“I never heard such a thing, but I‘m stupid in the way of babies and mothers.”
“Yes, I know. A mother can tell what the child she is carrying is. Honto, Tomi?”
“Always, My Love?”
“Hai. Always. Sometimes even before she gets pregnant. We are going to have a girl first.”
“Iie. How do you know that? You’re pulling my leg again. There is no way that you can know that. Besides you have 50-50 chance of being correct.”
“What if I have twins or triplets?”
“Then we have problem because the odds change beyond my comprehension.”
“Do you want to bet with Tomi? It maybe a sucker bet even at 50-50.”
“What do you think Love? Is she going to be all right? It has been almost 8 weeks since Rick was killed, and other than the fact that she doesn’t spend much time with friends. To me she seems as happy as you would expect.” Dan asked Suzie when they started up Kokusai Dori after leaving the coffee house.
“She never spent a lot of time with friends before. Ever since I have known her it has always been if you want to see and talk to Tomi, you have to come see her. Wakarimasu ka, what I am trying to say?”
“I wakaru. She’s a bit of a loner.”
“Hai. Just like you my Love. When you first came to the Clover I thought that you just wanted to screw me. Then when I knew I was in love with you, I looked at you harder and could see that you were a loner, who loved me. A person who enjoyed his own company, but was quite capable of loving a woman deeply.
When I had my first period with you in my bed, you held me and caressed me the same way as if we were going to make love.”
“You thought that out about me? Loved me before you knew that I also loved you?
You didn’t know that I fell in love with you the first time I met you and after we made love I wasn’t going anywhere.”
“I figured that out and also learned that you are a one woman man.”
Dan slipped his arm around Suzie’s slim waist and she stepped closer until their hips met for just two or three steps and he moved over enough so they were no longer touching.
“How many more days do we have?” She asked.
“Remember, we aren’t supposed to think about or count days.”
“I know. But seeing Tomi and remembering Rick makes me sad and worried about every minute we have together.
“She is going to be all right isn’t she?” Dan asked again.
“Hai. I believe so, My Love.”
TWENTY EIGHT
“I have to think about catching a plane back in-country tomorrow.”
The fact that today was Dan’s last day of leave and being on Okinawa had not been mentioned since the day he had arrived on the island. Now they had to start facing it, he was going back to Vietnam tomorrow.
“I know” She answered and squeezed his hand tighter. “When?”
“I have until 2400 tomorrow to be anywhere in-country.”
“We can have all day today together? And tomorrow?”
“Hai. I’m not going to start looking for a ride until about 1600. I’ll start here at MCAF then go to Kadena. If I have to, I’ll go to Naha and try for a cargo plane.”
“How long will it take to do? Go from base to base?”
“A couple hours more or less. Depends on how many bases I have to hit.
Do you want to go with me?” Dan asked her.
“I can do that?”
“Sure. After I find a ride I’ll put you in a base cab and send you home.”
“I would like that.”
They were quiet for a while each lost in their own thoughts. They were still holding hands and occasionally making eye contact and smiling though their smiles were a bit on the sad side each knowing that this interlude of quiet and love was about to end.. The early morning sun at 0600 was just starting to build up some warmth though even in the direct sunlight they were comfortable sitting on the little back deck of their house in their under wear.
“I think we should go back to bed, or else you should take a nap later. I know that neither of us will sleep much tonight. But you’ll be very tired when you leave.”
“I’ll get enough sleep on the way.”
“You can sleep on an airplane?”
“Oh yeah. Always do.”
“You don’t have the need to take me to bed?”
“I always like our time together in bed. I’m not sure of how much of it is need and how much is wanting to be close and being able to enjoy each others in togetherness.. To me there is a difference.”
“Hai. I know. I can tell how gentle and caring your are and that it is not need.
You would not be contributing to our baby fund today. I’m starting my period soon today.”
“No aka-chan staying is there?”
“No. Are you disappointed?”
“Not really. Actually I want to be with you from the day you get pregnant until the kid arrives. I don’t want to spend 7 or 8 months away from you while we’re waiting for him to arrive.”
“That is very nice.” Suzie said when she slid onto his lap straddling his thighs with her long, bare legs. “I think I want you to take me to bed and spend the morning holding me.”
For the last 36 or so hours they had talked almost ceaselessly about their future when they weren’t napping in bed or on their back porch laying in the sun enjoying each others company as well as the warm Okinawa sun.
“Where do we go now?” Suzie asked when Dan came out of the MCAF terminal at Futemma with out finding an aircraft going in-country.
“Kadena my Dear. We’ll try the Air Force next. I have a feeling that my best chance is going to be the Naha AFB cargo terminal. They have C-130s and 141s leaving for in-country around the clock.”
“Around the clock?” Suzie asked. What does that mean?”
“Like all day and all night. A lot of aircraft go from there everyday. But it’s the farthest away from Futemma so I left it for last.
The taxi papa-san likes it anyway. He’s making a good evening’s pay.” Dan made eye contact with the driver in the rearview mirror and saw his smile.
“I’ll give you a break if we have to go to Naha for you to catch a plane. You’re going back to Vietnam tonight?”
