Lean On Me
Margaret stared at the papers in front of her. Well, that’s it, she thought ruefully. I’m divorced. She didn’t know quite what to feel: the main emotion was numbness. She didn’t feel anything. Maybe I’ll go and have a drink, I might meet someone I can talk to. Margaret refused to think who that someone might be. On her way to the O-Club, she snuck a quick glance into the Swamp. Just being neighbourly, she told herself. Pierce and BJ might want a drink. They weren’t there, however, and she continued to the O-club on her own.
When she pushed open the door into the Enlisted Men Welcome Officers Club, the first thing she saw was Hawkeye and BJ sitting at the bar each nursing a cold beer. Margaret sauntered over and sat down next to them.
“Bartender, scotch and water please.” BJ raised his eyebrows at his friend. Margaret was not known to be a huge drinker, especially not at 3 in the afternoon. They, on the other hand….
“Margaret, is everything ok?”
Margaret nodded, and took a sip of her drink. “Yes thank you BJ, fine. In fact better than fine. I’m free!”
“Your divorce papers came through then?” Hawkeye queried.
Margaret nodded, and opened her mouth to respond, but was horrified to find tears welling up in her eyes and blocking her throat. She set her drink down on the table and rushed out of the door, slamming it hard behind her. BJ and Hawkeye just looked at each other, and then Hawkeye put down his drink too, and followed her out. BJ let him go without protest. When Margaret was upset no one could comfort her as well as Hawkeye.
Outside, Hawkeye quickly caught up with Margaret. He knew where she had gone. When she was upset and didn’t want people to know she didn’t go to her tent, she came down here, to look at the view. Hawkeye knew the appeal himself, it was a very calming place. Sure enough, he found Margaret sitting on a bank, sobbing into her hands. She didn’t flinch when he sat down and put his arms around her, just leant into his chest and continued crying . Hawkeye stroked her hair, and made comforting noises into her ear until she had calmed down enough to talk.
“Oh god, Hawkeye, what am I going to do? I feel so lonely, already. What if I never find love again? I think I’m destined to be alone.”
“Hush, Margaret don’t worry. You are stunning, and so smart. How could anyone not love you? I love you, BJ loves you, Colonel Potter loves you, heck, even Charles loves you!”
A fresh burst of sobbing shook Margaret, and she leaned in towards Hawkeye again.
“I’m so scared, Hawkeye. I don’t want to be alone. I want someone I can lean on.”
Hawkeye held her tighter, and whispered,
“Lean on me, Margaret. I’ll be strong for you.”
Hawkeye looked around the bare cell in the 121st Evac, where he was incarcerated after his “problems”. Sidney had insisted, and when Hawkeye had resisted, Sidney had threatened to tell Daniel Pierce. That had done it. Hawkeye didn’t want his father knowing that his only son was now officially a whack-job. But it was very lonely here. Hawkeye would have given anything to hear the voice of one of his friends. BJ, Potter, even Charles would be welcome now. And Margaret. He longed to hear Margaret’s voice. At that moment, a nurse peeked her head around the door.
“Dr Pierce?”
Hawkeye looked up.
“You have a visitor!“
She opened the door wider to reveal Margaret standing there, a vision of loveliness to Hawkeye’s mind.
“Hello Pierce. How are you doing?”
Hawkeye motioned for Margaret to sit next to him on the bed. “Good thanks. Hopefully I should be out of here soon. I’m getting sick of all the prodding, and the “tell me about your childhood”’s.” Margaret laughed briefly, but was cut short by the sight of tears in Hawkeye’s eyes. She laid a hand gently on his arm.
“Hawk, are you ok?” He shook his head, unable to speak.
And then suddenly the tears spilled over. Margaret held her arms open, and he moved into them, laying his head on he chest.
“I’m so scared Margaret. What if I’m never normal again? What if I’ve completely lost my marbles?”
Margaret found tears welling up in her own eyes at this. Hawkeye was always so strong, so sure of himself. To see him like this was torture.
“Hawkeye, listen to me. Firstly you’re strong. Much stronger than I am. You’ll make it through, I promise. Nobody blames you, nobody thinks you’re weird, or doubts you. And you’re not mad, none of us are. I’m only surprised we haven’t all given up already. And secondly, you might not be mad, but you have never been normal, and I don’t want you to be. You wouldn’t be the Hawkeye I know and love if you were!” Hawkeye laughed feebly and sat up and looked at Margaret, tears beading on his long lashes.
She pulled him into her arms again, and whispered,
“I’m here for you, Hawkeye. I’ll be strong, just lean on me.”
The End
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