A couple of side notes:
1. The name of Carter's mistress, Raquel, is pronounced: RAH-Kell.
2. Peeps, the popular Easter marshmallow candy, was invented in 1953. They are so colorful and tasty, that I had to incorporate them into the story.
3. The egg hunt part was added since it is Easter and all.
After struggling with how to start this chapter, it's finally up. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Nighttime fell in the hospital, and Gomer spent the last few hours of the night just reading his books to distract himself from his asthma. Sergeant Carter had visited him a while ago, spending two hours together before the Sergeant had to go back to his barracks. He figured since he was alone, the Private caught up on his books before he went to sleep. The thought of him having asthma began to stress him out that it started to give him a headache. What damage could asthma do? Would it prevent him from working at the filling station again? Would he be discharged from the Marines? What would Sergeant Carter eventually think of him? Hell, would this eventually drive Sergeant Carter away? The Private placed his book on the nightstand, then laid his head on the pillow. He started thinking about the disadvantages of having asthma. Suddenly, he broke out of his thoughts when his nurse knocked on the door.
"Gomer, it's time for your oxygen," she happily told him.
"Oh, thank you, Nurse Katie," Gomer responded, sweetly.
Gomer sat up, allowing Nurse Katie to come in to give him his oxygen. Nurse Katie was a tall, slender, beautiful dark skinned woman with a lovely smile. She had tended to Gomer the night he was rushed into the hospital, and looked out for him since. She put on his mask, then turned on the machine. This went on for a couple of minutes. Once Nurse Katie was done giving Gomer oxygen, she felt his forehead.
"Are you okay?" She asked him. "You feel a little warm."
Gomer nodded his head, "Just a wee bit stressed."
Nurse Katie took out her thermometer to take Gomer's temperature. When a few moments passed, she took out the thermometer, and saw that his temperature went up a little.
"Hmm…your temperature went up. Don't stress out. That's how you can get a fever."
"Oh, Nurse Katie, we don't want that. I remember having a fever as a youngling, and Grandma Pyle put me in an ice bath until I was cool to the touch again. It was not a fun time, not one bit!"
The story made Nurse Katie chuckle. She patted his hand, and told him, "Well, just get some sleep, sweetie. Try not to worry about anything. If you need anything just call me."
"Thank you, Nurse Katie. I might need an extra blanket. I'm feeling cold."
Nurse Katie smiled at him, then walked out of the room. Once she was out of sight, Gomer laid his head back down on the pillow. He broke out of his happy, go-lucky demeanor, back to feeling worried and disquiet.
*GC*
It was only 9:15 PM, and Carter was finishing the last of the paperwork. However, his mind kept dancing to the thought of Gomer. He found himself smiling to himself from time to time. He once again brushed his knuckle around his lower lip, longing to kiss the Private's soft, lips again, to run his fingers through that thick, chocolate colored hair…to just be with him.
"You okay, Vince?" A voice asked.
Startled, Carter jumped in his seat and saw Boyle standing at the door.
"Why are you sneaking up on me?" Carter asked him as his heart beat uncontrollably.
"I just happened to walk in and find you daydreaming! Relax!" Boyle cried out.
Carter rolled his eyes. Boyle took a seat at his desk, asking Carter, "How's Pyle?"
"Much better now, Thank God. He should be back tomorrow." Carter responded.
"That's good to hear," Boyle muttered. "I'm glad he's doing better. He's a tough one that Pyle."
Silence fell amongst the two. Deciding the change the subject, the Corporal spoke again to the Sergeant, "So are you going to tell me?"
"Tell you what?" Carter was getting irritated, constantly being distracted.
"That drawing you did...since when are you an artist?" Boyle asked.
"I told you it was nothing!" Carter snapped.
"Are you sure? Because all the years I've known you..."
"Chuck, it's nothing! Now will you please stop!" Carter yelled.
"Alright, sorry! I just think it's a shame you have to waste your talents." Boyle replied, defensively.
Silence fell again. Feeling bad he snapped, Carter decided to speak up, "Sorry, Chuck."
"Nothing I'm not used to," Boyle stated.
Sighing out of frustration, Carter explained, "If you must know, I used to draw and paint a lot, mostly paint. It was a hobby of mine; I got a full ride to art school, but I turned it down to join the Marines. After Korea, I gave up on art. Just recently, I started to pick it up again."
Taking one of the crumpled papers out of the trash. He un-crumpled the paper, revealing the gazebo drawing, "From what I can see, I still got it."
Boyle smiled at him. He had no idea that the Sergeant had a hidden talent in art.
"Like I said before, it's a shame you feel the need to hide your talent. You should frame that picture. I really like it." Boyle responded.
"Maybe it'll be your early Christmas gift, Chuck." Carter joked.
Boyle scoffed, then shook head, "Thank you, Vince. You don't have to. Oh, by the way, you got a call earlier. From Raquel?"
"Raquel?" Carter asked.
"The woman you had a spontaneous one-night stand with?" Boyle reminded him.
"What did you say?" Carter asked.
"Well…I told her you were out, but I took a message." Boyle handed Carter a slip of paper that contained Raquel's number.
Carter stared at the slip of paper, conflicted. Boyle broke his thoughts, asking, "You going to call her or no?"
Thinking for a moment, Carter figured if he went out on a date with Raquel, it would push his budding feelings for Gomer out of sight and out of mind. Despite his dream of Louie telling him that Gomer was sent to him to make him smile, he had to ignore it. What would anyone think of the Marine Sergeant being in a relationship with one of his men? He had already risked so much when he was with Louie, why would he risk it again? Not thinking, Carter dialed Raquel's number on the phone. This made Boyle surprised and internally disappointed.
"Are you sure you want to do that? I thought you..."
"I'm sure. Besides, what's one drink going to do? I figured since I slept with her, I might as well give her a chance."
Boyle made a face to his Sergeant, which Carter ignored. The Sergeant got two rings before a voice spoke up.
"Hello, Raquel…hey baby, it's Vince Carter from a few nights ago...yeah...yeah...I know...listen, my Corporal said you wanted to see me again...yeah...we can do that tonight I'm free,…okay...see you then..." Carter hung up the phone.
"Well?" Boyle asked.
"We have a date tonight at the Fox Den," Carter told Boyle, as he walked over to his locker.
He opened up his locker, grabbed a bottle of aftershave cologne, dabbing some on himself.
"Are you sure you..." Boyle started to speak before Carter cut him off.
"I'm sure, Chuck. Trust me." Carter stated.
Boyle shook his head, knowing that Carter will regret going on a date with this woman.
*GC*
Driving into town, Sergeant Carter was looking forward to his date. As he drove, he kept thinking about Boyle's reluctance. The voice in his head told him not to do it...he was pretty sure it was Louie telling him.
