Page 9 of Pierre
“I didn’t,” she said through clenched teeth. Inwardly, she was smiling, knowing that Judy was probably losing her mind, desperate to know what had happened back home. For Ambry, it was private. She would hold it in her heart until she saw Pierre again.
She closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep so that Judy would leave her alone. Surprised that she did sleep, she remembered the very wet dreams that haunted her, with Pierre as the star.
After navigating baggage claim, they waved down a taxi and headed to the main port in Jacksonville. The docks were lined with Navy ships, as well as commercial ships further down.
The hospital ship was docked close to the Navy vessels. While the hospital ship was primarily naval personnel and civilian mariners, there were some jobs that were filled by civilians when there weren’t enough naval personnel or if they were dropping crew members off at another port.
Ambry was a Navy nurse. Judy was a civilian nurse who used the job to get all the Navy dick she could handle. She was a good nurse, a good friend, but her moral code was slightly off compared to Ambry’s.
After storing their gear, the two women met the other nurses in the meeting room, ready to hear the briefing from their head nurse and doctor.
“Where are we headed this time?” asked one of the women.
“Right now, it’s an undisclosed, highly confidential location,” said Major Witten. A twenty-year veteran with several tours in combat zones, Marjorie Witten was no slouch. She was tough as nails, tender as a teddy bear, and one phenomenal nurse. You also never wanted to be on her bad side.
“Is this a war zone?” asked Judy.
“Technically? No. Realistically? Yes. You’ll be notified of more details as we get closer, but it will be dangerous. You won’t leave the ship without security, and we will be taking on civilians as well as military personnel.
“Remember, our mission is toprovide humanitarian aid and medical support during disasters, conflict, and in regions with limited healthcare access by offering mobile, afloat medical facilities, surgical services, and public health education.”
“No offense, Major, but we’re all well aware of our mission,” said Judy. “I’ve been a nurse on a hospital ship for nearly ten years now.”
“Good for you. I’ve been on them for nearly twenty. Are we done with the pissing match?”
Judy frowned but nodded at the woman, realizing that she was just put in her place. Although Ambry didn’t want her friend to be embarrassed, perhaps being knocked down a peg would help with her humility.
“I’m sure Judy didn’t mean anything by it, Major. We just want to prepare the bays appropriately.”
“Ambry McDonald, right?” she asked, staring at her. Ambry nodded. “I know your family.”
Ambry had no idea what that actually meant. She didn’t respond, didn’t nod, didn’t acknowledge the woman’s comment.
“You all have your assignments. Make sure your bays are stocked and ready for whatever comes our way. This might get nasty. Dismissed.”
Ambry, Judy, and two other nurses, Elliott and Fatima, walked toward the sick bays.
“Well, that was like a colonoscopy,” said Elliott. “Why does she have to be so hard on us?”
“Because the job is hard,” said Ambry.
“What does that mean? And what did she mean that she knows your family? Are they famous or something?” asked Elliott.
“It means the job is hard. I don’t know what she meant by the comment about my family. I have other family members who were in the military, including my father. Maybe she knew him.” Ambry wasn’t about to tell them the truth about her family. Instead, she took her assigned bay and went to work.
The floors, tables, cabinets, everything was scrubbed with disinfectant and bleach, ensuring that no bacteria was in the space. In fact, it would be scrubbed every morning, every night, and after every patient entered the space. The risks of infection on a ship were greater than in another environment. Everyone was on top of one another. There was not a lot of fresh air unless you were on deck, and it was just hard to be in a clean, sterile environment all the time.
By the time they were done, they were underway and headed toward their destination. After the evening meal and a nice walk on the deck, the nurses retired to their quarters, happy for alone time.
Before she went to sleep, Ambry sent a quick text to Pierre, hoping that he would at least see, if not answer it.
Missing you like crazy. Underway to our next destination ??? I love you.
Ambry turned off the light and moments later, heard the buzz of her VG phone.
Miss you more and we’ll be together soon. I love you.
CHAPTER FIVE
