So mate, let me tell you this wild story that just sticks with you. It kicks off with a flash a loud bang darkness darkness
Finally the darkness starts to clear up. A voice comes through:
Dr. Emma, this is the rescuer, something blew up over there.
Through all the pain he feels a hand on his neck. He tries to crack his eyes open, and it takes real effort. Right there in front of him is a rectangular pendant with zodiac signs carved into it the eyes of the woman in the white coat
To the operating room! the voice comes from right next to him.
The parents get home from work. Mum heads straight for the kitchen but glances into the room where her son is doing his homework. David though, as soon as he steps in, spots right away that his sons not in the best mood.
Andrew, whats up? the dad ruffles his hair.
Nothing, the son grumbles, hes only in fourth grade.
Come on, out with it!
Valentines Day is coming up soon. The teacher kept us late today and told us we have to get gifts ready for the girls.
Well, whats the problem then? the dad smiles.
Weve got the same number of boys and girls. And she paired up who gives to who, the son lets out a heavy sigh. I got stuck with the ugly one, Emma Wilson.
All girls want a gift on Valentines Day, even the ones who arent the prettiest, the dad tries talking to his son like hes grown up. How did she pair them? By alphabet?
No, by zodiac signs.
Hows that work? David cant help smiling again.
By compatibility. Emmas a Virgo, and Virgos suit Taurus best. And Im a Taurus, as it happens.
Well thats good if you match! Grow up and maybe youll even fall for her.
The dad cant hold it in and laughs out loud. Mum rushes into the room right then:
Whats going on here?
Helen, get back to the kitchen, the dads face goes all serious. Were having a proper talk with our son.
Once mums gone, Andrew asks in a gloomy voice:
Dad, what do I do now?
Get a gift ready!
What kind?
Tomorrow at work Ill make one for your girl.
Dad, what kind of gift can you even make? You work at the factory.
Yes! But I work in the metal plating section. They do all sorts of coatings there.
Dad, I dont get it.
Tomorrow youll see!
***
Next day the dad brings home a pendant on a chain, rectangular shape, looks like its gold. On one side two zodiac signs are engraved, Taurus and Virgo, and on the other side in small but neat writing:
To my classmate Emma on Valentines Day! Andrew.
Oh it looked so nice! And when mum popped it into a little plastic bag it looked even better.
***
And so its the day before Valentines. The teacher isnt planning any lessons. First the kids hand her a gift. She thanks them for ages. Then she tells the boys to give their gifts to the girls.
What a commotion that starts! All the boys dash over to their chosen girls. Andrew goes up to Emma Wilson and says what his dad taught him:
Emma, happy Valentines Day! Maybe someday fate will bring Taurus and Virgo together.
After the rehearsed line Andrew heads back to his seat and of course doesnt notice how this girls heart, the one he thought was ugly, starts racing.
Soon Emmas parents move to another neighbourhood, and from fifth grade she starts at a different school.
***
Andrew opens his eyes. The white ceiling of the hospital room. He tries moving his arms and legs. Only his left arm shifts.
Where am I? he asks no one in particular.
He hears a tapping and a bloke on crutches comes up to his bed, looks him over and asks:
You awake? Youre in the emergency surgery department.
Are my arms and legs all still there? Andrew asks quietly.
Seems everythings in place, the guy shares the good news. Only youre bandaged up from head to toe.
Thats good if everythings whole.
Then a nurse comes over and asks kindly:
– How are you feeling?
– What happened to me! Andrew answers with a question.
– Your life isnt in danger. Your arms and legs will work. But youll have loads of scars left, she hands him a phone thats switched on. Your mum asked to call when you wake up.
– Son, comes mums voice through tears.
– Mum, everythings fine, he tries sounding as upbeat as possible. They said only a few small scars will stay. Ill be out soon.
– They wouldnt let me stay overnight with you. Son, Im coming right now.
– Mum, dont get too worked up!
He puts the phone down, tries to smile at the nurse:
– Thanks!
– Well they wont be letting you out soon, the nurse smiles back. Youll be laid up here three weeks. Thats for sure!
– What happened to you? the roommate asks once the nurse leaves.
– Im a firefighter. At the factory the oxygen tanks started exploding, Andrew starts remembering. They called us out. We got there before the fire crews. The place is huge, three victims inside. We ran in, tanks scattered everywhere, fire in spots. Started carrying the victims out I was last leaving When I was by the door another tank went off Dont remember after that.
