On The Other Side

Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Beginning

I take a deep breath before stepping off the plane. The London air is damp, foggy. I pop open my umbrella, grab Dec's old, worn leather doctors bag.

Tucking Crag's green scarf around my neck, I step onto the British Army base, making my way to the US Army field hospital across the base.

The red and white emblem sewn to the tops of each tent, tells people, even the enemy, that this was a place to be treated with respect.

I push my way into the main hospital tent, searching for the American Red Cross administrator. I make my way through the maze of metal beds holding the wounded.

Some soldiers have their legs wrapped, their hands, some have their eyes bandaged, never to see the light of day again. The haunting sound of some of the men calling for their mother is something I'll never forget.

I find the administrators office, a room partitioned off by sheets. "Hello, I'm Dr. Aggie Kelly, here for my orders."

"Yes, Dr. Kelly, we've been expecting you. I'm Dr. Linwood." Busily searching through a stack of paperwork, she ignores my held-out hand.

I shrug, dropping it back to my side. Her black hair is falling out of its bun, the Red Cross issued apron, usually pristine white, is wrinkled, covered in dried blood. Dr. Linwood looks harried, tired, overworked.

"We've had some changes come about," she looks up, meeting my eyes, "you'll be stationed in Scotland instead."

I furrow my brow. "Scotland?" I breathe.

Dr. Linwood nods her head, handing me my new orders. "Good luck," she says, then turns on a heel and leaves as more wounded are brought in.

I close my eyes as the plane takes off, Crag's scarf still wrapped snuggly around me for warmth. Once in the air, I open Dec's doctors bag, searching for something to eat. The smells wafting from the bag take me home. To my last day, when my family stood waving, sending me off to the war.

I couldn't sleep the night before leaving, too full of nervous excitement. Mamaí must have heard my pacing, she comes to me, wrapping her arms around me. I draw comfort from her like I have so many times before. "Feeling nervous?" she asks quietly.

"No, I don't know, maybe." I growl, tugging my hair. "What if I'm not meant to be a doctor, what if I fail? What if I get over there, and it's something I can't handle?"

Mamaí smiles, smoothing a finger down my nose. "Ever since you were tiny, you've wanted this. You were meant to be a doctor, Aggie. I'll tell you what my Da always told to me, you're meant for great things. Sometimes, we fail, yes. Sometimes we're scared, but mo grá, on the other side of all this fear, all this doubt, there's greatness, there's happiness." She presses my head to her shoulder. "Trust me, I know, and so do you. Just remember who you are, remember where you come from, Aggie-girl."

The landing of the plane jars me from my musings, I quickly gather up my belongings, ready to return to my homeland.

When I step off the plane, the memories of my childhood come rushing back to me. The stunning, mythical green beauty of this place, the maze of stone fencing looking like a patchwork quilt. The scattering of ancient buildings calling to me.

Tears prick my eyes as I hear the sounds of the lullabies my daidí use to sing to me wafting on the breeze.

"Dr. Kelly?" My eyes pop open, a young soldier with barely a whisker stands in front of me, nervously bouncing from foot to foot. "I'll be driving you to the army hospital."

"Thank you," I say, as he takes my bags.

A Dr. O'reilly shows me to my quarters, giving me a quick tour. "Dinner is promptly at six, and your day will begin tomorrow, promptly at 6." He smiles, his head full of white hair tufting out in all directions, his grey eyes are kind, with a speck of mischievousness in them. "Any questions?"

"Hundreds," I laugh, "But I have the rest of my life to ask them."

Dr. O'reilly nods, a smile lighting his face. "Very good."

I wander around the base a bit, toying with the idea of venturing into Glasgow. But first, I need food. I make my way to the canteen in search of a snack.

I'm digging in my bag, searching for Bea's last letter, when I smack into something solid.

My bag slips from my fingers, I bend over to grab it, an apology on the tip of my tongue, when I hear, "Well I'll be damned."

I stand up, brushing the hair from eyes. I look at the man in front of me, he's tall, strong, the sleeves of his uniform rolled up to his elbows. I meet his chocolate brown eyes, and recognition hits me.

"Corky!" I screech, jumping into his arms. Tears come unbidden to my eyes. I swipe them away before he sees them. "What are you doing here?"

"Serving our country, same as you." He twirls me around by my hand. "Look at you Aggie-girl, so grown up, and a doctor to boot."

I can't believe he's here, standing in front of me. At Milly's funeral he didn't look like he does now. He's grown taller, he's muscular, his skin sun-kissed from being outdoors, his red hair darkened into a beautiful auburn.

"You look so good, Corky." I stumble, my thoughts tumbling out of their own accord. "I mean, I, I...." I take a breath, smiling. "I've missed you, I'm so glad you're here."

Corky grins, making my heart skip. "I've missed you too, Aggie. And you look good yourself, beautiful, I'd say." He takes my hand, saying, "Come on, let's get you some food," he chuckles, "I know how much you love your food." He stops, staring at me for a moment. "Canned peaches, if I recall."

I throw my head back in laughter, Corky's eyes sparkling. Mamaí was right, on the other side of fear and doubt, there is happiness.

I smile as Corky leads me into the canteen. Yes, there's much to be discovered on the other side.