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Post by melinda on May 22, 2014 19:10:27 GMT -6
ch 1
Erin was sixteen, pretty as a picture, tall, smart...and like all teenagers, she'd been extremely moody lately. Yes, Hawkeye knew why, but as he was so buried in his own grief, he'd kinda just assumed that it was a phase.
The truth was, this was a phase. They were all going through a phase. Just four months earlier, BJ, beloved father, lifepartner to Hawkeye Pierce, physician, Korean War Vet, friend, the funniest person either Erin or Hawkeye had ever known...BJ, the man they both loved more than life itself, had left them.
And it wasn't for another man, woman, person alive. Being a dedicated physician, he took a late night call to rush to the ER. BJ had been tired, but not too tired. The other driver- tired, but not only too tired, but extremely intoxicated. The hell of the thing was, that driver made it. BJ was another story in and of itself.
Hawkeye really, really wanted her to attend her father's funeral. Of course, loss was part of life, and being a Vet himself, he'd seen more than his share of funerals in his lifetime. But that was just boy #205 back in Korea, sent home to his family, never to be thought of again by the MASH unit.
This was BJ Hunicutt, heart of the 4077, and the surviving vets all made d**n sure they'd get to Crabapple Cove by plane, train , bicycle, or if need be, by hitchhiking.
But the night before the service, Erin had snuck out of her house, and Hawkeye had been torn between finding the troubled girl or making sure that the love of his life got his proper tribute by those who'd loved him best.
As he was at the leader of that list, he chose to go to the funeral.
He wasn't sure it was the right thing to do, but in a moment of grief, one's judgment tends to be a little clouded, even to someone as smart and bright and knowing as Hawkeye Pierce. Margaret had taken him aside to let him know how sorry she was, how she'd just adored BJ...and where was Erin?
Hawkeye really hadn't been too sure how to handle that, and Margaret was quick enough and insightful enough to know that if Hawkeye was silent, even for a second, something was wrong.
So Margaret placed her arm around Hawkeye and they went outside. In the light of day, something happened that Margaret hoped she would never, ever see. In the light of day, it was quite easy to see the light in Hawkeye's eyes, the light that had made the whole unit laugh, cry, crazy with anger, calm and collected- that light was gone.
Margaret sat down with Hawkeye on the steps of the funeral home- no church would offer them a church reception, so they made do with what they had. But as Hawkeye leaned against her, and for the first time that she could remember, well, since that awful day in Korea, she saw that Hawkeye was lost again, maybe this time, for good.
"Hey, maybe Erin went to her mom's house," Margaret tried a different approach, anything to distract him from his grief over BJ.
"We haven't talked in a real, long, time, have we?" Hawkeye said sullenly, not even looking at
her.
"I don't understand what that's got to do with..."
"Peg's in Oklahoma. After Erin turned ten and told her mom firmly that she wanted to live with Beej and I full time, Peg got mad. So mad, she married the first salesman she met at a bar, and they took off. Erin hasn't seen her since," Hawkeye sighed.
Margaret stared at him in disbelief. How could any mother turn their back on their own daughter? Yes, she could kind of understand why Peg might be hurt. But Peg hadn't been in Korea. She hadn't seen Hawkeye and BJ together. But Margaret had, and if she could just get her hands on that so called mother of Erin's, she would be more than happy to make things all too clear to her.
Instead, Margaret turned her fury to compassion. "Erin's lucky to have you. I know how much BJ loved that little girl. Remember in Korea?" she smiled. "It was Erin this, Erin that. You would have thought that a little infant girl had found the cure for polio or something."
Even Hawkeye had to smile.
"You know the only other person- the only other person- who we ever seen Hunicutt get that excited over in normal conversation? You. It was you. He loved you, Hawkeye. I know you two didn't take the easy way, but you followed your hearts. Me, all my life, I've followed my daddy's orders. But you, you and BJ...you had something so real, so special, you almost had to be there to believe it. But trust me, buckaroo, I was there. We all were. We all knew."
