A Day in 1953

IV

“A girl broke my heart when I was your age,” Ben said, “pulverized it, actually.”

“Why? What’d she do?” I ask, faking curiosity as I’ve already known what the answer was.

“I’ve been seeing her for some time,” he replies, “then I asked her to marry me.”

“Did she say no? Is that what broke your heart?”

“Oh yes. And not only did she say no, she left me all at once. Without even giving me any reason as to why whatsoever.”

“Did you ever see her again?”

“Not again, no. You know what, you look like her. Somehow. Same eyes, same smile. Maybe you know her.”

“What’s her name?”

“Maura Fischer.”

* * *

A young Benjamin Reid lay on a slightly reclined bed, opening his eyes for the first time in three days.

Outside, a striking red-haired woman sobbed as she listened carefully to Dr Thomas, every word like a stake driven through her heart.

“We don’t know what side effects it may have, but there has to be one. He’s still too weak, we can’t perform tests on him yet,” Dr. Thomas started, “I think it’s best if you don’t bring up any issues from the past — recent or remote. Just stay focused on today, what today is, and how happy you are to see him doing fine.”

The door opened as Maura Fischer walked in.

“Who’s there?” Ben looked around, a look of shock spreading all over his face, “Maura?”

“Hi,” she says, “how are you feeling?”

“Brokenhearted,” Ben answers, turning away from her, “why’d you leave me, Maura?”

“I was scared,” she inched closer and grabbed his hand, “so scared. But now I’m not. I’ve thought about it, Ben. And if you ask me again, this time I’ll say yes.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“Ben,” Maura bit back tears, “I’m pregnant.”