'Sorry, Louie, but I have to...' Carter said to himself. 'Then again, why do I feel like this is a bad idea?'
Ignoring his internal thoughts, Carter realized he was only two minutes by the bar. Suddenly, the thought of how he was more or so doing this just to get the idea of Gomer out of his head was driving him mad. He couldn't be with another man, let alone the Private! However, whenever he found himself thinking of Gomer, he found himself smiling. Deep down, he missed his presence. He missed the Private's voice. He wanted so much to hold and kiss the sweet Private.
'No...you can't feel like that. When he gets back tomorrow, I have to break it to him that it cannot happen again. You are going out with this woman and you are going to like it.' Carter told himself.
Realizing he just spent an extra ten minutes driving, he missed his stop. Making a turn, Carter drove back to the Fox Den. Once he got there, Carter parked his car. He took one look at himself in the mirror, fixing his hair. Once he looked presentable, he then walked inside, just to find Raquel sitting at the bar, smoking a cigarette. She was dressed in a sexy, tight, low-cut dress, and matching red heels. Carter took one look at the woman, only thinking one thing: she looked edible...stunning. Raquel gave Carter a seductive stare, along with a sexy, flirtatious wink, making him grin ear to ear. He walked towards her, while she sexily greeted him, "Hey, baby. Thought I'd never hear from you again."
Carter chuckled at her, "Well here I am, doll."
As Carter took his seat, Raquel gave him a somewhat annoyed look. He figured she was mad that he was late.
"Sorry, I had trouble parking," He lied.
"Well, I guess I'll forgive you...after you buy us drinks. I'll take a martini, dry." Raquel said to him.
Carter ordered himself a beer, and Raquel her martini. A few seconds later, they got their drinks. Raquel took a sip of her martini, then began to speak, "I'm surprised to see you tonight."
"Well, I wasn't doing anything, so I decided to come out," Carter responded with a shrug while taking a sip of his beer.
"I figured you didn't want to see me again, which is why I'm surprised you came out." Raquel chuckled. "You almost had me thinking you had another girl. Trying to make me jealous?"
Scoffing at her words, Carter replied in a joking manner, "That's exactly what I was trying to do."
The two laughed while taking a sip of their drinks.
"So…tell me about yourself," Raquel asked, as she brushed her fingertips on Carter's arm. "I figured since we've explored one another already, you owe it to me to tell me about yourself."
Scoffing, Carter started to speak, "How do I start? Well…I was in the Marine since age 17, and my first tour was in Korea. I only joined because my father was a Sergeant when he and my mother met, and that was something I wanted to do. My mother was so dead set on me going to college, which caused us to get into a fight over it. She eventually gave in and let me join the service."
All Raquel did was silently reply, 'Mmm-hmm…' caring-less about anything Carter was saying. He continued to speak, "Before that, I was really into art. I used to paint a lot. My mother has most of my artwork hung up in our house in Wichita. But…after a personal loss while in Korea, I gave up on it completely. I found no reason to keep going on with it…" While speaking, Raquel made flirty eyes with the young bartender, which made Carter annoyed.
"Are you listening to me?" Carter snapped, starling Raquel.
"Yes…sorry…" Raquel chuckled.
"What did I say?" Carter asked.
"You're a Marine and you like baseball," Raquel replied, sipping her martini.
"How old did I say I was when I joined the Marines?" Carter asked her again.
"Uh…I don't know? 20? 21?"
Nodding his head out of annoyance, Carter responded softly, "Yeah…exactly…"
"I'll take another drink, bartender." Raquel smiled at the bartender.
Seeing how she was very easy turned Carter off completely. He ignored that thought, speaking again, "So...you got any plans for Easter? Seeing family?"
"Well, I was going to my sister's, but...I figured since you are in town still...speaking of, why aren't you doing anything?" Raquel asked.
Thinking back, Carter was brought back to the incident with the food bunker, followed by the kiss he shared with Gomer. This made him smile a small smile.
"I was going home to see my mother, but...stuff happened on the base, and plans changed," Carter told her.
"That's a shame. Your mother sounds real nice." Raquel replied.
Carter ignored her, downed his beer, then asked the bartender, "Another, please?"
The night consisted of the two of them talking and laughing, as they drank and ate pretzels. The way Raquel was coming on to Carter made it clear she wanted him again; touching his arm, placing her hand on his inner thigh, taking off her heel, then running her foot along his calf under the table. Taking the hint of her nature, only going along with it to try to push his budding feelings for Gomer out of his head, Carter suggested, "Wanna get out of here?"
With that being said, Raquel obliged. After Carter paid the bill, the two left the bar, driving off to Raquel's apartment, located only fifteen minutes away from the bar. When she opened the door to her place, the pair wasted no time in getting down to business. Carter pressed his body against Raquel's petite frame, kissing her neck, making her gasp in delight, as she felt him pushing his crotch against her.
"Vince..." she moaned out, "bed...now!"
Carter picked up Raquel, making her giggle. She wrapped her legs around his waist, as he carried her into the bedroom. Once in the bedroom, Carter threw Raquel on the bed, then climbed on top of her.
"Come over here..." Raquel whispered, as she pulled Carter towards her.
Chuckling at how forward she was, Carter put his lips against Raquel's, kissing her with passion, while she ran her hands down his back. She proceeded to unbutton the Sergeant's shirt, prompting him to take it off, throwing it off to the side.
"You don't fool around, do ya?" Carter chuckled, between breaths.
Raquel smiled, then took control by turning Carter over, her legs straddling him.
"Shit...you REALLY don't fool around..." Carter was impressed by Raquel's forwardness.
Her lips met his again, soon moving to his neck, while Carter held her thighs. As she kissed his neck, all he could think of was Gomer. It had to be that moment where the sweet Private with the most beautiful smile came to the Sergeant's mind. Raquel stopped kissing Carter for a moment, asking breathlessly, "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. Keep going." Carter whispered.
Raquel complied, while Carter laid there, feeling the lips of a woman he met at a bar on his neck. He was lost in his thoughts of Gomer. Those sweet chocolate eyes came to mind again. Not being able to go through with it, Carter whispered to himself, "What the fuck am I doing?"
As Raquel traced her tongue along his neck, Carter spoke up to her, "Stop...please stop..."
Confused, Raquel looked down at him, moving her hair behind her ears. He gently let her off him, promptly getting off the bed, grabbing his shirt, then buttoning it up.
"I'm sorry." He started. "I can't do this."
"Why, what's wrong?" Raquel asked Carter.
"I...I just have feelings for someone else and I can't do that to them." Carter simply told her, as he fixed up his uniform.
