KC shoved the last of her things into her bag. She smiled at Vanessa, the doctor who took Janine’s place. Vanessa held the bag shut so KC could zip it. “Thank you,” she declared once she couldn’t move the zipper any further.
“You’re welcome. I see you struggling with your overfull bag and realize I’ll be doing the same when I leave.”
Her eyes shifted to the picture by her cot. There, smiling out at them was Vanessa’s family portrait. Two adorable kids and a handsome man grinned at them. Vanessa had left her family, just as KC. And now, KC realized with yet another jolt and thrill, she was returning to her men.
“Yes.” KC smiled at the new doctor. “But your time here will go quickly. Especially if another virus comes through like the last one.”
“I heard about that. How bad was it?” Vanessa’s smooth features pleated into a frown.
“Fortunately, it was simply the flu, but still wasn’t pretty. We did have a man go into anaphylactic shock over penicillin, and were afraid it was biological or chemical warfare for a time.”
Vanessa shuddered.
“Yes, our sentiments, exactly.” KC suppressed a shudder of her own. It had been shaky there for a while.
“How many of you got sick?”
“Only a few of the new personnel, fortunately. But things were so busy, we didn’t sleep or eat.”
“Ah. Residency all over again.”
“Exactly. Not fun, at all.”
“No, I don’t imagine it was. But things have settled down now, right?” KC didn’t miss the hope in her colleague’s voice.
She laughed. “Yes. Everyone is either through the flu, or they’re rapidly recovering. This is the very tail end.”
“Should you be worried about taking it home?”
“No, my fellows have already had it. If I get this virus, it’ll be once I go home, of course.” KC blew out a frustrated breath, because she knew that’s probably what would happen. These last two months had slipped by in the blink of an eye, because they had battled the flu, and a stomach virus, with less medical staff, since some of them fell prey to the nasty viruses. This increased everyone’s responsibilities.
“There was a stomach virus in there too?” Vanessa sounded alarmed.
“Yes. That was before the flu. Someone kindly brought it along from the states. Because that germ went through home too.”
“Ah. Yes, I remember that one. Dehydration, fever, vomiting, and left everyone weak, but was treatable with extra fluids?”
“That’s the one. Once we figured out it wasn’t biological warfare, we all relaxed. My partner told me in an email that most of his family, the kids mainly, ended up sick. And a few of the others mentioned their families were in bed with a digestive ailment. We were then able to conclude, after some tests, it was a typical virus.” KC shuddered. Not only had she cared for patients, she also ran many of the tests. By herself since her lab help had fallen victim to the virus. She hadn’t had a full night of sleep in two months. Before that, it was still sketchy.
“And you no sooner got over that virus than the flu arrived for a visit?”
KC groaned. “It’s been a hectic two months.”
“I’m sure,” Vanessa said and laughed. She shook her head. “I’d say I’m sorry, but to be honest, I’m happy this didn’t happen on my watch.”
KC giggled, as she found herself doing more and more lately.
“Whoa. You need to go home. You’re a giggling mess,” Vanessa concluded.
“Yeah, I know.” Not about to argue that point, KC nodded instead.
“So, who’s the person in charge?”
“Um, we’ve got a new Captain, well he’s flag selected, so you’ll probably get to witness his promotion. You know, I’m so tired now, I can’t even remember his name. Admiral Richard O’Riley went home last month.”
“And you’ve been too busy to pay much attention.”
“And how. Like I cared,” KC said with a snort. She’d been up to her eyeballs in vomit, mucus, and blood – none of it hers. A shudder wracked her body. She would quite happily go back to her research and development job. Much less in the way of bodily fluids in that discipline.
“I’m certain I’ll find out.” Vanessa sighed.
“He’s good. I know he introduced himself to everyone when he arrived. I’m sure I shook his hand, even. But you know, I had vomit down my front, that wasn’t mine, and various other bodily fluids, and next to no nurses, because they were run ragged.”
Vanessa stared at her with mouth open and eyes nearly bugged. “Oh, no!”