“Yeah. I was home on leave for a month.”
Suzie slid close to him and put his right arm over her shoulders as she snuggled against him. “ Is Phu Bai a safe place to be? I’m scared for you and 6 or 7 months without you is going to be a long time.”
“I will get at least one R & R in about 2 months and since most of the Seabees in-country now were never stationed on Okinawa they want to go to places like Taiwan or Hong Kong. I shouldn’t have a problem of getting home each time it’s offered.
Safety in Vietnam is a question of where we are and what kind of job we are doing. The Seabees like to tell the story that we are safer in-country than we are on the LA freeway.”
“The? What is it? The L and A? What is a freeway?”
“The LA is Los Angeles.”
“The city in California, neh?”
“Hai. A freeway is a very big road with lots of cars and trucks and goes through cities. Imagine a road four times bigger that Highway One with three times the cars and trucks.”
“Honto?”
“Hai.”
“That is very scary. But I don’t think it is safer in Vietnam. At least nobody shoots at you in LA. Neh?
You will be very careful. Always wear your flak jacket and helmet. Neh.”
“Hai, My Love. Remember I want to come home to you as much as you want me to.”
There wasn’t much small talk when they left Kadena AFB and started south for Naha AFB. They just held on to each other and when Dan looked down into Suzie’s face her eyes were closed with a tiny tear running down over her Oriental cheeks smearing her makeup. He gently kissed each eye and licked the tears f
rom her cheeks.
“Doesn’t my makeup taste bad?” She asked in a very quiet and soft voice?”
“I didn’t notice I just tasted you and felt your warmth.”
I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. Just come back to me.”
“I will.”
“In the same shape you are leaving me. Promise.” The promise came out as an order.
“I promise. All the same pieces in the same place.”
It didn’t take Dan long in the Naha AFB cargo terminal. He came out followed by an Air Force buck Sergeant. “I’ll pull the pickup over and load your gear and then take you out to the C-141. We have a few minutes. They won’t be starting engines for 15 or 20 minutes yet.”
“Thanks Sarge.”
Dan walked over to where Suzie was standing next to the taxi. “I have a ride to Saigon. It’s leaving shortly.”
“Hai. I heard. Is Saigon all right so you won’t be late or get in trouble?”
“It will be fine. I just have to be in Vietnam before midnight. Doesn’t matter how long it takes me to get to Phu Bai and the battalion.”
She stepped into his arms. Tears flowing freely down her cheeks. “Be very careful My Love. I love you too much and I’m afraid that I would lose it if anything happened to you.”
“I know.
You have to leave. The taxi will take you home or to Reiko’s and Steve’s if you want or need company.”
“I just want to be alone so I can think about us. I have many good memories of us and I will feel better remembering them alone.”
Dan handed the taxi Papa-san a twenty dollar bill. Domo arigato, Papa-san. Take my Oku-san home dozo.”
“Hai. This is too many doru.”
“Iie. Dozo. Domo. Take good care of my oku-san.”
“Hai. You be careful.”
Dan pulled Suzie against him as the Sergeant and taxi Papa-san transferred his gear from the trunk of the taxi to the bed of the Air Force pickup then waited patiently.
“You must go.” Dan said with a husky voice and opened the taxi door gently leading Suzie into the back seat.
She just nodded, unable to speak and her face wet with tears. She mouthed “I love you,” through her tears.
When they reached the C-141 the loadmaster was standing by the forward troop door and helped Dan unload his gear from the pickup and carry it up to the cockpit. “I’ll put it in here with the crew’s gear. We have no other passengers so you can either ride in the cockpit here.” He pointed to the seats behind the flight crew. “Or you can stay in the cargo compartment and catch some ZZZ’s. It’s your call.
Coffee and water is there in those big thermos containers and I’m sure that there is an extra box lunch if you’re hungry.”
I’m fine, Sarge. If it’s OK I’ll ride up here for a while then maybe sack out on a couple troop seats later.”
“Fine, that’s okay. You know the routine, so you’ve been our guest before?”
“Yeah. A couple times, thanks Sarge.”
This is really cool. Dan thought as he watched the crew prepare to depart Naha AFB. He was watching and listening as they got ready for engine start when the navigator reached into a leather flight case which he had slid under his desk. He pulled out a spare headset and handed it to Dan. “Here, you can listen to what’s going on. On this panel where the headset is plugged in is the volume, and this is the push-to-talk button on the cord. But you probably won’t need it.”
“Thank you Sir.” Dan said as he slipped the headset on.
The navigator nodded as he swiveled his seat back to face his desk.
“Where are you headed, Seabee?” Came through Dan’s headset.
He looked around trying to figure who had spoke to him and when he looked forward he saw that the pilot, a youngish Air Force Captain, was looking around the side of his seat with a smile.
Dan found the push-to-talk button. “Ultimately Phu Bai, Sir.”
“Saigon was the best you could do from Naha?”
“Yes Sir. I’m sure I can get a hop up the coast from Tan-Son-Nhut.”
“Is time a factor?”
“No Sir, I just have to be in-country before midnight.”
“That won’t be a problem. We should be on the ground at Tan-Son-Nhut before 2300. We can get your orders stamped there.”
