Chance Encounterby Oksanatranslated by Olga |
|
Life was slowly falling into its proper course. Matt enjoyed the time he spent at the neighbours' while Mary was at work. And to pay the Johnsons back just a little, Mary was helping Jane with mastering the intricacies of the job. And more and more often when she had put the boy to bed, Mary would look at the picture she was keeping at her bedside now, thinking, “How are you doing, Mason?” The work went quite smoothly, and the head was content with Mary's contribution. He promised her to raise her pay as soon as possible. Mary managed to do her own share and to help others, but it was Jane she was trying to help most. Once Jane rushed into the nurses' room with tears in her eyes. “I can't do this! He's ... such a jerk!“ Mary hugged her, “What's the matter, honey?” “I was to put on a bandage, they brought in a rocker yesterday, he had got knifed… The wound is not deep but the bandages are to be applied, and he would…” Jane sobbed. “He'd put the moves on me!” Mary frowned. “Where's he?” “In the dressing ward. If he hasn't left, that is.” “Come, come. I'll do it for you.” Mary resolutely headed to the dressing ward. On the little sofa there was a man sitting with his back to the door. There was a cut on his side, with new stitches on it. It wanted some ointment and a fresh bandage. “Are you back yet?” said the man with a Southern accent, not looking around. “You're quite a princess, aren't you. You know, sweetheart, I am no good at talking but my hands do better.” He half-turned, but never giving him as much as a glance, Mary walked up to the desk and started sorting out the things she needed for bandaging the wound. She was telling the patient off meanwhile. “You'd better keep your mouth shut! And don't you dare to take passes on nurses here, or else you'll have this hole in your side for a whole lifetime! Or maybe you're used to it,” she said noticing the olden scar on the shoulder. Mary applied the ointment and used the patch to adjust the gauze on the wound. “Now go back to your ward and forget your silly tricks,” she said angrily and walked back to the desk. The man got off the sofa and approached her. “You're a pretty one, I guess,” he said. “I think I like you.” He put his hand on her hip and pinched. “What?!” Mary turned around in fury and hit his hand, but as soon as she saw the man's face she felt there was no air to breathe, and her legs wouldn't hold her any longer. “No, unbelievable… Mason!?” He frowned as if he had not understood what she was saying. “Oh my, can this be a mistake?” Mary thought trying to control her feelings. He had an untidy beard and an earring, but the eyes, these were his eyes! But there was something strange about them… “Mason?” she called out with hope. “Is that you?” He stepped back. The puzzlement in his eyes gave way to confusion, and then the pupils grew bigger. “Mary? Mary?” he said hoarsely. Mason gasped noisily, and then he gave a sigh, caught his head in his hands, stepped back, hit a chair and fell down on the floor. |