The Gift

Mac stretched her toes as far as she could down the bed, then just as fast, she leapt to her feet and did a little jig around her room. But the euphoria wouldn’t die down. Mac had never felt so light, so giddy, and so intensely joyful. She felt like singing in a silly voice, and so she did. Somehow, “High on a hill lived a lonely goat-herd” made her laugh out loud, and she mugged in the mirror when she got to the yodeling part.

“I’m going happily insane,” she shouted to herself. Then she switched songs to “I’m in love with a wonderful guy,” as she made her way to the shower.

She hadn’t slept a wink, but felt that she should at least try. Actually, that was Harm’s idea. When they got back to his place from MacMurphy’s last night, she told him she felt she should stay for his own good. After all, now that they had made love once, he needed more for the health of his body, not to mention his mind. “I don’t want you to suffer the danger of romance interruptus Harm.”

He’d grabbed her and carried her through the doorway, avoiding all the packed crates on his way through to the bedroom. But then he set her down unceremoniously on the floor, and said in a mock serious voice, “I appreciate your concern for my safety, but don’t you think you’d be better off going home and getting a good night’s sleep?”

Mac reached up and grabbed him, so that he was on the floor beside her, “ I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I was home. I seldom do.”

They had made love then and there, but didn’t dare linger afterwards. There was so much to do the next day. Plans to cancel, plans to make, a whole lifetime together to prepare for.

And then the long trip, with an unknown future at the end of it.

Mac stood in the shower, thinking that she could never ask for anything else in her life. She finally had Harm, the man she loved, and she’d won the coin toss. Winning had been particularly important to her. She had willed the coin to turn up tails, as it did. And as she listened to the gasps from their friends, she noticed that Harm’s arm had tightened around her. He pulled her face towards his, and whispered softly, “Congratulations Mac. I am so happy for you.”

That was all she needed. Harm had sacrificed his career for her before, but this time it was different. They had let fate decide, as they both knew that whoever gave up their career might eventually feel resentment, while the other would feel the guilt. This time, there would be no guilt or recriminations.

And she had won!

Amidst the noise and chatter around them, the General’s voice came clearly. “So Colonel, you are off to San Diego, and we lose Captain Rabb to fight with the big city lawyers.”

Mac looked up into Captain Rabb’s face, and saw that despite his gentle smile, there was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. With her eyes locked on Harm’s, she replied to the General. “No Sir. Tomorrow morning you will have my resignation on your desk. I am happily giving Captain Rabb my wedding gift to him.” Then she spoke to Harm directly, “It’s really quite simple Harm. All I want in life is you.”