Raquel went from confused to accusatory, "Is this about that old flame you used to go with? Were you just using me?"
Carter didn't answer her. Raquel then came to a realization, "Oh my God…you were using me. Then again, why am I even surprised? You Marines are all the same; pick up a girl, bed her, then dump her off like she's trash. You should know how that makes us feel…"
Her accusations had Carter baffled at first, then he started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" She asked him.
"You." Carter replied, "You practically threw yourself at me the night we met and tonight. You had no problem in opening up your legs for me a second time, and now you have the gall to accuse me of using you. Don't think I didn't see you makin' eyes with the bartender tonight, because I saw…"
"What are you saying?" Raquel asked.
"I'm sayin' I know what kind of dame you are…you're like a used car: so many people have been inside you, and once they get that ride, they never wanted to drive you again. So don't tell me I used you when you pretty much called me just to get your fill again. It isn't a good look on dames like you. Then again, what exactly is?"
Once Carter fixed up his uniform, an enraged Raquel picked up an ashtray that was sitting on her nightstand, and threw it at Carter's head. Thankfully it wasn't heavy enough to give him a concussion, but it left a cut above his eyebrow, injuring him.
"What the fuck, you crazy bitch!" Carter screamed, placing a hand on his forehead, hunched over, wiping blood off his forehead. "Shit…I'm bleeding!"
"You're lucky it wasn't heavy! How dare you speak to me like that!" Raquel screamed, promoting to throw more objects at Carter, such as a hair brush and a vase, smashing it into pieces. "You Marines are all bastards! Each and everyone of you!"
Not wanting to be hit with any more objects, Carter ran out of her apartment while she kept screaming more profane words at him. He made it to his car, driving back to the base. He ignored the blood trickling down his forehead. How could he let himself get into that situation? What a crazy woman! Never would he ever allow that to happen again! Moments later, without realizing it, he made it back to the base, showing his ID to the MP on duty. The MP took notice of the Sergeant's bleeding forehead.
"Geeze, Sergeant! What happened?" The MP asked.
"Don't ask." Carter simply said, then drove away.
Once he parked, he got out of the car, shut the door, and walked to his quarters, towards the back, ignoring Boyle, who was reading a magazine in bed. When doing so, he slammed his hand against the wall, making it to the bathroom to clean up his cut before it got infected. The Sergeant washed the blood off, hissing at the stinging of the pain. After he washed it, he placed antiseptic on the tip of his finger, dabbing it on top of the cut while he cursed under his breath, "Damn it, stupid bitch..."
Boyle got out of bed, walked to the bathroom, then stood at the doorway. He watched as Carter took care of his wound, "The fuck happened to you?"
"To make it short, Chuck," Carter started, "that bitch is crazy, and boy, do I regret ever sleeping with her!"
Taking in his answer, Boyle watched his Sergeant take care of the wound above his eyebrow.
"Okay, then…" was all he could say, before turning around to go back to bed. "Night, Vince!"
Carter ignored Boyle, placing a bandaid on the cut. Once that was taken care of, he stripped out of his khakis, hopped into bed, hoping to sleep off the night.
*GC*
The next day, Duke showed up at the hospital to pick up Gomer, per Sergeant Carter's request. He walked into the room to find his friend still in bed, flushed in the face and fatigued.
"Gome, did you forget, you're coming back today. Why are you still in bed?" Duke asked.
An out of sorts Gomer looked up and saw his friend, "Oh hey, Duke!"
Even while burning up, the Private kept his spirits up for his friend. This made a concerned Duke move closer to Gomer, placing the back of his hand against Gomer's forehead.
"Gomer, you're burning up. Are you okay?" Duke asked, concerned.
"Oh I'm fine...just hot is all," Gomer replied. "Come to think of it, I felt chilly last night that I asked the nurse for an extra blanket."
It then came to Duke's attention.
"Gome, I don't think you can leave. You're running a fever."
"I am?" Gomer responded to Duke's realization. "Well, for heck's sake and shazam! No wonder I felt chilly last night and hot at this very moment. A fever, that explains it all..."
Chuckling lightly, Duke got up from his friend's bed, "Let me go grab a nurse"
Gomer watched as Duke went to find a nurse. A few moments later, Dr. Carrington took Gomer's temperature, putting the thermometer in his mouth, while Duke watched on.
"I wonder what could've caused this fever to happen," Gomer spoke, while the thermometer was still in his mouth.
"I don't know, but please don't talk while the thermometer is in your mouth." Dr. Carrington ordered.
Complying, Gomer didn't speak. Once all ready, Dr. Carrington took the thermometer out of Gomer's mouth and checked out the temperature. He made a face in disgust.
"What does it say, Dr. Carrington?" Gomer asked.
"You have a 102.8-degree fever, Gomer." He replied.
"Shit..." Duke muttered to himself.
"I don't understand. How did this happen?" Gomer asked, with curiosity in his voice.
"Nurse Katie told me you looked stressed last night. You might have stressed yourself out so much that you gave yourself a fever." Dr. Carrington explained. "With asthma, we have to take precautions."
This caught Duke off guard. Gomer stressed? Gomer never got stressed out about anything. He was an overly positive person, to the point where it sickened most of the men on the base. Why would Gomer be stressed? What would he have to be stressed about?
"What does that mean, Doctor?" Gomer asked again, fearing what news he may receive.
"I'm sorry, Gomer, but you're going to have to stay an extra day so your fever can break. You probably won't be released till Easter afternoon. Even so, you'd have to rest up until Monday afternoon."
"Easter Sunday? Golly, I was hoping to do the egg hunt with the other fellas."
"I'm sorry, Gomer." Dr. Carrington responded, genuinely feeling bad.
Before he left, the Doctor turned to Gomer's friend, saying, "Since you are the trusted platoon member, he needs extra clothes to change into. If you can later today, please bring those?"
"Yes, Doctor," Duke replied.
Dr. Carrington walked out of the room, to leave Gomer and Duke alone.
"I'm sorry, pal."
"It's okay, Duke." Gomer faintly smiled. "I was just looking forward to the holiday is all."
Duke nodded his head, understanding his friend's frustration.
"Are you alright? Do you want to talk about what's stressed you out?" Duke asked him.
"Well..." Gomer started, "I was overthinking the idea of me having asthma. It's awful, just awful. What if I won't get to be a Marine anymore?"
Seeing his friend crestfallen about everything made Duke feel for him. Duke smiled, then said to Gomer, "Well...look on the bright side, you won't participate in the Easter egg hunt, which is just basically for the Sergeants to outdo one another by putting the platoons through an unnecessary drill, just to hunt for eggs. Seriously, it's a holiday, and all of this just to find eggs? You would think we were being shipped out to war tomorrow."