– Yeah, you really got it bad.
– Andrew Evans, the nurse calls. A work colleague here to see you.
– Hey, Andrew! How you doing?
– Arms and legs are whole! he answers cheerfully. But I can only shake with my left hand for now!
– Ah dont worry about it!
– What happened after?
– We were already heading out when it blew. We rushed straight back, dragged you out you were covered in blood doctors were already there
– Thanks!
– Andrew, what are you on about?! suddenly a smile shows on his friends face. Looks like they want to put us forward for medals.
– By then Ill be discharged.
– Alright Im off. Youve got rounds now. The nurse said keep it short.
The friend hasnt even gone before the doctor walks in, a man about forty:
– Well hows it going, hero? he comes up to the bed.
– Fine.
– If youre already talking that means youll live. Come on, let me check you over!
– Did you stitch me up? Andrew asks.
– No, Dr. Emma Wilson. Shell come the day after tomorrow.
***
Two days pass. Andrews already trying to get up. True the pain in his legs is still bad, right arms torn up. And theres at least ten wounds across his body. Two on his face, when it exploded he hit the door, good job he got his right arm out in front. He checks the mirror. Face still swollen.
Today the rounds are by the doctor who stitched him for five hours straight in the operating room. Andrew even feels a bit nervous.
And here she comes in. Young, slim, though wearing glasses but they dont ruin her looks at all, and the white coat really suits her. Andrew at twenty-seven was already married but they split after half a year personalities didnt match, as they put in the papers, but really his ex didnt like the firefighter pay.
– Hello! the doctor says and heads to his bed.
– Hello! Was it you who stitched me up?
– Yes, she smiles. Is something wrong?
– Let me examine you!
And she leans over him Right in front of his eyes is the pendant with the zodiac signs, dangling from her neck:
– Emma Wilson!!! he exclaims.
She looks closely at his swollen face.
– Sorry! she says, still not recognising.
– Im a Taurus, and he points to the pendant.
– Andrew Evans? her lips tremble. You still remember me?
– Of course, Emma, seeing the tears in her eyes, he puts his palm on her hand.
– Sorry! she pulls out a tissue and dabs her eyes. I never thought wed meet like this.
She doesnt come back to his room that day. But Andrews already clocked her schedule is like his: day shift, night shift, two days off.
He really doesnt want to seem helpless around her. All the next day he tries walking round the room leaning on the beds, a couple times holding the wall he steps out into the corridor.
Evening. The day shift doctors gone. New shift arrives you can tell from the chatter in the corridor. Now the rounds
And suddenly shouts, hurried steps in the corridor. Thats what happens when they bring in another victim.
Its already ten oclock. The nurse comes in, turns off the light in the room. But he just cant sleep. Past midnight he hears footsteps in the corridor, they stop, and in the quiet he feels more than hears someone crying out there. He gets up and carefully goes out into the corridor.
Sitting at the duty desk with her head on her hands, crying, is his old classmate. He walks over and puts his good hand on her shoulder:
– Whats wrong, Emma!
She stands and buries her face in his shoulder:
– I operated on a woman, she got hit by a car, choking on tears she starts telling. I did everything possible and impossible Shes in intensive care now, but shes not going to make it. She has two kids her husbands with her in the room right now
– Calm down, Emma!
– Ive been a surgeon for three years and I still cant get used to people dying.
– Calm down, calm down! Thats just how our jobs are. In five years Ive seen so many deaths too, but weve saved plenty of lives, Andrew sighs heavily. Thats why my wife left me. She says I come home not myself and dont earn enough. But I always bring home forty you can live on that.
– Same for me, she looks him in the face. Guys look at me like Im crazy. Still not married, living with my parents like a kid.
– Come on, were only twenty-seven whole life ahead.
– No, Andrew, were already twenty-seven.
– Dr. Emma Wilson, her pulse is dropping, the nurse shouts running out.
– Sorry! and Emma dashes off to intensive care.
He cant sleep that night. Morning the nurse comes, gives him his usual shot.
– The woman they operated on last night, is she alive? he asks, even surprising himself.
– Alive, but her condition is really critical.
***
Three weeks go by. The wounds on Andrews body have closed up. They see each other when shes on shift, and whats more hes feeling drawn to her stronger and stronger. But the emergency surgery department isnt the place to talk about something really personal.
