Rainbow of Despair

A Rainbow of Despair

Written by: Lt. Wolfe Category: Action, Drama
Rating: R sexual situations


It was a blistering summer's day in New York, along the shore of the Hudson river. The Goldman home was an old regal red brick house with white stone and marble located near the banks of the river proximal to West Point. Myron taught English literature at 'the Point' for the last thirty years before he retired earlier this year due to health reasons. He was diagnosed a short while ago with Hodgkin's Disease. Desi knew that something was wrong when Myron began to complain about severe itching and coughing. He was always weak because he didn't have an appetite. He ran a fever almost constantly. The doctors told Myron that he was lucky, he is still in stage one of the disease. Only local lymph nodes are affected. Hodgkin's Disease causes swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. Later, the doc said, it would spread to his spleen and liver. And that it affects everyone differently. For Myron, the progression is slow and he has long periods of remission. Desi knew that Myron was self conscious about losing his beautiful, dark hair due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They were necessary and were part of his treatment. Desi could not love him more than she did right now.
Desi was diagnosed with Diabetes three years ago, but because of the systemic damages it was known that she had contracted the disease many years earlier. The Goldman's believed that all of their medical problems and those of their children were due to their exposure to agent orange while they served in VietNam. Agent orange was the herbicide that was sprayed to kill the foliage in and around the VietNam jungle and along the roadsides. The chemicals were named for the color band around the drum of the chemical. Other herbicides that were used at the time were known as agent pink, agent blue, agent white, agent purple, and agent green. By far, agent orange was the chemical most widely used. Nine-teen million gallons was used during the war. Later, it was found to be contaminated with Dioxin, a known cancer causing agent. Deseray and Myron Goldman were preparing to entertain some old friends for Myron's fifty-sixth birthday. There were good and not so good times in their married life since VietNam. Their oldest son, Martin recently celebrated his thirty-forth birthday. Their daughter, Becky was ten years younger than her brother.
Even with her eye sight slowly failing, Desi had decorated the terrace beautifully with balloons of various colors and crepe paper streamers to match.
"Des, you know it's puzzling that the old platoon would want to have a reunion this year. And to have it here, so close to West Point, the symbol of the Army." Myron questioned as he sat on the patio in his comfortable chair.
"Why is that, sweetheart?" Desi asked.
"Well, we haven't seen each other for over thirty years, except for Jan and Doc of course."
"Well then, I would say it was about time for a reunion. We aren't getting any younger." Desi answered as she strolled toward her husband. "It will also be an award ceremony for the Silver Rose."
"Desi, you know those awards don't mean anything to me. We received so many in Nam that they had no meaning after awhile."
"I know, my love, but finally we are being recognized as victims of agent orange. I was informed by the Army that a Navy Commander is also coming to the ceremony."
"What does the Navy have to do with our tour of duty in Nam?" Myron questioned.
"I don't know for sure, my love. His name is Cmdr. Harmon Rabb, Jr."
"I think that I have heard that name some where before. Maybe a long time ago. I don't remember when or where, but a Navy man on West Point? What is this world coming to?" Both Myron and Desi chuckled at the thought.


Myron smiled as he kissed Desi. "You look tired sweetheart. Why don't you ask Becky to help?"
"She doesn't want to admit it, but I think it is getting more difficult for her to move around. I can see it in her face."
Rebecka Goldman was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was very young. It is a disease where your own immune system attacks normal tissue in the brain and spinal cord. Rebecka endured visual disturbances such as 'seeing double' and a diminished visual field. She always seemed weak or fatigued. Her speech was becoming slow and her walk was unsteady.
"Damn, What did we do to our children so many years ago?" Myron asked with tears filling his eyes.
"We didn't do anything, Myron." Desi said as she held her husband close. "The Army told us that agent orange, and less common agent blue and agent white were harmless to us. I don't even think they knew what it could do."
"Don't defend the government, Des. They knew that it could cause all kinds of cancers years later. We just were expendable." Myron answered.
At that point Rebecka walked in. She had heard her parents discussion.
"Mommy, daddy." Becky still called Myron and Desi that. "You guys didn't do anything that any warm, loving parents wouldn't do. Both Martin and I think you both did much more. We love both of you very much." Becky kissed both Myron and Desi. "We have never known two people who love each other more then the two of you. That love came pouring out to Martin and I."
"We love you and your brother, Becky." Desi hugged her daughter. Myron agreed with his wife and gave his daughter a kiss.


A Navy vehicle drove up the Goldman driveway.
"Well, looks like the Navy has finally come to West Point." Myron said, halfway sarcastically.
"Daddy, be nice. He's cute." Becky told her father.
"Becky, he is too old for you. He is older then your brother." Myron teased his daughter.
"Oh, daddy." Becky teased her father.

