Chapter 11: The Root of the Problem
The Rat Patrol was making its way back to base after a week in the desert spreading alarm and despondency among the Germans, especially Captain Dietrich. They didn't envy him trying to explain to his commanding officers how he had lost yet another supply convoy to the Americans. How could two jeeps and four men be so successful in their missions and cause so much damage?
Moffitt had been observing Tully for several days. The private had been unusually quiet which was sometimes hard to tell since he was quiet a great deal of the time. Something was wrong and the Englishman was worried his driver was having a problem but as of yet, he hadn't been able to discern exactly what that problem could be. They had found a place to take a break within a rocky formation and the two privates were busy servicing the jeeps.
"Have you noticed anything wrong with Tully? Moffitt asked Troy who was enjoying a cigarette while keeping watch.
"Can't say that I have," Troy replied. "What do you think?"
"I'm not sure," Moffitt said thoughtfully. "Something's off but I don't know exactly what's going on. He's been very quiet and just grunts an answer when I ask a question."
"Sounds par for the course for Tully," Troy remarked releasing a trail of smoke.
"He hasn't had a matchstick in his mouth all day," Moffitt reported.
"What?" Troy was taken by surprise. "I would say that's a very good sign that something's wrong. Have you questioned him?"
"Not yet," Moffitt said. "I was hoping he would speak up about whatever is troubling him."
"Tully?" Troy was amused. "How long have you been riding with him? That isn't very likely." he dropped the cigarette butt and covered it with sand. "He can get shot and not say a word until the unit is out of danger. He's not one to speak up if he has a problem."
"I know," Moffitt sighed. "Maybe once we've eaten, he'll be more receptive to my questions."
"Until then, you brood, and I'll start to stew about it," Troy teased, and Moffitt smiled. They looked down where Hitch was setting up the camp stove while Tully finished adding water to the radiators.
"If Hitch is cooking, it should be good," Troy commented, and Moffitt nodded. They noticed Hitch was chatty as usual, but Tully was only grunting or giving monosyllabic answers.
"What's going on with you?" Hitch finally asked his friend.
"Nothing," Tully replied rubbing his jaw.
"Are you okay?" Hitch was adding some spices to the ham and lima beans he was heating. Tully shrugged and Hitch continued, "Why are you rubbing your jaw?"
"Wasn't," Tully answered. "Just need a shave."
Hitch was skeptical. Tully's beard growth was no more than usual when they had been in the desert a few days. Some mornings they had the opportunity to shave and some days they didn't. Hitch knew Tully well enough to know something was wrong, but his quiet friend wasn't ready to share.
Hitch took a plate to Troy. He confided his observations to the sergeant who shared Moffitt's concerns as well.
"See if you can get him to open up," Troy said. "Between you and Moffitt, maybe he'll let us in on the secret."
"Sure, Sarge." Hitch returned to the stove and served up dinner for his teammates. They sat together and noticed Tully wasn't eating much.
"Don't care for my cooking?" Hitch asked with a grin.
"What?" Tully asked absently. "No, it's good. I don't seem to be very hungry." He reluctantly took another bite before dropping his plate as he gasped and held his jaw.
"Toothache?" Moffitt guessed and Tully nodded, pain etched on his face "How long has this been going on?"
"Couple of days," Tully admitted. "I kept hoping it would go away."
"You didn't break a tooth, did you?" Hitch was concerned.
"No, it started as a dull ache but the pain's getting sharper." Tully explained.
"Sounds like you may have a cavity," Moffitt stated, and Tully nodded in agreement. "I recommend you see the dentist when we get back to base."
Tully shook his head and grimaced. "No thanks," he murmured.
"Are you afraid to go to the dentist?" Hitch accused.
"No," Tully was obviously not telling the truth.
"No one actually likes going to the dentist, but it is necessary," Moffitt remarked.
"I like going to my dentist," Hitch spoke up enthusiastically. "He has a very pretty brunette assistant. She sure made my appointments bearable during the years I had braces. She smelled really good and when she leaned over, well, enough said." Both Moffitt and Tully smiled and shook their heads.
"You must get it checked out," Moffitt insisted, otherwise it will continue to get worse and could become infected."
"I don't like the sound of the drill," Tully admitted. "It really grates on my nerves."
"But if you don't get it taken care of, the nerve in your tooth will become exposed and that pain will send you through the roof," Hitch was a fount of information.
"Don't care," Tully muttered. "No dentist."
"Ah, come on Tully," Hitch wheedled. "I've seen you not flinch when Doc has dug shrapnel out of your arm. You can't be afraid of a little tiny drill." Tully answered with a glare.
"Not afraid," Tully rubbed his jaw again. "Just nervous."
"Still, you will see the dentist when we get back," Moffitt said sternly. "We need you as a part of our team."
"You wouldn't kick me off the team because of a toothache," Tully spoke his first full sentence of the day.
"We'll have to if it gets infected," Moffitt explained.
"You've got to get that tooth fixed Tully," Hitch was adamant. "We're not a team without you." Tully was still reluctant but made his decision.
"All right," he agreed. "if I have to."
"Good lad," Moffitt replied and went to the jeep for the med kit. He handed two aspirin to Tully saying, "Try to let them dissolve on the tooth. It should help with the pain."
"Thanks, Doc," Tully helped Hitch clear away from the meal. As they were packing the equipment back into the jeep, Tully sheepishly asked, "Will you come with me, Hitch? Talk to me if they have to use that drill?"
"Sure, Tully," Hitch assured him with a smile.
"Thanks," Tully whispered.
They reached the base several hours later and with an order from Captain Boggs, Tully went to the head of the line for the dentist. Hitch stuck with him and talked to him throughout the ordeal.
"That wasn't so bad. The procaine took the edge off the pain" Tully admitted as they left the dental office and met up with Moffitt and Troy.
"I told you," Hitch affirmed.
"It's just the noise," Tully said awkwardly. "It sends shivers up my spine."
"I understand," Hitch responded. "But I'm glad you got to the root of your problem. The three others groaned, and Troy swiped at his driver with his slouch hat.