Hawkeye, the one time unofficial leader, the moral compass (in an extremely unlikely way) of the 4077 just stared at Margaret, speechless.
She held him closer and ran her hands through his hair. "We'll find Erin. We will. Crabapple Cove is every bit a small town as you always said it was. Come on, Pierce. Right now, BJ needs you. We need you."
Hawkeye took a deep breath, wiped his eyes, and allowed Margaret to lead him into the funeral home, where his biggest nightmare was awaiting him.
tbc
I wanted to write this and dedicate this to Sanda, who has been such an inspiration that believing that families come in all kinds
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Post by jessie on May 22, 2014 20:34:12 GMT -6
Wonderful one shot Melinda very well written, but sad. I can't wait to see what will happen next. I hope they find Erin she should be there with Hawkeye. I know Sanda will love this story. You write the most amazing M.A.S.H stories, it was nice to see you post this. Hope you update this story again soon.
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Post by Sanda on May 22, 2014 21:50:26 GMT -6
Melinda, I love your new M*A*S*H story you are writing for me and thank you so much for saying that I am such an inspiration to you for believing that families come in all kinds. You sweet comment about why you are writing this story for me made me smile big time tonight. I have been very sad lately because is in the hospital right now and he has been in their since April 29th. I love that you have BJ and Hawkeye as a couple in your story but I am very sad that BJ died and that Hawkeye has to raise their teenage Erin with out him. I love the friendship between Margaret and Hawkeye in this story. I just hope and pray that Hawkeye gets through the funeral ok and that Erin shows up for the funeral so she can help her dad get through the funeral and that Hawkeye can help her deal with losing her other father BJ. I hope you update this story again really soon. I can't wait to find out what happens next.
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Post by melinda on Jun 1, 2014 20:31:55 GMT -6
ch 2
So Hawkeye took off his formal jacket and removed his pants, to the shock of the crowd that had gathered for the solemn occasion. What had Hawkeye up his sleeves this time?
The robe. Of course. It was worn, tattered, faded so badly that even the youngest of the surviving 4077 unit had to strain their eyes to be sure, but yes, in fact, it was BJ's robe that his life partner now bore for his funeral.
Even the hard-nosed, tough as a bird, girls-don't-cry- Margaret Houlihan was hard-pressed not to tear up.
Klinger, actually dressed in his army fatigues, removed his hat and just stared at the floor. Soon-Li took his hand, but in that moment, not even the comfort of his loving wife's hand could provide any kind of solace for Maxwell Klinger. To his friends and family back in Toledo, Ohio (yes, he'd finally made it back!) he was Maxwell, or Max, or Daddy- but to the 4077 unit he would always be Klinger.
Radar and his wife Susie sat near Klinger, fitting as it had been Klinger who'd taken Radar's place, at least the place of his job duties, after Radar'd been discharged. There could never be anyone, even the beloved Klinger, who could take the place of Radar. Boy, that was a lesson Klinger'd sure learned.
Father Mulcahy would be officiating the service. Of course, it was no official “funeral”- no church would have BJ or Hawkeye. Even Father Mulcahy had struggled for a long time after learning of his friends' partnership. But ultimately, the God that Padre believed in could not or would not condone hatred of anyone, regardless of their orientation.
To the surprise of everyone in that room, Charles Winchester the third even made a rare appearance. He'd skipped all of the past reunions for his own personal reasons. But as in Korea, when push came to shove, humanity and decency won over his own snobbery, and if for no other reason for him to appear, it was simply the right thing to do.
Sidney, of course, was there. Sitting from a distance, not wanting to bring back any hurtful memories for Hawkeye. He'd retired from psychiatry; he was simply there as a friend and fellow war veteran. Most of all, though, he was there as a friend.
Mulcahy stood up to speak, when the doors opened yet again. BJ's family had long disowned him, not even caring to check in on Erin on holidays or birthdays. It was as if BJ's love for Hawkeye somehow prevented them from loving their own flesh and blood, Erin Hunicutt.