Cmdr. Harmon Rabb was in his late thirties. A very handsome man who stood 6 foot 4 inches, he was well built with dark hair and the most beautiful blue-green eyes that Becky had ever seen.
"Careful now, princess. " Myron couldn't resist the temptation to tease his daughter again.
The Naval officer walked to where the Goldman's were sitting.
"Capt. Goldman ?" the Commander asked.
"Yes." both Desi and Myron answered at the same time.
"Capt. Myron Goldman?"
"I am Capt Myron Goldman." Myron answered. "Please forgive my wife Commander, she was a Capt. as well."
"That's understandable. Sir, the reason why the Navy, and I personally am here is to ........"
Desi let the men talk.


She found herself remembering back to their time in VietNam, some thirty-five years before. That is where she met and fell in love with Myron.

**********************************

The year was 1967, after an assignment to Ft. Knox, Ky for military basic, first Lieutenant Deseray James recently found herself arriving in VietNam. Her arrival had not been a smooth one. Desi recalled that the planes approach to the base was a steep angle because of ground fire. It was a quick landing and then a jerky stop.

On the ground, Deseray saw all guys with heavy weapons walking around. She felt like a novelty because she was a female officer. The men saw her nurse insignia.
They looked at Deseray and said, "She's a nurse, that means there are women coming. When are the nurses coming, when are the nurses coming."
Deseray just smiled. She had hoped that her assignment to the 24th Evacuation hospital would be interesting.
Indeed more women, more nurses were coming to Long Binh, and they would be there soon. It was Deseray's job to prepare for their arrival. She hoped that she could do her job under such adverse conditions. When the other women arrive she would be one of only 160 officers and enlisted women in Saigon and Long Binh.
Everything in Nam appeared to be brown and dirty. There wasn't any color. Deseray had wondered what she had gotten herself into. That took place three weeks ago, but Deseray was still considered a 'newbie.'

Deseray's duty day began when her alarm clock went off at 0600. She was at the hospital on the job at 0630 to start what was usually a twelve hour shift, six days a week. Maybe when the new nurses arrived, the shifts and hours would be shortened. Deseray wouldn't hold her breath. Since they were short handed, the nurses were required to do additional duty at the Long Binh jail. They each had the extra detail for a week. This week was Deseray's rotation. Deseray was walking across the compound when she heard a disturbance nearby. Being a gluten for punishment, Deseray walked in that direction. when she got there, she caught a glimpse of a MP sergeant
who appeared to be smacking a prisoner around while the prisoner was hand cuffed.
"Sgt. What's going on here?" Deseray asked with authority as she took charge of the situation.
Everyone around snapped to attention and saluted her.
"Ma'am, the Sgt. here slugged my partner when he was getting him out of the stockade to be transferred to Tan Son Nkut." the MP Sgt. stated as he pointed to the man in hand cuffs. He was a medium sized, slender man with a ratty beard and a torn, dirty uniform.
Deseray looked at the prisoner. He had multiple scratches and cuts and abrasions. Some of them were recent.
"Is that how you treat all of your prisoners, Sgt.? You beat them into submission?" Deseray asked.
"No Ma'am, but..."
Deseray cut the Sergeant off before he could finish his sentence.
"OK, I'm going to clean the prisoners wounds and I want this kind of treatment to stop, is that understood?"
All of the MP's answered, "Yes, ma'am."
If a man had a problem with Deseray, she mostly ignored it.
Deseray cleaned the man's wounds with tiny packets of alcohol wipes.
"Who is this mans escorts to Tan Son Nhut?" Deseray asked.
Myron spoke up first. "Sgt. Anderson and I are, ma'am. We'll see him safely to his destination."
"Lt., you are?" Deseray questioned.
"I am Lt. Myron Goldman, this is Sgt. Anderson. I am platoon leader for the second platoon, Bravo Company out of Tan Son Nhut. Sgt. Anderson is my platoon sergeant." Myron said half way with a smile. It was clear to Sgt. Anderson that his L-T admired this female officers' spunk.
"Dismissed." Deseray ordere E Everyone saluted the Lt. and continued about their business.

Lt. Goldman and Sgt Anderson had their prisoner secure in the jeep. They began the trip back to Tan Son Nhut.
"Hey, L-T. Seems to me that I saw some energy sparks between you and that nurse at Long Binh."
"Sergeant, that is considered classified information, on a need to know basis." Both men laughed. "I'll never tell." Lt. Goldman answered. The prisoner just snickered. The remainder of the twenty-five mile ride was in silence.

Since the only prisoner at LBJ was in route to Tan Son Nhut, Deseray was free to assume her duties at the hospital. She had missed the morning rounds, Deseray would prepare for the doctors' ward arrival. She got patients out of bed or walking, the corpmen took many to x-ray. Deseray helped shave or shaved the men who were unable to do it themselves. She knew that her work and the work of the other hospital personnel contributed to the low mortality rate of less then 1 % for the wounded who got to a hospital facility.

Back at Tan Son Nhut, Lt. Goldman and Sgt. Anderson had delivered their prisoner safely. With the detail finished, Myron went back to his hootch to relax. He lay on his rack staring up at the ceiling, lit a cigarette and his thoughts drifted to the out going nurse, just as the smoke rings drifted above him and then disappeared. He couldn't get the nurse that he had just met at Long Binh out of his thoughts. She was an attractive, slender blonde. She was one of the few women who actually looked good even in Army fatigues.

