Evelyn felt a strong relief at the sight that met her after her surgery. Everywhere around her bed tall, efficient-looking white figures were swarming.
OK, she was still not feeling quite well after the accident, but now she was in the hands of capable people who seemed eager to look after her. - That's all right, she thought to herself, I shall get well and return to my job and my family. Thinking this she suddenly realized that she was thinking first of her job and secondly of her family. That was what she had often been accused of by her husband Charles and now she noticed it herself.
- Yes, yes, she told herself, I'm baaaad, but then I have a job and even a career which poor old Charles hasn't.
One of the white figures came up to her bed at the exact moment she had this thought. He - or was it a she, it was quite difficult to see because theiruni-sex uniform was so special - looked into her face and flashed a gentle smile at her, but he/she didn't speak.
Evelyn felt like talking so she said: "When do you think I shall get out of here?"
The nurse - or whatever this person was - smiled once more and then said: "You shouldn't think too much, but just rest and regain your strength." Then he/she patted her good, but rather limp hand and turned away.
That made Evelyn look at the poor, injured hand which strangely enough didn't hurt anymore. She shouted in a cheerful voice: "I'm glad to report that the pain has gone from my hand."
The nurse-like figure turned around and looked at her with a puzzled look, then he/she smiled once more: "Of course and now you should rest a while and maybe get out of bed later this afternoon."
In the afternoon another person in white came to see her. He/she helped her out of bed and suggested that they took a short walk down the hall. Evelyn didn't feel like it, but then decided to comply as she really wanted to get well and start working again.
Off they went down what seemed to be an endless hall. Far ahead of them there was another small group of patients with nurses, but somehow they soon caught up with them.
This group consisted of three young patients with two nurses and Evelyn soon got quite friendly with the two girls. As to the young man then he seemed exceedingly angry or bitter at something so she kept her distance. - Wonder what's eating him, she thought to herself, but she didn't like to ask the others although she heard that they had been in the same accident..
The girls were 18 and 20 years old and they were giggly and cheerful. Evelyn wondered at their cheerfulness as they obviously were more severely hurt than the man. She couldn't help commenting on this to the eldest of them, Shirley: "How come that you and your friend are so cheerful and happy although both of you have lost a leg in that car accident?"
"Oh, that's easy," she said, "we don't need it here. Actually we don't need it anymore."
"What do you mean?" Evelyn said. "To be without a leg is burdensome and may also give you social problems."
Shirley just looked at her and then her friend, Eve, said: "Not here, all that is over."
Evelyn was so surprised at this attitude which also indicated that they thought they were to stay in hospital all their lives. She saw to it that she came to walk by herself with Shirley and then she said: "But you are going to be discharged and then you return to your ordinary life ..."
This time Shirley just stared at her and she felt that she had been rude in talking about her private life and health. Soon after they left as Evelyn wanted to go back to her bed and rest a little. However, her nurse suggested that they went to see some of the patients who never had any visitors. Annoyed, but eager to show her public spirit she accepted the suggestion and off they went into a ward swarming with white figures.
"Do you remember that you were here?" her nurse asked her. "That your former bed is by the window?"
"No, that can't be, I only hurt my hand. All these patients look much more sick."
"Mmmm," the nurse said, "and so were you, but now you're getting so much better minute by minute."
"Yes, the doctors here work miracles. I'm very grateful for what they have done to help me."
Exactly at that moment something special happened: A door opened and a flock of white figures came into the room. They went straight up to four beds and started to wheel them out the room. At the same time some others brought new patients, already in bed as they all seemed to be in a coma.
"Do you remember it now?" the nurse said.
"Not really," Evelyn answered. "No, actually not at all."
"Strange," the nurse said, "because you were such an easy patient: From coma to --- well, and now up and walking ..."
"Yes, you are amazing here," she answered, feeling genuine admiration. "However, I would like to know when I may return back to work ..."
"My dear lady, you don't understand this situation." Suddenly looking a bit annoyed at her dimness he/she made a very fast movement. The uniform that all of them wore sort of fell apart and turned into two large, white wings.
Evelyn screamt when she saw them being unfolded thus turning the nurse into something much more specialized.
"I'm sorry, he/she said, but you are one of the very few who don't understand the situation when they come here."
"Are you telling me that I'm ... that I'm dying?"
"My dear Evelyn what can I say and what did you expect of me?"
"To be cured! To return back to my life!" Her voice grew shrill and it broke several times before it was quenched in tears.
"Oh dear," the white one said, "that's all over as your body has gone so to speak. However, don't be so sad. I'm sure you shall like it up here."
Blended with tears she didn't answer, but only turned on her heel and started to look for her bed. He/she didn't follow her, but stayed in the same spot, watching as she left.
ALL rights reserved
© EC
Originally Posted On Site: 2010-09-15 02:59:31
Last Login: 05.22.12
Visits as of 12-12-07: 141
Comments:
|
|||
|
|||
