Shadows of Shelly

Brit - Trying to Love Part 27b

TWENTY-SEVEN-b

Brit – Trying to Love

A relaxation drenched my body with passion and I dragged Shelly to our bedroom and locked the door. Three hours later little Brit was banging on the door, "Granny Yeem says supper's ready."

As Shelly and I sat down to eat, Song Brit and Son of Dog were sparkling as their gaze focused on us. Brit Junior said, "Daddy and Mommy were playing games in the bedroom. I could hear the pounding and whacking. It sounded like Daddy was whipping Mommy, but they came out smiling. That's why I said that they were playing."

I swooped the little guy up in my arms throwing him above my head and tickled him coming down saying, "You're right, and we did not let you and Son of Dog join the fun."

"Daddy, it was exciting hearing you two enjoy and tease each other."

Shelly said, "Sometimes Daddy and Mommy need time alone, but we love you very much."

Granny was quiet but chuckling along with Son of Dog. Song Brit joined in with his grin. He and Granny were reading and writing Thai like a cultured native. Their speech was as good as a professor of the Thai language. Their English was better than most of the American military in Thailand. They had memorized all the Elvis Presley songs played on a regular basis on the Chicago based radio program.

Anna and Steven

Anna and Steven were married before his leave started. The small village that their Thai relatives lived in declared it a major holiday. The community is at the south edge of Chiang Mai. Steven helped to install electrical wiring and indoor plumbing to all the dwellings in the community.

Three days of honeymoon were spent at Cha-am Beach south of Bangkok. The intimacy began with fear and was slow and caring. Bonding in their wedding bliss grew stronger and deeper.

The next twenty-seven days found them ploughing and planting the community garden. They worked as hard as anyone in the community. Rufus sent a couple of his workers and tractors to help them train the community in modern farming techniques.

Steven was promoted to First Lieutenant and elevated to Executive Officer of Baxter's Squadron which put him in line for Captain with minimum time in grade. Steven asked me, "Do you remember me from the academy?"

"No, should I?"

"I asked you about the danger while serving in your unit."

"Yes, I remember the question, but I did not know your name or remember your face."

"Your straightforward answer swayed me to put in for the rescue program. You did not blow smoke but answered honestly. Besides I found the love of my life in Chiang Mai. Anna and I are soul mates. Both of us were rejected by our families, but we found wholeness in our pain."

"I am glad for you."

"Thank you, Sir!"

Steven and I shared a little about our past. He could have been my younger brother. I am glad he found someone with whom to share their pain.

I received a call that an Islamic village had been seized by the Gin Meows in the North area of Thailand near the loop in the Daeng River. Major Baxter P. Silverman's squadron had been chosen as the response unit. I decided to tag along as an observer. Recon determined that one flight could handle the opposing force.

The observation team would have been correct if they had seen the enemy brigade five hundred meters behind the original platoon. They were hidden by jungle growth.

We arrived with thirty-five men armed with M-16 rifles facing one hundred seventy-seven enemy troops. They were supported by two dozen Soviet super large attack helicopters, tanks and machine guns. We were in the field fighting for our lives. Ten of our men were wounded, and another seven were killed before U.S. Jet fighters armed with rockets and missiles came to liberate us. They destroyed the Russian aircraft and machine gun nests.