Corpsman and the Nerd

by Grady, D. R.

  “Thank the good Lord for strong men,” Dr. Sutter muttered as he shook his head, and his cornrows flew in all directions. He patted each of them. KC took the gesture as it was intended. She definitely needed the comfort.

  “Tina, stay with him, please, and monitor him. If there are any problems contact me immediately.” KC wrote in his chart, fearful they missed something. She also prescribed another antibiotic, and asked for the penicillin bottle from which Peterson’s dose came from. Performing a few tests on it was necessary and she thought she had all the items necessary to do so.

  “I’ll notify you immediately if there’s a problem,” Tina replied. The Marine’s breathing was even now, he looked to have stabilized. KC nodded.

  “We’ll need to have his dog tags changed,” Janine remarked.

  “Yes. Let’s avoid this situation next time,” KC said dryly. Janine smiled ruefully and nodded.

  They moved on to the other patients, watching for anything similar, in case a virus, bacterium, or chemical had produced the symptoms they just witnessed.

  While the problem could simply be the antibiotic, none of them were willing to risk such a severe reaction in the other patients. Their facility was limited and remote. In the middle of a God forsaken land. God help them if this was the start of something awful.

  *****

  To: maxmorrison@gilmoreproducts.net

  From: kcgilmore@gilmoreproducts.net

  Subject: Two more months!

  Hello Max and Ryan,

  I miss and love you, and am happy to report I’ve only got two more months! Which is such happy news! I should be home soon. If you’re still ticking off days on your calendar, you already know this.

  We had a man have an anaphylactic reaction to what we hope is an antibiotic. We’re keeping a very close eye on each patient here now. Not knowing is sometimes the hardest part, isn’t it?

  Otherwise, we’re fine. The work load isn’t easier, but the new medical staff is most welcome and wonderful. They’ve helped tremendously! Our burdens aren’t so heavy now. We’ve remained fairly full, so I’m still not able to use my Lainy phone. Well, if I sneak out I can. But with this new situation, I’ll probably hold off, at least for a little while.

  Things could get especially crazy here, in that case. I’m hoping – praying, it doesn’t come down to such extremes. We can handle a simple allergic reaction, (although it didn’t feel simple in the midst of the symptoms!) but an outright illness (virus, bacteria, ugh!) of some sort would make our lives... quite miserable.

  We continue to enjoy the videos. I’ve watched them all several times now. I feel closer to you both then. How I miss you! Spuds is staying out of trouble, I hope?

  Oh, and thanks, Max, for updates on Lainy. She should be past the throwing up stage and feeling better by now. And with the first baby, she might not really show until the last few weeks. She could very well be one of those women who barely looks pregnant.

  Let’s hope that’s not the case, because we’ll probably need something to encourage them NOT to reproduce as rapidly as Laurie and Greg have in that case. More rellys with eight children is not necessary. (I guess Morrisons take populating the earth seriously!) 

  I’m glad you’re enjoying Dory’s new son. It’s probably good John doesn’t mind getting squirted in the face. Ryan did do that to me, although not often. Since you didn’t come along until later, he probably figured he had to nail someone, and as I was the primary diaper changer... Let’s just say I’m relieved you’re in his life to explain certain male things to him.

  Believe me, I know he’s got questions. And you’re the perfect man with those male answers, Dad!  Some of them I couldn’t answer because I’m not male. I think I asked one of the older doctors at work and he helped me with them, but I’m awfully grateful you’re available now for those questions.

  I love knowing you and Ryan are together. I love knowing you’re marking off a calendar, awaiting my arrival home as eagerly as I am. That you’re together gives me comfort. Ryan going to my parents simply wasn’t an option. No way could my son go there for eight months.

  Could you imagine? Such a sterile, cold world and Ryan wouldn’t understand. It’s hard enough having me gone, but to live with my parents was simply not about to happen! This way, he has you, his dad. Which helps me to make it through another day.

  I love and miss you both!

  I can’t wait until I come home!

