perfidia

chapter 1

1943                                     Salerno, Italy

Shouting. Blood. Pain. Tears. 

So much pain and suffering, one would assume we were on the front line, but sadly we are fighting the battle a few miles away from the brave men at the front. This battle is being fought in Ward 4D, where 12 men lie in hospital beds, pleading for life, relieve or crying out for their mothers.

I was running round the ward, blood covering my long apron, I think I even had some smeared on my cheeks as I was helping carry one of the men in with the rest of the nurse staff. Sweat was profusely pouring out of me like a tap, but I didn't care I just wanted to help as much as I could. 

On my ward which I worked on everyday, there were a few extra beds free so I knew that there would be more men to attend to soon.

We were prepared for these men, but I guess you could say I was thrown into the deep end. 3 weeks ago, I was in charge of doing health checks, to sign young men off to go and fight the Germans. Little did I know, I would be asked to come and work closer to the front line to help the sick and injured. All the way in Italy. How could I refuse? They are fighting for our country, anywhere I can help is good enough for me. Obviously Mama wasn't too please but nothing could stop me, and she knew I'd be somewhat safe on the army base, probably safer here than at home.

After helping as many men as I could, and giving out medications, the sun began to set, and the room started to go quieter and quieter by the minute. But I knew my shift was far from over. 

"Gunshot wound, upper leg! Bruised back, possible broken ribs! Unconscious!" Dr. Frank Adair, came rushing through the door with three nurses behind him pushing a young, unconscious man on a gurney.

I quickly shoot up from the man I am helping, and rush over just as they are transferring the young man onto a bed. He is extremely heavy, but all four of us got him on the bed safely and we all began our jobs, helping this man.

This is my first nursing job. Well, to be truthful it is my first job...ever. I was the perfect candidate to be a nurse, I just turned 21, I have no children, no prior commitments, and I am from a rich family. We were planning to go to school in the fall but who knows when that will happen, if it happens that is. If it didn't it wouldn't be the worst thing. Mama and Papa decided that home economics was the course for me. As a woman there aren't many courses offered, but I knew one thing for sure, home economics was not the choice for me. I just wanted more from life.

My thoughts of spinning across a stage in a pointe shoe and leotard are quickly interrupted by a yell from Dr. Adair.

"Adelaide! I have checked his back and ribs he has know broken bones, just seriously bruised ribs. I am going to remove the bullet, there is no infection for now. Go and retrieve the utensils for stitching his wound."

I quickly remove myself from the situation and grab the trolley from the end of the room with all the supplies needs to stitch and clean his wound. I wheel the cart over and Dr. Adair had successfully removed the bullet.

"Okay Adelaide... you can now sterilise and sew the wound." He nods his head and moves on to his next job.

Lillian, the head nurse, comes over to me as I am preparing my thread. "Will you be okay? You won't need any assistance."

Lillian is a plump lady in her lat 40s, she is from England and has worked in several army bases before she ended up here. She is sweet but stern and always makes me feel comfortable with what I am doing, considering her experience and my lack there of.