Chapter Eight
Contains spoilersOverview
Frankie attended Captain Ted Smith’s farewell party at Long Binh, where Dr. Jamie Callahan urged her to transfer from Neuro to Surgery. She agreed, survived her first chaotic push in the OR with Jamie’s coaching, and earned praise from colleagues. At the club afterward, Ethel warned Frankie that Jamie was married; Frankie confronted him, rejected any romance, and settled on friendship. Letters from home framed the growing divide between the war front and the U.S. protests, while Frankie’s commitment to surgical nursing deepened.
Summary
A letter from Frankie’s mother described domestic unrest in the U.S.—protests, sit-ins, and the President blaming demonstrators—contrasted with parental worry and nightly news-watching for a glimpse of Frankie. On the ward, Frankie, now on day shift, read to a patient and made end-of-day rounds, promising safety as she prepared for Captain Ted Smith’s goodbye party with Ethel and Barb.
The three nurses helicoptered to Long Binh for the event. In the crowded, rough O Club, Frankie—self-conscious in a conservative dress—was greeted by Dr. Jamie Callahan. They danced, and he spoke gently about losses and his family back home. A new naval helicopter squadron, the Seawolves, entered noisily, and Jamie explained their role in medevacs and combat support.
Jamie pressed Frankie to leave Neuro for Surgery, citing Captain Smith’s praise and her compassion. Though afraid, Frankie agreed to transfer. Soon after, she began her first OR shift during a mass-casualty push: bloodied halls, urgent shouts, and grievously wounded soldiers. Jamie steadied her, walked her through debridement and irrigation, and then instrument-passing for a chest gunshot wound repair. By night’s end, Jamie and Barb praised Frankie’s performance.
At the O Club afterward, Ethel told Frankie that Jamie was married and cautioned her about reputations and choices. When Jamie returned with drinks, Frankie confronted him. He admitted his wife Sarah and their child Davy, showed a photo, and suggested what happened in Vietnam could be separate from home. Frankie refused, asserting her belief in love, honesty, and vows, but stayed to talk as a friend when he said he needed one. Jamie described a pressured marriage that began with an unexpected pregnancy, and they parted on sober, respectful terms.
In a letter dated May 16, Frankie told her parents she was training as a surgical nurse, felt a strong sense of purpose, and described Vietnam’s beauty during monsoon bursts, asking for personal items and a new St. Christopher medal. On May 31, her mother wrote back about constant worry, political division in America, and the value of finding meaningful work—something many women in her generation had overlooked.
Who Appears
- Frances “Frankie” McGrath
protagonist Army nurse; promoted to day shift, attends farewell party, agrees to transfer to Surgery, completes first OR push.
- Dr. Jamie Callahan
surgeon; recruits Frankie to Surgery, mentors her in the OR, reveals he is married with a child, asks for friendship.
- Ethel Flint
nurse mentor/friend; attends party, works brutal triage, warns Frankie that Jamie is married and advises caution.
- Barb Johnson
skilled nurse and friend; attends party, assists during push, encourages Frankie and celebrates her performance.
- Captain Ted Smith
Neuro ward physician; subject of the farewell party and prior mentor praised Frankie’s abilities.
- Patty Perkins
surgical nurse; short-timer; brusque during push but later praises Frankie.
- Frankie’s mother
writes letters reflecting U.S. protests, family worry, and views on women’s roles.
- Sarah Callahan
Jamie’s wife (discussed); mother of Davy; her existence alters Frankie’s boundary with Jamie.
- Davy Callahan
Jamie’s child (discussed); shown in a photo.
- The Seawolves
new naval helicopter squadron; arrive at the club; known for medevacs and combat support.