The Iris Epidemic

All Stirred Up

" Albert!" I shouted in excitement as I got up into the doctors community building where we usually had our breaks. I was finally back to work along with the other doctors that went to quarantine. Mind you I have been here in town earlier doing a side job for two weeks. 

I managed to get up to one of the older doctors that trained me a little bit from the start and startled him, almost making him lose his tea out of his grasp. 

" watch it kid."  Albert said in warning but with a chuckle

" let the old man drink his tea without spilling it everywhere. Now what are you so excited about?"  

" I have one thing to discuss with you it is good no bad at all." I spoke to him in a more calmer voice but still showing my excitement. 

"All good you say? That is a rarity around here. Good news." His face seemed to have lit up momentarily.

" alright kid, let's hear it" he turned to me and took a sip out of his cup. 

I took a step closer and lowered my voice so no one else could hear the conversation. I was not sure of the reactions I would get from all the doctors in the room so I only spoke with Albert first. 

" I think I may know the cure to all this…"

" pardon me Iris??" He spoke rathered louder than I wanted him to.

" no. I think I know how to help our town from the Great Plague Albert, but I don't want to tell anyone until I know for sure it helps more than just one person that i know of." 

" That can't be true "Mr. Iris." He spoke with a quieter stern tone to me.

" You need extensive medical and science background and knowledge to be able to make a cure. What are you babbling about??" 

" Im talking about Cleanliness sir, fresh food and water, fresh Bandages around all wounds changed about 4 or 5 times a day…"

" A day?! That is a waste of bandages and resources." He spoke in disagreement and disbelief 

" it may but i promise you it would be worth it. Ive cleaned the space each day and replenished herbs and cared for a good friend of mine for two weeks now." I started to explain.

"Albert, sir, weeks ago he was pale in the face and dying. Today he's walking around and talking." I tried to convince him as he turned his head to sip on his tea while looking at the rest of the doctors. 

" unless he was just blessed to have a second chance or something, I think this could be something that could save people. A Lot of people from pain and suffering. We just have to try and see if it helps others." 

"You know, your odd obsession of being too close to the sick worries me sometimes.." he said with a sigh. 

" i wanna see it work before you go telling people. Remember the last doctor that told everyone he knew how to cure this Plague?"

"Yes… I do.." 

" he got hung, because he killed them more quickly then the illness was. And I don't want to see that happen to a brilliant young man." 

" if im brilliant to your standards, then why don't you trust me?" I replied 

" Actions speak louder than words my son…" he said and I knew then I have to prove my theory before words got out. 

______________________________________

Later that day I was expecting to meet up with Elizabeth and Jeffrey again after these two long weeks. To me it was the first time I ever spent so long away from them and I deeply missed them. They were the first and last people on my mind the whole time. And when I had them in my arms once more i cried a little.

You say I don't cry?

I do. I can cry. Its just seeps out slowly in a rich opaque black colour. I just don't tend to let out that side of me anymore. I've cried enough in the centuries i've lived to make the Pacific Ocean, i feel as it good to say i'm all dried out now. 

I hate crying. It hurts and I don't wanna hurt anymore then I do now…

But I cried that day and I cried many more times after. I was an emotional man in love with his family life. My heart throbbed  for the closeness I felt when they were near. I felt like I was home, even though I was there for two weeks now. I was a good moment and I had the privilege to take them home with me and make and good meal to celebrate being one big family again. 

And by the next morning, it was like how it was before we left. Back to routine.

Heh. I do remember that very next day Jeffery anxiously waiting and trying to bribe me to take him to meet Jay because i spoke about the two staying here for awhile until the illness passes at the dinner table the night before. I had to distract him from asking until later in the day because there were more things to do around the house before I went down to check on Jay and Marie. 

" Can I go say hi to the traveler pllleeaaasseee!?" He pleaded and gave me a cheesy smile while dancing around wheel barrel and myself. 

I gave a smile and light chuckle while putting down the wheel barrel that was full of carrots and potatoes. 

"Heh, what did i say young man?"

" you said when the sun was starting to go down! That you come and introduce me to the traveler and his wife!" He beamed with excitement.

I ruffled his hair and gave him a quick hug before picking up the wheelbarrow again. 

" indeed I say but that is in a half an hour, and that is just the amount of time i need to put stuff away. And get the vegetables into our storage." 

Jeffery let out a big sigh.

" now now son, you will go meet him but how about first you do me a favor and go get cleaned up. Its best to be nice and cleaned before seeing a patient." 

"Then we can go see him?" 

"Yes." 

"Sweet! I'm gonna be so fast! Ill be clean in no time!" He said determinedly as he started to run back to the house. 

I watched him run as i trucked the vegetables back to the storage room and got cleaned up from harvesting and headed into the house. Not very long after jeffery came out into the living room all clean. We both cleaned our hands and head down stairs to get to see the Stornoways.