Issue 14
Hope
Allen McGill
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Wartime
Vera had no time for fear. Her patients might be killed if she didn't move quickly. A quick glance out the ship's starboard side showed that the attack plane was nearing for another strike, the second in three days.
"Take the ambulatory into the OR, quick!" she shouted. Orderlies followed her orders. At least those able to move would be away from the open ward.
She edged an unconscious post-op patient onto a stretcher for easier evacuation. The patient was Steve, an army surgeon she'd met on an earlier crossing from Saipan to Okinawa. They'd worked together and a relationship was developing, but he was transferred. Time was so short. The USS HOPE had a schedule to meet; people didn't count.
Vera wheeled the stretcher into an inner passageway. After locking its wheels in place, she stroked the sweat from Steve's pale brow. "You'll be in a safe port soon," she whispered. "I won't have to worry about you." Her husband had been killed at Pearl Harbor.
The torpedo plane made another pass, again missing the ship. Silence. The tension eased. Vera took a deep breath. The HOPE's been dubbed Lucky 7. Let's hope the moniker sticks.
~Allen McGill
Originally from NYC, Allen lives, writes, acts and directs
theatre in Mexico. His published fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, etc.,
have appeared in print as well as on line.
© 2003 by Allen McGill. All Rights Reserved.
© Copyright 2003 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.