The Nurse - Chapter 2
- a tale of love during war -
The ground shuddered deeply; each movement as if the earth was trembling with fear. Chalky clouds hovered low across the gloomy land, waltzing slowly amongst the dusty-grey plumes of smoke. Ash-faced soldiers darted amongst the shadows. Two men crouched behind a mound, each bracing their grimy guns. Bullets whizzed overhead; too often a sickening thud or long, anguishing scream evidence of their mark.
A grenade shot through the air, exploding as it hit the ground. Now only one man crouched behind the mound.
Sweat laced Denni’s forehead. Another dream. He slowly pushed himself up, leaning against the dirt sides of the foxhole he was resting in. His gun lay ready beside him. His neck ached, and every muscle felt as if they had been entombed in a solid caste of iron.
Everything was deathly quiet; and yet he could still hear constant explosions and screams. Silence was something a soldier like him lost after hearing those sounds again and again.
“Lord, I don’t understand. Why did he die, and not me?” he whispered, his voice barely audible. His stomach cramped; pain twisting it in tight knots. Parts of the dream drifted through his mind again...
Blood squirted from his side, spattering everywhere. The man’s face was sickly white, each breath rasping against his lungs, and triggering another influx of life-giving liquid to pulse through the wound. Jagged pieces of shrapnel protruded from the skin.
Denni swallowed hard. His palms were wet against his face. He closed his eyes.
“Stay with me, Ed. We’re gonna get you back safely. You’ll be fine, I promise.”
“I made a promise I couldn’t keep, Lord. Ed’s gone and so many others are dying too. How long until it’s me lying cold under the ground?” The tears he wished he could feel weren’t there. His throat felt dry.
“Lord, I know I broke my promise to Ed. I don’t like going back on my word, but there are some things I just can’t change. But I’m going to promise this to You - as soon as I get home, and as soon as this war is over, I’m never touching a weapon again in my life, to hurt someone else. I’ve done enough killing - and I hate it.” His nails dug deep into his skin, breaking the surface.
“And that’s a promise I’m going to keep.”
The hospital was a dismal place. The only thing that cheered the atmosphere a little was the presence of the nurses; each in their own way, they tried to encourage the wounded soldiers as much as they were able. There was one nurse in particular who was known for her cheeriness and resolute spirit despite the circumstances.
She was slender in stature with auburn hair framing a delicate face, and her eyes, baby blue like the sky, seemed to always sparkle.
It had been a week since she had watched Ed die and tried somehow to comfort his grief-stricken friend. She’d noticed him a couple of times since then, quietly mourning his loss, but never trying to get attention. She understood his pain; the memory of her brother still haunted her daily. It was for that reason that she had enlisted as a nurse in the first place - her brother’s sacrifice was an inspiration that had heavily influenced her decision.
The cold wind enveloped her in an empty hug as she walked back to the hospital. Her eyes were fixed on a small grey book in her hands; the pages slightly blowing in the breeze. Red and black words marked each side. She closed her eyes, savouring the quiet moment. Oh Lord, thank you for Your Word. It’s the only thing giving me hope right now. She gently shut the book, returning it to a fold in her dress. Every day seems the same; just more wounded people, she thought as she entered the tent. Rows of beds greeted her, each containing war-stricken patients. Several dreary faces brightened a little as she walked past, stopping now and then to encourage one of them.
A deep groan erupted from the farthest side of the room. She quickened her pace, and soon reached the soldier; his face was a blanket of white - a sharp contrast to his bloodshot eyes.
“It’s alright,” she murmured, carefully wiping a damp cloth across his sweaty brow.
“My arm, I can’t feel it.” His voice shook, trembling like his body.
It didn’t take long for her to notice - his left arm stopped at his elbow, wrapped heavily in bandages. “I’m sorry,” she faltered. “They had to remove it.”
Disbelief clouded his face - “Gone?” He swallowed hard, trying to comprehend.
She nodded, trying somehow to comfort the poor soldier. “I know it might be hard now, but people will recognise your bravery in time to come - every scar is a reminder of the choice you made to fight for the freedom of others. You were very brave, and you will get used to it. I’ll be back in a minute. Would you like a cup of tea?” She gave him a warm smile and left.
Another nurse met her as she stood near the tent opening, slowly pouring the tea into the tin cup. Little spirals of steam twizzled above the liquid.
“How is he doing?” The nurse’s voice was distinctly French, each word softly accented. Concern filled her face.
“He’s struggling to understand. It must be so hard for him, Claire.”
“Yes, it is. He was telling me earlier that he had proposed to a girl just before he left for war. He fears she won’t want him now, with one arm missing.” Claire shook her head sadly.
“I feel so sorry for him.” Her voice conveyed the pity she felt. “I better take this tea to him.” She carried the steaming cup carefully back towards the cot, placing it gently into the soldier’s hand.
“There you go. I’ll be back to check on you soon,” she said, before moving on to the next patient.
The year is 1940, and war is sweeping across Europe. Edith, a young nurse, is serving in France and trying to survive the horrors of World War II. When Denni, a gravely injured soldier, winds up in her care, a deep bond grows between the two as they find solace in their shared faith. But when the two are separated, Edith is left alone on the frontline, and her faith is tested like never before. With so much death and suffering around her, the chance of survival is slim. Will she become another victim of war? Or will she live to see her injured soldier again?