DISCLAIMER: This story is based on the television series Tour of Duty that aired from 1987 through 1990, distributed by New World Entertainment. All characters belong to the creators and/or producers of the show and were brought to life by many great actors and actresses. No money is being made with this story and it may not be posted, published or archived without permission.
WRITTEN BY: Percy
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I would like to thank Pidd for uploading my story to her website. I would also want to thank Erin! Erin, thank you again for the help and the title.
************************************************************************
Love, Johnny
“Aww shit,” Johnny McKay cursed as his pencil flew across the shared hooch. Knowing this letter should be so easy to write, the frustrated officer found it hard to concentrate.
“Dear Mom” Johnny reread aloud into the oddly quiet hooch.
“This isn’t like me. I can write a letter home to my mom in a matter of minutes. I am the number one chopper jock. I’m the best at what I do.” McKay mumbled as he stroked his own ego.
After retrieving the pencil that landed in
Lieutenant Myron Goldman’s side of the hooch, an irritated Johnny settled
himself for the torturous writing session.
“Hello to everyone. I know
how each of you look towards my calls and letters home. I do apologize for not staying in closer
contact with you all.”
As McKay wrote, he could hear the sound of the cheap pencil scratching across the skimpy paper from the dispensary.
“Ugh,” grunted an exhausted Johnny McKay. He knew that he had to finish his letter before he got any precious sleep in his cot.
“This isn’t going to work, I need some
music.” McKay babbled as he got up to
turn on some first-class music, The Animals. As the music started to boom, Johnny started to pace.
As the lieutenant paced, the music blared loudly out of the speakers, which in turn made every grunt ‘in this man’s army ’ look into Goldman and McKay's hooch wondering what might be happening in there.
“Mom, I want to apologize for missing a call to you on your birthday, I was out on a mission as my friend Lt. Myron Goldman told you. I do want to wish you a happy belated birthday. I know it is hard for being away from you but on your birthday must be terrible. Oh did I wish I could have call ya, truly I did.” An edgy McKay finally got down into writing.
“Aw hell,” Johnny mumbled as his pencil broke. “I’ve gotta stop talking to Danny Percell, that peculiar country cowboy. He is adding weird lingo into my vocab.”
McKay finally found another half decent pencil. “Where was I?” he mumbled and reread.
Taking a deep breath, Johnny continued
writing. “So how are you and the
family? Good I hope! You all are in my prayers. I hope Collie is taking good care of you,
right? Tell her that I miss my little
sister. How is the church? Going every
Sunday?”
“Ok, now what did she asked in her last letter? Mmm.” McKay thought aloud. “Oh yeah.”
“You asked me in your previous letter if I made any friends. I have, sorta. People move around so much, I can’t keep track of them.” John scribbled down.
“Yeah or they die,” he mumbled and looked over to Myron’s side of the room.
“I’ve been friends with Myron Goldman, we are actually bunking together. I think it is a love-hate friendship.” Johnny continued to scribble.
Rereading the last paragraph, Johnny just smiled to himself.
“What the hell McKay?” Myron Goldman said appearing out of thin air. Myron turned off his companion’s horrendous music. “The entire base could hear ya. You had a bunch of grunts standing around our hooch
“Myron, hello to you too.” Smiled a worn-out Johnny.
“What is going on?” Myron questioned, ready to heave his roommate’s music out of the door.
“Writing home before I get some sleep. I need some music to motivate me.” Johnny said watching his companion.
“I see. But do you need it that loud?” Myron answered.
McKay smiled up to his friend and started
to write again. “Mom, I must go.
Please be careful. I will write soon. I miss you.
Love Your Darling Son,
Johnny McKay.”
A once frustrated officer, let out a sigh and placed the letter into the enevlope.
“Night Goldman,” Johnny said quietly. With a quick movement, Johnny was on his cot sound asleep before Myron could say goodnight.