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Excerpt 3 Beyond Flanders Field
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Excerpt 3 Beyond Flanders Field |
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Logan Senior Member
since 2001-05-28
Posts 1641Arkansas |
Katherine knew that an offensive was getting ready to take place. Lorries had been bringing medical supplies for the last few days. The mechanics had been going over all the ambulances. Changing tires, oil and keeping the gasoline tanks all topped off. Most of the wounded had been transported by hospital train to Burbonne les Bains as fast as they could properly be moved, to free the field hospital of as many beds as possible. Everything was in a stage of waiting. Waiting for the storm to hit, where there would be frantic activity, no sleep and the everlasting sounds associated with the wounded. It seemed that the war was going to go on forever. And in her heart, she knew that the memories of these days would last until her own dying day. She thanked her lucky stars that the surgeon in charge of the field hospital had seen the sense and necessity of allowing her and some of the other nurses to go with the ambulances into the field to pick up the wounded at the front line first aid stations. She knew that his progressive attitude for that day and time had saved the lives of some of the more seriously wounded. Again she thanked her daddy for teaching her how to drive the new-fangled cars. Never having the son he wanted, he had let her do whatever her tomboy desires would ask for. Katherine knew also the scandalous talk about her wearing men’s clothes when she would drive one of the ambulances. But some of the other nurses that would ride adopted the same sensible apparel after having their heavy skirts weighted down with the mud of the front. Katherine was far removed from such talk. In her opinion, what was proper in the States sure flew out the window in this world of horror. Her grandmother, who had been raised in Texas before returning to her family home in Virginia, had ridden horses in men’s clothes all her life, as well as having successfully run a horse farm. “She sure had paid no mind to all the talk about her,” Katherine thought. “Probably would have taken that long bullwhip of her daddy’s to anyone fool enough to say anything to her face or shot them one.” Katherine smiled to herself at thinking of her grandmother. She had loved going to visit her as a child. “The stories that woman would tell me,” she thought. Hangings, Indians and all kinds of stuff. I guess it was all true, because I certainly never would have questioned any of it. She showed me a pistol one time that was the biggest pistol that I have ever seen. Said it was a gift to her daddy. She was a pistol herself. Probably be right up there in the front lines telling Black Jack how to win the war if she had lived long enough. Oh well, I had better get what sleep I can, because it sure won’t last.” Going to the room the nurses shared, she laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. Her last waking thoughts were of the upcoming storm and how Jake would weather it. She knew how capable that he was, but also realized after this time that a bullet has no respect for the attributes within the human frame. Katherine awoke to the buzzing of the other nurses in the room. She sat up demanding, “What’s happening?” “Oh, Katherine,” one of the other nurses spoke. “We just got the word by a motorcycle courier. Our boys attacked this morning all along the Marne. Our First and Second Divisions are leading. Hurry up and get dressed. Doctor has started sending the ambulances on toward the front to the aid stations. He said that a pigeon message arrived about early casualties.” Katherine jumped out of her bed frantically pulling on the men’s clothing that she had adapted to her body. Stepping into the heavy boots, she hastily platted her hair as she ran down the stairs. Having earlier been appraised of the aid stations locations and the deployment order to them, she burst out the door. Fear lent wings to her feet, knowing that Jake was with the First Division. With a sigh of relief, she saw the mechanic that was responsible for her ambulance, had driven it into the car yard where it sat putting away. Flashing a quick smile of thanks to the young man, she jumped behind the wheel. “Thanks, Joe.” she called as she started driving off. “Be safe, Mz Katherine.” Joe called out in return. “Those roads are rough today.” His answer was a brief wave of hand out the side of the vehicle. She stopped at the supply shed where the orderly that rode with her was waiting with some extra stretchers for the aid station. He quickly loaded them in the back of the ambulance and jumped into the front beside her. They rode in silence toward the aid station, each with their own thoughts of what awaited them. The silence was broken by the nervous voice of the orderly, “Best slow down a little, Mz Katherine. These roads are mighty bad.” He stilled any further comment at the hard flashing look from Katherine’s eyes. “Yes ma’am,” he muttered under his breath and just held on a little harder. Katherine let out a small gasp of dismay, as they topped the small rise leading down to the aid station. She could see a line of stretcher bearers bringing the shattered bodies from the front lines. She pushed the accelerator down a little harder, swinging the ambulance in a tight circle. Backing up rapidly, she and the orderly jumped out and ran into the aid station. The doctor in charge has already sorted the wounded by the triage method, so with the willing help of other bearers, they started loading the ambulance. As soon as they had the vehicle loaded, even putting two stretchers on the floor, they jumped back in the still running vehicle and drove rapidly off. Four