And so during one morning round the male doctor announces:
– Today Im discharging you, he smiles and adds. From the hospital, I mean. Youll go straight to your local clinic, and there theyll decide how long you still need off work.
– Time to pack!
– Yes, yes! No rush. Theyll get your papers ready now.
When the doctor leaves, Andrew shaves. Looking in the mirror he notes with satisfaction that the two scars left dont spoil his face, if anything they add a bit of manliness. The other scars arent worth worrying about.
He gets ready, steps out into the corridor. Coming towards him holding the wall is a patient.
She pulled through after all! a happy thought flashes.
The nurse comes out, hands him the discharge:
– Goodbye, Andrew! Dont end up back here!
***
He has his own one-bedroom flat but he heads to his parents. After all mum was waiting so much and worrying. She even took some time off.
– Son! she rushes into his arms.
– Its all good, mum! As you can see, Im alive and well.
– Come on, Ive cooked for you. Youve gotten so thin.
– Oh how Ive missed proper home cooking!
– Until you recover and get married youll live at home. Your rooms still empty, and she shouts like to a child. Go wash your hands!
***
By evening Andrew pops to the barbers. He goes to his flat. Grabs some clothes. Mum straight away starts sorting them out.
In the evening dad comes home from work. They sit down like they used to, all together, and chat till late.
He goes to sleep in his old room where childhood and youth passed, but he doesnt drop off right away:
Tomorrow need to go to the clinic. Then to work. And in the evening
With that thought about the next evening he drifts off way past midnight.
***
Next day Andrew goes to the clinic first thing. Till lunch he goes round the offices. After lunch he heads to work, just in time for his shift.
– Where are you off to? dad asks.
– Dad, remember way back when I was still in fourth grade. You made me a pendant for a gift to my classmate?
– The ugly Emma Wilson? I remember.
– Remember, you also said: Grow up, maybe youll fall for her.
– And I remember that.
– Dad, Emmas a surgeon now. It was her who did the operation on me. And she still wears that pendant round her neck.
– Well would you look at that!
– Dad, your words came true. Im going to her!
***
Twenty-seven years isnt that much to start life with the person you love.So mate, let me tell you this wild story that just sticks with you. It kicks off with a flash a loud bang darkness darkness
Finally the darkness starts to clear up. A voice comes through:
Dr. Emma, this is the rescuer, something blew up over there.
Through all the pain he feels a hand on his neck. He tries to crack his eyes open, and it takes real effort. Right there in front of him is a rectangular pendant with zodiac signs carved into it the eyes of the woman in the white coat
To the operating room! the voice comes from right next to him.
The parents get home from work. Mum heads straight for the kitchen but glances into the room where her son is doing his homework. David though, as soon as he steps in, spots right away that his sons not in the best mood.
Andrew, whats up? the dad ruffles his hair.
Nothing, the son grumbles, hes only in fourth grade.
Come on, out with it!
Valentines Day is coming up soon. The teacher kept us late today and told us we have to get gifts ready for the girls.
Well, whats the problem then? the dad smiles.
Weve got the same number of boys and girls. And she paired up who gives to who, the son lets out a heavy sigh. I got stuck with the ugly one, Emma Wilson.
All girls want a gift on Valentines Day, even the ones who arent the prettiest, the dad tries talking to his son like hes grown up. How did she pair them? By alphabet?
No, by zodiac signs.
Hows that work? David cant help smiling again.
By compatibility. Emmas a Virgo, and Virgos suit Taurus best. And Im a Taurus, as it happens.
Well thats good if you match! Grow up and maybe youll even fall for her.
The dad cant hold it in and laughs out loud. Mum rushes into the room right then:
Whats going on here?
Helen, get back to the kitchen, the dads face goes all serious. Were having a proper talk with our son.
Once mums gone, Andrew asks in a gloomy voice:
Dad, what do I do now?
Get a gift ready!
What kind?
Tomorrow at work Ill make one for your girl.
Dad, what kind of gift can you even make? You work at the factory.
Yes! But I work in the metal plating section. They do all sorts of coatings there.
Dad, I dont get it.
Tomorrow youll see!
***
Next day the dad brings home a pendant on a chain, rectangular shape, looks like its gold. On one side two zodiac signs are engraved, Taurus and Virgo, and on the other side in small but neat writing:
To my classmate Emma on Valentines Day! Andrew.
