Escaping RiverCreek

Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Six Years Advanced

It's been six years since Cory refused to return home, turning his back on his past. After signing a new contract a year earlier to continue his medical training, he's had to make the transition from working in a traditional M.A.S.H. hospital to a larger more secure military field hospital, now called a cash, or C.S.H.

Cory's worked hard and is now a sergeant, working swing shifts when casualties roll in around the clock. He's earned the respect of his commanding officers, who helped him with his studies to receive his regent degree through a partnership with the University of Northern Carolina State.

"Cory, need you to take the graveyard watch tonight. After finals, I need to you to monitor Private Dill's condition. IED did a number on his abdomen."

Rotating his eyes away from this screen, he replies quickly, "Yes, Captain I got it—night watch."

Once the sun sets, Cory takes his place going over charts during bed check to help the nurses.

"Thanks, Sergeant. You're a sweetheart. Wanna get a drink tomorrow or something?" the newest nurse to his unit asks.

The other nurses snicker, knowing she's about to get shot down.

"Maybe." That causes an uproar, as no one expected him to accept.

"About time," he hears the head nurse comment, reading over charts on the other side of Cory.

The young blond nurse has a bright blemish appear on her pale cheeks.

"Good. Can't wait. See you tomorrow, Sergeant."

Tapping her foot on the floor, the head nurse reminds Cory of regulations. "You know you can't have a relationship. You're still an enlisted man, and she's a lieutenant."

Cory cuts up. "I know, but it's just a drink, ma'am. I don't do relationships—you know that."

"I know, just reminding you in case you forgot."

They look at each other and laugh.

"Good one, Captain," he tells her, placing his last chart on the end of the bed before heading to the charge station for his shift.

Going over notes from his online lectures, Cory's night goes from peaceful to shattered when the MPs come rushing through the door.

"Sergeant Cory Dubois?" one of them questions, standing after he stops at the desk.

"Yes, I've done nothing wrong. What's this about?"

Taking their position in parade rest, they explain their actions. "We're here on behalf of the chaplain. Your father has passed away, and you are being shipped home for bereavement leave. Ten days at home, and then you report back to your unit."

"Forget it. I'm not going!" He tells them, taking his seat.

"Colonel's orders, Sergeant. You have no choice. His demands are for you to be sent home since you have skipped required R&R for the last two deployments."

Slamming his fist on the table, Cory awakens every patient in the bay. "I said I'm not going. Court-martial me if you must, because I am not going back to RiverCreek!"

A day later, Cory is proven wrong when he's flying back to Germany for a direct flight to New York and then jumping onto a connecting flight to St. Paul Regional Airport.

When he's on the ground in Minnesota, he's welcomed home with a loud squeal when his mother spots him walking from the gate.

"Cory, son!"