The Cold Recesses of our Minds

6

When I was a young girl I used to sing and play the piano for my little brother. I never did it for my sisters. I only sang to my brother. But then he got older and got more involved with boyish things.

Then of course when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor a lot of boys wanted to go.

My brother was one of them. He was 18 at the time and my father was proud to have a son go to war. I remember walking into his room. I was also ready to leave...

Except I was going to Camp Toccoa. The training camp for paratroopers. My brother was off to God knows where.

"You're not going," I sigh. He looks up.

"What do you mean," he shuts his bag. I shut the door.

"I'm going to Camp Toccoa," I whisper. He stops and looks at me.

"No you're not," he shakes his head mainly trying to make himself feel better.

"I am, and you have to stay home," I shut the door. I remember the silence that took place after that. The silence that tore through my ears. It was a screaming silence. One that I only experienced again in this bed.

My brother didn't go.

And he didn't tell anyone where I went.

I wish he did now. I open my eyes and find myself laying on a horrible bed, but a bed none the less. It's more comfortable than the cold ground of winter...

Winters.

The last warmth I thought I would ever feel. The white snow falling on my hair and face. The cold breeze blowing on my wound as if it were trying to heal it.

I remember everything, even things I didn't think I did. I brushed my hand across Winters face and smiled at him.

"Shh, it's going to be okay," he whispered. I reached up and kissed his nose.

"One for the road," I smile as I her the footsteps.

Winters.

I sit up. I see dozens of other soldiers laying on beds. It looks like I'm still in Bastogne but for some reason I don't think I am. The room is dark and dirty. It's so brown in here. The walls and floors are brown. I smell blood and despair in the ear. The silence hits me most.

Is everyone dead?

I look down. My shirt is filled with blood stains. A large bandage is over my lower chest. I touch my chest and then feel the pain. I let out a painful sigh. I touch my upper chest. How many people saw I was a woman? I gasp.

Winters did. He knows. He's going to get my ass shipped back home. I feel a tear fall down my face. I'm not sure if it's of joy or pain. I get up ignoring the pain. I feel better. I don't feel cold.

How am I alive?

I get on my feet. Oh looks like they still work! I smile. I'm not completely useless. I push myself off the bed with my arms. They're sore but still functioning. I walk lightly as I button up my shirt. I pull down my sleeves and rub my arms.

My patches never made it to my uniform. I shake my head. I hope Liebgott grabbed them, along with my other things...

I walk around and hear a woman talking. I walk towards the voice. An older nurse talks to two younger women. One of the girls with blonde hair sees me. The soft glow of the fire makes the scene calm. However her face of pure surprise throws the calm out into the snow.

"My god," she says in a thick accent. I can't figure out where she's from. The two other women look at me.

"Out of bed then, Easy Company soldiers always are," the old woman shakes her head. I smile.

"Can I get back to them? I'm probably needed," I say. The young blonde girl stands up. I watch her go into another room. She seems tense. I wonder is she knows.

"You're hardly in a condition too go back," the old woman stands up and opens up my shirt. Thank god the bandages are covering everything.

"I'm fine," I shrug. The old woman nods.

"You've healed quickly you haven't bleed through these in a day, I'm surprised you survived, shrapnel and burns were what you had. Consider yourself lucky," the old woman walks away.

"Wait how long have I been here?" I ask. A whole day I understand, but how long before that.

"2 weeks or so, possibly more," the old woman purses her lips and turns to the other young girl with light brown hair. Both look tired.

"Natalia come, let us check on the other patients," she says and the young brunette follows her.

I stand alone in the quiet little room. I see blood tags thrown in a corner. A deck of cards lays on the table. I see a bar of chocolate next to them. My stomach grumbles. The blonde girl comes out of the room with a bag and a helmet. In all my life I've never been more excited to see my helmet.

"Thank you miss," I smile. She looks down at the floor. I put on my helmet as I watch her. The smile fades from my face as I realize she's thinking of the right things to say.

"I know you're a woman," she whispers and looks up. "I thought about telling someone, but..." She doesn't finish. I look away.

"Thank you, you've saved my life and kept my secret. What is your name?" I look back to her with a smile.

"Kellanne," she smiles.

"Well Kellanne, you are my hero and stories of you will be told to my children," I hold out my hand. She takes it.

"I think a truck will stop by soon, perhaps you can find your men and get back," she walks me through the dark hallways. I notice that it must be early morning. The sun is peeking through the shades slightly.

"Thank you," I nod as she leads me up to the door.

"This is goodbye, Captain," she smiles and walks away. I look at her.

"Wait," I call out. She turns around.

"How did I survive?" I ask. She smiles.

"God works in mysterious ways," she shrugs and walks away.

I haven't thought about God for some time. Maybe this was my wake up call. I shake my head and open the door. The sun warms my skin. It must be near February it's not as cold.

I see a jeep pull up with two men in it along with the driver. I walk up to it. I wonder where I am... I mean where is the 506th as well?

"Excuse where are you heading?" I ask to a man. He turns his head. I see the white spade on his helmet before I see his face.

"Hagenau, with Easy," It's Webster. My best friend.

"Holy sh- Webster?!" I ask. He gives me a second look.

"Lieutenant Richardson?" He smiles. I nearly hug him.

"Let's go," says the driver.

"Hang on we got one more," Webster helps me into the truck. We drive off down the road.

Webster talks about his hospital experiences. I smile and nod. I haven't been so happy in my life. Or rather William Richardson hasn't.

"So what has the company been doing?" He asks. I don't answer as we pull up to the run down town of Hagenau.

"You're about to find out," the truck stops. I hop out and hide my face. I follow Webster through the trucks as he asks questions. Each platoon is in a truck.

He walks up to Third Platoon. I see Malarkey standing in the truck. He looks like hell. I curse myself. I left him and so did Buck. I wonder if others did as well.

I have a feeling a lot of things changed while I was gone...