Finding The 4077th

Happy Thoughts

Some people had already left but some people were still having fun. The music is playing in the background but it didn't help at all with staying awake. Chris yawned again as he looked over at his big pile of presents he'd gotten. It was a lot, he had gotten a lovely soft sweater from Klinger, a bright red one, and several books, as everyone knew he loved to read. BJ had given him a water pistol but he didn't know if he liked it or not. He was grateful of course but the gun scared him a little, even though it was very colorful. Kellye gave him some toy wooden animals he loved and he even got a slinky from the cook, which surprised him.

The only thing he didn't like was a cowboy hat the colonel gave him. It was just plain ugly and its only function was messing up his hair. Of course he was still very polite and thanked the colonel just like everyone else numerous times throughout the evening. He felt a bit awkward accepting so much as he wasn't used to it and it made him nervous despite the fact that he loved the gifts very much.

He looked over again and his dad still wasn't watching him, maybe he could try some juice with alcohol without his dad knowing, it wasn't like you could see the difference anyway. He was already drinking normal juice. Besides he felt really tired and maybe he would also act silly like his dad and get more energy from drinking it. He shot another glance at his dad but the man still seemed busy.

Maybe his curiosity got the best of him or maybe he was just too tired to think straight, but the next thing Chris knew was that he stood next to the forbidden juice and he had poured himself a little in his cup. He didn't dare to glance at his dad so he quickly moved away, back to the chair he was sitting in.

Cinderella made a soft sound that sounded a bit like she was complaining but she settled down again after Chris sat down and petted her a little. He timidly looked around to look for his dad and he almost fell out of his chair startled as he saw the man standing right there next to him. Cinderella let out a loud complaining cluck as she was slightly launched into the air. She ruffled her feathers angrily as Chris burned bright red as he looked at his stern looking dad.

Hawkeye could almost laugh at the startled quilty expression of his son, but he wasn't at all amused about what he just saw. They didn't call him Hawkeye for nothing. He shot his son a stern look and said. “What do you have there? “ He hoped his son would tell the truth, he really didn't want to punish his son on his birthday.

Chris felt his ears burn. Did his dad know? How did he know? He'd made sure his dad wasn't looking. Maybe his dad didn't know, but he did sound mad, so maybe he did. He couldn't stop his face from burning as he opened his mouth to say something but his dad interrupted him.

“You better think real hard before you answer, Mister. ”

“I-I'm s-sorry...“ Was all Chris could get out in a soft trembling voice. He wanted to admit what he did wrong but he also didn't want to get in trouble even though it was probably already too late for that. He saw the disappointment flash across his dad's face before the man beckoned him. “Follow me.“ He said and walked away.

Chris gulped, it was never a good sign if his dad wanted some privacy to talk with him. He quickly got up to follow, he couldn't disobey something like that. Cinderella again made a disapproving sound as she quickly got picked up again. He followed his dad outside and found him right next to the door.

Hawkeye leaned against the door and shot his son with another stern look. The boy looked absolutely miserable, miserable and exhausted. He cleared his throat to get Chris to look at him and said. “I want to know exactly what you are sorry for.“ He hoped for the boy's sake he would be telling the truth.

The boy in front of him took a deep breath and with a flushed face said. “I-I'm s-sorry f-for taking some a-alcohol.“

Hawkeye sighed relieved as he felt proud his kid was at least honest over what he did.