Chapter 8
The next morning Bonnie was in the bathroom looking at Elena's make up. She
wondered if she could try some. She grabbed the lipstick and put a layer on her
mouth. That looked good but not suitable for work. Not to mention she didn't
want to seem desperate for attention. She washed it off.
Hospital
Jake whistled while walking along the hallways. Maybe he had a chance with
Bonnie and his heart jumped at the thought. His mom always told him he was a
softie and she was absolutly right. He wished he could tell her about Bonnie but
he wasn't sure how she would react. She hoped he would date Sally, a girl in
their neighborhood. When he was transfered to Pearl Harbor she thought he
would find a nice white girl as she said in her letters. He didn't need to
underline the important word in the previous sentence. And also any
relationship with a colored person was illegal.
Patient : Doctor, please !
Jake : he walked to his bed What's the matter, sir ?
Patient : I need some painkillers. I'm dying here.
Jake : he checked the clipboard Not quite but appendicitis is really painful.
Patient : A bit of morphine, please.
After he was done taking care of the man he went to get some coffee. It was his
drug.
Bonnie : Hello, doctor she smiled
She was also drinking coffee but from the colored table.
Jake : Hello, sweet nurse.
Bonnie : So I was thinking...
Another nurse came in and she stopped talking. She hoped she wouldn't take
too long or she would lost her courage. The other nurse made herself some tea
and left.
Jake : What were you thinking ?
Bonnie : Maybe we could try another date.
Jake : he got closer Are you asking me out, nurse Bennett ?
Bonnie : she nodded I want to make you a good dinner.
Jake : We need to hide at my place then. You live with other nurses.
Bonnie : When ?
Jake : Tomorrow ?
Bonnie : Fine with me. What's your address ?
Jake : I'm not picking you up ? It doesn't feel romantic.
Bonnie : I know but it's not safe. You can be romantic after if you want.
Jake : Alright he told her his address
Bonnie : she nodded I can walk there.
The next night
Bonnie was holding her bags while she walked towards his house. She was glad
there was not a lot of people around. Maybe they imagined she was a maid or
something of that kind. She didn't mind as long as they didn't ask questions.
Her thoughts might seem paranoid but the Jim Crow laws were not a joke and
not to be taken lightly. Every colored people knew the rules but trespassing
one was so daring. Her nurse studies taught Bonnie that white and black
people were not different. They had the same bodies and suffered from the
same diseases. She reached the back door -her idea again- and knocked. He
opened it almost immediatly and they greeted each other.
Jake : At least let me do that he grabbed the groceries bags
She closed the door behind her and looked around. The house was smaller than
the one she usually lived in but this one was designed for a couple with kids,
not for a bunch of nurses. The decoration was minimalist because Jake was a
single male as well as a doctor and he preferred practical furnitures. He placed
the bags on the counter and handed her a rose.
Bonnie : Oh thank you.
Jake : I set the table. Over there.
They walked in the dinning room and the young woman got impressed. He
succeeded in putting in place a romantic setting for two.
Jake : I'll lit the candles when we eat.
Bonnie : You have some china ? she looked at the plates
Jake : My mom sent them in case I would meet an interesting woman.
Bonnie : she smiled And you're using them for me.
Jake : Yes, milady. Alright, now I'm very curious on what you planned for dinner.
Bonnie : My favorite. My mom taught me this one when I was little she paused Fried chicken with rice.
Jake : Let's go cooking.
Bonnie : You cook ?
Jake : I need to eat, you know.
Bonnie : Yes of course she shook her head Shall we ?