Duke chuckled, only receiving a despondent smile from Gomer. It didn't matter what his friend thought of the traditional egg hunt the base had; Gomer was looking forward to it, and he couldn't do it all due to his being in the hospital before a holiday.
"I'm sorry, buddy. I tried to..." Gomer cut Duke off.
"Oh, Duke, don't think I don't understand you wanted to make me smile. I understand, I do. I was just lookin' forward to the egg hunt is hall."
"Yeah..." Duke responded.
Silence fell upon the two friends for a few moments. Gomer broke out of his misery, putting on a gleeful smile to his friend.
"Well, I guess there is a plus side to this." He said.
"Don't tell me..." Duke responded, "the ice cream?"
Gomer laughed, responding, "Well...that's always a good thing, but at night, I get to look at the stars. Just yesterday night, while I couldn't sleep, the stars were so bright in the sky that I couldn't miss them. Don't tell anyone this, but sometimes, I sneak out of the barracks when the sky was clear, and I would just look at the stars. Looking at the stars calms me down. I never told anyone how much I like to look at the stars...until now"
Feeling new to this information, Duke asked, "Funny...I never took you as one to be interested in the stars. God, what is it that doesn't interest you?"
This made Gomer flush even more, adding to the redness on his face from the fever. Duke got up from his seat to leave. He turned to look at his friend, "Listen, pal, I'm going to head back over to the base, get started on my duties, and then bring you clothes. Sound okay?"
"That's fine, Duke," Gomer replied. "I'll just read some, then take a little nap."
"Do you need anything before I leave?" Duke asked.
"If you find Nurse Katie, tell her to get me some water and a cup of tea, please?" Gomer requested.
"You got it, pal," Duke replied, then walked out of the room completely.
*GC*
"Does everyone understand?" Carter finished up the drill for the day with the men on the base. "Hit the showers! Dismissed!"
The men walked out of formation, heading back to their barracks just to get ready to hit the showers. As Carter walked into his barracks, he took a seat at his desk about to start on paperwork. Before he could start, he heard Duke singing The Beach Boys song, 'Good Vibrations' while walking by. Carter noticed Gomer wasn't with him, confused as to why not. He then called out to him, "Hey, Slater?"
Carter got off his chair and stood by the doorway. Duke stopped in his tracks, turning around, to see what his Sergeant wanted, "What's going on, Sergeant?"
"Why the hell isn't Pyle with you?" The Sergeant asked him.
At that moment, the phone rang. Carter picked it up, answering it, "Company B, Sergeant Carter speaking…oh, hi, Dr. Carrington…yes, the other Private was supposed to…a fever…how the hell did he get a fever…he's going to have to stay one more night then, what can we do…well that's great…okay…will do…I will send him out later to do so…"
As Carter hung up the phone, he turned back to Duke, who just responded, "I guess the Doctor beat me to the punch."
"How the hell did Pyle manage to get a fever?" Carter asked, both annoyed and concerned for Gomer.
"He said he stressed himself out to…" Duke cut himself off, noticing his Sergeant's injury, "what happened above your eyebrow?"
Covering his injury with his hand, Carter spoke, "Some crazy broad from last night. Don't worry about it."
Duke chuckled.
"Anyway, go do what you need to do, then bring Pyle his clothes. He's going to have to rest tomorrow, which he isn't going to like." Carter stated, knowing Gomer like a book.
"He already knows that," Duke responded. "Excuse me, Sergeant."
Duke let himself out, while Carter sat at his desk, rubbing his temples
*GC*
The hours passed by, and Gomer slept for most of the day. His fever hadn't gone down yet, but it wasn't as bad as it was before. The moment he woke up, he ate his lunch, then decided to call his grandmother back in Mayberry. Hearing her voice put a smile on his face. His grandma, not only took over as his mother figure after his real mom dropped him off with his grandparents, but she was his best friend. While Grandpa Pyle was working, Grandma Pyle practically raised him.
"Oh I'm feeling better, Grandma…yes, just a small fever…it should be goin' down…no, I'm okay…everyone here is real nice, except the food is bland, it makes me miss your cooking so much…are you sure you will be okay for Easter…yes, but I still feel awful not being there with you…is he really…that's nice of Andy to do that…I'm happy you aren't spendin' Easter alone, I just wish I could be there with y'all…"
The sound of Duke knocking on the door caught Gomer off guard. He gave Duke a look that said, 'Give me a few seconds,' then going back to his conversation, "Listen, Grandma, I gotta go…okay, oh tell Andy and everyone else I say hello…okay…I love you too."
Gomer hung up the phone, then looked up at Duke. The Private's best friend walked in, setting down the bag of clothes he brought for Gomer.
"You still look red, but not as bad, pal," Duke observed Gomer.
"I don't know, Duke. I'm still achin' all over." Gomer explained.
"That's normal. I hate getting fevers." Duke stated, then joked, "If you ever need a preview of death, then get a fever. I told that once to Alana, and she didn't laugh. It hurt my feelings."
Gomer gave a light giggle, then grabbed a glass of water, practically chugging it down to Duke's amazement.
"Someone's thirsty." Duke stated.
"I am. Fevers just make me more thirsty than a 10-mile hike with the platoon. It's not a nice feeling, not one bit." Gomer vented.
Once that glass was finished, Duke filled up another glass of water for his friend, then an idea came to his mind, attempting to cheer his friend up, "You still have the cards I got you? I was hoping you'd be up for a game of Go Fish."
"Why, yes I do," Gomer responded. "They are on top of the nightstand."
Duke grabbed the cards, then began to shuffle, saying in a joking voice, "Okay…ready to kick my ass again?"
Gomer just replied with a sweet smile. The two friends spent almost an hour in a half just playing cards, while Duke threw in some imitations of their platoon mates, just to make Gomer laugh. The one that had Gomer going was Duke's imitation of Humphrey Bogart, which he had down to a T. They were having so much fun, that time seemed to fly by without realizing it. Duke placed his hand down, saying, "You did it again…you beat me in every hand. How are you so good?"
Smiling, Gomer then explained to Duke, "I used to play with Grandpa Pyle a lot. He always taught me to use my poker face, which is not letting…"
"I know what a poker face is, Gome." Duke smiled while nodding.
"Gosh, Duke, I didn't think you did." Gomer chuckled, "So anywho, we used to play so much that I started to beat him in every game. He told me that playin' cards was a basic life skill that I had to know."
"He got that right." Duke joked. "Up for another hand?"
"Nah…I think I'm beat." Gomer responded.
"More like I'm the one who's beat." Duke joked, making them both laugh.
