FATE ON A HOSPITAL BED
Here, you look after him! I cant even go near him, let alone feed him with a spoon, the woman snapped, tossing a paper bag of groceries onto the bed where her ailing husband was lying.
Please, try not to worry so much. Your husband will recover. He just needs careful attention right now. Ill do my best to help David get back on his feet, I reassured her, as I had so many wives before. Being a nurse on the tuberculosis ward, calming anxious relatives had become part of my daily routine.
David had been brought in barely conscious, but there was still hope. He wanted to live, and that alone was half the battle won. It was just a shame that his wife, Margaret, had no faith in doctors. If anything, Margaret seemed ready to give up on David altogether.
Looking ahead, I know that David and Margarets son, many years down the line, would also fall ill with tuberculosis. Margaret wouldnt lift a finger for her own son, Charlie, writing him off without a second thought. Yet, somehow, Charlie pulled through.
Despite his diagnosis, David kept his spirits up. He joked, he laughed, he was desperate to leave the hospital. The village they lived in had no specialist ward, so Margaret hardly visited at all. I couldnt help but feel sorry for Davidhe looked unkempt and forgotten, his clothes shabby, hardly a slipper to his name.
David, would you mind if I brought you some things? I see you dont even have slipperswalking about in those worn shoes. Would you accept a small care package from me? I teased, trying to lift his mood.
From you, Charlotte, Id take anythingeven poison, if you called it medicine. His grip was gentle as he took my hand. But really, you neednt trouble yourself. Let me just get well first
I slowly slipped my hand free and stepped out of the room, heart pounding. Was I really falling for a patient? Nosurely not. It would be wrong to break up a marriage. Besides, those sort of things never end well. Misfortune for another… But since when does the heart obey rules? Oh, what a reckless plunge.
Little by little I found myself spending more time in Davids room, our conversations growing longerdeep into those quiet, endless night shifts. We grew close, shifting without notice from Mr. Hill and Nurse to David and Charlotte.
David mentioned his five-year-old son one evening.
My Charlie looks just like his lovely mum, you know. I loved Margaret once. Gave her everything. Shes passionate, excitinglike a storm in bed. But shes always cared more about herself. You cant do anything about that. Her selfishness is like acidcorrosive, eating away at everything. And nowlookhere you are, a stranger, looking after me. His sigh was heavy.
But Margarets far away…its not easy for her to visit often, I tried to defend his wife, even though I could hear the emptiness in my words.
Oh, come off it, Charlotte! As they say, a loving wife would find her way to her husband even if he was in prison! But to see her lover, shed run a thousand miles. Everyone knows… Anger flashed in his eyes.
Good night, David. Dont act rashly. Everything will be all right, I whispered as I turned off the light and slipped away.
He was suffering, no doubt. There he washelpless, trapped in bed, while his wife found her pleasure elsewhere. It might not be life-threatening, but, as the saying goes, whats a drizzle to a mouse is a flood.
A week later, a racket from his room startled me. I rushed in to see David screaming at Margaret.
If I see you here again, you… Get out! Get out! He shouted, veins bulging, eyes wild.
Margaret darted from the room like a frightened bird.
Whats happened? I asked, breathless.
David just turned to the wall, trembling under the blanket. I had to give him a sedative.
A month passed. Margaret never visited again.
David, should I call your wife? I asked one evening, gently.
No need, Charlotte. Margaret and I are getting divorced, he replied calmly.
Because of your illness? Thats madlook at you, youre getting better! I was taken aback.
When I told her to leave, she’d only come to announce her new boyfriend. Said he needs a place to staythat he could live in our house. With me barely there, she needed a man around, someone to mend the roof… Davids voice trailed off.
My God, was all I could manage.
It got worse. Soon after, Margaret arrived with a manher new lover, waiting down in the garden, nervously smoking on the bench while I watched from the window. Margaret joined him, pecked him quickly on the cheek, giggled, and then the pair walked off together.
A few days later, I told David, Youre being discharged.
Charlotte, may I ask you something Oh, never mind, he faltered.
David, if you mean what I think you mean then yes, I do, I surprised myself, boldness catching in my chest.
His confession was quiet.
I have nowhere to go. Can I stay with you? Its over with Margaretshes remarrying.
David, I have a child. If youll accept her, I think we could make a lovely family, I offered, laying my cards on the table.
A child isnt an obstacle. I love her already, he said softly, looking at me in a way that melted me to my core.
Years have gone by since. David and I have two children together, and somehow we built a warm and loving home. Charlie, Davids son, often visits with his own family. My daughter from long ago lives abroad. Truthfully, there was never a marriage. I stumbled young, trusted a man who promised love without end, who painted a picture of life that never came to be. But I have no regrets.
As for Margaret, she married again and again, had a son with some traveling salesman, but the boy suffered with his mind his whole life. She never cared much for himalways cold, always distant. He grew up alone, never getting in her way. When Margaret passed away, the boy was sent to a home.
Now, David and I are growing old together. Our love burns brighter than it ever did in youth. We walk these days side by side, cherishing every moment, every glance, every breath.