days later, Katherine was working and driving on automatic. Her senses were dull and remote to the cries of pain and suffering. Worst of all were the quiet ones, with barely a breath of life left to them. Her heart throbbed with the thought of the young soldier that has grasped her hand, calling “Momma,” then falling back dead as they loaded him. She admitted to herself that, unconsciously, she had been scanning all the faces looking for Jake. Dreading that she would see him, but hoping that she would, knowing the dead wouldn’t reach the aid station. Realizing the type of person Jake was, she knew he would be leading his men in the thick of the action. Somehow, she knew that she would feel it if he fell in the battle. The news that they had received at the field hospital had been that the attack had been tremendously successful. The Germans were retreating and elements of the American First Division had captured Berzy-le-Sec and were attacking the heights above Soissons. The enemy divisions, seven in all, were fighting stubbornly in their retreat to prevent disaster. The First Division, alone, had captured over 3,000 Germans and over 60 field artillery pieces. After advancing more than eleven kilometers in four days, the First Division had been relieved by a British Division to rest and replenish supplies. The following week the wounded had slowed to a trickle and for the first time since the attack, the hospital was slowing from it’s frantic pace. On a swing shift, nurses and orderlies had been allowed to rest and recoup from their ordeals. Katherine had literally collapsed one whole day, but was up and about tending to the soldiers that were left in their care by the next. She still had no word from Jake except from one of the wounded officers who had seen him on the second day of the battle. She walked from the ward at the end of her shift to enjoy the breeze from the soft July night. Thankful they only had the occupants of the hospital to tend instead of the unceasing wounded, she heard a courier motorcycle putt into the car yard. Wondering idly what messages could be coming at night, she dismissed the sound from her mind. Holding a match to her cigarette, she dropped both and turned sharply upon hearing, “Katie?” “Oh, my God, Jake!” She ran to the standing figure and threw her arms around him. The pent up emotions of the last week overwhelmed her. All she could do was hold on tight and cry. “It’s okay, Katie, it’s okay.” Jake alternately patted her back and stroked her dark hair as the tears poured out of her. She jerked back to look at him. “Dammit,” she interjected. “I’m not a crybaby. Look at me. Oh, Jake, are you all right?” She could see the dark circles under his eyes, even in the dim light of the lanterns that were outside. “He’s lost weight and looks like hell, but I’m so happy to see him,” she thought. Then out loud, “How is your shoulder? How did you get here?” Jake gave her a big smile and held up his hands. “Whoa, one thing at a time, Katie. I can’t stay very long. Let’s go over by that tree and sit down. I never had any idea a motorcycle could be that rough.” Holding out his hand, he took hers and led her over to the tree. The couple sat down, leaning against the tree. Both lit cigarettes and didn’t say anything for a moment, just enjoying the night with each other. Finally, Katherine could no longer be quiet. “Was it bad, Jake?” Then was completely startled to see Jake hang his head with tears dropping down his face. “Jake? What is it?” She had never seen Jake show his emotions so blatantly. Jake leaned back against the tree once more. Taking several deep drags from his cigarette, he wiped his eyes. Not looking at her, but instead staring into the darkness, he started speaking. “Oh, the operation was a success. We took a lot of ground, captured a lot of Germans and material, so except for the men that were killed and maimed, we were victorious. Hell!” he exploded. “The only victor in the whole damn mess was Death on a white horse. I’m sorry, Katie, but I’m sick to my soul. I shouldn’t feel this way or say these things, because I know that you’ve had more then your share of the same thing, but worse. I can at least keep moving and leave the dead and wounded behind. I had a young lieutenant in my company that reminded my of my youngest brother. It was his first action but he conducted himself as though he had been in action for months. We made it to the German trenches and mopped up the resistance. Awaiting further orders after sending the prisoners to the rear, I saw Bob grabbing a officers fancy helmet for a souvenir. Horrified, I tried to holler at him to leave it alone, but he had already picked it up. It was bobby trapped with a grenade. He just didn’t know. He hadn’t been over here long enough, now he’ll be here forever. I’m sorry, Katie, I wanted to see you, not expose you to my private pit in hell.” Feeling the hurt and need in him, Katherine leaned against him, intertwining her arm in his. “Jake, just let it all out. Let me be strong for you, for once. Tell me all that happened.” Jake sighed, absently rubbing her hand. A faraway look was in his eyes as he started speaking. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Logan - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Logan, the images are so clear in this it made my stomach churn! Incredible writing here...feel as though I am watching a movie. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You've brought the past alive again...you are a wonderful story-teller...making us live it as you are.... thank you for this....I will await the next chapter... |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Logan--You write a story, being there..and I felt I was there also..I read all three..very well done, as always, your prose! |
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