Every jaw dropped as the crowds turned around. Who should appear but none other than Frank Marion Burns-aka Ferret Face? Even Hawkeye was truly speechless at the appearance of his and BJ's and Trapper's and, well, pretty much everyone's nemesis. Frank looked around, obviously quite uncomfortable. In a moment of compassion, Margaret quietly and discreetly walked to him, took his hand, and side by side, they sat in preparation of this terrible moment.
Erin still hadn't shown up, of course. That was almost kind of to be expected.
But there was one person who hadn't attended, one person who had every much a reason to attend as Hawkeye, in some ways even more, but was noticably absent.
Peg, Erin's mother, and BJ's ex-wife, couldn't-or wouldn't- be showing her respects that day.
Mulcahy just shook his head and then closed his eyes, more nervous than he'd ever been in his life.
tbc
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Post by jessie on Jun 1, 2014 22:02:03 GMT -6
I was so glad to see a update to your awesome story. It is so sad, I feel bad for Hawkeye and Erin. I am so glad most of their friends from the War showed up to pay their respects. You are writing an amazing story.
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Post by Sanda on Jun 1, 2014 22:20:38 GMT -6
Great update Melinda. It is so sad that BJ's familyy couldn't even show up to his funeral to pay their respects becuase of BJ and Hawkeye's relationship. I hope Erin shows up soon for her father's funeral to supprt BJ during the funeral and it is also so sad that BJ couldn't have is funeral in a church becuase of his and Hawkeye's relationship. I hope you update this awesome M*A*S*H story you are writing for me again really soon.
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Post by melinda on Jun 3, 2014 20:21:38 GMT -6
ch 3
Father Mulcahy looked around the room, and he could feel the beads of sweat already forming around the rim of his glasses. Unfortunately, this was part of his job, but in this case, it was something quite unlike he'd ever performed before.
Hawkeye sat alone in the front row, with a pair of huge boots (Maybe he was right- apparently BJ had the hugest set of feet that had been humanely possible.)
There were pictures of BJ everywhere. With Erin, at all stages of her life. In Korea. The group photo from “Fort Dix”....pictures of the home he'd shared with Hawkeye for the better part of his life. The only thing missing was BJ himself.
Margaret looked at Frank, unsure of how he'd act during this occasion. He was fidgeting and obviously quite uncomfortable; the shuffling of his feet was getting on more than one person's nerves.
Charles had brought his partner in his doctor's practice. Seemingly a nice, respectful man, “Dr. Jenson” shook hands with Charles' former army comrades and bowed his head at a respectful distance in preparation of Father Mulcahy's speech.
Margaret, between worrying about an outburst from either Frank or Hawkeye, for different reasons, obviously, kept looking at the door, waiting for any sign of Erin.
Finally the Padre began to speak.
“Ahem. Ahem.....I don't know...” his voice was muffled and the microphone only amplified his naturally pitchy voice. “Friends....” he began. “As I look around here, what I see is the people who mattered most to BJ in some way, either minor or in a rather, em, major, way. No pun intended, Major Winchester...”
Charles just grinned a small grin, full of tolerance, and sighed.
Mulcahy ran through his notes, trying to figure out where he would begin. He hadn't been this nervous since....well, never.
He looked at Hawkeye, who looked utterly and completely lost. Suddenly something with that visual of Hawkeye at his weakest stirred something in Mulcahy, and to the shock of the gatherers, he threw down his cards.
“I know, I know I don't have the answers that many of you might in some small way came here hoping to find. I know that there is a lot of hatred, a lot of ignorance, a lot of hurt feelings.
“The only answer, my friends, is love. Love is always the answer.
“During my time in Korea, I'd come across many former believers, who all asked the same question- if there is a God, where are the miracles? When you see your best friend or commanding officer or someone you went to training with blown to bits in front of you, it's rather hard to see a miracle in that.
“When you see children who will never know their own birthday, let alone who their parents were, who will never taste ice cream, for heaven's sake....where is the miracle in that?
“We've all been to war, hell, if you will, and back. Where is the miracle in two sides fighting over, well, does it even matter anymore? Thousands and thousands of young lives, gone, all because of pride and hatred. Where were the miracles in Korea, folks?