“Yeah, but he was really understanding. It could have been worse.”
“How?” Vanessa asked suspiciously.
“I don’t know,” KC crowed, sort of giddy from relief at the entire affair now being over.
“Thanks, pal,” Vanessa mock growled.
“Sure. Anytime. I get to go home and see my son and—”
“And your husband, I know, please don’t rub it in.” Vanessa sniffed and she collapsed on her cot. Her face crumpled.
KC leapt to her side and enfolded the woman in her arms. “Hey, I’m sorry.”
“‘Skay, I just am really missing my family.”
“You will and you should. I’m not going to lie to you and tell you this is going to be easy, because it’s not. Being away from your loved ones is... so hard. But you get through it.”
“How?” Tears poured off Vanessa’s face, and KC felt for her.
“You crawl out of bed each day and do what you’re supposed to. There will be days when you don’t think about your loved ones as much because you’re so blasted busy you forget your own name. Then there are times you’re driven to your knees because you miss them so badly.”
“You just live each day?”
“Yes. That’s all you can do.”
Vanessa nodded and her tears dried. “I brought a computer, so I can e-mail them. And I have my cell phone.”
KC shook her head. “I have a cell phone too, but we agreed not to use them.”
Her head rearing up, Vanessa stared at her, aghast. Then she closed her eyes in sorrow. “The equipment,” she moaned.
“Yes. We were fearful to use them. But many of us, when we could, and always do so at least in pairs, would pile into a Humvee and go into the desert. You have to be careful of reception too. There are plenty of places where you won’t get any.”
“This doesn’t sound easy.” Vanessa sighed a weary sigh.
“It isn’t. Being here is about the worst possible place on earth,” KC declared emphatically. “Depending on internet speeds, you might be able to Skype them.” She hadn’t had time during these last two months, but with the workload easing, Vanessa might get it working.
“That’s a thought. This already stinks.” Her new friend’s lips curled into a wry smile. “I’ve only been here,” Vanessa checked her watch, “just under fourteen hours and I’m so ready to go home.”
“Welcome to Camp Misery.”
“Thanks.” Vanessa’s voice was dry.
“KC, your Humvee leaves in five,” one of the nurses declared, poking her head around the door.
“Oh, wonderful,” KC exclaimed and jumped to her feet to finish packing. She had little left to do. Soon, she would be in Max’s arms, holding Ryan. Life was good.
*****
Max opened his email and his heart pounded.
To: maxmorrison@gilmoreproducts.net
From: kcgilmore@gilmoreproducts.net
Subject: I’m coming home!
My loves, Max and Ryan,
I’M COMING HOME! I should arrive on May 1st or 2nd at the same airport you dropped me off at. I believe I’ll have a stopover in Virginia. (I’m not certain.) But should wind up at home soon after.
I would prefer just the two of you to meet me. I’ve been combating some nasty ailments and will probably just want to go home and sleep. (There’s a good possibility I’ll get sick, just to warn you.) Right now, dealing with all the family would be overwhelming.
Please, I beseech you, just the two of you until I get my land legs back. Or, at least get out of military and doctor mode. Let me go back into Mom, civilian, and partner mode first, okay? Like I said, I intend to sleep, a lot, the next few days.
I’m so excited! I’m coming home. Finally! This has been a nightmare. While it’s been a very enlightening experience, if I never want to see Kuwait again, I’ll be most happy and relieved. And no, I probably won’t give up the military, although perhaps with some sweet talk, I’ll consider it.
(Max, your offer will have to be better than theirs...)
What in the world did she mean by that? Max thought, his heart beating faster. Because his brain certainly worked through some really interesting possibilities. Like motherhood and wifehood? Would that be a better offer than the military?
I need to finish packing and then I’m ready. I’ll see you two VERY soon! (I plan to squeeze the stuffing out of you, so be forewarned. And I might not let go after I have hold of you.)
With all my love,
And great relief,
I’ll be seeing you soon!
KC