This was bad, really bad since I was trying to get to the area in time as the machine gun Joe was at. The cold night was against my face as I tried to make my way to the base area that the men were going to be. Other soldiers were rushing around, having me follow them as I knew they were going to find the 15 that were coming back. Did something go terribly wrong? I knew that something did happen since gunfire was going off and the sounds of men being desperate for help were ringing in the air. I had to at least help in some way, shape or form. So I jogged, the rib injury was not feeling as though it was on fire now as I saw the men heading down into what looked like a basement.
I walked down the steps, hearing the bombs still going off outside and the building was shaking over as I saw a group of men huddled together, over a body that was in the ground and already past gone. They all so torn from my spot, covered in the dirt and sweat along with the cold that was still haunting their faces. Doc was over the body, having me look down to see who it was behind the mangled mess and the blood splattered. Oh good.
Jackson. It was Jackson that was dead.
He looked like a child in front of us, a mere child who was caught in the act of death. Everyone was quiet, and I looked at the others in the room. Babe was stunned, looking from his body to the others in the other half of the room. They were all stunned as well, having me feel so out of place with what was going on. The only noises that were heard were the shuffling of the feet of the men there with their boots touching the fallen bricks and wood panels, along with the overhead explosions and guns going off. I walked over to Doc, standing over him as he looked up at the rest of the men in both frustration and pain for not being able to save him. There was nothing we could do, not anymore. The patrol left one man dead and the rest shell shocked.
We had to move on, though it felt like we too were also dead with Jackson.
I walked into the room with all the bunkbeds the next day, having me see Joe, Babe, Perctone, and Malarky. Joe was on a top bunk, Babe on the opposite side on the bottom bunk, Frank leaning against Babe's bunk and Malarky eye level with Joe as I walked into the room, not saying a word or two before they looked over at me. I knew they were waiting to hear what happened last night, since they knew I was there with Doc when Jackson was brought to him.
"How's Doc?" Babe asked with a glint of hope in his tone though he was too still recovering from last night's chaos. I shook my head, running my fingers in my hair as it was in a low ponytail.
"Still torn up. I'm taking his place here and he's going to the hospital." I explained in a low tone, having me see Babe look over at me with hesitant eyes. He knew Doc too, since I saw the both of then talk every once in awhile in Bastogne. He took another drag from his cigarette.
"You okay?" Joe asked me, having me look back at him and see him on the top of the bunk, Malarky standing next to him. I could tell he was waiting to see if I too was worn out from what happened. He knew my stubbornness of not getting to a wounded soldier in time, and last night was a bit of a setback for me.
"I'll get by." I merely replied, having me see him watch me and know that I meant something else in my choice of words. But it was convincing with the others, Malarky looking over at me with worry in his ginger face.
"You don't have to push it you know, Red. You're still trying to recover yourself." He reassured me, but I shook my head as he was trying to have me be held back.
"I'm a Medic, Malarky. This is what I do: help you guys not die." I replied simply, having me see Frank watch me carefully now as Babe closed his eyes in his bunk. I smiled at Malarky, showing them that it was okay for me to be where I am. Malarky already had his own burdens to take on as a sergeant, and who was I to add more to the fire. I moved over to stand next to him, leaning back against the bunk and I could feel Joe leaning up on his bunk with his elbows underneath him. He grabbed some of my loose strands with one of his fingers, having me look forward once more with my own thoughts in my head.
"You want me to cut it for you?" he asked in a soft tone, having me turn my head slightly so I could see him out of the corner of my eye. He was watching me, the brown eyes and skinny faces were there right next to me, though he was still on his bunk that left some distance. His fingers were in my hair, having me nod my head once at him. I knew that he too wanted to talk about what was going on with me, so this was more than just a hair appointment between us. We heard footsteps coming over in our direction, having me see Webster and the new Lieutenant that was talking to Malarky earlier yesterday walk in, both looking rather grave. I watched Webster, seeing him stand over next to me against the edge of the bunk, one arm up on the bunk and his cool blue eyes contrasting against the darkness in the room.