“Thanks Sir. I appreciate that.”
“This isn’t your first tour in-country is it? Nor are you a stranger to Okinawa.”
“No, it’s my second tour. Before that I was at MCAF Futemma for a three year tour.”
“I gathered that you knew your way around. Never had a Seabee trying to catch a hop out of Naha before. One of the crew will help you get a hop to Phu Bai when we get to Tan-Son-Nhut.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Enjoy the ride. I’ve got to get the engines started.” The pilot said as he turned away and picked up a checklist.
Dan tried to wake up as his ears popped for the second or third time. With half opened eyes he turned towards the navigator who had turned to look back at him.
“We’re starting our descent into Tan-Son-Nhut. You’ve been cutting the zzzzs for a couple of hours without moving from the seat. There’s still some coffee left if you want some and you have time to finish it before we’re on the ground. It will be at least another 20 or 25 minutes before we get on the ground depending on how approach handles us.” He smiled and turned back to his desk and radar screen.
“Thanks, Major. I do need a shot of caffeine.”
After the aircraft was parked and as the flight crew started to gather up their gear the Aircraft Commander spoke over his seat back as Dan was puling his gear together from the crew’s gear locker. “When you get on the ramp wait up Seabee and I’ll take you over to C-130 Ops and get you on a northbound. I have no idea when one will be leaving but they go off and on all day and all night long so we won’t have any problem getting you at least to Da Nang.”
“Okay Captain. Thanks. I’ll wait for you on the ramp?”
“Yeah. That will be good. I’ll be ready to go as soon as I sign off the flight log.”
The A/C spoke to his co-pilot as the two officers came out the forward troop door. “Put my stuff on the bus and I’ll meet you in Ops as soon as I get our friend on a C-130.”
“Will do.”
“This way Dave.” The A/C said taking Dan’s name off his name tag.
“I appreciate this, Sir. You’re making it lot easier for me.”
The Captain smiled and shook his head slightly. “I’ve got a secret. My Dad was a Korean war Seabee. So this is kind of pay back.”
“Well thanks. I do like being on the receiving end of this kind of pay back.”
“You have girl friend on Okinawa?”
“Yes. Wife-to-be.”
“Thought it was something like that. Why else would you go back to Okinawa on leave when you could go almost anywhere in the world that you wanted to. My Mom is from New Zealand. Dad met her on his way to the New Hebrides in 1939 before the Seabees were formed. And yes, she is part Maori.
But you don’t really care do you?”
“Well, I am interested, but you’re right I don’t care. My fiance is Okinawan and some kind of Scandinavian. Has the height and rest of the build with emerald green eyes to prove it.” Dan laughed. “Even has red highlights in her hair.”
“In this door. There should be several crews getting ready to file their flight plans.” The Captain said as he went up the short flight of stairs and opened the door to C-130 Operations.
There were several crews around a long counter and some Air Force enlisted men behind the counter helping them by getting them the weather data and current airport conditions the flight crews needed.
“Hey guys.” Dan’s guide spoke up. Who’s headed north this morning. Phu Bai even Da Nang? I got a Seabee who needs a ride.”
“An older Major turned and took a step or two away from the counter. ”We’ll be leaving on a milk run in about two hours. He’s welcome to ride along as far as Da Nang.”
“That work for you Dave?”
“Yes sir. That will work just fine.
Thanks for the ride Sir.”
“Stan Gilles. And yours?”
“Dan Lee Davis. Thanks again.”
“Your welcome. Now I can tell my Dad that I helped out a Seabee and got him to Saigon, then a ride north.” The A/C offered his hand to Dan. “Good luck and keep your head down.”
“Aye aye, Sir.” Dan responded as he shook the Captain’s hand.
“Set your gear in that pile over there by the door. We’ll be ready to leave in about 5 or 10 as soon as the Nav finishes screwing around trying to mess with these poor Airmen’s minds. Had any breakfast?”
“No Sir.” Dan responded as he walked towards the pile of gear the Major indicated.
“Okay. You can go with us to the snack bar. They have a decent cup of coffee for Vietnam and the eggs and hash browns are edible. It will be a long day before we get a chance to eat again. We’re not a scheduled airline and some stops get long.” He said smiling as he turned back to the counter and looked at the papers another Major handed him.
“You want me to sign this? I don’t even know what you put on them.”
“Just sign the damn thing. If we crash you’ll hang anyway no matter what I put on them.” The second Major said laughing and turned away from the counter and started for the pile of gear where Dan had deposited his. Dan looked at the wings on his flight suit and realized he was the navigator and obviously older than the pilot.
“Pilots. They’re all crazy control freaks.” He said almost under his breath breaking into a smile then an open laugh.
“All right, Nav. Where are we going? Da Nang by way of Tahiti?” The pilot started snickering as he too walked towards the pile of gear. “You do realize that someday one of these Ops types are going to take you seriously and call the APs and put you in the looney bin?”
“Major, Sir, we are looney, otherwise we would not be in Indochina flying over people who would like nothing better than to kill us.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right and by the time we get to Da Nang this Seabee will not only agree with you but could be a looney as we are.