A boom a deafening crack darkness more darkness
At last the gloom began to lift. A voice called out:
Victoria, its the rescuer, somethings blown up over there.
A sharp pain throbbed at my neck as a hand clamped down. I struggled to pry my eyes open. With great effort they flickered. Before me dangled a rectangular pendant engraved with zodiac signs and a woman in a white coat stared at me.
To the operating theatre! shouted a voice right beside me.
My parents returned from work. Mother bolted into the kitchen, then peeked into the study where her son was doing homework. David, stepping into the room, immediately noticed his boys sour mood.
Tommy, whats the matter? he ruffled the lads hair.
Nothing, grumbled the fourthgrader.
Come on, spill it!
International Womens Day is coming up. Our teacher held us after class and said we have to make presents for the girls.
And the problem is? Dad smiled.
We have the same number of boys and girls, and she paired us up, Tommy sighed. Ive been matched with the ugly one, Victoria Everett.
All the girls want a gift, the ugly ones too, his father tried to sound as if he were dealing with an adult. How did she pair us? Alphabetically?
By zodiac, apparently?
By compatibility? David couldnt keep a straight face.
She said, Victoria is a Virgo, and a Taurus suits her best. Im a Taurus.
Well, thats a good sign! Might even fall for her, you know.
Me? With Victoria Everett?
Dad burst out laughing. Mom rushed in:
What on earth is happening here?
Lucy, go to the kitchen, Dads tone turned stern. We need a serious talk.
When Mom left, Tommy asked in a dejected voice:
Dad, what am I supposed to do now?
Make a present!
What kind?
Ill have a look tomorrow at work and sort something out for your chosen one.
But Dad, you work in a factory!
Yes, Im in the galvanising department. We coat all sorts of metal there.
I dont follow.
Youll see tomorrow!
***
The next day Dad arrived with a goldenlooking pendant on a chain, a rectangle with two zodiac symbolsTaurus and Virgoetched on one side, and in elegant script on the other:
To my classmate Victoria, on International Womens Day. From Albert.
The little charm shone brilliantly, especially when Mum slipped it into a clear plastic bag.
***
And so International Womens Day arrived. The teacher wasnt about to hand out lessons. First the pupils presented her with a gift; she thanked them at length. Then she announced that the boys should give presents to the girls.
Chaos erupted. Every lad sprinted toward his chosen one. Tommy approached Victoria Everett and, echoing his fathers advice, said:
Victoria, happy International Womens Day! Perhaps someday destiny will unite a Taurus and a Virgo.
Having rattled off his rehearsed line, Tommy went back to his seat, blissfully unaware that his heart had just been knocked into the chest of the girl he deemed ugly.
Soon after, Victorias family moved to another borough, and she switched schools in Year Five.
***
Albert opened his eyes to a white hospital ceiling. He tried to wiggle his arms and legs; only his left arm obeyed.
Where am I? he croaked, unsure to whom he was speaking.
A clatter sounded, and a nurse in a wheelchair shuffled to his bedside, gave him a careful look and asked:
Feeling better? Youre in the emergency surgery ward.
Are my arms and legs all intact? Albert whispered.
Looks like it, the nurse reported cheerfully. Youre just wrapped up from head to toe.
Thats good, if everythings still there.
A doctor then asked gently:
How are you feeling?
Whats happening to me? Albert replied, his question looping back on itself.
Nothing lifethreatening, I assure you. Your limbs will work fine. Well stitch up a few small cuts, the doctor said, tapping a phone. Your mum asked me to call when you awoke.
Son, a tearstreaked voice called out.
Mum, Im alright, he forced a bright tone. They said only tiny stitches, Ill be out soon.
They wont let me stay the night, but Ill be back shortly, his mother said.
Dont worry, Mum! he placed the phone beside him, tried a smile at the nurse:
Thanks!
Youll be out before you know it, the nurse smiled back. About three weeks, give or take.
What happened to you? asked a fellow patient when the nurse left.
Im a rescuer. At the plant, a gas cylinder exploded, Albert recalled. They called us in. We rushed in; the hall was massive, three of us injured. Balloons were ruptured, flames everywhere. I was the last out. Just as I reached the door another cylinder blew up I cant remember the rest.
Thats what you get for, the nurse interjected. Colleague on the line.
A friend burst in, rushing to his bedside:
Hey, Tommy! How are you?
Arms and legs are fine! the survivor replied cheerfully. Though I can only wave with my left hand!
No kidding!
What happened after the blast?
We were pulling out when it went off. We scrambled back, dragged you out you were covered in blood, the doctors were already there
Thanks!
Tommy, what are you on about? the friends face broke into a grin. They want to nominate us for medals.
Ill be discharged soon enough.
Ive got to go. Your ward round is about to start. The nurse said it wouldnt be long.
Before the friend could leave, a doctor in his forties appeared:
Hows it going, hero? he said, leaning over the bed.
Doing fine.
If you can talk, youll live. Let me have a look!
Are you kidding me? Albert asked.
No, Victoria the doctor replied, reading a note. Shell be back in two days.
***
Two days later Albert was trying to stand. The pain in his legs still roared, his right arm was a mess, and he bore a dozen bruises all over. Two on his face from the explosion, a lucky right hand still raised in time. He stared at his reflection; his face was still puffy.