"Jackon's dead." He said aloud, his cool tone was cutting through the sick atmosphere that was already there.
"Yeah, we heard." Joe replied back to him, no longer bitter but showing some kindness to him as he took a drag from his own cigarette. Frank took a long drink from his cup tin, looking rather quiet as he finally spoke up.
"They want another patrol tonight." Frank replied, aloud, having me close my eyes in both grief and frustration. But it was short lived as I saw the Lieutenant look over at me now, the fresh face amongst the veterans.
"Are you one of the Medics here?" He asked me, his voice was trying to sound kind but he was clearly confused. We all looked over at him, me as well, as he was waiting for some kind of answer. But I could tell, from the look on the other men's faces, he was not too liked around here. I was about to answer when Joe spoke up in my favor.
"Yeah, she is. One of our Combat Medics for our company, along with Doc." he replied in a cool tone, though I could tell it was on borderline annoyance. I wanted to reach up and take his hand in mine to calm him down, but I could't move from my spot.
"Oh, I didn't see you down there last night when we came back.." He trailed off, having me see the fuming anger that was threatening to slowly come over Malarky as he faced him off now, his position was making him the better man now.
"She was helping out at the hospital, Lt. Jones. There was nothing that could have been done for Jackson." Malarky replied back to him, his voice too was on the brink of anger as he was watching him. I felt out of place with the conversation that was happening, since I wanted to go back to the hospital or at least get out of the room. Anything to not be in this room now.
"I'm going for a walk," I said aloud, looking back at Joe from my spot against the bunk, "See you tonight for the haircut." He nodded his head, his eyes were still on Jones as I walked past them all and went into the hallway.
"I'll come with you." Webster called out after me, jogging up to catch up with me. I only looked at him, no need to have a smile on my face as we were going down the stairs together.
"Needin' some fresh air?" I asked him in a grin as I went down every step.
"That and I can't stand that guy." Webster replied, having me grin slightly from my spot. Finally, something we can agree on.
We all sat together in the same area as the night before, the group of men was figuring out what to do next when night came over us. The mood was no longer light, nor did it have any kind of sense of hope. They were all working on their weapons and getting them ready as Martin looked on, his face looked like he would rather get punched in the gut than to go out again. Webster was next to him as I was on his other side near Lieutenant Jones, repacking my satchel to find something else to do with my hands as Archer was at my feet, gnawing at a old bone that I found for him from one of the kitchens at the hospital. It seemed so simple for us in that moment and in that room.
"Whatcha lookin' at, Webster?" We heard the silence was grown from the bitter tone that came from Cobb, who was leaning against on of the brick walls and was staring at Webster with such hate and annoyance. He was holding a bottle in hand, clearly drunk as I looked over at Webster from my spot. He was staring back, a little shocked that he was called out, but then he looked down and I heard Cobb scoff.
"Yeah, that's what I thought, college boy." Cobb replied in a huff, looking as if he would rather be somewhere else than there. I stayed quiet, thinking this was not my battle. Jones looked over at him clearly not having him get away with it as I watched with my eyes, not moving for one second.
"Are you drunk, trooper?" He asked with his voice low and filled with authority.
"Leave me alone." Cobb replied, now sounding bitter and miserable.
"Answer the question."
"Yes sir I am drunk, sir," He replied in a huff, having me see his eyes were bloodshot and his body language looked sloppy, "Drunk, sick and tired of these fucking patrols, taking orders…"
"Hey, Cobb. Shut up. It's boring, okay?" Martin asked him, he too was trying to keep his composure. Even having an annoyed smirk on his face as he face him now instead of away from him. Cobb only smiled, looking off on his own as I carefully placed my satchel down on the table, folding my hands and waiting to see what he was going to do next.
