Chapter 1: Field of Dreams

1

“Hey, we need to talk.”
“What about?”
“Well, um…. How do I begin? Uh…”
“You’re breaking up with me.”
“I didn’t want to say it so harshly. I’m really sorry.”
“Whatever. It’s cool.”
“I am so sorry. It’s not you; it’s me. I’m not…. I… You are an amazing person; it’s just that… I…. I’m so sorry.”
“No, no. I understand. Really.”
“You gonna be ok?”
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself, thank you. Don’t worry about me… I… I’ll live.”
“Wow. I feel like a total jerk. I am so sorry.”2

I shuddered as I woke. The look on his face and his words of “I’m sorry” swirled distantly around my head. God, I hadn’t dreamed of him in years. I shuddered again, coming back into reality. As I looked out the window of the small plane, I saw land off in the distance. I guess it was Turkey, but I honestly wasn’t really paying attention. 3

4

A jittery young Marine on my left noticed that I was awake, and appeared pleased to have someone to talk to. He began rambling on, his sentences jumping together. But like I said, I wasn’t really paying attention. I did pick up some information though. The kid’s name was Jake, he was a new recruit, and we would be landing in a half an hour. I figured that I would start counting the minutes. I could have told him to shut up, but I felt sorry for him. He looked to be about 18, maybe 19 at the most. When we landed, he probably would get sent to the front lines. I, on the other hand, would probably stay in camp, or another camp. At times like these, I felt lucky to be a nurse. 5

6

My mind drifted back to my dream. I couldn’t get over how I had a dream about him, yet I hadn’t even thought about Jonathan in at least two years! He had broken up with me when I was a sophomore in high school, for goodness sake. The only reason I could imagine that he would randomly pop into my dream was because I was finally going to Iran, on a plane with a bunch of Marines. Jonathan had been the one who put the idea of being a Marine into my head all those years ago. We didn’t talk to each other much after he broke up with me, and by the time I was a junior, I had all but forgotten him. I wasn’t the type to go long without setting my eyes on someone else. When he graduated (he was a year older than I), I never attempted to contact him, so I never knew what became of him. Whatever; he was long gone, and history. 7

8

Still, he had inspired me to join the Marines, and I finally did, with a full ride scholarship to med-school. The military had rushed me through college, and I got my bachelor’s degree in three years. They told me I could finish when I got back from my tour; apparently the military really needed nurses overseas. I was pretty proud of myself, to be serving my country, with a college education at only 23 years of age. I had spent years waiting for the moment I would be able to finally help out my country. I looked at my watch. According to Jake, next to me (still talking), that would be in about 20 minutes. 9

10

Did that kid, ever shut up? Now he was going on about some random facts about Iran. Or, maybe he was talking about Iraq. I still wasn’t paying fully attention. 11

12

“Hey, motor mouth! Give it a rest, ok buddy?”13

14

I looked up at my savior. A smiling man with dark hair and eyes looked back at me. I knew he was about 26, but he didn’t look a day older than 20. It was Matt, the guy who helped me survive during those harsh college years, and one of my closest friends in the service. He had a smile that put everyone at ease, so it was no surprise that everyone considered themselves his friends. Jake, realizing who was peering over his shoulder, turned a shade of scarlet, and for the first time in nearly 15 minutes, was silent. 15

16

“Do ya mind if I snag yer seat there, for a few minutes?” I loved Matt’s laid back attitude, which found itself even in his speech. Jake, even with Matt smiling, turned white, and quickly scurried off to the back of the plane. I twisted around, to make sure he found a seat, but he had vanished from my line of sight. Matt, however, plopped himself down, and threw one leg across the armrest and into my lap. “Ya nervous?”17

18

“Hell no. Why, should I be?” I poked his knee in mock disgust.19

20

“Well, I ‘spose blood and guts would make most guys nervous. Havin’ to touch all that shit, maybe gittin’ shot at while repairin’ someone who just got their ass blow off... You know, normal shit that would make anyone nervous.” I rolled my eyes. “Hell! It’d sure make my scared! I’ll kill the bastards any day of the week, but I can’t touch any of the shit you’re off messin’ with.”21

22

I shoved his leg playfully. “You know I could never try to kill someone; being a nurse for our boys is my way of sharing duty. Besides, I like my ass too much to have it get wasted on a goddamn mortar shell!” Matt laughed at my insolence. 23

24

Despite our banter, I really was nervous about going into Iran and seeing our guys in pain. I felt my stomach lurch into my throat as we descended. I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else other than Matt, not only because he made me feel at ease, but also I knew I must look like shit. The decent was so turbulent; I thought my teeth would rattle loose from my head. That and I hated planes. Something about being suspended several thousand feet above the earth, with no control over what happen to your body, and trusting you whole life to a pilot and his piece of machinery just made me cringe. I clutched the armrest tightly, as if it alone would save me if we were to crash. Matt looked over at me and grinned. He didn’t say anything, but he placed a reassuring hand over mine. He knew how much I hated planes. The piecing screech of rubber on torn-up asphalt sent chills up my spine. The sound brought the too many images of burning and crashing planes I’d seen on TV.
However, the plane finally coasted to a stop with nothing eventful. When I stood, my legs were trembling. Matt grabbed my thigh and held it while I quivered. “Airplanes and elevators. Scariest things ever!” I briefly explained. I looked to the rear of the plane. There was that Jake kid again, and he looked really pale, as if he had just lost his breakfast or something. Poor guy. I was bad on planes, but not that bad.
Stepping off the plane was like stepping in the deepest circle of Hell. There was absolutely no breeze, and the heat was intense. I could feel sweat collecting above my eyes, and hoped I wouldn’t look horrid for my new supervisor. It felt like the very air was pressing down on us, heavy and nauseous. I knew this heat helped to isolate the camp and make it safer, but this heat was ridiculous! From there, we all piled into an armored transport that was part of a small convoy heading to the camp. It seemed to take forever, but in all actuality, it was only a few hours. Still, it was a relieve to be free from the cramped transport, even if it was hotter than hell. 25

26

There was small group of Marines standing by, waiting to receive us. I looked around, searching for anyone I might know, but none came to mind right away. As I passed most of the guys, I got several odd looks. I guess these punks aren’t used to having a lady around. An evil smile spread on my lips. I’d just have to change that. I tugged at the ends of my hair, which protruded below my helmet. It used to be really blond, but I had long since dyed it light brown. I kept the natural highlights I had; I just couldn’t part with them. I couldn’t help myself, as I walked past some of the guys, I allowed my turquoise eyes to sparkle at them. I knew I looked like a guy in one of the marine combat uniform, but even that couldn’t hide my long eyelashes and sleek feminine curves, and smooth step. Matt will give me hell for this later. I usually refrained from flirting with her comrades, but I had to make sure they knew I wasn’t going to be pushed around. 27

28

There were eight tents set up in the middle of nowhere; each looked to be about 12 by 30 feet, and they were arranged in a cross between a rectangle and a horseshoe. In the back of the shoe was a tent with a faded red cross on it. I assumed this was the makeshift hospital that I would be working in, so I walked to it, and hoped for the best. 29