, "Thank you for letting me talk to you, to explain," his blue eyes glistened in the low light of the tent and I reached over and replaced my hand with my lips, giving him a peck on his cheek. He nestled his face into my neck for a brief moment and then looked at me. Trembling I lightly placed my lips on his; he returned my kiss very gently.

"Please sleep well Karen," his voice seemed distant, I could see his eyes were closed. I stood up and left unsteadily. When I got back to my Quarters a few of the nurses were well asleep, a small lamp barely lit the inside of the tent. I quietly got ready and into bed, my stomach felt queasy, I wasn't sure if it was Hawkeye's concoction or the whole turnaround of the evening, so was that blonde woman Dr Mathews? Charles hadn't referred to her by her Christian name, I felt a little elation at that but I also felt like an idiot. My mind drifted to the kiss I gave Charles, I wouldn't have done that if I hadn't got liquored up I thought. No more drink from now on Karen, don't wanna end up like Mamma; my mind became numb...

"You're useless!!" In panic I sat up, "So bloody useless George, why the hell I married you I don't know." I heard the bathroom door slam. Mamma was still shouting and banging as Dad came up the stairs.

"Hi there Lass" he smiled at me, "How's my girl this morning"? Dad came and sat on my bed with a brown parcel, "Summink here for you Karen, I knew you wanted that little train you saw in the shop Tuesday so I got it for you, just make sure your mother doesn't see it though," he unwrapped for me as I sat up in bed, it was just like the one I saw in the shop and bright red too.

"Is Mamma all right"? I asked.

"She's grand lass" he smiled "Not herself that's all, she'll be fine." He giggled at the little toy, "Aye," he said, "I didn't need a boy did I!" Yes, I was never fond of dolls; I liked cars, fire engines and trains.

There was another loud bang from downstairs and then a fast clippetting as Mamma came up the stairs, her face appeared behind the door,  "Just get down here now so we can discuss it," she hissed at Dad and then her gaze fixed on me, "Get up right now girl, I want no problems this morning, just get up and go to school."

"Yes Mamma."

I woke with those words on my lips but when I opened my eyes I stared into darkness. Sleepy memories of the evening came back,  "I could love you," I whispered, I felt my eyes sting with tears again but fell asleep before they could fall.

To be continued...