“Henry Blake, may he rest in peace. A good man. A flawed man, yes, but he got his discharge papers, was headed home to his wife and family including a young son who he'd never even got to meet- and he never made it back. Where was the miracle for the Blake family that day?
Now every eye on the room was focused solely on Father Mulcahy. Old wounds were opened, and honestly, even Sidney was beginning to wonder if the Padre knew what he was doing.
“My answer to those who wonder where the miracles are- is this: A miracle may not seem like a miracle until you're on the receiving end of one.
“At the end of the war, I was injured. At that time it seemed unlikely that I would ever be able to hear again. Not another confession, not another bird chirping, not another soul giving his life to the Lord.
But you know what....” Mulcahy sighed and continued. “After the war, at home, after quite a few surgeries, well, the proof is right before you. My hearing, praise the Lord, has been restored, and not only can I hear things I never thought I'd ever be able to hear, I can see things, that I never thought I'd be able to see before. That, my friends, is what I consider a miracle. Not necessarily a Noah and the ark miracle, but a miracle to me.”
“Folks,” Father sighed. “The love between BJ and Hawkeye...some might call it a sin. Some might call it offensive, obscene, unnatural. But we were all there, folks,” he repeated out of nervousness. “What the rest of the world might disagree with or feel the need to condone, well, I call it a miracle.”
“What I see....” he continued, his face now turning red. “What I see, what I saw, were two souls, two doctors, two...human beings. They laughed together, they shared their lives together, heck, they saved lives together. They went to hell and back, and they both survived, both I dare say a better person for having known the other person. And those...those..hatemongerers, they call it an abomination?” Mulcahy took a deep breath. “Well, I say....How dare they!”
His voice, with his last statement, had raised to a level no one had ever come out of his mouth. In fact, with those last few words, his anger had risen to such a level that his glasses had shaken away from their place on his face.
“How dare they,” he continued, adjusting his glasses. “How dare anyone say that love is wrong, that it against the law of nature. To those who question, who doubt, who label...who quote the Bible when condemning or whatever they feel they have the right to do....
“Who did Jesus himself sit with? I dare say, I dare say, that Christ himself would have been proud to sit at the table in the mess hall with Hawkeye and BJ and any one of our team.”
“Blasphemy!” Frank started to protest. Instead of making a scene, Margaret just squeezed his hand a little more, and he looked down, not willing to go any further.
Mulcahy continued. “Christ didn't die for the perfect. He died for the sinner, and who amongst us hasn't sinned? As a priest, let me reassure you, I have heard many, many types of confessions of sins, some that shock me to this day.
“Sin doesn't discriminate. Preachers drink. Leaders are unfaithful to their families. Heroes break down and fall, even if they try their best.
“But on that note, how can I honestly say that love is a sin, that love should discriminate when sin doesn't?
“For those who use the Bible to hurt their neighbors, I ask you- what was the purpose of the Good Word? To hurt, or to love? My friends, the God I know, the God I've questioned, tried to obey, studied, and have listened to...has taught me this.....God is love. Love is the answer. Always has been, always will be.”
Still shaken, Mulcahy walked away to go get a drink of water, while everyone looked at each other in awed and revered silence.
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Post by jessie on Jun 3, 2014 20:53:43 GMT -6
Wonderful update Father Mulcahy sermon was amazing, and very powerful. It is sad that a same sex couple have to deal with prejudice and rude people. I feel really bad for Hawkeye, but he is a strong person he will go on, but he will never forget his Partner, and Best Friend. Hope you update again soon.
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Post by Sanda on Jun 3, 2014 21:26:41 GMT -6
Wonderful update Father Mulcahy sermon was amazing, and very powerful. It is sad that a same sex couple have to deal with prejudice and rude people. I feel really bad for Hawkeye, but he is a strong person he will go on, but he will never forget his Partner, and Best Friend. Hope you update again soon. Great update Melinda. I agree 100% with everything that Jessie said about the lastest chapter you wrote and posted on my awesome message board. Father Mulcahy rocked in this chapter with his very amazing and very powerful sermon that he gave to the people gathered for BJ's funeral. I hope that the people attending BJ's funeral will take Father Mulcahy's sermon to heart and not be so ignorant and judgmental of others. I hope you update this awesome story you are writing for me again really soon.
