Chapter SevenTHE VILLAGE OF AN CUU was deserted except for an undermanned company of Marines that had set in the night before. The trucks swerved to a halt, and the grunts aboard dropped the tailgates and shouted for corpsmen. Marines rushed up as the grunts on the trucks passed down the dead and wounded. Latimere helped his man down and jumped off after him. As the Marines led him away, Latimere remembered the grunt had his helmet, but he was too embarrassed to ask for it back. He climbed back aboard the truck. The grunt’s helmet lolled in a corner, and he grabbed it and hopped down. Hines slapped him on the back. “How you hanging?”
“What?” Latimere was momentarily befuddled.
“You OK?” Hines’ eyes were dilated.
“Guess so,” Latimere stuttered.
“You done all right, Babysan.”
Hines stee
