We'll Meet Again (Babe Heffron x OC)

5

"Promotion?"

I wasn't sure that I was hearing correctly.

"I have seen fit to promote you to 2nd Lieutenant. As such, Sobel has decided to assign you to coordinate guard duties for 14 days. Congratulations, Lieutenant Whelan." Colonel Sink replaced my collar device with that of a 2nd Lieutenant.

"Thank you, sir." I saluted him. "This is an absolute honor, but it all seems so-"

"Fast? You're making history Whelan. You have earned this with all the hard work you put in. Besides, if you want to fly planes for the Army one day you'll need to be an officer."

"I get to fly planes for the Army?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Eventually you may do more regular flying missions. As of right now you'll sit closest to the front in case pilots require assistance. Your main role is still to be a member of Easy Company."

"Rifleman first." I replied. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome. I'm proud to see a fine and upstanding young woman leading the charge for females in the Armed Forces." he patted me on the shoulder and shook my hand.

"And sir? Thanks for not making this a whole big to-do." I sniffled and saluted him once more. "I'm gonna get back to my barracks and start planning the guard rotations."

***

I wasn't the only one to receive a promotion. Dick had received one as well and had been designated mess officer.

"So, Dick. Whatcha got planned for lunch tomorrow?" I replied, kicking back from my desk chair after I finished the guard duties and sent them off with Lipton to be posted in the barracks.

After the promotion I had been moved back to the officers barracks. The men were sorry to see me go, but according to Sobel they had an 'overabundance' of NCO's so he grudgingly had a couple men help me move my things.

"Sobel wanted spaghetti, so we're having spaghetti." he replied. "We're supposed to have some rain tomorrow, so he said to make spaghetti and then we're gonna have classroom instruction and the evening off. Who's on guard duty tonight?" he asked.

"Randleman and Christenson. It was their turn. I gave myself morning guard duties. Not for lack of wanting to do night duties, but-" I threw my pencil down to my desk. "Oh, who the hell am I kidding? I haven't had a full night's rest in weeks.

"How much sleep do you get?" asked Lewis.

"A couple hours. Sobel has had me on guard duty almost every night for the past few weeks so I only get but 2-3 hours every day." I rubbed my eyes, yawned, and leant back in my chair.

"How have you not dropped dead?"

"I've got you guys to watch over me. I'll be alright." I laughed.

The following day we stumbled into the mess hall after morning PT ready for spaghetti. The skies had been looking mighty fine with no sign of bad weather in any direction. Maybe it was supposed to be some kind of freak Georgia storm? I don't know... Army food was often as it was characterized in movies: slop. Although sometimes I could tell what food was being served, most of the time for breakfast I got some kind of oatmeal and fruit, lunch was different every day. Spaghetti was a treat, but I could smell something fishy coming from a mile away. It wasn't like Sobel to give us a break or a treat. This man had something ugly planned.

"This stuff is orange. Spaghetti ain't supposed to be orange."

"This ain't spaghetti. This is army noodles and ketchup." replied Perconte with his mouth half full, gesturing to the plate with his fork.