33.

~ Ariadne was happy to be back at her duties as a nurse. She had enjoyed her small vacation after she broke her leg, but it felt good to feel useful once more. She still had to walk with a cane and was restricted to the ground floor, but she kept busy. All the junior nurses looking up to the senior nurse who had been the the front, been wounded, and still came back and helped them with laundry.

"So good to see you again, Nurse." Doctor Kikie said with a pleasant little smile. The old friends standing over a patient as the older man told him he would be just fine.

"Go married I see." The Doctor said as she followed him on rounds. Her limping improving and she didn't use her pain medication anymore. The drugs made her too sleepy and she didn't want to spend the rest of the war dreaming.

"Yes." Ariadne laughed and looked at the silver ring she loved so much. It wasn't a perfect metal. It had black splotches and didn't shine very bright, but it was her wedding band all the same. It felt heavy and just right on her finger.

"Need I ask who?" The Doctor chuckled. "Perhaps that gallant GI who carried you into the hospital?"

She blushed and didn't answer.

"I never got to thank you setting my leg. You did a good job. I think I wouldn't be here walking if you weren't there."

"Well, I'm very glad you were there at the front." Doctor Kikie said.

"You know," Ariadne started then bit her lip. She wondered if this was a good idea.

"What is it?" The Doctor asked. His face ever helpful.

"Well, Arthur thinks that when I go to America, I should go to medical school." Ariadne said lamely. She half expected Doctor Kikie to laugh and tell her women were nurses. Men were Doctors.

Doctor Kikie did laugh, but in a kind way.

"I think the profession would suit you beautifully." He said. "Come. You cane help me on my rounds. I'm an old man and your a cripple. Together I think we can do the job of one doctor." He teased.

~ It had been a good day. Doctor Kikie walking her though his rounds. Having her examine each patient as though she were already a medical student. Having her give him her opinion and then telling her what was right and wrong. Most times, she was right about every treatment, but was happy to learn new things. Doctor Kikie eager to teach her. Her mind engaged as he taught her about treatments and new medication.

~ At night, after her duties were done, she read through the medical books he gave her. All of them testing her bravery as they talked about the dangers of surgery and the intricate systems of the body.

'Maybe it is something I can do.' she thought as she readied herself to sleep. Hardly thinking of Arthur all day.

Dear Arthur,

I know it's only been two days since you saw me, but I'm still in London. No ships are leaving for New York right now. I promise to be on the first one.

As for right now, I'm back at my old hospital. The Matron needs my help and I'm working with Doctor Kike again, which makes me very happy. I told him about going to medical school and he thinks it's a good idea. He is helping me prepare. Learning what to expect. It's been interesting.

I know you don't want me working with my leg, but it helps to keep me from worrying about you. If I didn't stay busy, I might go crazy.

Please stay safe and come back to me.

Ariadne.

~ A man was in tears as Ariadne was undressing his wound. It had been an awful day. A plane arrived from France with more wounded. Ariadne had looked for her husband's face in each man but didn't see him. She was certain this unit wasn't anywhere near his. She hadn't received any letters from him yet, but knew it would take time.

"Just let me die!" The soldier screamed at her.

"Prep him for surgery, Nurse." Doctor Kikie told her. "I would ask you to scrub in, but not with that cast. It's a breeding ground for infection. You can watch from observation." he promised.

~ From the observation window, she saw Doctor Kikie take the young soldier's legs, right arm and most of the fingers from his left hand.

"Too badly burned. Too much damage. Blood isn't getting to the appendages. He explained. "See how their black?" He said showing her.

She felt like she was about to be sick. Her thought of Arthur. What if he was blown up like this? This soldier was so young. His whole life was changed now.

~ The Soldier's recovery did not go well. He cried at night over the loss of his limbs.

"There was nothing the doctor could do." Ariadne told the young man. "The limbs would have gotten infected. He had to take them. You'll be going home now." She tried to console him.

"I have a wife back home. She won't won't me like this." The young man cried.

"Your wife wants you home." She whispered.

"She would be better off burying me." He moaned.

Ariadne sat back. Her thoughts of burying Arthur. Of what his funeral would be if he didn't make it back to her. The very thought pained her deep into her heart.

"No wife wants to bury her husband." She told the soldier in a soft whisper.

~ That night, Ariadne tried to sleep on her little cot in the recovery ward. She liked being here more then the dorms. It was peaceful and she was used to her privacy.

She had his picture out as always and was trying to fall asleep. Too much had happened. Too much was haunting her mind.

She was about to drift off to sleep when the gun went off.