Flying Angels(40)

   After flying her first mission with them, Lizzie could see what a difference the flying transport made. Many of the men wouldn’t have survived being moved by ambulances or military transport trucks. The planes got them to critical help faster and into operating rooms they couldn’t provide at field hospitals, for complicated surgeries.

“You guys do an incredible job,” Lizzie said, in awe of what she’d seen. And Pru was right, Ed had more advanced skills than an ordinary corpsman or medic. He had the skills of a doctor in several areas.

The pilot walked past them then. They’d just called him on the radio. “We’re going out again in twenty minutes. I’m going to refuel, and then we’ll go. You have time for a cup of coffee,” he said, and climbed down the ladder to see about refueling. Pru and Lizzie and the two corpsmen headed into the hangar to grab a cup of coffee before they took off again.

They did five flights that day, and Lizzie was deeply impressed by the variety of injuries they dealt with, and how expertly they handled each case. She followed them on their rounds among the litters and did what she could for the patients they assigned to her. By the end of the first day, she felt like part of a well-oiled machine, and a highly efficient team, and Ed looked at her with admiration.

“You’ll do,” he said to her, smiling slowly. “You’re going to do fine when you’re in charge, after you fly a few times with me and Pru. All you need are two good corpsmen, and we have some damn good ones here. And you’re a fine nurse, Lieutenant.”

   “Thank you.” She smiled back at him. And as she left the plane with Pru to go back to their barracks, she knew she had made a friend. She hoped he did make it to medical school one day. She knew she never would, but he had everything it took to be an excellent doctor. With luck, maybe one day he could afford to go to medical school. As he left the plane with Charlie after they set up the beds for the next flight and restocked the supplies, he thought exactly the same thing about her.





Chapter 10


Emma wasn’t entirely convinced that she and Alex would get along when they started flying together in order to familiarize Alex with their procedures. Emma could see that Alex was a competent nurse from her reactions to the men and her assessments of their injuries, but she expected Alex to have an attitude with her, and was braced for her to express it when they were alone or working together. She was sure Alex would make some snide, snobbish comment, but much to Emma’s surprise, she never did. Instead, she was easygoing and respectful, and grateful for any advice Emma could give her about how to do the job better while they were in the air.

At the end of the first day, after their patients had all been removed to ambulances, Emma looked at Alex with surprise when Alex thanked her profusely for what an incredible day it had been. They had saved more than one life working together. And Emma had two very capable corpsmen to support her.

   “You know, you’re so different than I thought you’d be,” Emma told Alex as they walked back to the barracks.

“In what way?” Alex asked her, surprised.

“You’re very modest, and open to advice, you’re a terrific team player, and a great nurse.”

“Wow! Thank you.” Alex was touched. “So are you. I loved working with you today. I hope they let me ride with you for a while. I have a lot to learn.”

“Less than you think. You would have done fine without me in any of those situations today, and the boys are very good.” The corpsmen she worked with were excellent.

“You’re all very good. Better than that, you’re amazing. All of you nurses here are like flying angels. Half of those boys wouldn’t be alive if they had tried to bring them back on the ground. The air evac really makes a difference. I can see that now. I was worried about there not being a doctor on the flight. But you don’t need one. Your knowledge and experience are way more advanced than that of most nurses.” Emma laughed in response.

“My experience,” Emma reminded her, “is as a midwife. And I’m probably losing my touch at that. I haven’t delivered a baby since I enlisted.”

“You’re doing something far more important here,” Alex said, deeply impressed.

“I thought you’d give me a hard time,” Emma said, looking embarrassed.

“Why would I do that?” Alex looked startled when she said it.

“Because you come from a much fancier background than I do. I grew up in the slums, in a rat-infested tenement. Anyone English knows exactly what I come from by the way I speak. And you obviously had a much more posh background than anyone here. I felt that way about Pru in the beginning too. British aristocrats are such snobs. I thought she would be too, and she’s the sweetest, simplest, most humble woman I know. And I think you are too.”

   “Thank you, Emma.” Alex smiled and almost wanted to hug her for the compliment, but she didn’t dare. Emma was a little bristly and took time to warm up, but she’d been warm and kind all day. “Fancy doesn’t necessarily mean good. I’m not too impressed by anyone in my family. They’ve never accomplished a damn thing, except my father in business maybe. They’re spoiled rotten, lazy, self-centered. I have a sister who’s convinced she’s the queen of the universe, and she never thinks of anyone but herself, or of doing anything for anyone else. All I knew when I was growing up was that I didn’t want to be like them. I still don’t. I don’t respect them, and I don’t want to lead the lives they do. I’m pretty sure I’ll wind up alone. No one I grew up with would put up with me or has the same ideas. My sister’s husband is a decent guy, but their values horrify me. I hate to think of their children growing up as spoiled and selfish as they are.”