He woke up from the horrible pain that went through his whole body. Blurry pictures before his eyes couldn’t take the proper form. His vision was unclear, so he hardly noticed the figure that approached his bed.
- I think I will never get used to this, – he heard a gentle voice and felt the hands that were putting bandages on his head. He knew exactly who this voice belonged to. He immediately recognised his Jenny.
- Look at him! He has no healthy skin on his body, and he still manages to smile, – she tried to reproach him but couldn’t hide her smile as well. Jenny was happy to see Jack. Even in this condition, even when he is hardly breathing – he was alive, and that was all that mattered for her.
- Did we win? – the question troubled him from the moment he woke up.
- God saved you this time, as always, – Jenny quickly looked at other beds, where the nurses were treating the injured. – At what price, though? Most of the hospital is filled with your battalion. But I have great news! – she turned to Jack. – Your commander allowed you to stay in the hospital a little longer than the rest due to your current condition. – Jenny clapped in her hands excitedly.
Jack looked disappointed. How can he even rest here while his brothers are dying on the battlefield? Different thoughts tore him apart. Why did he meet her at this exact time? Why could they not meet in peaceful times, so that they didn’t have any worries? His eyes became watery.
Jenny knew exactly what he was thinking about.
- If you are unsatisfied with this outcome, think about me. Me, who will finally get proper sleep because you are safe, – she said a bit selfishly.
Jack hugged Jenny. He wished he could stop the time, so she stayed in his arms forever. He still shrugged from her gentle touches and got shy whenever she was looking directly in his eyes. Jenny felt the same way. Jack was her first and (she was certain) the last love. Although they weren’t together for a long time, they knew each other from the start of the war.
She was preparing the necessary tools in the hospital when she saw him holding his wounded congener. Since then, they were meeting whenever they had an opportunity. Jack was the first one to see her. From that moment, he could recognize her by dark brown hair always tied in a ponytail and the cloth that was supposed to be a medical robe. She was flawless.
One thing in her was troubling him, though, – her shoes. For some reason, they were worn out and Jenny simply didn’t have the other pair. Every day he promised her to buy new expensive shoes, which will be much better than the current ones. She didn’t forget to remind him about this today.
- I’m still waiting for my red shoes by the way, – still being embraced, she said playfully.
3 days later
- Is this a goodbye? – tears were flowing from Jenny’s eyes.
- I’ll find you, I promise, – tears were flowing from Jack’s eyes.
- I’m not a child, Jack. Nazis are basically breathing in our backs, and you’re leaving in another city. It was good knowing you, – she said too formally.
- Wait for me. – he left.
As if they haven’t met.
1945
He was running like there is no tomorrow. He was looking in all hospitals, then pharmacies and even in usual shops. A box in his hands prevented him from moving faster, but he still tried to be as quick as possible. Hope already left him when he entered the last hospital in the town. He saw her in the last room. She didn’t even change. Same beauty, but the sadder expression on her face.
Jenny was in bed, fully covered with a blanket. She was wounded. Her left side of the face was bruised. Her hair was much shorter than before due to the serious wound in her head. She saw him and the world has stopped. She started to mentally torture herself for all the moments when she has already buried him.
Jack stood up in front of her. While she was thinking about all of these, he opened the box. Jack was holding red shoes proudful.
- I’m the man of my word! – he laughed for the first time since he left her.
He was expected to hear the same laugh from her, but Jenny looked confused. She waited for him for so long. She has already forgotten about the stupid shoes. Still, something was stopping her from smiling.
- Honey, I guess I don’t need them any more. – She threw away the sheet.
He saw her beautiful body. He didn’t want to notice all the bruises that were covering her. He watched her from the chest and then stopped on her knees. Not because they were attractive. Because it was the end of her legs. Because she no longer had them.
His big eyes became even bigger. He came to his senses quickly, though. Suddenly a big smile appeared on his face.
- We just put the shoes on a shelf then.
Tears didn’t allow Jenny to say anything. Jack kneeled in front of her.
- You didn’t think that I love you for your physical parts, did you? Such a trifle won’t stop me from loving you forever and always. I didn’t go through hell just to abandon you like that. I’m staying, and I’m going to catch up all that we have missed during these years.
She kissed him in the lips. He was still holding the red shoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment