A Soldier of No Importance [ Band of Brothers ] 1

SIXTEEN

She didn't realize she had fallen asleep until she woke up against the wall later. Her neck ached as she turned her head to look at the men. Some of them were missing, others sat looking at or writing letters, or playing poker. Only half the lights were on.

The cot creaked as she shifted to the side. When the boys glanced over, she studied them. Then she smiled. "You all look much better. I like you more when you aren't sick."

"Thank fucking Sobel for that one," Bill Guarnere snapped. He shuffled a deck of cards. "What a fucking asshole."

Alice hummed in agreement. She hesitated as they all went back to their activities. Her heart raced. She saw two options, and she didn't feel well about either one. She could go find Nixon or Ron or even Dick, and then be lectured about not opening up to the men who would be responsible for her life someday. Or, she could try to relate to them.

"Hey sweetheart don't think so hard, your brain might explode." Bill grinned when she glanced up at him. He held up the deck of cards. "D'ya know how to play poker?"

"Yes."

Everyone in the room looked over. Bill, Joe Toye, Malarkey, and Liebgott, who all sat playing poker and smoking, seemed the most surprised. But even Muck, writing Faye Tanner, and Perconte who sat reading turned to her.

Bill took his cigarette out of his mouth. "You mean you been sitting over there every time we played for almost three months and haven't said anything?" Before she could respond, he put the cards down. "Get over here. You're playing."

"I don't-"

"Come on! We'll go easy on yah." Bill winked at her and started dealing cards. He dealt five hands.

"Yeah, come on," Don Malarkey added. "Get your officer pay over here!"

Alice gave a short laugh. With a quick shake of her head, she got out about ten dollars from her footlocker. "That's the problem. I don't make enough to spend it gambling."

Bill looked at her and laughed. "What? You're a Lieutenant, for Christ's sake."

"A Lieutenant in name only."

"The fuck's that supposed to mean?" Liebgott seemed incredulous. "What do you make?"

As she sat down on the cot beside Liebgott, she shrugged. "It doesn't matter." She picked up her hand and looked at it carefully. "One hand, boys. That's it."

"The fuck it doesn't matter," Liebgott objected. He put down his cards. "What do you make?"

Alice sighed. "Come on. Play or I'm out."

Toye nodded. He took another long draw of smoke. "Let's play. Drop it you two."

They played a quick round. Malarkey ended up coming out ahead. Bill and Liebgott still looked irritated at her comment, or she supposed, at not fully understanding her comment. She had to admit, she enjoyed spending time with them. Though poker had never been her best or favorite game. Robert had excelled at it. She thanked them for the game and for taking her ten bucks, retreated to her cot, and yawned.

Suddenly the door to the barracks swung open and George Luz bounded in with Gene Roe next to him. The former looked quite pleased with himself. A cool breeze swept through the room.

"Gentlemen, and lady," George began, "I'm pleased to announce a single victory in the disaster of today." He cleared his throat. In his best Colonel Sink impersonation, he continued on. "Weekend passes restored! You boys went through hell today, and came out the wiser. Enjoy a 48 hour pass this weekend."

"Luz, if this is a fuckin' joke."

"Corporal Toye, I wouldn't joke about this." He winked. Then he turned to Alice. Pulling his hand from behind his back, he threw something at her. "Catch, my lady."