"Takin' his side, Johnny?" He asked now, his voice was a bit higher. Martin looked back at us at the table, no longer at Cobb.
"Yeah, I am." He replied, nodding his head. Cobb took another swig from his bottle, then breathing out heavily as he looked back at Webster. I was quite proud of Webster staying calm throughout the whole awkward situation as he the now going to let him have it.
"I don't see why you need to be here, since you clearly weren't there back in the fucking cold weather and freezing your ass off with us. You were clearly so nice in your own bed, filled with food and not having to worry about being dead." He barked at him, still having me watch Webster next to me and slowly placing a hand on his arm to show him that I was next to him in case he needed someone.
"You know why I'm here, Cobb. So say it." Webster replied back to him, having me hear Cobb laugh a drunken laugh and my own anger with the kid was rising up through my skin.
"Oh, don't be a bitch about it." Cobb mumbled, which made me silent long enough. He had no right to talk to Webster, to lash out on him.
"Quit it Cobb, go cool off outside before you embarrass yourself even more," I warned him, having me see his eyes shift over to me and a sneer on his face then.
"This coming from the bitch who decided to run out like an idiot to grab a stupid bag. Suck that you didn't get hit, eh?" He said back in a challenging tone. Everything then moved real quick, making the mood more hostile than ever, Martin immediately whirled around within a second as I saw Webster about to sit up and yell at him. He was midway up from his chair when I stopped him, seeing nothing come out of his mouth. I grabbed Webster's jacket and kept him still, though he was still fuming through his calm eyes as Martin glared at Cobb.
"You shut your trap, Cobb. Leave La Noux out of whatever the Hell is crawling up your ass." Martin warned him, his voice was now at a good booming level as I could feel Webster shaking slightly from the anger that was seeping through him as I held his jacket. I tugged him down slowly, Cobb still watching me as I was still on his radar. Webster reluctantly sat back down, making fists on the table and trying so hard not to punch him.
"Don't think you can be safe with all these men around." He replied in a lower tone, having me watch Martin as he kept his mouth shut. I glared back at Cobb, since he had a lot of nerve to say something like that, sober or drunk. He didn't have to take out his aggression on me and that was night right in my book.
"I'd say the same for you. Who knows where I'll be when the next time you scream out for help." I said slowly, having me get up from my spot and grab my satchel, not wanting to be in this room anymore. Archer looked up at me as I moved away from the table.
"Come on boy." I urged him, Archer following me and we both left the room that was still quiet. I was never keen with Cobb to begin with since he was always so short with people and arrogant in his own way. But this was the stopping point since he said that to me and had no remorse on his face.
I needed air. I needed Joe.
Walking out of the area and down the street, I pulled the jacket closer to my chest and I could hear Archer behind me, keeping up with his ever growing legs and his panting in the chill air. There was nothing else to be heard, having me see a faint light going on at the end of the street at what looked like was a little chapel. I walked over there since I had nothing else to do for the night and we weren't going to be doing anything anytime soon. The sky was getting darker and darker with the sun hiding behind the winter clouds, tinting the sky pink and light purple with the darker blue. I wondered who was at the chapel, and I just needed to go in and pray. I needed prayer for the fact that I wanted to punch Cobb right in the mouth for what he was doing to not only me but the rest of Easy.
I approached the chapel, which looked like a hole in the wall kind of place and the tainted glow was inside behind the stained glass windows. Carefully I opened the door, hearing the door creak as I moved it to have me go inside. It was a bit warmer, but not too much as I saw what was inside, Archer poking his own head in as well. There were only a few pews there, the floor was dusty and had some mud tracks from people coming in. Candles were lit at the altar and there was a statue of the Virgin Mary right at the front near the kneeling section, having me walk in carefully and look to see who was in here. I saw that it was Doc, sitting in the third pew on the right side. But he wasn't alone, having me see that Malarky was there too, along with Luz and Frank. Lastly, was Joe, who was sitting against the pew on the end with his feet up and his head resting against the backrest and his eyes were closed. Doc was sitting straight up, facing the front and not moving as the others look more like they were lounging about. There was a local there, at the piano, not saying a word but playing the piano softly in the chapel and bringing the place a sense of peace from where I was.
