Missing you : Chapter 5 : Kate part 3
RAAF Base Amberley, Brisbane, Queensland, late April, 2003
As the Hercules made its approach to land, Kate coughed hard twice. Her chest muscles tightened immediately and she struggled to breathe.
Kate coughed again but this time so much harder and this time something was spat into her palm.
A bloody mess of froth filled her palm.
She couldn't breathe.
Panic rose.
Kate felt faint, flailing her broken arm against the side of the equipment, pain shot up her elbow, shattering the plaster and tears welled.
The pulse oximeter alarm beeped loudly and the red light began flashing followed closely by the blood pressure monitor.
Patrick Friedrich unlocked his seat belt immediately and rushed to Kate's side. The doctor was soon by her side too. They saw the blood on her face and hand and the numbers on her monitors.
Respiratory distress and bleeding.
They had to act quickly. In seconds, they started to stabilize Kate, applying oxygen and the necessary drugs.
The loadmaster told the pilot to have the ambulance ready and waiting where they stopped.
The other patients, nurses and doctors watched and prayed.
The screech of the tyres and the violent bump indicated that the plane landed.
Patrick used suction to remove some of the bloody froth from her lungs.
Soon Kate stabilized and Patrick sighed with relief.
The doctor bent down and asked Kate, "Do you have anyone meeting you?" Her NOK would have to be told and to meet them at the hospital
Kate shook her head. She had no idea where her mother was and nor did she care and so as far as she knew she had no relatives in Australia. It would be even doubtful if she'd have anyone visit her in hospital. All her friends were on ships or not in Queensland.
The doctor gently rested his hand on her shoulder, reassuring her, seeing the distress on her face. "Okay. You'll be fine."
Brisbane Private Hospital, Brisbane, Mid May, 2003
Kate had never slept so much or watched so much TV before in her life, but she had very little else she could do. She felt so weak, becoming breathless just walking around the ward once.
After she'd spent two weeks in Princess Alexandria Hospital's ICU with complications from her blast lung injury, she'd been transferred to the Brisbane Private Hospital a week ago to a very nice private room, alone and with a different name.
The Federal Government were worried about her privacy and about public opinion. Badly injured soldiers and sailors returning from the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan were bad for the person involved, their loved ones and for the government and part of her wondered if it made it so much worse because she was a wounded female sailor. She'd have thought you should care equally if the wounded person was male or female. Kate thought it was a ridiculous ruling but there had been very little she could do.
And so for now she was Laura Scott. Only her doctor and her day nurse knew her real identity and profession.
She'd flicked channels until she found the Discovery Channel and a documentary on the Aztec Pyramids.
A knock on the door interrupted the gruesome details of human sacrifice.
Kate looked up. "Enter."
Two men walked in.
Kate knew straight away they were military even though they were dressed casually. It wasn't only their haircuts, it was the way they carried themselves. Kate sat up but grimaced as she'd put weight on her still weak left arm.
Alan Bradley held his hand up. "Please, Lieutenant, stay where you are." Alan had read Lt. McGregor's personal file, amazed at what she'd gone through.
Kate flopped back down, pain surging up her arm.
"I'm Commander Bradley and this is Major Warrick," said Alan, and then stepped forward, showing her his ID.
Jim Warrick did the same.
"Sirs," Kate replied. The major was a padre. Why was a padre here? Her first thought had been the Anzac and her crew mates. "The Anzac?" She shuddered to think what could've happened.
"The ship and all the crew are fine." Alan said.
Relief flowed through Kate. Her ship and crew were okay. But there was still something sombre about these two officers.
Giving people bad news was one of the most difficult aspects of Alan's job, but he found getting straight to the point worked the best. Alan said solemnly, "Lieutenant, it is my unfortunate duty to inform you that your mother passed away. Please accept the condolences from us and the Navy."
Kate's eyebrows drew together. "My mother?" She hadn't seen her since she left home for ADFA. Her mother hadn't called, written or seen her since. And Kate hadn't tried to contact her either, wanting nothing to do with her.
"Yes, I'm afraid."
"Sir, what happened?"
Jim looked worried. There was no mum, no sadness, no grief, just confusion. Grief affected people in some many different ways, but she spoke like she wanted a sitrep.
Alan looked at Jim, who shrugged, indicating he should answer. "She died nearly three weeks ago in Perth and was buried a week later."
Tears of relief welled in her eyes. "Good." She was very pleased that she didn't need to go to her mum's funeral and pretend. Her mother had been one in name only.
"Lieutenant?" Jim asked.
Kate's anger rose. She'd worked so hard to rid herself of her mother. "I know I shouldn't feel this way but I don't really care. My mother abused me. Emotionally. Psychologically. You name it, she did it!"