As Duke put the cards away, Gomer started to speak to him, "Hey, Duke…can I trust you with somethin'?"
"Anything. What's going on?" Duke asked, looking up at his friend.
"Well…remember how when I told you Luanne and I broke up?"
"Yeah…what about it? Did you give her a call?" Duke was hoping he didn't.
"No. Not at all. It's somethin' that's been weighing on my chest for a while…" Gomer fumbled with his blanket, sweating without realizing. "You promise not to tell no one?"
"Gome," Duke started, "whatever you have to say doesn't leave this room. Now, what's going on?"
Taking a deep breath in and out, Gomer spoke up, "I never told no one that me and Luanne breaking up was a blessing in disguise. I mean, she was very beautiful, and a sweet enough girl and all, but…I don't think I was truly interested in her."
"Oh…what do you mean by that, Gomer?"
"I mean…I don't think I was ever interested in girls, to begin with. I think I prefer men if I'm being honest with you; I'm only tellin' you this because you're my best friend. I wanted you to be the first to know."
Duke was silent for a moment; he put a hand to his mouth, moving it to his chin. This made Gomer nervous.; so nervous that he felt like panicking, which started to trigger his asthma. Quickly pulling out his inhaler, Gomer turned away to take in two puffs. Turning back to his friend, he saw Duke smirk.
"That's all you had to tell me?" Duke asked.
"Uh-huh…please don't lose any sort of respect for me, because this was a hard thing for me to say and all…"
"Gomer, relax!" Duke exclaimed, adding in a small laugh. "If anything, I kinda knew."
"You know…well, surprise, surprise, surprise! Why didn't you tell me?" Gomer cried out.
"Honestly, it wasn't my business to ask! I didn't let on that I knew because I figured you'd tell me first when you were ready!"
"Oh…" was all Gomer could say.
"And," Duke added, "if you must know, this is between us. This doesn't leave this room. I mean it! Gomer, I will have your back, no matter what. Your secret is safe with me."
Looking at his friend, Gomer expressed tenderness, saying, "You're a real pal, Duke…the best."
Duke nodded his head, patting Gomer on his blanket covered thigh. Just then, it all of a sudden came to Duke's realization, "Can you answer me one thing, pal?"
"Sure." Gomer replied, happily.
"Do you have someone else you might be interested in?" Duke asked.
"Uh…I don't know. But you will be the first one if anything." Gomer responded.
"It's alright, buddy. I won't push it any further." Duke replied, thinking internally, 'I think I may know who you might be interested in…but I think I'll let you say it first.'
All of a sudden, Duke took notice of Gomer sweating, "Gome, I think your fever is breaking. You're sweating."
"Is it really? Well for goodness sake. I thought I was sweating because I was nervous."
*GC*
The day was busy, and all Carter wanted to do was relax. While Boyle decided to go out with the other Sergeants and Corporals that night, Carter just wanted solitude for once. Since there was barely anyone around, the base was rather quiet, but he made sure to keep himself occupied.
'This is the fist time I've been alone in a while.' The Sergeant thought to himself.
Not really thinking of it, he started to sketch again. Lost in his drawing, he heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," Carter spoke up, not taking his eyes off his artwork.
Colonel Gray walked in, "Sergeant Carter…I thought I'd find you in here. I'm surprised you didn't go out with the others."
Looking up at his commanding officer, Carter put down his artwork, then stood up, to salute the Colonel.
"Hi, Colonel. Yeah, I needed to be alone for a bit." Carter spoke.
"I understand that." Colonel Gray chuckled. "Sometimes, all you need is peace and quiet after a long day. How are you doing? Been meaning to ask you after the whole thing with the food bunker."
"I'm better. Pyle has a fever and won't be released." Carter explained. "But other than that, I'm all good."
"What happened there?" The Colonel asked, pointing to Carter's injury above the eyebrow.
Carter noticed this, then stated, "Oh…it was stupid. Not worth talking about."
Colonel Gray slowly nodded, his eyes glancing at the drawing on the desk.
"Sergeant, did you draw this?" The Colonel asked, picking up the drawing from the desk.
Carter didn't have time to grab the drawing away, "Uh…yeah…it relaxes me."
The drawing was that of a wooden fence wrapped around a barn house, surrounded by mountains and trees. The detail and shading included in the picture almost made it look real.
"Sergeant, this is very good! I had no idea you could sketch well! You could give Rockwell a run for his money." Colonel Gray admired the drawing. "Maybe I can get you to do some artwork for my wife. She's always trying to find new art pieces to put on the walls of our house."
This made the Sergeant chuckle. The Colonel put the drawing back on the desk, then smiled at the Sergeant. He decided to change the subject right then and there.
"I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to dinner tomorrow. Sergeant Hacker has a real good menu planned out. I'm pretty sure he's trying to stay on my good side after what happened."
Carter laughed, stating, "Never say never, Colonel."
"As you were." The Colonel said with a nod.
Once Colonel Gray turned to leave, Carter sat back down on his chair, getting back to his drawing. In the middle of adding more shade to the barn house, Carter realized his desk was messy. It started to annoy him. Without thinking, he started to organize his desk, throwing out stuff, adding important files into folders, cleaning out his pen holder…if it looked messy, he made sure it was clean and organized. Taking a look at his desk, he smiled to himself, admiring the fact he cleaned his desk. That was when he realized something.
'Pyle…you're getting to me…'
*GC*
Easter Sunday arrived before anyone could realize it. It was also the day Gomer got to go back to the barracks to his friends. The hospital treated the patients to Easter breakfast. It was nice, and Gomer managed to keep his spirits up, but he wished he still wasn't so weak. Nurse Katie walked towards Gomer as he ate.
"You doing okay, sweetie?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Nodding his head, Gomer looked up at her, "Oh yes, Nurse Katie. Even though I hardly taste anything, I can just tell everything is delicious! Potatoes could use more butter, but the eggs are actually tasty. Don't tell anyone, but the hospital eggs taste better than Sergeant Hacker's."
"Well, we have very good cooks on today, I must say." Nurse Katie replied, with a sweet smile. "Oh, I have something for you."
Gomer saw Nurse Katie pull out a chocolate bunny from her pocket.
"Golly! I haven't had a chocolate bunny in years! Grandma Pyle used to leave me chocolate bunnies on my pillow every Easter morning! This is the first time I have had one in years." Gomer's excitement made Nurse Katie smile.
"I'm certainly glad you like it." She replied.
With that, she walked off, letting Gomer eat his breakfast. After breakfast, Gomer went back to dress and his room to pack his bag. Still recovering from being in the hospital, he managed to get dressed in his uniform and pack his bag. Just then, a noise startled him, "Happy Easter!"
