The Healer | Part 3: The Survivors

April Fools' Day

Edith

The atmosphere at home changed dramatically in the days leading up to the first of April. Far from the last time I had been around for George's birthday, it was uncomfortable and almost ominous. George was uncharacteristically quiet and even a little bit irritable. I knew it had everything to do with the fact that his birthday was approaching once again and he would have to celebrate it without Fred.

'Do you want to do anything for your birthday?' I asked quietly the evening of the thirty-first of March. I had been putting off the discussion for long enough, at that point I just needed to know if he expected anything of me.

'No,' he said gruffly.

We were having a cup of tea at the kitchen table after supper. It was a Friday. I would have to go to the hospital in the morning to do rounds on the inpatients, but unless any emergencies arose, I would be home for the rest of the day.

'Are you sure?' I pressed. 'You donna want a cake or a special meal or anything?'

'No,' he repeated firmly. His fingertips were white as he gripped his mug of tea. I decided not to press the matter further.

That night, I woke up to him thrashing and trembling in the bed. My heart broke for him. I placed my hands on his arm and back and murmured reassuring words in his ear. He settled some, but not completely.

I found my wand on the night table and pointed at his back while I continued to rub it with my other hand.

'Dulcis,' I murmured. A soft yellow light emerged from my wand and disappeared into George's back. I replaced my wand and wrapped my arms around him while I waited for the calming charm to take effect.

I had done this on several other occasions when his nightmares had been particularly bad. It seemed to help some. It was better than nothing in any case.

After a few moments, he stilled and his breathing slowed down to a more regular rate. I pressed my lips to the back of his neck and held him tightly. It pained me to see him like that. I wished there was more I could do, but I knew there wasn't. At least he might have a fighting chance at not having a miserable day if he had a full night's rest.

The spell must have done its job, he was still sound asleep when I woke up again in the morning. He looked much more peaceful than he had in the night.

I was torn on whether I should wake him up to wish him a happy birthday before leaving for the hospital or letting him rest. I figured I wouldn't be gone long anyway, it was probably best to let him have a lie in.

I had started keeping my uniform downstairs so I wouldn't wake him if I did get called out in the middle of the night. I left our bedroom and got ready as quietly as I could. I made sure I had my notebook that connected me with George in my clutch in case he needed me. I hoped that the earlier I arrived at the hospital, the sooner I would be able to leave and pray that I didn't get called back.

No such luck.

I hadn't even finished rounding on all the inpatients before new ones started arriving. By lunchtime, I had treated no less than three noses that had suffered bites from teacups, a fanged frisbee shoulder wound, a witch who had a fork lodged in her throat, a young wizard whose arm had been Vanished, and several others that had been afflicted by Tickling Charms.

When lunch came around and more people kept arriving, I was starving but barely had a spare moment to sit down, let alone eat.

George had sent me a message hours earlier letting me know he was awake and he was sorry he had missed me. I had scratched back a quick reply telling him I would be back as soon as I could. The nurses told me it was like this every year on the first of April. Brilliant.