When she was done, she gave him a genuine smile. The first one she had raised in days. “You look good.”
“There’s that vision trouble of yours again,” he said kindly.
Adele reached for a mirror. “See for yourself.”
When Jerry saw his reflection this time, his expression barely changed, though she saw a clinical kind of curiosity in his eyes now that the swelling was down. He brought the mirror closer, angling his face slightly so he could follow the line where the stitches had been. A frown passed briefly over his brow.
“What do you think?”
“Same as ever,” he said, handing the mirror back. “Just a few lines added for variety.”
She set it aside then folded her hands in her lap, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “Jerry, I am sorry I have been staying away.”
“I wondered if it was my imagination,” he said. “Or if I’d done something to upset you.”
She shook her head. “Exactly the opposite. I am going to miss you very, very much, Jerry Bailey.”
His smile faded, taking in her confession.
“We are trained not to get personal with our patients. There are far too many hazards to doing that. But somehow I forgot all of them after I met you.”
“You’re not the only one,” he said. “I’m gonna miss you, too.”
“I’ve been selfish, staying away with hopes of avoiding the pain of separation. Turns out all it did was make me unhappy.”
He reached for her hand. “This will all be over someday, Adele. And when it is, I’ll come looking for you.”
She pressed her lips together, trying valiantly not to cry. “I hope it’s soon,” she managed.
“So do I.”
“Corporal Bailey.”
Adele pulled her hand from Jerry’s, and her stomach sank, seeing Dr. Bertrand approach. She knew what he was going to say, and once again, she felt her heart breaking.
“You’ve made a tremendous recovery, son,” the doctor said, then he set a hand on Adele’s shoulder. “Due in part to the special care you received from Lieutenant Savard, I am certain. She has done all she can to keep you here, but it’s time I be the bad guy and send you back to the fight. The truck will be heading out tomorrow morning.”
Jerry’s jaw flexed. “Yes, sir. Thank you for everything.”
They didn’t speak as the doctor walked away, then Adele took a breath and tried to keep her voice steady. “We never got to finish the book,” she said, remembering the nights when they’d set it aside, more interested in each other’s stories than the one on the pages. “I suppose you’ll find another copy when you’re back there.”
“It won’t be the same,” he said.
The next day, she found it difficult to get out of bed. Outside, the sunshine was blinding. The first day in weeks without rain, and the irony of that hurt Adele deep inside. Soon Jerry would be gone, and to make it all worse, he’d take the sunshine with him.
When she entered the hospital, his gaze found hers, and she noted with a pang that he was already dressed in a new, clean uniform, ready to leave.
“I’m sorry to see you go,” she told him.
“I bet I’m sorrier,” he replied quietly.
Of course he was right. Because while she stayed here and worked, he was headed back to hell.
“You’ll be all right,” she said with forced optimism. “Though I can’t imagine what it must be like out there. You’re so brave.”
“I don’t know about that. Courage only applies when you have a choice. We do what we must, that’s all. Just following orders.”
“Fighting for us.”