The doctor who had stitched him up for five straight hours the day before was due for his rounds. Albert felt a flutter of nerves.
She entered, young and sprightly, spectacles perched on her nose, a crisp white coat that suited her. Albert, twentyseven, was already married, though they’d split six months agocharacter clashes, hed later write, and an exwife who never liked his rescueworker salary.
Good morning! the doctor said, moving to his bedside.
Good morning! Are you the one who operated on me?
I am, she smiled. Something wrong?
No, everythings perfect! Thank you ever so much!
Let me have a look.
She leaned over, and Alberts eyes locked on a pendant dangling from her neck, zodiac symbols glinting:
Victoria Everett!!! he exclaimed.
She glanced at his swollen face.
Excuse me! she said, still not recognising him.
Im a Taurus, he pointed at the charm.
Tommy Gibbons? her lips trembled. You remember me?
Of course, Victoria, he said, spotting tears in her eyes, and placed a small flower on her hand.
Im sorry! she pulled a handkerchief, dabbing her cheeks. Never thought wed meet again like this.
***
After that day Victoria never visited his ward again. Albert realised their schedules matched: days, nights, and two days off. He didnt want to appear helpless in front of her. The next day he shuffled around the ward, propping himself on beds, clutching the wall for support, then made a brief foray into the corridor.
Evening came, the dayshift doctor left, and the nightshift crew took overclear from the chatter in the hallway. The routine rounds were about to begin.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps and shouts echoed down the corridor. Someone had just been wheeled in. Ten oclock rolled around, a nurse dimmed the lights in the ward, but sleep refused Albert. Past midnight, footsteps drifted through the corridor, then stopped. In the hush, Albert sensed, more than heard, a sobbing sound. He rose and slipped out quietly.
At the nightwatch desk sat his former classmate, head in her hands, crying. He placed a steady hand on her shoulder:
Victoria!
She turned, pressing her cheek to his arm:
I operated on a woman who fell under a car, she sobbed, voice cracking. I did everything I could. Shes now in intensive care, but she wont survive. She has two children her husband is here with her
Hold on, Victoria!
Ive been a surgeon for three years and I still cant get used to people dying.
Hold on, hold on! Thats our job, isnt it? In five years Ive seen as many deaths, but weve saved countless lives too, Albert sighed heavily. My wife left me, saying Im never home and I earn too little. Im forty, yet I can barely make ends meet.
Same for me, she answered, meeting his gaze. Folks look at me like Im a crazy person. Ive never been married; I still live with my parents.
Come on, were only twentyseven, weve got our whole lives ahead.
No, Tommy, were already twentyseven.
VictoriaVladimirovna, her pulse is dropping, a panicked nurse shouted.
Sorry! Victoria rushed back to the ICU.
Albert lay awake the whole night. In the morning the nurse came, as usual, to give him his medication.
The woman we operated on last nightis she alive? he asked, surprised at his own curiosity.
Shes alive, but her condition is very serious.
***
Three weeks passed. Alberts wounds were healing. He saw Victoria whenever her shift passed, and each encounter tugged him harder toward her. Yet the emergency surgery ward wasnt the place for personal confessions.
During one morning round, the male doctor announced:
Today Im discharging you, he smiled, adding, meaning out of the hospital. Youll head straight to the clinic, and theyll decide how long youll stay under observation.
Can I pack my things?
Of course, take your time. Your discharge papers are being prepared.
When the doctor left, Albert shaved. Looking in the mirror, he noted the two remaining tiny stitches didnt mar his face; if anything, they added a dash of ruggedness. The other scars were best ignored.
He gathered his things, stepped into the corridor, and nearly bumped into a nurse.
Shes finally out! a gleeful thought flashed through his mind.
The nurse handed him his discharge slip:
Goodbye, Albert! Try not to end up back here!
***
He had a modest onebed flat, but he headed home to his parents. Mum had been waiting, even taking a week off.
Son! she threw her arms around him.
See? Im alive and well.
Come on, Ive cooked something. Look how skinny youve gotten!
Oh, how Ive missed homecooked meals!
Youll stay here until youre healthy and, perhaps, married. Your rooms still empty, she chided as if he were a child. And wash your hands!
***
By evening Albert visited the barbershop, then returned home to collect a few pieces of clothing. Mum immediately started ironing them. Later that night his father came in from work. They all sat together, as they used to, and talked until the small hours.
He fell asleep in his old bedroom, the one that had seen his childhood and adolescence, but not without thinking:
Tomorrow I need to go to the clinic, then back to work, and later maybe something more.
He drifted off with that thought, well past midnight.
***
The next morning Albert headed to the clinic. He wandered the corridors until lunch, then returned to his shift at the plant. In the evening he began packing again.
Where are you off to? his dad asked.
Remember when I was in fourth grade and you made that pendant for my classmate?
The ugly Victoria Everett? I recall.
You even said, You might end up falling for her.
I do remember.
Victorias now a surgeon. She performed my operation, and she still wears that pendant around her neck.
Well, look at that!
Dad, your words came true. Im going to see her.
Twentyseven isnt a long time to start a life with the person you love, especially when fate has a funny way of tying a Taurus to a Virgo.