Slowly I walked over, having my boots be the only thing behind heard, other than the clatter of Archer's collar against his fur. Luz looked up and over, having me see bags under his eyes and he looked so worn out. He smiled at me, having me smile back at I walked over to stand right behind Doc, resting my hands on his shoulders and seeing him jerk a bit from the new touch. The piano was still being played, still so soft and so soothing to my ears.
"You okay Doc?" I whispered though my voice rang in the small chapel.
"Yeah, thanks Gingembre." Doc replied with his voice was low and deep as usual. I squeezed his shoulders, feeling him roll them in reaction and I then moved away from him over to Joe. Joe opened his eyes and smiled at me as I was looking over him, seeing his face looking right up at me as he was leaning over the armrest, the brown hair he had was falling over his forehead.
"What are you boys doing in here?" I asked him aloud, seeing him shrug his shoulders. I fished out the chocolate that I had in my satchel as he started to speak.
"We were sick of the bickerin'. Doc suggested the chapel for some peace and quiet." He explained, having me walk around him and sit next to him on the pew. I nodded my head, "Plus the local in here was playin' and it sounded nice. Better than hearing all of the racket." I handed him a piece of chocolate from his spot and he started to eat it upside down, a big grin on his face now as I ate my own piece.
"No kidding. Everyone out there is at their wits end with each other and it's making me sick." I said in a groan, rubbing my eyes and having me hear a small chuckle from Luz on the other side of the chapel.
"I think we could all use a stiff drink." he commented aloud as the piano changed to a new tune, almost like a hymn.
"Even in the Lord's House?' Frank asked, a bit surprised from the mere thought. I looked over at Luz, giving Frank a serious look on his face to show that he was not, in fact, joking.
"Not even kidding over here Perconte." He replied, having me chuckle from my spot as Frank rolled his eyes.
"Way to keep it saint-like, Luz." Frank grumbled as we were content in our own spots again.
"All I know is when this whole war is over, I'm going to drink myself to sleep since I have missed having a beer or two. Heaven knows we deserve to have more drinks than we can muster." Luz said in an amusement manner, having me see Joe grin from his own spot. But then Joe moved, having me be taken by surprise as he moved his head to the opposite direction: my lap. He hung his legs over the armrest, having the legs dangle as his head was back on my lap and his handed folded on his chest. I was a bit taken back from this action, but then again I doubted anyone in the chapel would really be put off from this gesture. So, after a moment to being hesitant, I ran one of my hands against his hair, the fingers going through the locks and having me see a small smile on his face in return from the maneuver I was doing on his head. I handed him another piece of chocolate, having me grin at him as he was eating it and some of the crumbs falling on my lap.
"I miss having gumbo on Sunday Nights." I said aloud, without even thinking about it. I did though, since my mother's was the best that I have ever had.
"Gumbo? Really? Of all things to miss about home, you had to miss gumbo?" Luz asked me in amazement as I looked over at me with a big grin on my own face. Frank was giggling from his own seat, and Doc only smile widely for once since I came into the chapel.
"You don't understand, Luz. My mother made the best kind." I urged him, stilling running my fingers in Joe's hair as he hummed with his head still in my lap.
"Hey, don't push it on that subject there. My mother makes a mean gumbo." Doc said in a playful tone, having me smirk at him as Luz eyed me.
"Never had the stuff, but is it good enough for me?" he asked, pointing to himself as he was seeing what gumbo was like.
"One of the best things ever on this planet is what it is," I explained to him some more, "Spicy and savoring with every bite of chicken and sausage in it." I closed my eyes for a brief moment before I looked over at Luz, who was watching me with his chin on the top of the pew.