At sunrise, Myron and Sgt. Anderson had a mission briefing. They met each other at the CP tent. They entered not knowing what to expect.
"Lt, Sgt. As you know the enemy has a major transmitter relay station in this quadrant. The Col pointed to a large map on the wall as he spoke. Your platoons' mission is to find this transmitter station and destroy it. Take prisoners alive, if at all possible. Is that clear?" Col. Darling snickered. "You have four days to do it."
"Sir, with all due respect. I'm more interested in saving my life and the lives of my men. Not getting prisoners for headquarters." Lt. Goldman reminded the Col.
"Understood and noted, Lt. The orders still stand. Dismissed."
Goldman and Anderson reluctantly left the CP tent.
"That man is dangerous." remarked Anderson.
"Yeah, he's not my favorite commanding officer either, but the mission is a go." answered Goldman.
The second platoon was told that they were going back to the boonies. It would be a mission to destroy a NVA transmitter. It was expected that the mission would last at least four days.
"Hey man, why can't the flyboys juste oue out this VC transmitter thingie?" asked Tayor.
"I don't know Marcus. They big shots don't let me in on the mission planning." Percell answered.
The platoon gathered their field gear and rations for four days and headed for the chopper.


The men of the second platoon were boarding the chopper that would take them to the designated area for theirsionsion. The chopper rotors blew up dirt and debris for fifty feet in all directions. The chopper began to rise off of the ground.


Second platoon arrived at the LZ.
"OK men we are going in hot." yelled Anderson.
The men each took their turn jumping off of the chopper and immediately opening fire towards the tree line ahead of them.
Zeke took a grenade off of his shirt, pulled the pin and threw it toward the treeline. It exploded silencing the enemy fire and making a huge crater where the treeline used to be.
"Bull's eye, Sarge." Taylor said.
"Yeah, Victor Charles now know we are at their back door." Sarge answered.

Second platoon advanced toward their destination in the jungle. They entered what appeared to be a friendly vill. No signs of VC action anywhere. Goldman ordered the platoon to search all of the hootchs for any signs of VC. None were found. Second platoon left the vill and continued on their mission.
It was getting dark and Lt. Goldman decided that the clearing that they were in would be a good place to bivouac for the night.
"We will camp here for onight and continue at daylight. Sgt. set parameter guards."
"Yes sir,L-T. Percell, you and Tayler take the first watch. Ruiz and I will relieve you in two hours." Anderson ordered.
"Yes, sir. Sarge." Percell and Tayler said walking to the bivouac's parameter.
The night and morning went off without a hitch.
The second platoon packed their trash and moved out at first light.


During the afternoon of the second day, Lt. Goldman realized that he didn't have any more water in his canteen.
"L-T, you can have some of my water, I have plenty." newbie private Osborn offered. "I don't want no officer to pass out from dehydration."
"Thanks, Osborn." Goldman said as he took a drink from the private's canteen.
Farther into the mission, the platoon was walking along a small, foliage covered path. The foliage was so thick that the sun couldn't shine through in some spots. The path itself was a dirt trail. It was greatly traveled in the past by the looks of it. The air was hot and stale. The only noise that could be heard was the soldiers individual heart beats and the sounds of swarms of every variety of flying and biting insects that made the jungle home. 'Charlie' could be hiding any where. Percell was on point.
"Keep your intervals." Sgt. Anderson told the men as they passed his position.
As the men walked along the make-shift trail, they complained of the blistering heat and about all of the biting insects.
"Man this jungle is hotter then my girl on Saturday night." complained Ruiz.
"Hey, Roo, I didn't know that ya had a girl, except in Sin city."
"Even that's a maybe." Taylor added.
"OK. Put a lid on it, you'all Charlie can hear you guys a mile away." Sgt. Anderson ordered.
Abruptly Percell stooped down and raised his fist in the arm. The entire platoon acted accordingly. Lt. Goldman approached Percell.
"L-T, there is a patrol of gooks heading this way." Percell whispered.
"OK. We'll just let them pass and let the flyboys do their job. Everybody take cover. Strict noise discipline until farther notice." Goldman ordered the platoon.
The men of the second platoon took cover in the thickness of the green, lush undergrowth of the jungle.
Their weapons pointed at the intruders. The squad could not be seen. They saw the squad of gooks clearly pass by them. They dare not move. Each man had his own private thoughts of death running through their mind. They dared not verbalize them.
Finally, the danger passed, and second platoon was free to come out of their jungle hiding places.
"That was a close one." Baker announced.
"They're all close when we are out in the boonies, Jr." Sgt. Anderson answered. "You know that Baker."
It was the evening of the third day.
"OK second platoon, lets saddle up, we have a mission to accomplish." Lt commanded.
The men of second platoon packed their trash and followed the Sarge and Lt.
Lt. stopped in his tracks.
"What is it, L-T? Gooks?" Anderson asked.
"Awww man, I don't feel so good." Goldman said.
"Doc, Get up here. L-T isn't feel'in so chipper." Anderson yelled as he brought the platoon to a halt.
The medic arrived. "What's the matter, Lt?"
"Hell if I know. I just got a severe headache and cramps in the stomach. I feel weak, like I haven't slept in a week." the Lt. moaned in obvious pain.
"I told you that all those women would get to you sooner or later, L-T." the medic tried to lighten things a bit.
"Not funny, specialist.
"Yes, sir. Lt. you are burning up with a fever. I suggest that we get a dustoff for you."
"Specialist, I am fine. I don't need a dustoff." At that point Lt. Goldman passed out.
Sgt. Anderson saw his commanding officer swoon to the ground. "I'm calling in a dustoff for this boy. Horn, I need the radio. Now!"
Horn handed the radio to Sgt. Anderson. "Bravo two, this is bravo two-five requesting an immediate dustoff at LZ tango. "
"Roger, bravo two-five.LZ tango in twenty."
"Confirmed bravo two. two-five, out."
"Men LZ tango is only two klicks from here. We have to carry Lt. there and we have to hurry. By shear strength the men of second platoon carried their Lt through the thick foliage of the Vietnamese jungle. They stayed out of sight until they saw the dustoff chopper arrive.