  Two more months,

  KC

  Chapter 41

  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 c
oncluded.

  “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

  Chapter 42

  KC finally exited the plane, so tired she had to actually think about putting one foot in front of the other. Her body so weary, she couldn’t imagine a time she had been this drained. Not even when Ryan was a baby.

  If her estimation was right, she hadn’t slept for close to thirty-eight hours. All that time had been spent traveling and waiting in airports or Navy depots. And severe jetlag encroached. Going to Kuwait hadn’t been this hard.

  Her body wouldn’t remain awake much longer. She could probably fall asleep standing up. Didn’t horses do that? Her silly thoughts amused her, but she was too exhausted to laugh.

  “KC!”

  “Mommy!”

  Those shouts lifted her spirits as nothing else could have. She stumbled when she turned, but her lips stretched into a grin and her heart tripped a few extra beats. These males certainly owned that heart.

  Max and Ryan cleared the distance to her weaving form and Max’s strong arms wrapped around her middle. Ryan’s wrapped around her legs and if she wasn’t so tired, KC would have normally burst into tears of utter exhaustion and joy. As it was, she didn’t have the energy, or enough liquid in her dehydrated body to cry.

  She put a hand to each of them and heard Max’s sigh. His arms folded her closer when he tightened them and she echoed his sigh. This was where she had wanted to be for so long. And now she was. In Max’s arms. Holding Ryan. This was where she belonged.

  “We’re not doing this again,” Max murmured into her hair.

  KC let out a shaky laugh. “I concur.” She had never been so thankful for anything in her life as she was to be in Max’s arms, with Ryan close.

  “Mommy!” Ryan bounced around their legs, and KC thought Max received as many hugs as she, since their son seemed pretty random in his hugging. She bent and folded him close, squeezing him tightly. He allowed her embrace for several heartbeats before he wriggled away.

  She went back to Max’s arms, her heart lighter and freer now that she was here. In his arms. The safest place in the world.

  KC savored the feeling of both Ryan’s spindly, little boy arms and Max’s strong, masculine ones right before she passed out.

  “I’d say exhaustion and dehydration. She needs sleep, liquids, and lots of tender loving care,” a voice said over her. KC couldn
’t open her eyelids. They were too heavy. A needle pricked her arm and she figured they were hooking up an IV line. That’s what she would have done.

  “Why would the military allow their doctors’ work to this state?” She identified that angry voice as Max’s. She’d never heard him sound so livid before. What had upset him?

  “I hear they had a couple of viruses pass through the camps, which means everyone is strung out. A buddy of mine is married to a nurse who was over there. She arrived in the same condition as Dr. Gilmore, here.”

  “She collapsed too?” Max still sounded mad.

  “Yes. The medical profession is like this. We tend to give one hundred and ten percent and then wonder why we burn out.” The voice was kindly, but firm. KC couldn’t place it. Too tired to care, she sank back into her own little restful world.

  *****

  “Daddy, why did Mommy do that?” Max, with a guilty start, glanced in the rearview mirror at Ryan. Of course the little guy would be worried about his mother. And as a kid... Max was having trouble dealing with an unconscious KC and he was an adult.

  “She’s really tired, Ryan. She hasn’t been sleeping enough. Dr. Latimore thought she’d been awake for more than a day, plus she hasn’t slept much before that, so she needs to sleep.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she’s been traveling to get home to us.”

  “Oh. She’s hewe now. Why doesn’t she wake up and play with us?”

  “Ryan, she’s not going to be able to play for a while. Your mom needs to sleep for a few days, okay?” Max didn’t want to sound so stern, that’s just how his statement had come out. But he knew Ryan, so maybe sounding stern wasn’t so bad.

  “She can’t play?” Ryan’s voice was small.

  “No. Not right away. We’re going to let her sleep.” Max darted a look at the passenger seat. KC lay there in a slumber so deep she looked dead. But he told her he would take her in whatever condition she arrived. So she resembled the living dead, but she was home.