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Post by melinda on Jun 5, 2014 17:53:58 GMT -6
ch 4
As the crowd started to stand, anxious to catch a bit of that rare Maine breeze that flew through the slightly cracked window- it also served another purpose. The Father's speech had hit them all hard, and the uneasy tension in that small funeral room was practically palpable.
Frank, understandably, clung to Margaret's side.
Everyone wanted to go to Hawkeye, to offer words of condolence, but really, what could they say? Just as it had been during the end of the war in Korea, no one really knew what to do when they saw their beloved Hawkeye Pierce so fallen, so broken, so lost.
Finally, Charles and his business associate decided to approach Hawkeye.
“Pierce,” Charles started, not quite sure of what he should say.
Hawkeye didn't say much, he just nodded and went back to staring at a picture of he and BJ that he held in his hand. It was taken day that BJ had shown up in Crabapple Cove, deciding that he couldn't live a lie of a life for one day longer. Neither had looked happier in their lives.
“Um, Pierce,” Charles started again. “I do realize that this is a most, shall we say, unfortunate situation. After that last day in that ...hell would be too kind of a word....after that last day, I swore I would never speak of my time there, and certainly not speak of my comrades, certainly not of you nor Hunicutt again in my lifetime if I could help it.”
All eyes were on Charles. Even Frank, he couldn't even believe how Charles was acting. “And you thought I would be the big jerk,” he snickered self-consciously. “See, Margaret, I can behave myself sometimes....”
Margaret placed her arm on Frank's hand, and didn't even look at her ex-lover. “Not now, Frank,” she shushed him, awaiting with everyone else in the room as to what Hawkeye's response would be.
Hawkeye just shook his head. “Still the charmer, aren't you, Charles? I pity the lady who ever accepted a proposal of servitude, I mean, marriage, to you.”
Charles and “Dr. Jenson” looked at each other. Suddenly a change in Charles' demeanor was apparent to everyone; even Radar and Klinger who just stood by each other, watching the scene unfold.
“Pierce, this may come to the surprise of the lot of you, but there is no Mrs. Charles Winchester.” Charles sighed.
“Gee, a carefree bachelor, while I'm mourning my life partner- my how the tables have turned. If you've come to gloat...” Hawkeye sighed.
Charles returned the sigh. “Pierce,” he reiterated. “There is no Mrs. Winchester, nor shall there be. This is Dr. Bruce Janson, my partner...”
“Yeah, well, you'll have to forgive me for not making friends with your colleagues at Boston General,” Hawkeye started.
Charles, to everyone's surprise, placed his arm on Hawkeye's. “Dr. Janson does not work at Boston General. He is my partner.”
Hawkeye's eyes widened as he stared at Charles, as the rest of the members of the 4077 all took turns staring in shock.
“What the hell did you guys do over there after I left?!” Frank asked aloud, to which everyone just stared at him.
“What? It's an honest question,” Frank protested.
“Come on, Frank. Let's go for a walk. Would you like that?” Margaret smiled sweetly as she took Frank's arm. Before she left, she smiled knowingly and nodded at Charles, who returned the gesture.
“You mean....” Hawkeye started.
Charles nodded. “Yes. It seems rather a strange twist of fate that apparently the majority of our tent mates were to live their lives as homosexuals.” Charles sighed. “God, be as he may, certainly has a strange sense of humor.”
“Why didn't you tell me...”Hawkeye, alert for the first time that week asked in earnest.
“Please,” Charles rolled his eyes. “The only person who was more of a gossip-monger in that camp was Hunicutt. Do you really think I'd trust my own secret to the likes of you two?”
Even Klinger felt a bit wary as they all heard Charles speak of BJ. How Hawkeye would react was anyone's guess.