The dustoff chopper came roaring to the LZ, hurling foliage and dirt in all directions. The massive red crosses on its' nose and sides were bulls' eye targets for any NVA or VC in the area. The pilot had to get his bird in, pick up the wounded and get out in a hurry.
Lt. Goldman lay on a stretcher as Johnson and Anderson got him loaded into the dustoff chopper. Lt. woke up.
"Where am I? What am Idling here?" Lt asked confused.
"Sir, you are on a med evac chopper headed for the 24th Evac." the specialist answered.
Next to Goldman was a young G.I. Myron couldn't tell his age, but he knew that he was only in his teens.
Then Myron saw Anderson.
"Sgt. continue with the mission and bring everybody home." Goldman said weakly and in obvious pain.
"Yes sir, Lt. And let the docs fix ya up and stay away from them pretty nurses." Anderson said with a smile. "We'll be fine."
Anderson left his Lt and friend in the care of the dustoff medics. All he could do now was to keep the promise that he had made, and bring everybody home safe.
Goldman worried what was going to happen on the mission and what will go wrong because he isn't there with his men.
*******************

With their L-T safely on the med evac chopper, second platoon continued to walk down the trail. Sarge knew that they could still get the job done.
"Second platoon, take ten." Sgt. Anderson ordered a rest break.
The platoon stopped to rest awhile, and their defenses were always up. They were always on guard.

The chopper left the LZ quickly and was on route back to its base station, the 24th Evac hospital, Long Binh.


********************************

"Queen tonic one, this is queen tonic two. Inbound in fifteen. I have some business for you. Do you read queen tonic one?"
"Roger, queen tonic two. This is queen tonic one, what do you have?"
"Looks like one lemon, and a lime."
"Roger, queen tonic two. We confirm one lemon and one lime, in fifteen."

Myron was restless with pain on the chopper as a medic tried to calm him.
"Take it easy, sir. This shot will help you relax until we get to the 24th."
"I'm ok specialist, take care of the other guy." Myron suggested because he didn't like needles.
"Yes sir."
Myron knew that the other injured man would not make it to the hospital. He saw it in the medics' eyes.
"Sir, this is an IV to help the pain."
Myron was too weak to dispute the corpsman decision
The evac choper flew bearly above the tree tops.Finally reaching its destionation.


. The sights and sounds of a wartime evacuation hospital were different from anything that Deseray had experienced before. Young men, boys really came in on a daily basis with various injuries and wounds. This was the first time that Deseray partly regreted volunteering to come to Nam.

The dustoff chopper came roaring onto the helipad, rotors slowly coming to a hult. Deseray and several corpsmen ran towards the chopper. Two corpsmen assisted the specialist to unload Myron from the chopper.
"Take him to exam two, now, move it." Deseray ordered.
The corpsman took Myron to the exam room. The exam room was just a cubical that provided mimimal privacy.It had emergency medical equipment of verious tpes scattered all around Deseray entered.

Deseray began to examine Myron. He was unconscious and running a high grade fever of 104 degrees and his vital signs were also elevated. He was also dehydrated. Deseray started an IV of D5W. That would help his fluid volume deficit and replace electrolytes. She ordered lab tests. She needed to know what caused the Lt. to become ill.
"Corpsman." Deseray called. "I need a dozen cool, wet towels here stat! We have to bring down the Lt's temperature."
"Yes, ma'am." the specialist did as he was instructed.
In the middle of all the excitement and activity, Deseray began to remove Myron's uniform. She couldn't help but notice and admire his finely chiseled body.
The specialist returned with a tray of wet cool towels. Deseray returned to reality.
"Place them there, there and there." Deseray told the specialist as she pointed to the places where the towels should be placed.
Deseray checked Myron's IV. "Now we must not get him too chilled. We don't want him to go into shock. Bring his temp down slowly."
Deseray rechecked Myron's vital signs, they were beginning to get back to normal. The Lt. was still unconscious.
Deseray dallied with the towels that were around Myron. Abruptly Myron moved his hand, and placed it over Deseray's hand. Now semi conscious, Myron began to speak.
"Beshum Panim Ve- Ofen." Myron stated firmly
"I'm sorry, Lt. I don't understand. Deseray felt bad that she couldn't understand her patient.
Myron repeated. "Beshum Panim Ve-Ofen."
A corpman came in the room.
"Lt. The Lt is speaking Hebrew. He is saying ' no way' to something." a young medic offered.
"Thank you , specialist."
The specialist left the room.

