“Actually, just leave that and come back to it later. Will, take a seat. We will talk in here.”
I stand and head to the door.
“Ashley?” Dr. Jameson calls.
I turn back to face the two men. “Yes?”
“We are having a welcome reception for coffee on level two this afternoon. You will join us?” He smiles warmly.
“Thank you, that would be lovely.”
“See you at two.”
I nod, and without looking back at my dreamboat Dr. Vegas, I leave the room.
That was close.
I glance at my watch as the cashier rings up my purchase. I chew the last of my sandwich as I wait. I was starving and I couldn’t have waited a minute longer. I ducked out in my lunch hour to a store to pick something up. I couldn’t help myself. I can’t imagine not being able to do my most favorite thing in the whole world.
She hands me my brown paper bag. “Here you go. Enjoy.” She smiles.
I take my package from her. “I will, thank you. Have a great day.” I exit the shop and quickly get back to my car.
Fifteen minutes later I find myself at Gloria’s room.
Her little face lights up when she sees me. “Hello, Ashley.” She smiles.
She’s as sharp as a tack. “Hello, you remember my name?” I smile. “I brought you something.”
Her face lights up. “You did?”
I smile and pass her the little brown paper bag.
Her eyes lift to meet mine. “What is it, dear?’
“Open it.”
She smiles as her little frail hands struggle to open up the tape and I stand patiently, I wonder how long it has been since she had a present. She finally gets it open and pulls it out of the bag. Her face drops and she gasps. “Oh…” She puts her little hand over her mouth. “You remembered?” She opens the hard cover edition of Pride and Prejudice that I have just bought her.
I smile proudly. “I told you, it’s my favorite book, too. I wanted you to have a copy with you in hospital.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “Thank you,” she whispers as she looks down at the book. “That’s the most thoughtful thing anyone has done for me in… I can’t remember how long.”
“You’re welcome.” I take her hand and sit next to her in the chair. Dr. Stanton said she has no surviving relatives. How long has she been on her own?
“Do you have time to read me a page, dear?” she asks. “It’s okay if you don’t, it’s rude of me to ask.”
I glance at my watch. I have fifteen minutes before I have to get back. “Yes, but only ten minutes, okay?”
Gloria smiles excitedly and lies back as I open the book with a huge smile on my face. This is the most fun I have had in a long time, too. I curl my legs up underneath me on the chair and I begin to read.
It is a truth universally acknowledged
that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering the neighborhood.
I smile as I read, and on a few occasions I blink back the tears. I feel like I’m having an out of body experience, gifting an elderly woman time with her favorite book before she dies. Suddenly, this is the most important job I have ever had.
Gloria lies in her bed with her hands clasped tightly in front of her, a huge smile covering her face as she listens attentively.
“His pride,” said Miss Lucas, “does not offend me so much as pride often does, because there is an excuse for it. One cannot wonder that so very find a young man, with family, fortune, everything in his favour, should think highly of himself. If I may express it, he has a right to be proud.
“I had my own Mr. Darcy.” Gloria smiles softly.
I place my book down onto my lap as I watch her. “Did you?”
“I did.”
I smile.
“He swept me off my feet and we were married for seventy-four years. Happy until the day he died.”
“How wonderful, Gloria.”
Her face falls solemn. “We were never gifted with children.”
“Oh.” Is all I can muster because I’m not sure what to say.
Her eyes flicker up to me. “What about you? Have you found your Mr. Darcy?”
I laugh and shake my head. “They don’t make men like they used to, Gloria.” I stop for a moment as I try to articulate my thoughts.