To everyone's surprise, and to their relief, instead of breaking down at the spoken memory of his loved one, Hawkeye actually started to laugh. He hugged Charles, or attempted to, but Charles, still very much proving to be the snob they all remembered him to be, simply pulled away.
Hawkeye by then had started laughing. Not just a small chuckle. He'd been laughing so hard that tears started falling down his face.
First Sidney joined in the chuckle, taking in the ironic humor of the situation.
Without realizing why, Klinger and Radar also started laughing, albeit a bit uncomfortably.
The release of the emotions that had been building up was just so darn....cathartic. Kind of like their unlikely family that had been formed in Korea, and as with BJ's and Hawkeye's relationship itself, you kind of had to be there to understand the moment.
But there was one person in that room at that moment who didn't understand. Not one little bit.
“My daddy's dead, and you all think this is a joke?”
Everyone turned and saw a very hurt and confused Erin Hunicutt standing in the entrance of the room, and no one, not even Hawkeye, knew what to say.
tbc
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Post by Sanda on Jun 5, 2014 19:15:16 GMT -6
Great update Melinda. You are writing all of the different characters of M*A*S*H perfectly. You are also writing this very sensitive issue perfectly as well. You should be very proud of this M*A*S*H story you are writing. I am so glad that Erin finally showed up at her daddy BJ's funeral. I wonder what everyone is going to say to Erin Hunicutt now that she finally arrived for her fathers funeral. I hope you update this story again really soon.
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Post by jessie on Jun 5, 2014 20:35:01 GMT -6
Another awesome update Charles confession was shocking. You are writing all the characters so well. This story is different, and so well written you should be proud Sanda is right. I wonder what everyone will say to Erin she would be confused seeing them laughing at her Dad's funeral. I hope you update this story again, I can't wait to see what will happen next.
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Post by melinda on Jun 14, 2014 8:53:17 GMT -6
ch 5
Before anyone could speak up, and with Margaret hot on his trail, Frank burst in and didn't even stop to think before speaking.
“Let me get this straight, Pierce,” Frank huffed. “You –you...em, you had the hots for BJ.”
Erin watched on in bewilderment as Hawkeye rolled his eyes. “Yes, Frank.”
“And BJ....he had the hots for you....” Frank continued, completely oblivious to the tone of the room, as usual.
“Yes, Frank.”
Then Frank looked at Charles. “And I suppose...you had the hots for Hawkeye?”
Charles laughed a hearty chuckle. “Surely you jest.”
“BJ?”
Charles just shook his head, smiling.
“But what about me,” Frank continued. “I mean, I lived with you guys, and none of you had the hots for me? Not even Klinger?”
Soon-Li looked at her husband in total confusion, and Klinger just shook his head vehemently.
“Frank....why are you here?” Hawkeye asked. “Did you even know about Beej and I before you came here today?”
Frank kind of shrugged his shoulders. “Margaret told me a few days ago.”
“And you came anyways? Frank, I remember there was a homosexual solider back in Korea you did your d**nedest to get discharged,” Hawkeye pointed out. “Why are you here?”
Frank, not knowing what else to say, just told the truth. “It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Now Hawkeye knew what to say. “Frank, the reason that neither Beej nor I, as you put it, had the hots for you, it's because- its clear - neither of us were good enough for you.”
Margaret grinned, Frank blushed and giggled, and then, catching everyone off guard, Hawkeye walked up to Frank, put his hands on Frank's arms, and kissed him on the cheek.
Frank's jaw dropped, and he tried desperately to wipe off the kiss. “You...you....how dare you! Here I was trying to be nice, and you go and do something like that.....”
Everyone laughed, but Erin still stood, observing in total confusion.
“Dad?” she finally said. “What's going on? Why are you all so....so happy? Why aren't you talking about my daddy?”
Hawkeye turned to her, but Margaret shook her head, and just looked at Hawkeye. “Let me handle this, Pierce.” Then she turned to Erin.
“Erin, honey, I know we've never met. My name is Margaret. Houlihan. Surely your dad spoke of me?”
Erin just shook her head no.
