Still sick and homesick on her cot, Frankie McGrath was interrupted when two blood-splattered nurses, Ethel Flint and Barb Johnson, entered the hooch after their shift. Ethel, a Virginia ER nurse, and Barb, a surgical nurse from Georgia, quickly introduced themselves and assessed Frankie. Barb’s cool, appraising demeanor made Frankie feel out of place, while Ethel took charge in a pragmatic, brash way.

Learning there was a small welcome “turtle” party for new arrivals, Ethel urged Frankie to change out of her uniform. Frankie realized she had packed impractical clothing; Ethel supplied her with cutoff shorts and an Army T-shirt and told her to ditch the flak jacket and helmet for the party. As they walked, Ethel briefed Frankie on the hospital: a growing, effectively stationary mobile unit with four surgeons, several doctors, nine women nurses, a few male nurses, and many medics, all working long, fluid hours due to being short-staffed.

Ethel led Frankie to the Officers’ Club, a sandbagged bunker marked by a beaded curtain. Inside, loud rock music, cigarette smoke, and a crowded mix of men and women created a raucous atmosphere. Patty Perkins waved from a card game as Ethel introduced Frankie around. When the Beach Boys’ “California Girls” came on, people cheered for Frankie, and a tall, blond man pulled her into a dance, offering her marijuana, which she refused.

An explosion suddenly shook the O Club, followed by a red-alert siren and loudspeaker announcement of a rocket attack. More blasts followed, red light flared, and dirt fell from the ceiling. As Frankie panicked and tried to run for cover, the man held her, telling her she was as safe there as anywhere. Music was turned up to drown out the barrage while rockets continued to land nearby.

The man introduced himself as Jamie Callahan, a chest surgeon from Ward Five. He steadied Frankie, encouraging her to focus on him and her breathing. Frankie, trembling and embarrassed, noted his alcohol and marijuana use and recognized the familiar dynamic of a doctor flirting with a nurse, even in a war zone. The explosions ceased, and Jamie explained the final blast was their side firing back.

With the all-clear, the music resumed and the crowd returned immediately to drinking and dancing, as if the attack were routine. Jamie offered Frankie a shot of whiskey to calm her shaking. He told her it would help for the night, underscoring the coping mechanisms prevalent among staff living with constant danger.