Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Off the line

Easy Company was finally pulled off the line and they moved back to Mourmelon-le-Grand at the end of February. It had been around ten weeks since they had last been there. Much had changed in that time, but to the battered and exhausted soldiers, coming to Mourmelon was once again like a dream, at least for a while.

"I could sleep for a week", Luz declared through a huge yawn, stretching and wincing as his spine realigned itself with a crack.

Ella chuckled. "You know, you said that last time, too", she commented with a soft smile.

A stab of pain lanced through her heart. Last time. Last time, some of her friends had still been here. Stop! Nid jetz! Dafür ish ez nid dr richtig Ziitpunkt. Shoving the dark thoughts from her mind, the girl was determined to grab a shower and get some rest. Then, maybe, she could start to deal with all the loss and horror she had experienced over the last two and a half months.

"Hey, look who it is!", somebody hollered. "It's the Five-Oh-Sink!"

They turned and were met with a group of grinning faces that belonged to the 502nd PIR. The men came over to greet the returning soldiers, exchanging pleasantries, shaking hands and sharing their joy of finally being at the rear again.

The ranking medic smiled. "We didn't expect a welcoming party", she commented, shaking the hand of her counterpart from the 502, Leo Watson.

"Yeah, well", the lanky Texan drawled with a shrug, "we heard you were comin' and thought it'd be nice."

Ella had to agree. "It's always nice to see some friendly faces."

He clapped her on the shoulder. "That's right."

After the warm welcome from their sister regiment, Easy started gathering their gear to move into their designated billets.

"Heads up, Shorty!", Popeye called from atop one of the trucks.

She turned around just in time to see a pack flying her way. She caught it purely out of reflex, sending a huge grin up to her friend. "Thanks Popeye!"

"You're welcome, kid."

***

They were billeted in large twelve-man tents this time. They were comfortable enough. Their footlockers, that held all personal belongings, had already been pulled out of storage and sat waiting in front of their beds. The ranking medic sat down cross-legged on the floor and opened hers, tracing the letters written on the lid with a smile.

After almost three years, the mystery surrounding her initials was still a topic of debate. Every now and again, mostly during mail call or when something reminded them of it, the guys would ask or offer their newest speculations about her full name.

"Hey, ya heard, Shorty?", Babe asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

The small girl looked up from stowing her gear. "What?"

"We got showers! Real showers, not just some shitty tent! And proper latrines!", he told her, a wide grin splitting his face.

She was on her feet in a flash. "Really? With doors that lock and all that?", she asked. It sounded almost too good to be true.

"And toilet paper", Talbert added. The newly appointed First Sergeant couldn't help but smile when he saw the brunette bouncing with excitement, her eyes sparkling with wonder.

Ella beamed at the luxury. "That I gotta see for myself, otherwise I won't believe it!", she said, giving them a quick wave before dashing off.