CHAPTER ELEVEN: A Life away from sun, With a son.

The city was dirty, in need, and chaotic. For this reason I loved the city, and I stayed. I took up office at the city general hospital and as the Spanish influenza threw the already mangled city into a death trap, I found myself with all my time occupied, and distracted. The sights I saw were not pretty. Men and women throwing up, shaking, convulsing, as I was forced to leave to go and “sleep” as the head doctor ordered me. Sometimes I snuck back into the hospital and treated patients anyway, hiding from any doctors that might recognize me. The idleness of sitting in the apartment with so many sick humans so close, and in need was agonizing. It was during one of these clandestine work hours that I met Elizabeth Masen and her son, Edward Masen.

I found her groaning in pain, and I checked the corridors to see if anyone was watching, and ducked into their room to offer assistance. The boy was staring frustrated and agonized at the woman, who I took to be his mother, due to the resemblance in their hair-a striking bronze, and their eyes a matching emerald. The boy’s eyes were so clear, and unclouded, you could see right into them and feel his raw emotions. He did not, like so many, try to mask his feelings. He looked up at me as I walked in and surprise lingered in his eyes, but as he saw my doctor’s coat he pleaded with me

“Sir, my mother…can you help her? She needs water” He sounded like he was expecting a negative response, so I assumed many doctors had passed over this room being to busy to help.

“Of course” I filled the empty pitcher lying on the crude bedside table, and filled a cup and gave the woman the water sip by sip. She looked up at me and comprehension registered in her face for the first time.

“Thank you, doctor” she croaked then lay back down. I nodded, and turned to the boy who held up his hands

“Any medication you would give to me give to my mother. I feel fine” I was surprised at his selflessness, which I had seen so rarely in humans. Especially youthful humans. His mother smiled slightly and sat up against the hospital’s bony pillows.