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They arrived at the docks; Tommaso helped Jairo unload the milk cans when a voice from above said.
“Och! Dinnae you be hurting those precious hand’s doctor. You there, get off your arse, grab those cans, Tommy, you get yours up here. It’s a wee bit of drink you owe me. Hurry noo before one of those dunderheaded Jerry spies shows up.”
Tommaso smiled up at his old friend, made his thanks and goodbyes to Jairo, grabbed his bags off the cart, and climbed the ship’s gangway to his new home for the next few months.
“Good to see you Laddie! Welcome to Scotland,” the older man said with a smile. “Don’t be forgetting from this day forward. Your name is Dr. Tommy aboard the ship. It’s best not to broadcast your old heritage, son.”
Both men were of the same build, tall with broad shoulders, but that’s where the comparison stopped. Danny Mc Gregor had long reddish hair that matched his beard and his skin. Unlike Tommy’s dark complexion, Danny was light with freckles, but his blue eyes didn’t miss a thing.
“Looks like you slept in those clothes, you need a bath, but we have no time for you to pamper yourself. He threw Tommy a white smock. Put this on. It will cut the smell; we’re making my rounds. I want you to know where everything is before we get underway. Leave your bags here. They will be in your cabin waiting; hurry now, Laddie, we’re burning daylight!” He said, walking out the door as Tommy ran to catch him.
Danny dressed in an open-neck blue shirt, gray trousers, and wearing shoes he favored, called Coral Creepers, a shoe worn by underwater demolition teams. Shipmates knew it was best not to ask where they came from unless they wanted to hear another tall Scottish tale.
Tommy was excited. He liked Danny and especially working with him. He was boisterous, a man’s man whom some disliked, but as a surgeon, he was one of the best every minute spent with him would be a learning experience.
White smocks flew out like wings as the two men crossed the open windy deck with heads together in conversation.
They finished the rounds and were having coffee as the ship pulled away from the quay.
Tommy was glad to be underway. There was always the possibility his new papers that Danny handed him wouldn’t pass a close screening.
Danny senses this. “Don’t worry, Tommy. All our stop’s now will be on friendly soil. Run along, Lad. We’ll meet for dinner after you had your bath before the health department closes my surgery.
Tommy laughed with a feeling of relief before finishing his coffee.
After a superb meal, the two men sat on the deck outside, watching the waves roll by with a bottle of scotch whisky between them.
“Nothing could be better than being on the sea watching the sunset with a wee bit of whiskey, me Lad,” Danny pushed the hair from his eyes.
The wind was blowing hard, but Tommy knew Danny wouldn’t go inside unless he had a medical emergency. He would be outside in all kinds of weather; it must be part of his Highlander upbringing.
“Tell me, Tommy, since you’re a free man, are you working your way to America to find that, Bonnie Lass. I met in San Francisco,” he said with a playful grin.
“You don’t miss a thing, my old friend, but I’m sure by now her heart belongs to another,” Tommy said, trying to avoid any talk about Sue Lee.
Danny was in San Francisco for a medical lecture when they first met. They ended up being seated next to each other at dinner that Sue Lee attended with him. With Danny’s encouragement, the three of them celebrated into the night, ending in a close friendship.
“Sounds to me like you’re trying too hard not to talk about Sue Lee; if she were my, Lass, I’d walk across the water to get to her.”
Tommy touched his shirt pocket where he had a photo somewhat soiled by seawater after he had abandoned his little boat. The photo was taken at the amusement park in Santa Cruz during a long weekend together. Memories of her have haunted him lately. He felt he was foolish to think about her, but...
“Okay, you curious old man, we can talk about her, but all I can tell you is the past. I have no current information. She’s probably married with children by now.”
“I don’t know. The war has changed all of our lives. Sue Lee is intelligent with much to offer; settling down to having wee baron about seems unlikely for now. Maybe you should write to her. Our next stop is Gibraltar. The Americans have joined with the British. They have a good mail system to the states,” Danny started cleaning his pipe without looking at Tommy.
“Sounds like you did a little snooping; you are a sly old devil. What do you know about her? “
“Well, some Lads we look after are from the states. A nurse was writing a letter for one of my patients. The letter was to Lieutenant Sue Lee Ono. He held up his hand to stop Tommy from interrupting. She brought it to my attention because she knew I had met Sue Lee. Unfortunately, the Lad thinks he’s of little use as a farmer after losing his arm. His recovery is slow—I need your help. He’s in Ward 3 beds 7. He will be on your list of patients to visit in the morning. His name is John Okada.” Danny said while refreshing his drink.
Tommy stood next to John’s bed, checking his chart.” I see you’re from San Francisco, is that where you grew up?” He was hoping to open a conversation.
“Yeah, there and Hawaii, but that was long ago. Now I live north of San Francisco, in a small village, Bodega. You probably never heard of it?”
“Don’t be too sure about that; I attended medical school in San Francisco. I’ve been to Bodega, tell me more.” He was watching the boy’s eyes brighten.
“I love that place; everybody is so kind. On Sunday morning, you can hear the church bells for miles. On sunny days, I would fish out on the banks or just sit watching the surf. The weather is not like Hawaii; it changes regularly, but every change adds to the area’s beauty. John shifted to see Tommy better. Did you visit Bodega often?”
“Not often; But I believe we both have the same friend, Sue Lee Ono. I met her while attending medical school, she took me there, but I haven’t seen her for a while; I hope she is well,” Tommy answered casually.
“You know her? I worked for her uncle, Yoshi. I have never met her, but she’s been writing to me ever since she told me about her uncle’s fatal accident. She is so kind and sends me socks and mittens... His voice softened. Maybe I should ask for a mitten, not mittens next time?”
“Let’s not worry about mittens right now. I want you to rest. I will be by later, we will talk more about Bodega, but I need you rested, understood corporal?”
“Yes, Sir, and will you tell me more about Sue Lee, Sir?” he yawned.
The shot they had given him to help the pain in his shoulder from the amputated arm was taking effect. John had a long way to go for a full recovery. Tommy was concerned about infection, but so far, everything looked okay.
He made a note on the chart and walked away thinking about Sue Lee and her beloved uncle’s death. He didn’t want to ask too many questions about Yoshi’s death just now until John was stronger.