Deseray wanted to support and befriend this officer. She didn't know why she felt something special for him, he was just another grunt.. She knew that the MOS of platoon leader in the Army had one of the shortest life expectancies during war time. Chances were better then average that he would get killed before his 12 month tour was over.
Or could it only be her nursing instinct ? She wasn't sure. It didn't matter. He was her patient. Deseray didn't go back to the nurses quarters after her shift was over. No one would miss her, she had a hootch of her own. Deseray stayed by Myron's side.
Deseray fell asleep in a chair resting her arms and head on the edge of Myron's bed. She dozed off from shear exhaustion.
"Mother." Myron said in Hebrew. Deseray was startled.
Deseray leaned over Myron in an attempt to hear him more clearly.
All at once Myron kissed Deseray on the forehead. It was then that she realized that he had called out for his mother.
This Jewish Lt. began to excite her more.
"It's ok Lt. I'm herewith you. Everything will be fine."
The doctor entered the room. Dr. Jan Meyers was in her late twenties, tall and well build. Deseray only knew her by reputation, but it was a good one.
"Lt. James, have you been here all night ?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I would like to stay, I'm ok, really."
"Ok, but keep me posted. The lab results inticate that the good Lt. here drank so very nasty water somewhere. I ordered Ampicillin for a few days piggyback on his IV. I think he will be fine. Lt anyone who comes in contact with the Lt. here must gown up with mask. That's an order. "
"Yes ma'am." Deseray answered.
The Capt walked out of the room.
Deseray went and donned the usual protective gown and mask and went back to sit with her patient.
In due time Myron regained conscienceness and slowly opened his eyes. They were a beautiful brown. Deseray knew at that moment that she could get lost in those eyes.
"Hello there, sleepyhead." Deseray said with a smile.
"Where am I? Who are you ? What happened ? The last thing I remember is that I was out in the boonies with my
platoon."
"Lt. Goldman, you are in the 24th Evac hospital at Long Binh. I am your nurse Lt. James. It seems that you drank some very hasty water somewhere. Sorry about the costume." Deseray said refering to the gown and mask.
Myron could tell that this nurse was something special. He wondered what she would be like off duty, out of uniform with her hair down.
"That must have been the water from Private Osborn's canteen. I ran out so I drank some of his."
"It seems that the private didn't drink any of his water or he would be here next to you. Seems like the private picked up some bad water somewhere and when you drank it you got a serious case of dysentery. Your platoon has just returned to Tan Son Hnut, I will talk to your platoon Sgt. Anderson isn't it ? "
"Yes, ma'am." Myron answered with a smile.
He was thinking that this nurse James had to be one of the most beautiful nurses in the Army, and she was taking care of him. Myron how bad his injuries were and how he could spend the most time with Lt. James.
"Lt I'm going to contact Sgt. Anderson and inform him of your status. You will be here at least for a week or so."
Myron wondered if this duty oriented nurse would ever warm up to him. He had a week to try.
Lt. James left the room.
The nurse that intreaged Myron seemed to be just out of reach. Was Myron losing his touch ? He wondered.
Lt James was in and out of Myron's room during the next several days, performing various medical tasks. He was always glad to see her.

************************

A few days later, the ampicillin did its' job and Myron was well enough to leave the hospital with a medical escort.
As expected, Lt James volunteered for the job (or would it be pleasure)? of escorting Myron.
"Lt., I see you are up and dressed. Where would you like to go on your first day out of the hospital?"
"Yes ma'am. Dressed and ready to go. I'm sort of tied of hospital food and it's that time of evening. Let's go to the 'O' club." Myron suggested.
Deseray agreed.
"Just because you are out of the hospital, doesn't mean that you a well enough to go back into combat, Lt." Deseray mentioned in passing.
"Yes ma'am Lt."
Deseray turned to face Myron. He was intrigued. Right before him stood the most beautiful lady that he had seen since he had been in Nam. Her eyes were as blue as the ocean, shinier than all the stars. Myron looked deeper in Deseray's eyes.
Deseray began to speak breaking Myron's concentration.
Lt. if we keep calling each other Lt., we will certainly be confussed by the end of the night."
"Huh, sorry what did you say?"
"I said you can call me Deseray."
"Yes, ma'am, I mean yes Deseray."
Deseray smiled.
They roamed around the post. They both desired to hold the others' hand, but both were too reserved to do so. Occasionally they stopped to gaze up at the stars.
"The stars are so bright tonight." Deseray said looking up into the sky. "There's the big dipper."
"The stars aren't as bright as you make me feel inside, Deseray."
Myron pulled Deseray closer to him and kissed her gently.
Deseray suddenly felt warm. She pondered if it was the hot, balmy Vietnamese night or the incredibly handsome soldier holding her close.
She returned Myron's kiss tenderly.
"Myron, it's getting late and I have some work to finish at the hospital. I don't want you too tired on your first day out."
They walked hand in hand into the medical complex. The long halls were empty. An erie glow reflected off of the poorly painted walls.
"I never realized how quiet this place could be at night." Myron whispered.
"Only a small staff at this time of night and most of the patients are asleep." Deseray emphasized the word most.
Myron smiled. "OK, Lt. I'm on my way."
Deseray grabbed Myron and stopped him in his tracks.
"Hey soldier, aren't you forgetting something ?"
"I don't think so." Myron answered with a smile.
Deseray moved closer to Myron. He kissed her tenderly.
"Good night, Deseray."
"Good night, Myron." Deseray said walking toward her office.
Deseray went to her office and finished some paperwork. A few hours later she decided to peek into Myron's room before she left the hospital.
Deseray walked back to her hootch to get a few hours of shut eye. She couldn't stop thinking about the Lt. that had intrigued her so.

