Chapter 53 Tyne Matherson (1/2)

Tyne was surprised by Sean and Kei's forwardness. It was unexpected.

From the reports he had read on Sean's profile, he knew of his parent's mistreatment (noted in a psychological examination) and had read on the court martial that led to where he was today. It was the first time Sean had spoken aloud of those personal troubles. He was also aware of Kei's gang background and his family's demise. The reason why he pushed for Kei's recruitment to his superiors when his profile was put to the table.

For Kei and Sean to trust them with their stories warmed his heart.

”What's your story Tyne?” Eiji asked him again.

The other men waited patiently, with intense gazes on his face, for his story. Another chance leap of faith to trust.

”What can I say that you don't already know?”

”How'd you meet your wife?” Eiji asked to get the ball rolling.

”At a luau on my arrival.” Tyne lapsed into a pleasant memory of meeting his wife.

He was fresh off the boat at Pearl Harbor. It was evening with the sun streaking the sky a vibrant orange, green and blue. The weather was mild and cosy. The crisp sea air, smell of fresh fish, fruits and all that was island life was a welcome to him. He felt too much at ease and had to be reminded that he was an army medic for his country.

He accepted his lei from the welcoming local and headed straight to his infirmary at the army barracks for his duties. The infirmary was an initial bliss after having to bunk on an escort carrier with other men who reeked like off pork.

”I was a newly graduated medic back then, for an army medical unit working with the Peace Corps. My infirmary was close enough to the Japanese navy hospital.” Tyne lapsed further into his memories.

”Because my unit were full of good boys, we were granted some R&R.”

Tyne took advantage of the night life.

”Now that I think about it. I do remember seeing you at Mad Louis's one night,” Tyne said to Sean.

”Probably. There wasn't any other bar to drink a decent beer.” Sean shrugged and prompted Tyne to carry on with his story.

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Tyne found his way to a luau with others from his unit. He shared a table that was next to his wife's.

She had been too busy serving drinks to the senior nurses and doctors at her table to notice Tyne. Until she accidentally bumped into him and spilt a drink on his uniform.

”It was on purpose. Couldn't see any other way to get her attention.” Tyne chuckled. ”To this day, I've never told her.”

”Your wife's Japanese?” Eiji asked to confirm.

”Should be obvious by now.” Tyne answered.

Eiji nodded and waited for Tyne to continue.

”She was wearing her nurses uniform that bore the insignia of an Imperial Navy unit. I'd never seen a woman so lithe and pretty as a picture before. More beautiful than a Geisha.”

Kei sat up to pay attention to this detail. ”Did she have a nice rack, set of pins? Have a picture do you?”

”Not telling!” Tyne snapped at Kei.

”Hog.” Kei mumbled and slunk back down.

”I helped her calm down and gave her an excuse to take a break. We spent the whole night talking, whilst her table excused themselves to find other fun.”

Then he had a weird fruit drink that made his body go into shock from an allergic reaction.

”I recovered the next morning on a sick bed, but too weak to move and stuck on a drip. My wife was nursing me back to health. She had saved my life by keeping my airways clear and organizing me into a jeep for her hospital.”

Tyne was treated at the nearest medical facility that happened to belong to the Imperial Navy. Japan wasn't at war with America at the time, so this occurrence was a rare occasional thing.

”I treasured those days I spent recovering by her side. I learned why she was able to speak English. She taught me basic Japanese. We exchanged names and promises to meet when I was well.” Tyne stared dreamily in the distance. ”Hinata Aiyama. That's my wife's name. Aiyama-san.”