you will help me, right?

3

He has been in my department for several days now. I watch him both in his room and from afar. He is a very nice man, I would like to get to know him better. I am on duty this weekend, maybe I will be able to talk to Igor longer and not as a doctor with a patient, but as ordinary people.

The ringing of my mobile distracts me from my thoughts. As usual, not a single quiet evening.

- What happened, Lera?

- Hi to you too, Lena. Nothing happened. I wanted to ask what you are doing tomorrow? We will send the kids to their parents in the morning and have a small party. I want you to come, there will be a couple of lonely guys there, you are obliged to meet them, - well, here it goes.

Sighing tiredly and holding my breath for a couple of seconds, I calmed down so that another conversation would not turn into a quarrel.

- Are you up to your old tricks again? Lera, how much longer? I already told you, don't interfere in my life, and especially not in my bed. I'm on duty tomorrow, I'm very lucky, I won't see your whole orgy. Lera, please stop matchmaking, you can't do anything anyway, - I'm so tired of this.

- I'm sorry, I'm just so worried about you. You're still alone, I can't even imagine what it's like for you... - with her help, I'll run away to a monastery faster. - Okay, I'll go to the kids. Write to me if anything. You know that I love you.

- Thank you, I love you too. I'm going to bed, I have a shift tomorrow.

Putting the phone aside, I went to the shower. My soul is sad. I might as well get myself a pet. And what kind of pet? They need attention and time just like a person.

Warm streams of water flow over my body, my head stops thinking for a while, there is an opportunity to take a break from everyone and everything. I stood under the warm water for about 20 minutes, my body relaxed completely. I like standing under the shower like this, not thinking about anything. Sometimes it helps me come to my senses. Something is happening to me, I don’t even know how to describe my state. And it seems like something is missing, and everything seems to be fine. But you can’t fool yourself, you don’t have a loved one nearby who will just hug you and say that everything will be fine.

Wrapped in a bath towel, I went into the room. I put on shorts and a top, and lay down on the bed. I still couldn’t fall asleep. All my thoughts returned to Igor. What will happen if I break this rule? What if I continue our communication after the treatment? He is a strong, powerful and brave man. Any woman wants to see someone like that next to her. But why alone? Is it because of his illness? With these thoughts, I didn’t notice how I fell asleep.

In the morning, it began as usual. Shower, getting ready in front of the mirror and coffee. Today I can't even swallow breakfast. For some reason I'm worried, I've been on sick leave so many times, and today I'm worried like a first-grader.

I arrived at work, and the nurses rushed at me with papers, questions and patients from the doorway. I went into the office to sort through the papers. That's how half the day passed, lunch, and I didn't even think about getting up and going to eat. A knock on the door distracted me from work, I wonder who needed me.

- Come in, - the door opened and Igor drove in. I wanted to see him since the morning. - Good afternoon, Igor. Has something happened?

- Hello, Elena. I wanted to ask if you could refuse me a lunch break? - and he asks as if he's not 38, but 18.

- That's a great idea, thank you. I haven't even eaten yet today, and with this job I forgot about lunch. We have a nice cafe on the first floor, let's sit there. How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you? - I decided to push his stroller myself and approached him. - Do you mind if I help you?

- It's a bit inconvenient for me. But if you want, then let's go.

It was as if he had lost all his confidence. It's hard to watch men who were once strong and self-assured, and after some tragedy lose everything, even the meaning of life. Arriving at the cafe, we got some food and sat at a table by the window. Communication with him was easy, sometimes I even forgot that he was my patient. I was interested in learning about him, about his life.

- Tell me, why is only your brother next to you? Does a guy like you really not have a girlfriend? - His gaze immediately changed, I think I asked this without thinking. - Sorry, if you don't like this topic, you don't have to answer.

- No, you forgive me. It's just that, as you noticed, not everyone likes a guy in a wheelchair. It's a hassle, problems, a stupid waste of time, health and money. Before that accident, I don't argue, there were girls around, everyone was interested in me. And then, the interest in me was not as a man for creating a family. My work did not suit everyone. But then everyone suddenly turned away. My parents died before this accident. If they were there, they would not have let me give up and took up my treatment right away. Only my brother is left, who will not rest until I get back on my feet.

- I'm glad that you have such a brother. Some people don't even have one. We will take care of your treatment, try to get you back on your feet, and you will find yourself a wife, - I tried to cheer him up, I hope I succeeded.

- Why don't you have a husband? You are a beautiful girl, a good doctor, it's strange to see you alone, - it seems to me, or does he show interest in me as a man and a future boyfriend? Maybe I'm winding myself up again?

- Not everyone likes my job. Many men believe that a woman should not leave the kitchen unless her husband is waiting for her in bed. And also, raising children. But I can't quit my job, I've dreamed of it since childhood and when I achieved this, I can't just quit. So yes, I'm proudly alone now, and I'm thinking of getting a cat, at least some man will be waiting for me at home - I've never been so frank with a man.

- You know, I'd like a wife like you, - at these words he lowered his gaze into a glass of tea, and glanced periodically, slightly raising his eyes to me. - Tell me, if we met under different circumstances and not in this situation, would you go on a date with me?

His question caught me off guard. Conversation is conversation, but I didn't think that he had such thoughts about me. So I was not mistaken, and he considers me his woman.

- I would go on a date with you now, even in this state. It doesn't scare me and doesn't stop me, - and this was an honest answer. I would give everything for such a man. - You are a wonderful man, and those who turned away from you, have lost a lot in their lives. There are very few real men left today.

- Then, do you agree to go on a date with me today? - and there is so much tenderness in your eyes that you can’t bring yourself to refuse.

- Igor, I would be happy to go on a date with you, but I’m at work, and you are lying here in the ward.

- And we don’t have to leave the hospital to have a wonderful evening. Come to my ward in the evening, after the rounds. And leave everything else for me.

- Okay, I’ll go on a date with you today. I hope there won’t be a strict dress code?

- No, today we can wear casual clothes. I’ll wait for you in the evening.

After lunch, I returned to work, and Igor went for a walk in the park. All the work was falling out of my hands, I was worried about our upcoming date. The main thing is that no one finds out about it. Otherwise, everyone will have problems. I think I will definitely need to talk to the boss, maybe he will advise me on how to act correctly.