Gomer turned around, seeing Duke, wearing bunny ears. This made him grin.
"Happy Easter, Duke!" Gomer cried out.
"You feeling better, pal?" Duke walked in the room, tossing the bunny ears on the bed.
"I'm still a little weak, but I'm feelin' much better than I was yesterday and the day before. Another good thing is that I got my inhaler in my pocket. Although, I won't lie, I'm still upset I won't get to participate in the egg hunt."
"Well neither am I, so don't feel too bad. Colonel Gray and Carter permitted me to opt-out of it since I will be pretty much keeping an eye on you today. Plus, it's probably another stupid prize, like a gift certificate to the picture show."
"A gift certificate to the picture show? Shazam! I could watch all the monster pictures I..."
Gomer was suddenly cut off by a coughing fit. Duke immediately reacted to this. He sat Gomer on the bed, taking the other inhaler out of his pocket.
"Here, buddy." Duke gave Gomer the inhaler, "take your inhaler and I'll pack your stuff."
Gomer took a few breaths in until he was okay.
"Before I left yesterday, I picked up the other two inhalers. You're in good hands, buddy" Duke stated, which made Gomer smiled faintly.
*GC*
Easter-time on the base consisted of Easter Sunday Mass, followed by an Easter breakfast in the mess hall. They were served eggs, pancakes, bacon, hash browns and cinnamon rolls. This took place hours before the egg hunt. It was safe to say that the men were not looking forward to the egg hunt, many of them being jealous of the fact Duke was opted out of it, only to care for Gomer. Even though it was technically friendly competition between the platoons, some of the men took it seriously. Boyle handed each of the men of Company B buckets. As they stood in formation, Carter started a speech over the egg hunt, "As you know, it's Easter Sunday and you jackasses know what that means..."
"That Jesus has risen?" Jackson asked.
"Thank you, Jackson," Carter resorted to sarcasm, "but that's not what I was going to say...it's time for the egg hunt.
One of the men, a young, redhead, raised his hand. Carter sighed, then responded, "What is it, Hoffman?"
"Do we have to do this? We aren't in kindergarten."
"It isn't my call, so you better fucking get used to it." Carter snapped.
Hoffman frowned at Carter. Ignoring him, Carter continued to speak, "Each of you is to find the eggs that have been hidden on the base. You numbskulls have to find the eggs and place them in your buckets. If you have not done an egg hunt in your life, then I feel bad because your childhood must've sucked. If your childhood, did in fact suck, then I don't know what to tell you. Remember, you will gather as many eggs as you can, but the prize egg is somewhere on the base. Whoever finds this prize egg will win $200.00 in cash."
The news of $200.00 suddenly made the other Marines animated to be partaking in this. At first, they were not having it, due to the prizes being something silly, and feeling like they were being treated like little kids. But $200.00 made it seem like it was worth it.
"Now when you hear the gun go off, you start running. You understand?" Carter asked strongly.
"Yes, sir!" The men replied.
"Now, on your mark...get set..."
Suddenly, a loud bang was heard in the air, causing the Marines in Camp Henderson to run like maniacs. The Sergeants mostly yelled at the men to move. The egg hunt, although fun, was taken seriously, for they all wanted to find the prize egg, and win the money. Some men piled upon one another, while others stole an egg out of the other's bucket, which lead to screaming matches. Carter and Boyle watched this go on for a few moments.
"You think this was a good idea?" Boyle asked him.
"Not at all, Chuck," Carter replied.
"I wonder where the prize egg is hidden." Boyle wondered.
"Probably on the other side of the base, if any of them bother looking over there," Carter stated.
Suddenly, two men broke out into a fight. Carter and Boyle turned around and saw Mendes fighting with one of Hacker's platoon members. They were beating each other up over an egg. Carter immediately ran over, along with Hacker. Both picked up the men and screamed, "Cut it out! That's enough!"
Colonel Gray walked over, talking in a stern voice, "What the hell is going on? Mendes! Jones! Are you serious right now!"
"This asshole took an egg out of my bucket!" Mendes tried to charge at Jones, only to be held back by Carter.
"You knew I saw that egg first, you stupid son of a bitch…" Jones yelled back while being held back by Hacker.
"Mendes," Carter grabbed him, and pulled him away, "enough!"
"You two need to get a handle on your issues! This is supposed to be a fun thing among the platoons, so don't ruin it!" Colonel Gray shouted, then turned to the Sergeants. "Sergeant Carter, Sergeant Hacker, please get your men under control."
"Yes, sir." both Sergeants replied.
Giving them a stern look, Colonel Gray walked off, while the two privates went their ways. Carter turned to walk off, Hacker called him over, "Hey, Vince, trying to get me in trouble again? It was clear your man started that fight."
"Do not piss me off, Charlie. I don't feel like hearin' your jackass comments right now." was all Carter said.
Laughing lightly to himself, Hacker turned to walk off. Carter couldn't stand the sight of Hacker. Boyle noticed this, whispering to him, "Vince, it's a holiday. Let it go."
While the base was searching for the eggs, Duke drove the jeep back on the base with Gomer. They noticed the mayhem on the base, with Duke saying, "Boy...it's getting pretty violent here."
He looked at Gomer, who was feeling bad he was missing it. A light bulb went off in Duke's head, "Come on, Gome. Let's find one egg for you, and take you back to the barracks."
Gomer beamed a small smile. The two friends walked out to the mini patch of dandelions, scoping out the eggs. Duke picked up a red one since red was Alana's favorite color, and he wanted something that reminded him of his girlfriend. Gomer looked around and saw one that caught his eyes; it was painted in a midnight blue color, decorated in gold stars. Gomer picked up the beautifully painted egg, saying to himself, "Shazam...this is a pretty one..."
"Hey, Gome, we got our eggs. Ready to head back?" Duke called.
They ignored all that was going on, with Gomer feeling satisfied he got to somehow participate. Once back in the barracks, Duke helped Gomer set his stuff down, while he took off his boots and sat on the edge of his bed.
"You good, Gome?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you." Gomer smiled.
The noise from outside started to get loud, mostly of grown men fighting over eggs.
"Boy...all this over eggs." Duke joked.
"You know, I didn't realize it till now but, missing out on the egg hunt was a blessing in disguise. At least we got eggs of our own without bein' trampled to death."
Duke smiled, then suggested, as he took a seat beside his friend, "Let's look at our eggs."
The friends observed their eggs. Gomer looked at Duke's red egg. It had a rose painted on it.
"Golly, Duke. This is a real nice one."
"It reminds me of Alana. Red is her favorite color, and since she's from New York, I call her my New York rose. Seemed fitting." Duke explained, his voice indicating how he was truly in love with his nurse girlfriend.