Oh it looked so nice! And when mum popped it into a little plastic bag it looked even better.
***
And so its the day before Valentines. The teacher isnt planning any lessons. First the kids hand her a gift. She thanks them for ages. Then she tells the boys to give their gifts to the girls.
What a commotion that starts! All the boys dash over to their chosen girls. Andrew goes up to Emma Wilson and says what his dad taught him:
Emma, happy Valentines Day! Maybe someday fate will bring Taurus and Virgo together.
After the rehearsed line Andrew heads back to his seat and of course doesnt notice how this girls heart, the one he thought was ugly, starts racing.
Soon Emmas parents move to another neighbourhood, and from fifth grade she starts at a different school.
***
Andrew opens his eyes. The white ceiling of the hospital room. He tries moving his arms and legs. Only his left arm shifts.
Where am I? he asks no one in particular.
He hears a tapping and a bloke on crutches comes up to his bed, looks him over and asks:
You awake? Youre in the emergency surgery department.
Are my arms and legs all still there? Andrew asks quietly.
Seems everythings in place, the guy shares the good news. Only youre bandaged up from head to toe.
Thats good if everythings whole.
Then a nurse comes over and asks kindly:
– How are you feeling?
– What happened to me! Andrew answers with a question.
– Your life isnt in danger. Your arms and legs will work. But youll have loads of scars left, she hands him a phone thats switched on. Your mum asked to call when you wake up.
– Son, comes mums voice through tears.
– Mum, everythings fine, he tries sounding as upbeat as possible. They said only a few small scars will stay. Ill be out soon.
– They wouldnt let me stay overnight with you. Son, Im coming right now.
– Mum, dont get too worked up!
He puts the phone down, tries to smile at the nurse:
– Thanks!
– Well they wont be letting you out soon, the nurse smiles back. Youll be laid up here three weeks. Thats for sure!
– What happened to you? the roommate asks once the nurse leaves.
– Im a firefighter. At the factory the oxygen tanks started exploding, Andrew starts remembering. They called us out. We got there before the fire crews. The place is huge, three victims inside. We ran in, tanks scattered everywhere, fire in spots. Started carrying the victims out I was last leaving When I was by the door another tank went off Dont remember after that.
– Yeah, you really got it bad.
– Andrew Evans, the nurse calls. A work colleague here to see you.
– Hey, Andrew! How you doing?
– Arms and legs are whole! he answers cheerfully. But I can only shake with my left hand for now!
– Ah dont worry about it!
– What happened after?
– We were already heading out when it blew. We rushed straight back, dragged you out you were covered in blood doctors were already there
– Thanks!
– Andrew, what are you on about?! suddenly a smile shows on his friends face. Looks like they want to put us forward for medals.
– By then Ill be discharged.
– Alright Im off. Youve got rounds now. The nurse said keep it short.
The friend hasnt even gone before the doctor walks in, a man about forty:
– Well hows it going, hero? he comes up to the bed.
– Fine.
– If youre already talking that means youll live. Come on, let me check you over!
– Did you stitch me up? Andrew asks.
– No, Dr. Emma Wilson. Shell come the day after tomorrow.
***
Two days pass. Andrews already trying to get up. True the pain in his legs is still bad, right arms torn up. And theres at least ten wounds across his body. Two on his face, when it exploded he hit the door, good job he got his right arm out in front. He checks the mirror. Face still swollen.
Today the rounds are by the doctor who stitched him for five hours straight in the operating room. Andrew even feels a bit nervous.
And here she comes in. Young, slim, though wearing glasses but they dont ruin her looks at all, and the white coat really suits her. Andrew at twenty-seven was already married but they split after half a year personalities didnt match, as they put in the papers, but really his ex didnt like the firefighter pay.
– Hello! the doctor says and heads to his bed.
– Hello! Was it you who stitched me up?
– Yes, she smiles. Is something wrong?
– Let me examine you!
And she leans over him Right in front of his eyes is the pendant with the zodiac signs, dangling from her neck:
– Emma Wilson!!! he exclaims.
She looks closely at his swollen face.
– Sorry! she says, still not recognising.
– Im a Taurus, and he points to the pendant.
– Andrew Evans? her lips tremble. You still remember me?
– Of course, Emma, seeing the tears in her eyes, he puts his palm on her hand.