Jim closed his eyes and offered a quick prayer for this obviously suffering woman. "I'm so sorry."
"Look, Padre, I don't want your sympathy!"
Alan shuffled his feet. No wonder McGregor had acted like she had.
Clenching her fist, Kate was frustrated about being stuck in a bed, unable to move, still too sick to look after herself.
After a few deep breaths, she regained control. "Major Warrick, I apologize for my behaviour. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"Lieutenant, I understand," empathised Jim, taking at his card and placing it on the table. "Call if you want to talk."
"Thank you, sir." Kate closed her eyes for a moment. She knew she'd have to talk with someone. A padre was probably better than a shrink. "I think I will."
Nodding and after saying goodbye, Jim and Alan left.
Kate resumed watching Aztecs slaughtering their prisoners as if nothing happened.
HMAS Waterhen, Waverton, Sydney, February, 2004
Heading for the officer's mess for a drink, Kate smiled.
After work, she'd swam three kilometres in the swimming pool, impressed that her time had been just a few seconds short of her personal best. It had taken many months to regain normal lung function and her hearing. Kate had put in the hard yards in the gym and in the pool, working harder than ever. She wanted to get back on a ship and to do that she had to fit for sea duty. She was well on the way of achieving her goal. The test would be in two days time.
Collecting her wine, she sat down watched the sun go down over the beautiful Ocean.
"Kate," Judith Jarvis said.
"Hi Judith," Kate replied. Judith had become her tormentor and virtual torturer. She was a PTI and what was worse was that she was a qualified physio which meant she had a qualification to back up her torture.
"How was your day?"
"Boring. Just the usual paper shuffling." Kate sipped her drink before asking, "You?"
"I've got a new exercise for you to try."
Kate groaned. Sometimes she wondered how Judith got into the Navy. She was a sadist, taking unnatural pleasure in causing her pain.
Judith laughed. In the three months that they'd known each other, Kate had impressed her with her willingness to do what ever it took to get back to full fitness. Judith had worked with the hard nuts over in Campbell Barracks and Kate would give them a run for their money.
The two ladies settled in for the night.
The mess got louder the longer the night went on.
Kate went to the bar to collect the next round. "Another two whites please."
The barmen nodded and then went to fridge.
Lieutenant Sean Talbot staggered up to the bar. He'd seen Kate around the gym and pool and liked what he saw, despite all the scars. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
More than a little annoyed, Kate ignored him and tried to return to her table.
A hand on her shoulder prevented her.
She turned toward and glared at Sean. Over his shoulder, Kate could his friends sniggering and pointing.
Sean pulled her toward him, his around her back, holding her close and whispered, "I wonder what else you're hiding."
"Remove your hand now." Kate threatened.
"I like a bit of fight in – "
Before Sean knew it his arm was painfully twisted up behind him and his face was being pushed into the bar. "Arghhh!"
Judith stood up, ready to help.
Sean's mates quietened down quickly.
Sean gritted his teeth. "I must be pissed if I wanted a scarred woman like you."
"Touch me again and you'll be up on charges." Kate twisted his arm just a little more for good measure before she released him. Perhaps Judith was right. Men just f*cked with your head too much.
The barman, Tom, asked, "Do you want me to clean up this rubbish, Kate?"
"Yes, thank you." Holding her wine, Kate walked back toward Judith.
Glaring at her, Sean rubbed his arm.
Four days later, HMAS Waterhen, Waverton, Sydney, February, 2004
Standing at ease, Kate was worried as she waited for Commander Addington to return to his office.
The ache grew in her left arm, rubbing it slowly as she thought about her predicament.
For the first time in her naval career, she thought she might be in trouble because she knew she should've reported the incident, but hadn't. She wasn't sure why she hadn't. It probably had something to do with her having been a little tipsy and he'd been very drunk. She'd attacked a fellow officer. Provocation was no excuse.
The door opened and Paul Addington walked in.
Kate came to attention and saluted.
Paul returned the salute. "Lieutenant McGregor, please sit down."
Kate removed her cover and sat down.
"You passed the fit for sea PT test so Surface Force wants you back." Paul had read the glowing reports from the XO and from Lieutenant Jarvis. Paul had always accepted that her shore posting was only ever going to be temporary until she'd completely recovered from her injuries.
"Sir?" Kate couldn't believe it. She'd been expecting a rocket up her bum.
"You've been assigned to Fleet Base East and HMAS Parramatta."
Kate was elated. She'd be going back to sea.
"The X has your orders." Paul stood up and thrust out his hand. "Good luck, Kate."
"Thank you, sir." Kate shook his hand and left feeling incredibly happy.
TBC