“Major Houlihan.....” then something hit Margaret. “Hot Lips?”
Erin's face lit up. “Oh, yeah, he did talk about you,” she smiled.
Margaret shook her head, laughing at her one time nickname. “Erin, honey, I knew your daddy very well. Both of them. I was in Korea with them. I knew them, well, since the beginning.”
“But my daddy's dead! You all are kissing and laughing and making jokes and I don't get it...”
“Young Miss, if I may,” Charles spoke up. Sidney just watched in morbid curiosity. “Let me tell you a story of your father, a memory that I cannot get out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried. Rest assured, I've tried everything to forget about this...this anecdote of your fathers.”
Erin just looked at him.
“Anyways,” Charles continued. “One day, at the end of a rather exhausting shift, I was preparing to do the final surgery of that day. For the moment anyhow. But then, to my mortal humiliation, Pierce comes out of nowhere, and...I cannot believe I am admitting to this....but Pierce runs up to me and pulls my pants down. In the surgery room. In front of everyone,” Charles closed his eyes, shuddering at the memory.
Despite her confusion, Erin found herself smiling, just a bit. That sounded like her dad.
“Young Miss, does that sound like your dad, Benjamin Pierce?”
She nodded.
“The thing was.....the thing was, Erin, that it was not Pierce's idea. After a series of unfortunate events, your dad came to me, and it became clear- your daddy, Dr. Hunicutt, was the ringleader of that little series of pranks. He was the puppet master pulling the strings.”
Erin looked at Hawkeye, who just grinned and nodded in confirmation.
“But, Erin, please know this....in our unit, no deed, especially the juvenile deeds orchestrated by both of your fathers, would go unpunished. Let's just say your daddy, Dr. Hunicutt, woke up and found himself in a rather compromising position.”
Erin looked at Hawkeye, who despite his best efforts, was now laughing hysterically. “It's true, Erin. We tied him to a bed- not his bed- one in the nurse's station, and the best part...he had no clothes on! Then we had the announcement...” he could barely continue due to his laughter, which was now bordering hysteria. “He was naked, naked as the day he was born, and he had to run out to get to duty. He was naked, Erin,” Hawkeye just couldn't stop laughing.
Even Charles couldn't contain his own laughter. “Are you forgetting the best part, Pierce? The photos posted on the bulletin board...”
Now everyone, even Frank, was in stitches. Erin just looked around the room and, still trying to figure out who was who, just made one comment. “You guys are so weird,” she shrugged.
“Let's not forget Klinger,” Frank added in in overt enthusiasm to be part of the attention. “He wore dresses. Every day. He did!”
Now the room grew quiet. Frank, suddenly feeling very humiliated, mumbled something about needing some fresh air and stumbled outside. Margaret didn't follow, but she watched him, and for the first time in a long, long time, she remembered the good times she'd had with Frank. They'd had a stormy, heated, hurtful past. But at that moment, as she watched Frank try to fit in, try to be a decent person, suddenly her time in Korea didn't seem that bad, after all.
“Erin,” Hawkeye faced his daughter. “I know we're a weird, strange bunch. I know you may not understand....the reason we laugh now is not because we don't love your daddy. It's the same reason we all laughed in Korea- if we didn't laugh, we'd lose our minds. We loved your daddy, Erin, and I can say from the bottom of my heart- I love you, more than you'll ever know.”
Erin ran, not walked, but ran to her other dad, and she gave him the hug of a lifetime.
tbc
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Post by Sanda on Jun 14, 2014 16:11:56 GMT -6
Great update Melinda. You are writing all of the different characters of M*A*S*H perfectly in your story. Everyone was great with Erin in this chapter. I love this M*A*S*H story you are writing for me. :)I hope you update this story again really soon.
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Post by jessie on Jun 14, 2014 22:02:23 GMT -6
Wonderful update it is a sad situation but sometimes laughter, and telling stories about the loved one you lost helps the people missing them. I can understand why Erin was confused seeing them laughing but I love the story Charles told her. You are writing a wonderful story you should be proud Melinda. I hope you update again soon.
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