You came to a decision, Louise.
Chapter 1. The Miracle Woman
A young woman strolled along the Main Street of Poplar, laughing at something her companion said. The six foot, fair-haired man walked her bicycle for her as they engaged in a lively exchange of ideas
She wore a beige two-piece suit and had a certain elegance to her bearing. When she took off her hat and shook out her hair, you could see the golden waves shining in the sun and a stylish fringe crossing her forehead. Her eyes were deep blue, with a striking serenity in them.
They stopped at the yard of the Nonnatus House.
"Charles, I just didn't like the plot of the movie. I like Barbara Stanwyck. A fantastic actress. But the plot….so silly."
Charles went to park the bicycle and returned to her, chuckling. "You are always so demanding, Louise. It's a riveting story." They had been to the cinema to see The Miracle Woman, a story of some controversy. *
He took her hand. "I hope you at least enjoyed the sweets ."
She squeezed his hand. "Yes I did. Ice chocs are a wonderful change from the rather dull desserts of Mrs.B. I'm not saying that the film wasn't enjoyable. It's odd. You know how it is supposed to be based on that evangelist woman, Sister Aimee. Something in her, or at least in Barbara Stanwyck, reminds me of Sister Monica Joan."
Charles laughed. "Yes indeed. The queen of the Nonnatus House."
Louise frowned. "Dont tease. I don't like women of faith to be ridiculed." Charles looked at her mischievously, keeping in mind the indeed rather ludicrous content of the movie. "Well, I don't like trickery either. ," Louise continued. "You know that I love the church and I have come to admire this Order. I find strength in the faith of all these Sisters. Did you know that Sister Monica Joan was a suffragette? Her pioneering work in midwifery is a miracle, a very practical miracle. They do happen; not all people of faith are charlatans."
Charles's face softened. He pulled her into his arms. "I don't want to mock your faith. I believe in…you. Even if I don't believe in God in the same way as you do. My beliefs are strictly…Louise-centered. And, well, I believe in medical progress. "
He leaned in and asked, somewhat shyly: "Might I kiss you goodbye?" She nodded silently. They shared a light kiss. After pulling back, he continued staring at he, carressing her cheek. He let his hand drop only when he heard a noise from inside the building. Someone had opened a window.
Louise felt the ghost of his hand on her cheek even after he had retreated. A strange feeling. A miracle of another kind, she meditated. You can feel…unity, even without direct touch.
"There was that one faithful man in the end of movie. He saved the lady. He even saved her faith, "Charles remarked, with some intention.
Louise felt a diversion was needed. She decided to quote one of the funniest parts of the movie. "Don't you know that the lions can't hurt you if you have faith? I know it. You know it. But do the lions-"
Charles joined in and , they yelled in chorus: "But do the lions know it?"** They collapsed in laughter. Charles gathered her in his arms again. "I love your laugh," he said huskily. Louise kept her head down. His voice was entreating : "May I say it, Louise? Aloud. It is pretty obvious, that we…."
She untangled herself from his arms. "No, please, Charles. Please don't say…anything."
He breathed out hard. "Sometimes I see how it grows in you. Like a flower, with all the inevitability and force of a natural process. Filling all the space with its…fragrance." The words were mild in themselves, but there was a tone of utter seriousness and even despair in them.
"Charles, I will go in now. Good night. And thank you for the entertaining, if odd evening."
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* Frank Capra The Miracle Woman
** In the movie, the evangelist Sister Aimee invites people to a lion cage with her, saying that if they have faith, nothing will hurt them. An elderly couple in the audience have this exchange of words.
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