*********************************
The days passed and Myron got stronger each day.
Deseray understood that he would have to go back to his combat unit very soon. She did not like the thought of that at all. Everyday Deseray spent time with Myron. When she was off duty, he was all that she could think about Capt. Meyers called Deseray into her office.
Deseray walked into the Capt.'s officd red reported to her.
"Lt. James. Lt. Goldman's discharge came this morning releasing his from the 24th Med Evac hospital and back to his combat unitat Tan Son Nhut. He will be here only another 48 hours.Only enough time to notify his unit and to get an escort. I'm sorry, Deseray. I know that you and Lt. Goldman were becoming friends. "
"Yes, ma'am. We were. I mean we are. "
".Deseray, Go talk to Lt. Goldman. Tan Son Nhut isn't that far away. you could still see each other."
"Yes ma'am. Thank you, ma'am. I will talk to Myron. I mean Lt. Goldman."
"Dismissed, Lt."
Deseray walked out of Capt. Meyer's office with tears filling her eyes.
Deseray talked to herself walking the halls of the hospital. "Deseray James. What's wrong with you ? You are acting like a school girl. You just met this man. This soldier, this infantry platoon leader, that the odds say won't make it through his tour alive. Do you really want to care about a man who might not be alive in a year ? Yes, yes I do."
Deseray walked into Myron's room.
"Hey beautiful. What's up ?"
Deseray sat close to Myron on his bed. "Myron your discharge has arrived. You report back to Tan Son Nhut in 48 hours." Deseray tried to hide her tears, but wa unsuccessful. "
"Aww man. I won't get to see you much." Myron was genuinely disappointed.
"What are you doing tonight, Deseray ?" Myron asked.
"Just going to eat and go back to my hootch." Deseray said looking at the floor and scuffeling her feet.
Myron reached over and gave Deseray a hug. Then he kissed her passionately.
"Deseray, how about the two of us go to the 'O' club to eat and then spent some time together."
"I would love that, Myron. " Deseray returned Myron's kiss tenderly.
"I will pick you up at your hootch at 1800." Myron said with a wink.
"I will be waiting." Deseray said with a smile as she left Myron's room.
At the appointed time, Myron arrived at Deseray's hootch.
"You look beautiful tonight." Myron smiled like he had seen a goddess.
Deseray was wearing a white cotton blouse that tied around the waist and a dark blue skirt acceptable for the times. Her hair was loose around her shoulders.
"You're not bad yourself there, soldier." Deseray said with a smile. Myron was wearing casual brown slacks with a tan short sleeve shirt.
They held hands as they walked side by side to the officers' club. .
The two Lts' entered the officers' club. Deseray knew many of the officers already there. They gazed at the couple in bewilderment.
"Hey, Lt Who's your new friend?" asked a half drinken Lt. at the bar.
"Please, don't mind them, Myron. I turned down dates with most of these overage school boys since I've been here."
Myron smiled. "Did I get the Lt. to come out and have a good time instead of working all the time?"
"Yes, Myron. Until you arrived I wasn't interested in anything but doing my job and getting out of Nam."
The couple sat at a cozy table for two in the corner. The prying eyes and comments continued.
"Lt. James found a hot one." said one stumbling Capt.
"Yeah, a infantry grunt at that." said another.
Myron put his arms around Deseray's waist and kissed her passionately. She held him tight and returned his kiss.
"Ugh, Myron we have an audience here. Let's go somewhere we can be alone."
"My hootch is back at Tan Son Nhut. All I have here is a hospital bed. Not very private." Myron sounded disappointed.
"We are both hungry. We can go to my hootch after we order from Loon Foon restaurant. We can take out. It's a Chinese place, I hope you like Chinese." Deseray said with a smile.
"I love Chinese."
Myron and Deseray walked in the rain to Loon Foon's. It was a good size restaurant for being in an Army post. It had two large glass windows on both sides of the swinging door .
In the center of the room was a horse-shoe shaped counter. Individual booths were at the windows. Behind the counder , way in the back was the cooking are