– Sorry! she pulls out a tissue and dabs her eyes. I never thought wed meet like this.
She doesnt come back to his room that day. But Andrews already clocked her schedule is like his: day shift, night shift, two days off.
He really doesnt want to seem helpless around her. All the next day he tries walking round the room leaning on the beds, a couple times holding the wall he steps out into the corridor.
Evening. The day shift doctors gone. New shift arrives you can tell from the chatter in the corridor. Now the rounds
And suddenly shouts, hurried steps in the corridor. Thats what happens when they bring in another victim.
Its already ten oclock. The nurse comes in, turns off the light in the room. But he just cant sleep. Past midnight he hears footsteps in the corridor, they stop, and in the quiet he feels more than hears someone crying out there. He gets up and carefully goes out into the corridor.
Sitting at the duty desk with her head on her hands, crying, is his old classmate. He walks over and puts his good hand on her shoulder:
– Whats wrong, Emma!
She stands and buries her face in his shoulder:
– I operated on a woman, she got hit by a car, choking on tears she starts telling. I did everything possible and impossible Shes in intensive care now, but shes not going to make it. She has two kids her husbands with her in the room right now
– Calm down, Emma!
– Ive been a surgeon for three years and I still cant get used to people dying.
– Calm down, calm down! Thats just how our jobs are. In five years Ive seen so many deaths too, but weve saved plenty of lives, Andrew sighs heavily. Thats why my wife left me. She says I come home not myself and dont earn enough. But I always bring home forty you can live on that.
– Same for me, she looks him in the face. Guys look at me like Im crazy. Still not married, living with my parents like a kid.
– Come on, were only twenty-seven whole life ahead.
– No, Andrew, were already twenty-seven.
– Dr. Emma Wilson, her pulse is dropping, the nurse shouts running out.
– Sorry! and Emma dashes off to intensive care.
He cant sleep that night. Morning the nurse comes, gives him his usual shot.
– The woman they operated on last night, is she alive? he asks, even surprising himself.
– Alive, but her condition is really critical.
***
Three weeks go by. The wounds on Andrews body have closed up. They see each other when shes on shift, and whats more hes feeling drawn to her stronger and stronger. But the emergency surgery department isnt the place to talk about something really personal.
And so during one morning round the male doctor announces:
– Today Im discharging you, he smiles and adds. From the hospital, I mean. Youll go straight to your local clinic, and there theyll decide how long you still need off work.
– Time to pack!
– Yes, yes! No rush. Theyll get your papers ready now.
When the doctor leaves, Andrew shaves. Looking in the mirror he notes with satisfaction that the two scars left dont spoil his face, if anything they add a bit of manliness. The other scars arent worth worrying about.
He gets ready, steps out into the corridor. Coming towards him holding the wall is a patient.
She pulled through after all! a happy thought flashes.
The nurse comes out, hands him the discharge:
– Goodbye, Andrew! Dont end up back here!
***
He has his own one-bedroom flat but he heads to his parents. After all mum was waiting so much and worrying. She even took some time off.
– Son! she rushes into his arms.
– Its all good, mum! As you can see, Im alive and well.
– Come on, Ive cooked for you. Youve gotten so thin.
– Oh how Ive missed proper home cooking!
– Until you recover and get married youll live at home. Your rooms still empty, and she shouts like to a child. Go wash your hands!
***
By evening Andrew pops to the barbers. He goes to his flat. Grabs some clothes. Mum straight away starts sorting them out.
In the evening dad comes home from work. They sit down like they used to, all together, and chat till late.
He goes to sleep in his old room where childhood and youth passed, but he doesnt drop off right away:
Tomorrow need to go to the clinic. Then to work. And in the evening
With that thought about the next evening he drifts off way past midnight.
***
Next day Andrew goes to the clinic first thing. Till lunch he goes round the offices. After lunch he heads to work, just in time for his shift.
– Where are you off to? dad asks.
– Dad, remember way back when I was still in fourth grade. You made me a pendant for a gift to my classmate?
– The ugly Emma Wilson? I remember.
– Remember, you also said: Grow up, maybe youll fall for her.
– And I remember that.
– Dad, Emmas a surgeon now. It was her who did the operation on me. And she still wears that pendant round her neck.
– Well would you look at that!
– Dad, your words came true. Im going to her!
***
Twenty-seven years isnt that much to start life with the person you love.