"She sure sounds real special, Duke." Gomer smiled.
"She is." Duke quickly turned the topic back on the eggs. "Let me see your egg."
Gomer handed Duke the star-painted egg.
"I'm telling you, if this is the so-called prize egg, we're going to Vegas since you have great luck."
Gomer beamed a bashful smile.
"So...want to play cards?" Duke asked.
The friends played a game of cards, as the sound of Easter festivities went on outside. Thirty minutes went by, before the other men came into the barracks, bruised, sweaty and dirty. This was all from the egg hunt. Gomer and Duke quickly hid their eggs, so they wouldn't let on they took two eggs without participating.
"I can't believe after all that, no one found that prize-winning egg." Jackson muttered, as he threw his bucket on the floor.
"Yeah...talk about a..." Perez spoke, then noticing Gomer, "Oh my God! Pyle! You're back!"
"Hi, fellas! It's good to be back!" Gomer stated.
The men gathered around him, mostly asking, "How do you feel? Did you almost die? How did you get stuck?"
Overwhelmed by the attention, Gomer politely answered everyone all at once, "I'm just happy to be alive, and back on the base."
"Man, I don't know how you did it." Mendes instigated. "Being stuck with Carter for eight hours? I would've taken off my belt, and hung myself."
The other men started to laugh, only for Gomer to cry out, "That isn't nice, Noah! Sergeant Carter saved my life!"
"Oh man, it doesn't surprise me that you are sticking up for him, Pyle. The typical Sergeant's pet." Mendes joked, causing laughter.
Before Gomer could speak, Duke stood up, getting into Mendes' face.
"Shut the hell up, Mendes!" He barked.
"Or what, Slater? What are you going to do?" Mendes retorted back.
Duke's hand curled into a fist, which seemed like a fight would break out. The sound of Carter's voice booming, "Attention," caused everyone to stand at attention.
"Mendes, are you starting again?" Carter shouted.
"No, sir!" Mendes answered.
"You better not be because I already had gotten reprimanded by Colonel Gray today, and I don't need it on a holiday!" Carter answered back.
He quickly glanced at Gomer, which made his heartbeat quicken. Ignoring the feeling he was getting, Carter stayed in Sergeant mode, "First and foremost, welcome back, Pyle! Secondly, that was the most pathetic Easter egg hunt I've ever seen. The fact none of you knuckleheads managed to find the prize egg is the utmost in jackassery in the history of this place. When the holiday is over, we are going back on our 10-mile hikes!"
Gomer and Duke exchanged a glance.
"Now, I expect all of you to get cleaned up in two hours for dinner in the mess hall! Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir!" The platoon replied in unison.
"At ease!" Carter added, before turning to Duke, "Slater, can I speak to you outside?"
Duke followed Carter outside, "You need anything, Serg?"
"Yes...you're expected in the mess hall for dinner." Carter told him.
"But what about..." Duke was cut off.
"Colonel Gray wants me to say with him. Don't question it, just do it." Carter stated.
In actuality, it was a lie; Carter just wanted to spend time with the man he was starting to feel strongly about. Little did he know, Duke knew it too. Smiling, Duke said, "Don't tell the other fellas, but we each picked up an egg when no one was looking, just so he can somehow participate."
"Good to know, Slater. Dismissed."
Slater nodded his head, walking back into the barracks. Gomer got up from his seat, asking Duke, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, Gome. Don't worry." Duke smiled, as he moved towards his locker just to grab his canteen out of his locker. As Duke opened the top of the canteen, he spoke, "So what did I miss?"
"Well..." Gomer spoke as Duke drank water, "I overheard the fellas say that whoever found the prize egg would've won $200.00. No wonder it got violent out there."
This news made Duke choke on his water. He began to cough, as Gomer patted his friend's back, instructing him to take small sips. Once Duke composed himself, he spoke, "What? $200.00? Damn it! Now I regret not taking part in the egg hunt!" Duke exclaimed, making both of them laugh.
"But Duke, it shouldn't matter about the money. I would've enjoyed having fun either way." Gomer told his friend.
*GC*
As the men on the base walked to the mess hall for Easter dinner, Duke stayed with Gomer until Carter walked in.
"Pyle, get to the table. You need to eat dinner."
Looking up from his bed, Gomer saw his sergeant walk in with two plates of Easter dinner; the plates were filled with mashed potatoes, carrots sautéed in garlic, asparagus, a huge slice of ham, two halves of deviled eggs, and a buttery roll.
"Sergeant Carter, I don't..."
"Don't say anything. Just join me for dinner. Slater, you are expected in the mess hall. Remember?" Carter spoke.
"Yes, sir." Duke got up, turning to Gomer, "you have fun, buddy."
As Duke walked out the door, a smirk, that his friend and the Sergeant didn't see, appeared on his face.
'Boyle's gonna owe me money...' he gloated in thought.
Meanwhile, Gomer got up and sat across the table of his Sergeant.
"You feeling better, Pyle?" Carter asked him.
"I'm feeling a lot better now. Thank you, Sergeant," Gomer replied.
Carter smiled at the Private, replying, "Happy Easter, Pyle."
Blushing, Gomer felt touched his Sergeant pulled out all the stops to have dinner with him.
"Duke told me Colonel Gray needed him in the mess hall..." Gomer stated.
"Yeah...between us," Carter spoke, coyly, "I only told Slater that because I wanted to spend time with you."
"You did?" Gomer softly said, surprised, "Golly, Sergeant…."
Carter set the plates down on the table, one across from the other. Gomer looked down at the food.
"My oh my, this looks tasty." Gomer gloated at the sight of the food.
"Better than that hospital food, huh?" Carter asked.
"I reckon anything would be better than hospital food, Sergeant. I only feel bad because everyone there is nice."
Softly chuckling, Carter quickly remembered something, "Oh…before I forget,"
He quickly ran over to his barracks, leaving Gomer alone for a few seconds. Not even a couple of moments later, Carter came back with a box of Peeps marshmallow candy.
"My sister, Muriel, sent these over weeks ago, and they had been sitting in my locker. I wasn't going to eat them, so I figured you'd like them and want something else for dessert, other than ice cream." Carter chuckled.
"Sergeant...you don't have to do that. How generous." Gomer took the box of candy, smiling to himself.
Carter flushed to himself. Breaking out of his slight embarrassment, he then spoke up, "So…no use in letting this food get cold. Dig in!"
The two Marines sat across from one another, beginning to devour their Easter dinner. Gomer slowly ate, as Carter watched him take his time; he figured Gomer was eating haltingly because he was still recovering from being sick, not wanting to overwhelm his stomach. The Sergeant then spoke again, "Is it good?"
