Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Finding A New Future

After a weekend of dolce far niente mixed with getting shown around Columbus and meeting neighbours and various other people from Isabel's vast circle of friends and acquaintances, Ella began to ponder her future. She couldn't sit around all day and do nothing and being home alone day in day out becomes boring really quick, too.

The brunette made a list with all she had to do, including writing letters – her friends hadn't been idle – inquiring about the GI bill at the VA office and looking into going back to school. Also, she would have to go shopping with her mother, who had insisted she replace at least some of the thread-bare clothes in her wardrobe.

And there were several other things to take care of, like decorating her room, getting the jewellery from Berchtesgaden appraised and helping around the house.

"Hi sweetheart", Isabel greeted her, dropping a kiss onto the crown of her head.

"Hoi Mama", Ella replied, looking up from the notepad in front of her. She was sitting by the stove, chewing on her pencil and humming along to the song on the radio.

Her mother went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, then came back into the living room, settling beside her daughter. "How is your list coming?", she asked.

The young girl shrugged and gave a non-descript hum. "It's growing", she allowed. "How was your day?"

Isabel had worked the early shift at the hospital. "Slow. But everyone was happy to hear that you're back." Ella smiled softly. She had never met those people and yet they cared about her.

Taking a sip of her coffee, Isabel continued: "They all would like to meet you."

Ella stretched and rubbed her forehead. "I'd like to meet them, too", she said, leaning back to let her back rest against the stove.

"I sense a 'but' there", her mother remarked, studying her daughter.

She shook her head. "No, no but." Looking at Isabel, the small medic let a lopsided smile quirk up her lips.

The older woman accepted it with a nod. "Alright", she said after another long sip from her cup. "But you tell me if it gets too much, versprocha?"

Ella leant against her mother, grinning. "Versprocha, Mama."

"Good", Isabel laughed, tousling her daughter's caramel-brown locks. "Because half the hospital wants to meet you and I know how overwhelming they can be."

***

The ranking medic chuckled before sobering again as her eyes travelled back to the list in her lap. "Do you think I could come with you to work some time?", she asked, turning her head to look at Isabel.

Surprise flickered across her face, but she nodded. "Of course, charina. I'm sure Marlene wouldn't mind an extra set of hands helping out." Studying her daughter's face, Isabel inquired: "Are you thinking about becoming a certified nurse?"

"Maybe?", Ella hedged with a small shrug.

Isabel simply waited, knowing that her child sometimes needed a little time to open up.

True enough, after a long moment, she sighed, gaze dropping into her lap where her fingers played with a corner of the paper. "It's just...", her hand brushed back a few too long curls, "It's the only thing I know how to do. It's what I'm good at."

Her mother listened quietly, nodding along. "You know what", she then said, knowing that her assurances alone wouldn't eradicate the self-doubts plaguing her daughter. "I'll speak to the head nurse tomorrow and I'll also talk to Dr Weir, he is in charge of trainees, interns and volunteers. I think they could give you some advice."