A new medic

Chapter 14

Upottery Airfield, England - June 5th, 1944

The airfield had never seen such a hive of activity. The sun was starting to set as the 101st prepared for the long awaited jump. Jess had been helped into her webbing and chute by Nix. The friends had hugged and promised to meet up in Normandy before the day ended. Then Nix had left to find Strayer and discuss last minute intelligence whilst Jess walked around helping fellow Easy Company paratroopers with their own luggage. Eventually she spotted Guarnere talking with Martin and headed over towards them, wanting to wish Guarnere luck before they boarded their separate aeroplanes.

"Let's get this over with." Jess heard Guarnere tell Martin before he turned and started to walk away towards her. "Bill?" Martin called back and Bill paused to look around. "I'll meet up with you over there." Bill said nothing but nodded and turned back away. Jess noted the anger in his eyes and touched his arm in concern. "You ok?" she asked quietly and frowned in concern when Guarnere told her about the death of his brother in Monte Cassino. "Oh, Bill," Jess sighed and patted her friend on the shoulder. Bill shrugged and shook his head. "Come on," he sounded gruff but gave Jess a quick hug before they parted ways.

"Gentlemen, Doc Roe is handing these out for air sickness. Orders are, every man takes one now, another thirty minutes in the air." Lieutenant Meehan instructed them as Dick watched his platoon accept the pills from Roe. He started to walk forwards but was stopped by Meehan who held his hand out. "Lieutenant." Meehan shook Dick's hand, nodded and then walked away to his own plane. Dick stared at his hands fumbling with the air sickness pills for a moment before stepping forwards and clearing his throat.

"Second platoon, listen up." Dick suddenly hesitated as his men's gazes landed directly upon him. Trying to ignore the most penetrating gaze from the pair of stormy grey eyes at the back, Dick continued to talk, "good luck. God bless you. I'll see you in the assembly area." Then with a sharp nod to Roe who had finished dishing out medication, Dick started to pull up his men one by one, clenching their hand in reassurance and looking them in the eyes before they boarded the plane. Eventually, Dick grasped the hand of Jess and gently hauled her to her feet. Their eyes met, her's cloudy with determination and his mediating with calmness. Jess smiled at him briefly and Dick momentarily forgot where they were but then her gaze dropped away and the two boarded the plane, which took off towards the imminent jump. No one knew just what they were flying into but one thing was certain. They would emerge as changed people, their eyes finally open to the true horrors of war..