Myron and Deseray ordered Moo Goo Gi Pan and a bottle of rice wine. They received their order and walked back to Deseray's hootch, wet from the rain and already enjoying the rice wine.
Once at the hootch, Myron carried Deseray through the threshold almost spilling the food.
The nurse's hootch was the size of the average bedroom. Woodenlveslves were along the wall behind the rack and along one of the other walls. The rack was against the opposite wall from the book shelve. There was a small night table next to the head of the bed. A large amount of books were scattered throughout the hootch. some of the books were open to vaious pages with charts and graphs.
Myron placed Deseray gently on the rack between the books and kisse her tenderly.
Myron loked at the books that were everywhere.
"Very interesting. 'Nursing management of combat wounds.' something every girl should know." Myron chuckled. "Let's see any anatomy books here ?" Myron teased.
"Sorry Lt. I guess I have been working a tad much lately." Deseray answered.
"Then it's time to relax, Lt."

A candle was the only light in the hootch. It's dim but erie glow engulfed the small hootch.
Myron began to unbotton and remove Desi's wet uniorm shirt. Desi bgan to unbotton and remove Myron's wet uniform shirt. Both shirts fell to the floor of the hootch.
"Want some more wine?" Desi asked Myron as she poured two more glasses of wine into paper cups. "It will keep you warm on such a cold, wet night."
"I know somethin else that will keep both of us warm on such a cold, wet night." Myron whispeed as he held Desi closer and massaged her arms and shoulder gently.
"Mmmmmm, Myron, you feel so good."
Myron layed Desi back on the rack.
"This is only the beginning Desi." Myron said softly.
He removed his own boots and wet socks. Then he gently removed Desi's boots and wet socks. She kissed him gently. Myron returned the kiss.


******************************************************

Myron and Desi lay facing each other on the rack, as the Chinese rice wine started to take its' effect. They lay comfortable in each other's arms. Desi's head on Myron's strong shoulder. The rain continued outside with occasional flashes of lightening.
"Tell me something about yourself, Myron "Desi asked hoping Myron would talk to her. Maybe about 'mother.'
"I'm not very interesting, but you.. Your a different story. A rich girl leaving everything and volunteering for duty in VietNam.".
"You are interesting to me Myron While you were semi-conscious you mumbled something in Hebrew that someone said was the Yiddish word for mother. Then you used the phase meaning 'to forget it.' Talk to me, Myron, please."
Myron turned away from Desi. He wasn't used to anybody especially a beautiful lady tapping into his private feelings. Myron knew that Desi was a very special lady and that she truly cared for him.
"Myron, I'm sorry if I asked about something that hurts you. Myron, I never want to hurt you in any way.
Myron, I love you." Desi said with tears filling her eyes.
Myron turned back to Desi. He also had tears in his eyes.
"I love yoo, oo, Desi." Myron whispered. He kissed her passionately.
She laid her head on his shoulder once again.
"Desi, I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me. I'm not good enough for you. I'm just a Jew who grew up in Queens, NY. My father is a retired Army general, a damn metal of honor winner in WW II, for pate's sake. At home, when he was home all I remember is 'yes sir, no sir.' He ran his family like he ran his soldiers. Finally, one day, I must have been about 14 years old. My mother couldn't take any more and killed herself by over dosing on sleeping pills. The general never told me about my mother's death for two whole years. Two whole years. I hate him for it. He wanted me to go to West Point, but I see myself as an English lit teacher. Oh man, I was scared when I came over here. Now I am really scared."
Desi held Myron closer and kissed him gently. Why are you really scared now, Myron?'
"Because I know you now. My life is just beginning to have meaning, and I don't want it to end here in the jungle."
"Myron, it won't. If we want to be together, we will be. Not your father or mine can stop us from doing anything we want. We'll keep each other focused. I'm so sorry about your mother. You are not yourher.her. Let me tell you about my family. Well, you might have thought the name James comes from Jesse James. It does. He was my great grandfather. That's how daddy got all the wealth. Jr and then daddy invested it in stocks and stuff. So I'm not proud of the family history. Daddy would always scare away any boy that I would bring home. He agreed to let me go to nursing school hoping that I would met and marry a doctor. I joined the Army and volunteered for Nam to get away from his control."