"How about this, you should make us some after the war when we all come over to your place and party it up for you!" he said in a grin, having me laugh and nod my own head.
"It's a deal. Ya'll are more than welcome to come over to my part of the world and see what's it like. I think it's more up your alley anyways, Luz." I replied back, hearing him chuckle as we went back to silence one more, the group of us there in the church and having nothing else to say or to joke on. I could tell, come the way our bodies were molded against the pews and how our faces were projection what we were feeling in our hearts, that we were slowly suffering from the inside out.
"You wanna know why I like churches so much?" I asked aloud, not realizing that I did such a thing. No one spoke at first, having me go on with my own rant as I was now gazing the stain glass windows that were along the chapel and the small amount of light from the outside world creeping in, "It's not because of God and His presence here. I think of a place like this as…safe. Somewhere that you can't be touched by anything as vicious and cruel as war. There's nothing stained in a place like this, nothing that brings fear or pain to someone. This place….it makes me feel completely safe." It was true, all that I said. There was never one moment that I felt unsafe being inside a chapel or a sanctuary. There was always a sense of peace or safety that came over me as I then heard another new tune from the local, who was still too occupied with our conversation to look over his shoulder at us.
But I knew this tune, I knew it from a long time ago with my grandmother. She played it once or twice before when we were at parties or during the celebration of Christmas.
"I know this tune," Luz said aloud, having me look over at him as he stared at the local playing the piano, his voice was no longer filled with jokes or banter, but it was soft and peaceful. A small smile was on his face, as if he was reliving a memory, "I've heard it before."
"Ave Maria." I replied, having me see Joe look up at me from his position on my lap.
"You know that song?" he asked me, having me smile down at him before looking ahead again at the windows in front of me.
"My grandmother would play it ever once in awhile when we would visit her house." I explained to him, seeing him still watch me from my corner of my eye.
"I remember this song when I was a kid," Frank said suddenly, breaking his own silence, "My old man and mom wanted me to sing this song with my church one time for Christmas. Never really thought of the song before that, how much it meant to my family and the church." He looked dazed as we were listening to the song ourselves. I felt as though a wave of peace was coming over each of us then, just hearing how the music of the piano was flushing over our ears and our heads as I felt the need to start singing with the song.
"Ave Maria Gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Maria, gratia plena
Ave, ave dominus Dominus tecum
Benedicta tu in muli eribus
Et benedictus Et benedictus fructus
ventris Ventris tuae, Jesus Ave Maria"
My voice rang in the chapel with the piano, and no one else said a word. There was no need for words, none at all. We were at peace again, the small group of us in the town that was ripping our souls apart.
We all walked over to the vehicle that was going to take us out of the city, having me rearrange the satchel that I was wearing and move my hair out of my eyes. The morning was fresh and new for us as we were about to move out and away from the heated hate that was being felt throughout this city and within its walls. I felt the need of wanting to have some kind of fresh air around us as I approached the vehicle that I saw Joe was in. He smiled at me, sitting on the every edge of the vehicle as I stood in front of him on the ground floor.
"I got a spot for you, up here." He said to me pulling me up with his hand into the car. I scooted over to sit next to him, having me see him smirk at me as we were sitting so close together. Some of the days that were close like this was hard for me since I wanted to kiss him. But we both knew by now that our love for each other would have to be under wraps until we can at least walk away from the war in peace.
Joe looked over to his other side, I looked over him and I saw Webster approaching with a fresh face. I smiled at him, glad to see that he was okay even after the altercation with Cobb the day before. He approached the vehicle, having me then wait and see what Joe was going to do next with him. But Joe, being the man of surprise that he was, reached down with his hand in the same manner that I did and he helped him up, just in time for the vehicle to start rolling down the path.
It was good to see this change in him, and I was glad for it too, just in time for a change for Easy.
