THIRTEEN


Nov. 18th: 1300 hours

My Dearest Peg,

It's been three days since our party and that means I'm three days closer to seeing you and Erin. I am getting excited. I can't show how much I'm looking forward to our reunion because I'm still not supposed to know anything about it. Monica Parnelli has tried twice now to 'spill the beans'. Both times, Hawk swept her off her feet in a dancing frenzy. So far, his 'secret' is safe. I'm enjoying making him squirm. I'm also enjoying seeing his enthusiasm. He is beside himself—which is two more Hawkeye Pierce's than Charles Winchester can stand.

Our party was a success. I danced with Margaret, Sarabeth, Kellye, Monica, and some of the other nurses. The whole time, however, I was wishing that I was dancing with you, instead of them.

We had invited everyone from the nearby MASH units and the Evac Hospitals. Not everyone was able to come, of course. Several were able to make the trip, though. We also had a couple of Marine squads stop by, as well as a British outfit, and some Greek soldiers who had some minor injuries. After they were patched up, they taught us some of their folk dances. It really was fun. Luckily the sun was shining.

Which is it no longer doing, unfortunately. That night, another weather front moved through. It's been raining ever since. And, the temperatures are dropping. We can expect very cold temperatures before too long. The coats and gloves the Army has issued to everyone do not keep us all that warm.

Colonel Potter gave the medical staff a lecture this morning on the signs of hypothermia and how it will affect our treatment regimes. In a way, being too cold can be helpful to an injured man, because it helps to slow the bleeding. On the other hand, once tissues begin to freeze, it leads to loss of extremities and organ failure.

To make things even worse, the artillery shelling has resumed. It has been a constant barrage starting about four hours ago. It's not hitting anywhere near here but we can hear the booming reverberations. Everyone knows causalities will start coming in, anytime now; which is why I'm writing you now. Who knows when we'll have any spare time, again.

Hawkeye just came up with this bizarre theory: he says that those big guns must create a great deal of warmth. And that's why the Chinese troops are firing them so often. They're trying to stay warm. If that's the case, he says, there's a whole squadron of soldiers running around in their skivvies, all toasty. It's an interesting scene to imagine.

I'd better go, my darling. Take care of yourselves for me. Give Erin a hug and a kiss from me and tell her, daddy loves her. And tell her mommy the same thing. I love you, Peg! And, I can't wait to see you both.

All my love,

B J


Other people around the medical compound were also trying to utilize every minute. Some were writing letters of their own. Nurse Baker was finishing her note to her husband:

I wish you had been able to get leave to come our dance, Tony. It was fun but it would have been even better with you there. I'm looking forward to seeing you, again, soon.

In the meantime, please be careful out there! I know you probably get tired of hearing that. But, I worry about you being on the front lines. Every time an ambulance comes in, I pray that you won't be in it.

I love you! XXX and OOO,

Christie


Father Mulcahy was also composing a communiqué:

I realize that there is a large population of people with Italian surnames in South Philadelphia, Father Sartone. However, I'm hoping you can provide me with some information on one of our nurses.

Thankfully, she hasn't been hurt. But, we have been unable to contact any family members. And, I wanted their help to give her a special Christmas present.

The only information we have is….


Other people were using the time to tend to their grooming:

"Can I borrow your nail polish, Sandra?" Lieutenant Riggs asked her tent mate.

"Why bother, Sherry? You know that Major Houlihan is going to make you remove it before you scrub for the OR," Nurse Smith replied.

"Not unless she has a foot inspection," the other woman answered as she began unlacing her boots.


And, out in the corral:

"There." Colonel Potter, with his curry comb in hand, stepped away from his horse. "You look pretty enough to win first prize at the county fair, Sophie." He watched the mare's ears twitch as she listened to the continuous shelling in the distance. "They're not coming this way, old girl," the man reassured the nervous animal. "At least, I hope not," he added fervently.