Ah Tokyo, my fist week there was miserable; mentally and physically. I couldn't fall asleep because of the unfamiliar surroundings and whenever I did manage to fall asleep some insolent nurse would make me up to check on me. I swear those nurses would just wait until I fell asleep so they could assure that I never got any rest.
I missed Hawkeye terribly. I would lie in my bed and stare at my left hand. It looked strange having a ring on my finger. It shouldn't have, I was married before. But this was different. I loved Hawkeye with all my heart, and this time I knew it would last because my feelings hadn't emerged from lust, far from it. Rather they came out of a good, solid friendship built on trust and respect. Eventually that friendship had turned into something more, although neither of us wanted to admit it. He was the only thing that kept me from going crazy in that stupid hospital.
I never heard from anyone from the 4077th or elsewhere. After fifteen days in hell I was released. I still had crutches for my right leg. It was swollen slightly and it still hurt to use it. I had to talk to the Colonel at the hospital to get transferred back to the 4077th. I was dreading speaking with him but I clumsily hobbled over to his office and his secretary escorted me inside.
"Colonel, Major Houlihan to see you." The colonel nodded not even lifting his head from his paperwork.
"Sit down Margaret." I sat down nervously and looked about his office. After a minute or so he leaned back in his chair and studied me carefully.
"You haven't told your father about the accident have you?" I looked at the man guiltily and shook my head.
"And your marriage, does he know about that?" Again I shook my head, avoiding eye contact. "Margaret, you have to tell him; at least about the marriage!" The man softened his tone. "I know he can be tough Maggie, hell I grew up with him! But you have to tell him." I looked up at my uncle and nodded. I nervously cleared my throat.
"You know what I came here for?" I asked questioningly. He nodded and avoided eye contact.
"I can't let you go back Maggie." He said gently.
"What?" I screamed. I jumped up and took a step towards his desk, forgetting my crutches and almost collapsing in pain.
"Margaret sit down." He commanded sternly. I shook my head and supported myself on his desk. "That's an order Major." He said, emphasizing my rank. I sighed and lowered myself back into the chair.
"I know you want to get back to your husband but they've just cleared all the nurses out of the front. You'll be temporarily placed in Seoul or even here in Tokyo if you want.
"Seoul." I said resolutely. I wanted to be as close to Hawkeye as possible.
"Fine Maggie and it's only going to be for a little while."
I sighed, why did everything have to be so difficult? Couldn't just one thing go smoothly for me?
I arrived in Seoul the following day. It was hot and humid, a miserable day. I was working in a small military hospital, nothing new. I had done this sort of thing before. As I was settling in my roommate walked in. I hadn't been so happy in days.
"Kellye!" I shouted in amazement, I hobbled over to her and threw my arms around her. She looked at me in shock.
"Major are you feeling alright?" She asked uncomfortably. I blushed slightly and nodded.
"I feel fine. Thank you." Kellye began to help me unpack, still watching me curiously. I'm sure she was wondering what on earth had possessed me.
"How's Hawkeye?" I asked hesitantly, I was almost afraid of the answer. I had the worst luck in the world; I didn't think I could take anymore bad news. Kellye smiled, realizing how I must have felt.
"He's fine," she assured me. "Although he's missing you, all he was doing was sulking. You can call him when we're done here." She suggested. I nodded in agreement, my eyes shinning in anticipation.
We worked silently for a bit, each of us lost in our own thoughts. A sudden thought came to me and I looked at Kellye curiously.
"How long have you been here?" I asked.
She looked at the floor. "Almost a week." She said lightly, although she was still avoiding looking me in the eye. I could tell there was something she didn't want to tell me.
"And how long do they thing we will be here?" Kellye turned and walked towards the door.
"Why don't I show you where you can call Captain Pierce."
"Kellye!" I called in my sternest voice. "How long are we staying here?"
Poor Kellye she looked as if she wanted to sink into the floor. "They told me around two months." She muttered. Two months? I slipped onto my cot and groaned. Why me? Why was it always me? She walked back over to me and held out her hand. I grabbed on to it and she pulled me up and then helped me with my crutches.
"Come on Major, I'll help you with the phone."