I came out my tent the next morning to see Henry, Radar,and Trapper grouped around a jeep.
As I got closer, I saw Hawkeye standing up in the jeep, waving like a public figure in a parade. "Good-bye my wonderful followers! You will all get to see me again on Sunday!"
I chuckled to myself. I hoped he was kidding. Otherwise, he really was insane.
I passed Frank and Margaret who were watching with disgust at the scene. "Who does he think he is?" I heard Frank mutter.
By the time I got to the jeep, Hawkeye had settled down.
"Have a good time, Hawkeye," I said.
He leaned over to kiss me on the cheek and said, "You too, lovely. Let's just hope the food in Tokyo is better than what they have here."
I smiled. "That shouldn't be too hard."
He laughed and the jeep started to pull away. As I watched him go, I felt a sinking feeling that this wasn't a good idea.
Don't be silly, I thought. You're just jealous because he's going and you're not.
I realized with a start that Henry, Radar, and Trapper were staring at me. And smiling.
"Hawkeye seems to think you're something special," Radar commented. "Not that you aren't or anything..."
I shook my head. "Oh no. He treats all the nurses like that."
Henry laughed and walked away with Radar.
"But he does!" I turned to Trapper. "Doesn't he?"
Trapper had his head tilted to one side with a small smile on his face. He abruptly turned away and walked towards the mess tent.
I was about to chase after him when I heard approaching footsteps. It was Frank and Margaret.
"What do you think you're doing, Winifred?" Frank demanded. "Flirting in public? Disgraceful!"
He doesn't realize how obvious he and Margaret are. What a hypocrite.
"Don't blame Belle, Frank," Margaret put her hand on Frank's shoulder. "It's that miscreant Pierce's fault. Belle was only trying to be civil and wish him a good trip and he had to go make a scene."
We made a scene?
"If that awful man or any of his friends bother you, don't hesitate to tell us. Don't let them get you in trouble."
"Uh, okay," I quickly turned around and headed towards the mess tent. Why would I want to get Hawkeye in trouble? Besides he didn't bother me. Not one bit. But Frank and Margaret wouldn't know that.
But as I thought of how Trapper acted that morning, I wondered if not everyone was quite as clueless.