Edwards Story: Chapter1
"Edward Mason! You are not fighting in the war!" My father boomed.
"You should get married and start a family. The war will only ruin your life!" Elisabeth Mason my mother was sobbing.
This conversation was too frequent. I wanted to fight in the war and my parents wanted me to marry. No woman could catch my eye although I caught many of theirs.
"I can't possible sit still while people are dying! I have to fight Germany!"
"No Edward!" My fathers voice was so commanding that it ended the argument for now. I looked guiltily at my mothers puffy red eyes. Why couldn't my parents except the truth? I needed to fight in the war! I couldn't just marry when the world was in peril!
My poor Edward! I looked in my mother's direction. I didn't seem like she'd said it aloud. Sometimes I was almost certain people were talking to me in my head. It was absurd. I put on my coat and walked into town. The local bar was filled with boisterous people. Music was playing in the background and a few women were eyeing me. I ignored them.
"One brandy!" The bartender nodded at me and quickly poured a glass.
I sipped the cool liquor while I listened to the conversation of the men next to me. "It started in Kansas. It's spreading though."
"I hope it won't make it to Chicago."
"Pardon me gentlemen for overhearing, but what is it that's spreading?"
A man with a mustache looked at me. "The Spanish influenza. It's spreading all over the world what with the armies carrying it wherever they go."
I frowned. He made it sound like the soldiers were spreading it. Although if it was the enemy then I liked it.
I turned around as a young woman tapped my shoulder. She looked at me invitingly. I just ignored her. I could tell she was disappointed and frustrated without looking. It seemed perfectly normal for me to have such a great understanding of people.
Gorgeous green eyes… I turned my head in the direction of the voice feeling annoyed. The woman must have said it; but I had that strange feeling again that it hadn't been said aloud.
I walked downtown. And watched the cars with fascination. My family couldn't afford a car but I vowed that I would have one someday. A car parked in front of me. I immediately recognized the driver as Dr. Carlisle Cullen. There was something about the man that made me uneasy, but he was so kind that it was hard not to smile around him.
"Need a ride home?" He asked.
I looked longingly at the car. To ride in that… I could just walk. It would be polite. After a moments hesitation I nodded and got in.
"Thank you Dr. Cullen." I stated politely.
"Anytime Edward." he smiled. "You know, it's been a while since your last check up."
I smiled back. "I don't need one. I'm in perfect shape."
The Doctor's smile widened. "How can you know for sure. You're not a doctor."
"I have my methods." I stated with amusement.
He dropped me off at my family's small urban home. It was red brick with some peeling plaster. Cheery flowers from my mothers garden were all around.
"Edward! Where have you been?" My mothers voice was full of relief and irritation.
I felt slightly annoyed by her scolding. I was a man now. My feelings softened as I realized she might have thought I was sneaking off to the war.
"Hello mother." I gave her a light embrace that made her smile reluctantly. Her bronze hair was tied in a bun.
"I just went for a breather in the town." I explained.
"Who was that that drove you home?" She asked.
"It was Dr. Cullen." I stated simply.
She nodded and smiled. "I like Dr. Cullen. He's excellent at everything he does. I think he could cure any disease in the world."
My thoughts flickered back to the news I'd heard in the bar. I shoved the memory in the back of my mind. The influenza would never get to Chicago.
Two months passed since that day in the bar, and I had forgotten completely about it. I tried to limit my arguments about the war. In truth I was still disturbed by my mothers words. My poor Edward! I shuddered.
"Edward lets go!" My mother called.
There was excitement about the new vaccine available from the hospitals. I got on the bus with my parents and smiled at the memory of Dr. Cullen. I was coming for my check up now.
The vaccine hurt more that I would have thought but I was too tough to flinch.
"Now. You should be safe from illness for a long, long time." The doctor said. I smiled at him. Wondering why his eyes were such a strange color.
Later that night I felt cold. I was feeling horrible chills. I was sweating. My back was aching and my hands were tingling. What was wrong with me? A sudden wave a nausea hit me and my throat was soar. I wasn't supposed to be sick! I just had the vaccine! I threw up over the side of my bed. My mouth suddenly tasted of sulfur and metal. I was coughing rapidly and aching everywhere! My head throbbed and I felt horribly dizzy. Why was I sick!
Why? I panicked as I heard similar sounds to my own coming from my parents rooms. The rest of the night was sort of a hazy blur. I was so tired and felt so horrible that every thing was taking on a dream like quality. I barely noticed when we were rushed to the hospital. Cart loads of sick people were being loaded. What was going on? Why was I in so much pain. I fell asleep through all of the pain glad for the escape.