Desi ran her fingers along Myrons chest under his t-shirt.
"I think this has to go." Desi teased as she removed Myron's t-shirt.
Desi wasn't expecting what she saw. She revealed Myron's finely sculptured chest.
"I agree." Myron placed his hands under Desi's t-shirt. Then he removed it. Myron ran his fingers over the shear materal of her under garment.
"Desi, you are so beautiful." Myron removed the elastic band that was holding Desi's hair. Her long blonde hair fell past her shoulders.
"You make me that way, Myron. We still have some wet things to get rid of, or we will both catch a huge cold."
"Your the nurse, ." ." Myron layed back flat on his back with his arms stretched out to the sides.
Desi slowly unhooked Myron's belt.
Myron continued his passinate kisses down Desi's body, across her moist mound and between her legs. Desi moaned, knowing that Myron was enjoying it as much as she was. The anticipation of penitration was unbearable. Beads of sweat began to form on Myron's brow and down the center of his bare back. As Desi layed back, Myron's tongue tickled the white band of skin circleing her hips. Expertly Myron moved his tongue across Desi's swollen bud. Desi's legs shook. Her stomach muscles contracted, her pussy swelled with wet, warm jiuces. They both knew that they were about to come when Myron engulfed Desi's bud in his mouth, rolling it back and forth between his teeth and tongue. Desi came in waves that racked her body.
"Delicious, you are delicious." Myron told Desi.
"Oh, darling, Oh Myron ! No one has ever made me feel like that."
"You are so incredible." Myron said.
"You needed that sweetheart, and I know that you need more." Myron whispered in Desi's ear softly.
"Yes, I want your hard cock inside me. I wantfillfilling me up until I can feel nothing else." Desi uttered.
Myron's hands ran doewn Desi's stomach, across her hips and over her thighs then over and around her tight ass. She could only lay there paralized by the thill of it. Myron slipped one forfeinger inside Desi's mouth the other forefinger ge began stroking her clit, which swelled again under his touch. Desi's pussy was contracting, begging for penitration as she felt Myron's hard, stiff cock bewteen her legs.
"Tell me what you want, Des, just tell me and I'll give it to you."
"Fuck me, Myron." Desi said in a voice that didn't sound like her own.
Slowly very slowly Myron moved his cock deeper and deeper into Desi's pussy.
The electric sensations build until Desi was close to exploding.
"Oh baby, you feel so good." Myron said diving into her.
Desi's pussy immediately tightened around him.
The sensation wasincrediable.
"Harder Myron, harder." she rasped, meeting each powerful thrust with equal force.
Myron drove himself deeper and deeper, giving everything.
With a deep sigh Myron spilled his come deep inside her.
Myron kissed Desi passionately. Breaking the kiss, Myron bent his head to suck on Desi's breast. The pleasure was a wonderful jolt all the way down to her quivering pussy.
Panting heavily, the lovers clung to each other.
"Myron, you're wonderful...fantastic." Desi whispered. "Let's do it again."
"You're insatiable, sweetheart."
Myron laid on his back. Desi laid her head on his strong shoulder as she massaged the hairs on his chest.
"That tickles, Des, but a good tickle. A very good tickle."
Desi smiled. Myron was holding her close. He kissed her gently. Myron lit a cigarette. Smoke rings rose gently above them.
"Those things will kill you, Myron." Desi said.
"No before this crazy war does."
"Myron, tht isn't the way to think. Not on our last night here together. Before we both know it, it will be our last night in Nam."
"You're right, Des. I'm sorry."
Suddenly lightening flashed and thunder rummbled.
Desi pulled the blanket up over her head.
"What's the matter, Des? It's only a litle thunder and lightening from the storm."
"I know. I am afraid of lightening. Aways have been, always will be." Desi said from under the blanket.
Myron joined Desi under the blanket.
"Hello there, beautiful." Myron smiled.
"You probually think I'm silly. "
"No, not at all. I'm afraid of snakes." Myron said to reasure Desi.
"Really ? Desi started to get out from under the blanket. Myron stopped her.
"Not so fast my pretty."
Myron kissed Desi tenderly. " You are something special, Lt. Deseray James."
Myron and Desi held each other close and fell asleep in each others' arms.
The night's shadows turned into the morning dawn.

*****************************
Back in Myron's room at the hospital the next morning, Desi gave Myron his discharge papers and order to return to Tan Son Nhut. Desi didn't want to say good bye to Myron. He couldn't say it either. Tears started to fill Desi's eyes.
"Myron, I've never met anyone like you before. Please take care of yourself out there."
"I'll be fine as long as I have you."
"You will always hae me, I promise,"
There was a knock at the door.
"Come. " Myron said.
It was Sgt. Anderson. "Well L-T, you ready to get back to work?"
"Not really." Myron turned and smiled at Desi.
Sgt. Anderson knew the look in his Lt's eyes. "I'll meet you in the jeep, Lt."
"Take good care of him, Sgt. OK ?"
"Yes ma'am. I will surely do that." Anderson answered.
"Desi." Myron didn't know what else to say. He kissed her passionately.
"Myron, I care for you." Desi said returning Myron's kiss.


"I care for you too. We will see each other." Myron reassured Desi as Sgt. Anderson drove them back to Tan Son Nhut.
"Well, L-T. Seems that you and the pretty nurse got along just fine." Anderson said smiling.
" Yes Sgt. You can say that. " Myron smiled.
Sgt. Anderson knew Myron long enough to know that his Lt and the nurse got along more then just fine.
The rest of the tbackback to Tan Son Nhut was a quiet one.
Desi felt lost without Myron around. She couldn't believe that a man could have that affect on her, but Myron did. Desi worked long shifts to keep herself occupied.