Semper Fi (21 page)

“It’s okay. You’re okay. Just breathe. Breathe.” Cal brushed back Jim’s hair. “You’re all right. You’re home in the orchard. It’s over. You’re home.”

Taking a shuddering breath, Jim swallowed thickly.
Home.
He felt the grass beneath his back. No mud. No bodies. No bombs or gunfire. Just the trees and fresh air. He focused on Cal’s pinched face.
I’m okay. He’s here.

Jim panted, sweating and tingling as the panic subsided. “She was…she…I couldn’t…” He closed his eyes, trying to banish the memory.

“Shh. It’s over.” Cal caressed Jim’s cheek and kissed his forehead. “It’s over. You’re here. You’re safe.” He held Jim close, lying beside him and touching him gently.

“I’m sorry.” Tears prickled Jim’s eyes, and he screwed them shut.

“The tractor backfired. Scared me too. It’s okay.”

Jim breathed deeply.
In and out. I
n and out.
“It’s like I was there somehow. It was all happening again.”

“We’re never going back. It’s over. I promise.”

Jim clung to him, praying he was right. After a few more minutes of soothing caresses and whispered words of comfort, Cal grabbed his canteen and Jim sat up to drink with Cal’s arm solid around his back. Jim gulped down the water and swiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “Thanks. I’m fine. We should get back to work.”

“Work can wait. Let’s rest for a few more minutes. Come on.”

Cal scooted over and leaned against the nearest tree, tugging Jim along. Jim didn’t argue and stretched out perpendicular on his back, resting his head on Cal’s thigh. Cal ran his fingers lightly through Jim’s hair.

“Now will you let me buy a new tractor?” he asked, smiling softly.

Jim had to laugh. “I guess it’s something to consider.”

The breeze stirred the leaves overhead, and Jim closed his eyes. “Sometimes I can’t believe we’re really here. Both in one piece.”

“There were times I thought it was impossible.” Cal paused. “And I never thought I’d be here with you like this.” He rested his palm on Jim’s chest.

Eyes still shut, Jim reached up and covered Cal’s hand with his own. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He wanted to say more, but wasn’t sure how to put his feelings into words.

Before Cal could reply, a cry rose on the wind. “Hello!”

It was Mrs. O’Brien’s Irish lilt, and Jim shot up, he and Cal both on their feet in seconds. Jim peered around, but couldn’t see her anywhere. A moment later she and Adam appeared at the top of a gentle hill, coming from the direction of the house. She waved, and Adam charged forward.

Jim and Cal exhaled in unison. “It’s all right. She didn’t see anything,” Cal said.

Jim nodded, his heart still racing.
Everything’s fine. I’m okay. I’m okay.
Opening his arms wide, he put on a smile and swept up Adam. Mrs. O’Brien chatted with Cal as Adam babbled on to Jim, telling him something about carrots that Jim didn’t quite understand. He caught Cal’s gaze for a moment, and Cal smiled.

They were okay.

A trickle of water from Cal’s upended canteen dribbled onto his tongue. Despite the dense and oppressive jungle that oozed moisture, they hadn’t encountered so much as a pond of fresh water as they hacked their way into the heart of Guadalcanal.

“Here.” Jim offered his canteen.

“No. That’s yours.” Cal swatted at mosquitoes. It had been hot on the troop ship, but the jungle had a clammy humidity that soaked their uniforms and bloated their skin.

“I’m not thirsty.”

Cal had to laugh. “Oh, really?”

Jim rolled his eyes. “We’ll find water soon. Drink.” He thrust the canteen into Cal’s hand.

“If you insist.” Cal took a grateful swig, careful not to drink it all, although his body screamed for him to drain it greedily. He’d never known such thirst.

Joe puffed on his cigarette. “Where do y’all reckon we’re headed?”

Pistol Pete shrugged. “Hell if I know.” He called over to the clump of worried-looking officers crouched around a map. “Hey, where we goin’?”

One of the lieutenants called back. “Another part of the island.”

Cal screwed the cap back on Jim’s canteen. “That’s specific. Good to know we’re on the right island at least.”

Sully’s fair skin was flushed as red as his hair. “Man, I wish we could just get it over with. Let’s go find the Nips and kick their asses.”

“Easy as that?” Jim asked.

“Hell yes. You saw our navy out there! Even when the slant-eyed bastards came, they couldn’t catch us.” Sully puffed out his narrow chest proudly.

“We were lucky to get off that beach without casualties,” Jim quietly replied.

“Lucky?” Pete winked at Sully. “It was all skill. We’re US Marines! Japs don’t know what they’re in for, the poor bastards. Now come on, fellas. A little humidity ain’t gonna get us down. Let’s buck up.”

Soon they were slogging through the jungle again, and as much as Cal wanted to buck up, it wasn’t until he heard the unmistakable sound of running water that he got a spring in his step. Appearing as if by magic beyond a thick stand of trees, a river flowed swiftly amid the blooming vegetation. Speedy whooped and splashed in without a second thought. “Come on, boys! The water’s fine!”

Abandoning their rifles and equipment on the bank, they charged in, splashing, laughing, and drinking desperately from cupped palms.

Jim tried to stop Cal with a hand on his arm. “We should use the purifying tablets.”

“Uh-huh.” Cal took another swallow, the cool water irresistible.

Beside him, Jim’s resolve crumbled and they both drank deeply, kneeling in the current. Even the officers didn’t bother with the tablets. Water had never tasted so good, and in that moment, Cal didn’t care if it was poisoned by the Japs or carrying some tropical disease.