"It's very good. I just wish I wasn't worn down." Gomer answered.
"You're still recovering. Just eat slowly." Carter said in-between bites.
"Yes, sir," Gomer replied, slowly eating.
As the two continued eating, Carter kept an eye on Gomer. Not thinking, he asked Gomer, "What's bothering you, Pyle? Slater told me you stressed yourself out to the point where you caught a fever. Do you want to talk about anything?"
Poking his potatoes with his fork, Gomer admitted to the Sergeant, "Well...I was worried..."
"Worried 'bout what?" Carter asked, still chewing his food.
Gomer sighed a soft sigh, then said to his Sergeant, "I...I was worried that my asthma would forbid me from being a Marine. I think I stressed myself out, then got sick. I thought you would think of me different later on down the road. I don't want my asthma to stop me from being a Marine, because I don't want to stop being a Marine, I really don't. Sergeant, please don't think different of me."
"Pyle," Carter spoke up, "I don't think any different of you. You just have asthma. So what? The only thing you might have to take it easy on is the physical part. As long as you have your inhaler, you should be fine. Plus, you've proved me wrong in so many ways...I really should've had more faith in you."
"Thank you, Sergeant. That means a lot." Gomer replied, his voice cracking.
"Come on," Carter spoke sternly, "don't start crying on me. I won't have any of my men crying."
Sniffling, Gomer rubbed his eyes, quickly composing himself.
"You want a glass of water?" Carter asked.
"Yes, please," Gomer responded.
Getting up from the bench, Carter walked over to the sink, picked up a glass, then turned on the faucet to fill it with water. Once it was filled up halfway, Carter handed Gomer the glass, watching the Private consume it down.
"You feeling better?" Carter asked, placing himself back into his seat.
Gomer gulped on the glass of water while nodding his head.
"I'm sorry, Sergeant. I didn't mean to…" Gomer was cut off.
"Pyle, it's fine. Just eat before your food gets cold." Carter ordered.
The two ate some more until they realized they were stuffed after consuming so much food.
"Boy, Hacker outdid himself," Gomer spoke while stretching his arms out.
"Isn't my mother's cooking, that's for sure." Carter joked.
"Your momma sounds like she's a real good cook," Gomer told his Sergeant.
"She is. Her ham casserole was the best thing she made every Easter. I would kill to have it right now." Carter looked off to the side, reminiscing of his mother's cooking.
Gomer could tell Carter wanted to be home for Easter. He immediately felt bad that he is the reason that he was still stuck on the base for the holiday. Carter somehow picked up that Gomer was starting to blame himself again for the food bunker incident. Getting up from his seat, Carter moved to the other side of the table, just to sit next to the Private. He sat down on the bench, with his legs on each side, facing Gomer.
"Turn to face me, Pyle," Carter ordered.
"Why did you move here?" Gomer asked, complying with his Sergeant's request.
"Because I felt like it," Carter replied, in his usual Sergeant voice. "Now…what was it I wanted to do? Oh yes, this…"
Carter pulled Gomer into him; his lips then met the Private's soft lips, which he was dying to kiss since the night they first kiss. Compared to his kiss with Bunny, Raquel, or anyone else, this kiss was filled with passion and intensity. He needed to feel his lips on the Privates. He was longing to do it again, and he wanted Gomer to know that he wanted him with the utmost desire since the night in the food bunker. Carter ran his fingers through Gomer's dark hair, massaging his scalp, making Gomer moan. Pulling apart, Gomer was panting, feeling like his breath had been taken away.
"Oh shit...I triggered your asthma..." Carter got nervous.
"No...you didn't, Sergeant." Gomer panted.
Carter smiled down at him. Once Gomer caught his breath, the Sergeant kissed him with a small tap on the lips, not to make his breathing worsen. The Private then realized that Carter had a cut above his eyebrow.
"Oh my goodness, Sergeant! What happened?"
Carter realized Gomer just saw his injury. He just replied, "Oh…I got into a fight. Don't worry 'bout it." Without thinking, Gomer brushed his fingertips along the bandaged wound. Carter, who felt a jolt of electricity run through him at Gomer's touch. He rubbed the Private's knees, saying to him in reassurance, "Pyle, it's okay. Don't worry about it. I'm alive and well, aren't I?"
"Yes…yes, you are here, but…golly, where do people get off hurting others?"
"I wish I could tell you." Carter answered.
Gomer gave his Sergeant a small smile, then realized the egg he found was in his pocket. He dug through his pants pocket, while Carter took notice.
"What's wrong?" he asked him.
"Oh, nothing. Duke and I picked up eggs, so I can participate in the egg hunt without gettin' trampled by the other fellas. I found this one because it was pretty. I wanted to show you."
Carter took the egg from him, observing it, giving Gomer a smirk.
"Something wrong?" Gomer was looking at Carter, with worry.
"Pyle..." Carter spoke, "no wonder why the other men didn't find the prize-winning egg, because you did."
"Is that good? Because I know the other fellas wanted..."
"It's very good," Carter reassured him. "You won the egg hunt without intendin' to win. You won the $200.00."
"Oh, no Sergeant. I can do without the money, honest. I just want the egg. It's nice to look at."
"Pyle, you won fair and square! Use that money to go out, and catch one of those monster flicks you like. Just don't let the other guys know."
"W...wow, Sergeant...thank you..." Gomer sweetly smiled.
The Sergeant thought that Gomer had the sweetest smile anyone could ever have. Holding the Private's chin with his thumb and index finger, the two kissed once again. Pulling away, they pressed their foreheads against one another's, with Carter placing his hands on the Private's knees.
"You know, after today, we, unfortunately, have to go back to normal…" Carter stated with reluctance, making Gomer frown. "I don't want to, Pyle."
"I figured it had to be like that." Gomer replied, then smiled, "But I'm happy I'm spending this night with you."
This statement made Carter smile back, indicating he was happy as well.
"Pyle, turn, then press your back against me." Carter ordered.
Complying, Pyle did as instructed, resting his back and head against Carter, while Carter wrapped his arms around the Private's waist, holding him.
"You comfortable?" Carter asked him.
"Yes, Sergeant." Gomer responded.
Carter rested his chin on top of Gomer's head. There was silence in the air, until Carter spoke again, "I was just thinking about the time you went paratrooping, then you got stuck in that tree."
Gomer chuckled lightly at the memory. The Private took in a sigh, then spoke up again, "Happy Easter, Sergeant. Thank you for not going home."
All Gomer got in reply was his Sergeant kissing him on his temple, holding him tightly, knowing this would be the last night in a while they would have the chance to do this again.