A Watch in Time – Chapter 6, Part 1

A WATCH IN TIME

A Full Length Short Story by Golden Keyes Parsons

Chapter Six – Part 1

Click here to start with Chapter One

Ivy reached for the watch that dangled from Lily Kate’s neck as Lily bent over to put the folded bandages on the table. “Where did you get that watch?”

“I inherited from my aunt who passed away several years ago. I’m named after her.”

Ivy grasped the edge of the table and wiped perspiration from her forehead with one of the bandages. Her hand trembled.

“What was your aunt’s name?”

“Lillian Monroe. Are you alright?”

“Yes, it’s so hot.” She paused. “I thought your name was Katherine. Your last name is Monroe?”

Lily Kate nodded. “Is something wrong?”

The older woman looked at Lily Kate with watery eyes, then shook her head. She must have been attractive at one time, but now her skin was lined with deep wrinkles. However, her hair was dark and thick. “No. I … you … uh … you remind me of someone, that’s all.” She blew her nose. “We have work to do, and we’d best get about it. Don’t want to get in trouble. Fold those bandages and put them in the cabinets over there.” She pointed to several wooden cupboards in the back of the tent, and then she bustled away.

Lily finished folding the bandages and put them away. Then she assisted Blanche with registration records and reports. Her hair clung to her neck in ringlets. Pumping a paper fan in front of her face, she stepped outside, and watched a Red Cross ambulance putter to the entrance of the tent. A tall slender soldier stepped from the vehicle holding his left arm which was bent at a crazy angle. A shorter, stockier soldier walked beside him, steadying the injured man.

Lily Kate rushed to his side. “Oh, my. Let me help you.”

The soldier flashed a tight grin. “Your assistance would be much appreciated—and much fairer and gentler than my colleague here.” He chuckled, then grimaced.

“What happened, Lieutenant? You’re stationed at Camp MacArthur?”

They entered the dark tent, and Lily nodded to Blanche. “Send for Dr. Cornelius. This looks like a multiple fracture.”

“Rich Field.” Laced with pain, the soldier’s voice cracked. “I’m a pilot.”

“Oh. Well, you won’t be piloting—for awhile at least.” She repeated her question. “What happened?”

He shook his head. “It was a training flight. Took a rough landing, and banged up my shoulder is all.” He grinned again at Lily, and fastened his gaze on her. “Not very glamorous, eh?” His hazel green eyes were rimmed with dark eyelashes, too thick for a man.

“Why don’t you lie down and try to rest until the doctor gets here? He shouldn’t be long. His office is across the street.”

The soldier nodded. “Would you, can you stay with me? It’s nice to have some female company—not that I don’t appreciate Lieutenant Foster here.”

His friend sat in a rickety wooden chair beside the table. “You’d better appreciate me. Gonna miss chow on account of you if we don’t get back to camp soon.”

Lily got a blanket from the metal cabinet, and laid it over the soldier. “Not to worry. We’ll forage some supper for you.”

The pilot sunk back on the table, covering his eyes with his good arm. He managed a muffled “Thank you.”

The soldier fell asleep after Dr. Cornelius set the arm. Lily made her way to the front of the tent to check in with Blanche. The woman pushed her glasses up on her nose. “It’s time to call it a day.”

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Join us next Friday for part 2 of chapter 6.

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