Laughing, Joe hauled Sully over his broad back, and soon most of the men roughhoused and played around in the water like they were at a picnic on a summer’s day. Before Cal knew what was happening, Jim tumbled him back into the shallows by the riverbank, their legs entwined.

Jim pressed him down, their faces inches apart. He smiled mischievously as he caught Cal’s wrists in his hands. “Say uncle.”

Pulse thrumming, Cal’s breath caught in his throat. The splashing and laughter of the other men faded around them, until all Cal could see were Jim’s blue eyes and pink lips, his exhalations faintly tickling Cal’s face. If only he could wrap his legs around Jim’s hips and lift his head to capture Jim’s mouth…

A furrow appeared between Jim’s eyebrows, and his smile faded. His gaze fell to Cal’s lips, and he licked his own—

“Moving out! Now!” His hands clenched, Captain Brown stood on the riverbank. “Christ almighty, you’re sitting ducks making a racket they can probably hear clear across the island! Get up and move your sorry asses!”

Jim scrambled off Cal as if he’d been burned. With a shaky smile, he tugged Cal to his feet and clapped him on the back. “Next time I’ll make you beg.”

Cal tried to laugh as he gathered his gear and fell into step, willing the desire coursing through him to fade.

They marched on, the day never ending. As darkness settled in, the rain began. They set up a perimeter and waited—for what, they didn’t know.

“Where are the Japs anyway? What’re they waiting for?” Smith whispered.

Cal readjusted his poncho, which did little to protect him from the driving rain. “I guess we’ll find out, Smithy.” The boy rarely spoke, and Cal gave him what he hoped was an encouraging smile.

Jim shivered beside him, and Cal passed him a piece of dried meat. The rain leeched into them with a tenacious chill, and it was hard to believe they’d been so hot only hours ago. It was Parris Island all over again, but so much worse.

“Thanks.” Jim nudged Cal’s shoulder.

Cal nudged him back and kept his eyes peeled. The sounds of the jungle at night made them all jump and grip their weapons, but time and time again no enemy emerged. Water dripped endlessly from the canopy of leaves high above, and the jungle was alive, hissing in his ear. Sleep was an impossibility.

Yet as the hours ticked by, Cal’s eyes finally grew heavy, and he curled up on the muddy ground…

Ka-boom
.

Heart in his throat as the earth trembled, Cal bolted up. Above them, the sky was red, and for a moment Cal thought it was surely their blood—that the Japs had come and eviscerated them in their sleep. Beside him, Jim stared with his mouth open. His pale skin was bathed in crimson as the flares glowed in the night sky.

Planes roared overhead, and from a distance, explosions rumbled, shaking the ground. Light flashed in the darkness, accompanied by great claps of thunder, and for a moment, Cal wanted to believe it was only a storm, Mother Nature displaying her might and putting them all in their place as they huddled together.

It went on and on, and they could only watch.

When dawn broke, they made their way down the jungle slope and through a field of kunai grass that reached to their shoulders with its razor edges. Hours passed with the sun fiery overhead.

“Didn’t we just come from the beach?” Pete grumbled. “Why are we goin’ back?”

But onward they marched. When they passed another battalion going inland, the others barely acknowledged them despite H Company’s friendly greeting. The other men’s eyes were hollow as they trudged on in filthy uniforms. Cal and Jim shared a glance, and Cal’s stomach clenched.

As the beach came into view, Cal relaxed at the sight of a supply vehicle. They could all use more cigarettes already. Beside him, Jim inhaled sharply, and Cal lifted his gaze beyond the sand to where the fleet was docked.

A few wrecked ships still smoldered in the shimmering blue water stretching from Guadalcanal to Florida Island. Cal struggled for words as he took in the destruction of the naval force that had seemed so mighty only the day before.

Jim’s voice was steady as ever, but barely more than a whisper. “They’re gone.”

Cal shook his head. “What are we going to do?”

A sergeant’s bark cut through the air. “Forward march!”

One by one, they fell into line.

Crickets serenaded them through the open door of the barn, the night settled in and the half moon peeking out from the clouds. A lantern on a metal hook cast a soft yellow glow over a new worktable, where Jim sanded a plank of wood as Cal took the measurements of a finished piece.

“I think you missed your calling.”

Cal glanced up. “Hmm?”

“I never knew you were such a good carpenter.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” He examined the plans he’d drawn and checked the measurements. “I loved making model planes and ships when I was a kid. Building a dollhouse shouldn’t be too different. Aside from the fact that we have to make the pieces instead of them coming in a box.”

“At least we have until the end of August to work it out.” Jim rubbed down the ragged edges of the wood.

“Still have to figure out what to get you for your birthday.”

Jim chuckled. “Me? No, no. It’s Sophie’s day now.”

“Just because you two share a birthday doesn’t mean you don’t get a present.”

“I have everything I need. Besides, she was the best gift I could ever ask for.” He smiled fondly. “She’ll love this dollhouse.”

“Let’s hope we can keep it a secret. I wouldn’t put it past her to do some snooping.”

Jim laughed. “Me either. But she and Adam were out like a light, so at least we’re safe for tonight. Besides, it’s just a pile of wood right now. We’ll have to be careful once we start putting it together.”

They worked in comfortable silence, and Cal double checked his calculations. After a while he found himself watching Jim sanding. They’d both changed into light cotton button-front shirts when they’d cleaned up before dinner, but now Jim wore just his sleeveless white undershirt. Freckles dotted his arms from all the time spent in the sun, and his lean muscles flexed as he worked the wood.

Jim glanced up and smiled hesitantly. “What?”

Cal put down his pencil and slowly rounded the table. “You work too hard.”

“Do I?” Jim turned to face him.