Only Two Of Us

by Cassandra Russell

  It had to be.

  Chapter 7

  - Damn it! I'm not climbing today! I mumbled as soon as I woke up. And what to do in this city the day

  all? He was not from São Paulo, and he had nowhere to go ...

  I swear I would not mind at all if at the present juncture I had to work every day

  fully. At least I would temporarily mask my restlessness and still have

  without having to have the little money left in the wallet.

  I took the time to check my emails, happy to not have to pay for

  no provider, since Helena had a router and my notebook, which I made a point of taking to enter

  in contact with my mother without paying for the service of mobile telephony, would get the signal by wireless.

  Obviously they would have thousands of messages from Anne.

  I almost did not use the cell phone anymore and could not even dream of spending on long distance calls,

  so I left another message in response to reassure her, remembering that at this time the figure

  should be in college.

  Anne even surprised me lately. From one hour to the next, he got in touch with his studies,

  for economics and passed.

  It sounded like a joke.

  Soon she, who has always been so spender!

  On several occasions, I came to suspect that this craze of buying so many cosmetics and costume jewelry

  was some sort of compulsion, amenable to treatment. However, since she already had a great

  psychologist, I washed my hands and let the boat roll. As it turned out, the thing had now worked out and I

  very happy for her.

  I was even happier when I discovered a different email from my mother, containing a little message

  and a scanned drawing. And Juninho! The drawing was very cute: a boy with two huge arms

  hugging a girl with very long hair. Around them were several little hearts

  red and just below he had named those same hearts: Stephanie and Otávio.

  Sometimes I even forgot his real name, so much that I called him Juninho - at least

  his father saved him from calling himself Christopher or something like that, which we need to repeat every beginning

  of school year that our name is written with "ph" and not with "f" ...

  How beautiful! Ah, how willing to embrace that guri! I sent a message containing animated gifs

  back, sending them a kiss.

  When I finished I noticed that it was still early. So I decided to get my hands on the new digital

  I had won from my father last Christmas and wandered around the neighborhood, looking for

  some interesting image. The hours usually flew when I entertained myself with different landscapes.

  The day dawned cloudy and so I thought I could click people or animals, if I could

  sharpen the perception.

  First, I found some monkeys eating on the branch of a tree, then a beggar with a hat

  kneaded sleeping on the bench of the square. Nothing unusual.

  Statues, foliage, various expressions, everything was under my watch, until I came across a house that

  caught my attention.

  Curiously, she was positioned right in front of the window of my pension room. I believe that

  nor did I have time to perceive it from there. It had a typically European look, with a flowery garden and a

  huge arbor. I was surprised by the absence of a swimming pool, something almost indispensable in the

  absence of beaches. The garage had been built discreetly, deep in the ground,

  that it is impossible to observe the person who entered through it.

  I clicked her under some poses, dreaming one day to have something like that, and decided to cross the street to give

  just walk past the corner bakery and grab a bite to eat.

  I sat on a small table facing the street, and suddenly my eyes were drawn to a car

  imported stopped at the traffic light. I soon realized who was inside him, with sunglasses and talking

  elegantly on his cell phone: him, Dr. Richard.

  What was he doing there, if it was not even his day?

  I watched him closely from a distance, but I did not have much time. As soon as he turned his face

  in my direction, shamefully hid the body behind the pillar. He seemed to have hesitated

  For a moment, he gave a subtle raise in his glasses as if he were suspicious of something; then the green light

  the impatient drivers of the cars behind him began to honk,

  car.

  Did he see me?

  Putz! What an idiot I am! Why am I hiding? Me, huh! Coward! I cursed myself

  internally. I was already getting angry with my own reactions. What could he do against

  me? I was not even in my service ...

  A gentleman who passed by my table came to me.

  "Is the girl feeling well?" He asked with a worried countenance.

  - I am. "I did not understand your reaction."

  "You look so pale that I thought I was going to faint."

  "Oh, no ... It's just an impression, I'm white anyway," I blurted out. - Anyway, thank you.

  for concern - thank you.

  "Not at all, but if I were you, I'd make an enhanced meal," he suggested, not much faith in

  sorry i fixed it

  This is good! Was I so white like that? What the lack of sun did not! Also, how long ago

  Did not have the pleasure of going to a beach? I do not know, I did not remember when it was the last time

  It happened...

  Even so, I decided to accept the suggestion. Assuming that it would probably be the only one

  she would have to weigh in the stomach, or could not wait to

  the next morning.

  ***

  And so it was.

  At the first sign of morning light, I woke up. I got back to the hospital early, put on my uniform and

  I walked quickly down the corridor, looking for Dora to wish for a good day. It has already come up with a

  stack of medical records and put them all on the table.

  "Stephanie, please help me separate them by sector and responsible doctor. The nurse Lidiane

  will not come today, so we'll be a bit overwhelmed. Lucky Iris will do overtime.

  - You can leave it with me. Anything else? "I said.

  - You can get the exams of Mrs. Dirce Mattos and Mr. João P. Azevedo in the laboratory of the

  third floor? Their numbers are here, "he said.

  "Be quiet, I'll go right now.

  I went to do what Dora asked me, past Dr. Richard's office. She remained locked.

  Of course he already knew it was not his day on duty. Curiosity did not let me keep looking

  on the scale. I laughed at my own thinking, when I realized that I felt a bit of disappointment.

  Just a little tip.

  Very small, I thought, in an attempt to convince myself.

  The shift had been quite busy. The number of patients exceeded expectations, but until

  liked it. Only by working hard would I be able to detach myself from my personal drama. I received

  even a compliment from Dora for all my efforts, and this stimulated me.

  Iris arrived later and ended up introducing myself to two on-the-job doctors

  sector. They appeared to be much more lights and, no doubt, competent. However, they had profiles

  very different.

  Dr. Roberto was older, soft, almost bald, and had a thick mustache that smoothed

  several times during the day. Very serene, he owned a meek speech that denoted a

  immense generosity. He had a very special way of treating the sick, seeming to have the incredible gift

  to capture their despair and calm them, explaining how often their treatment was necessary.

  and always showing the positive side of things. He very physically
remembered that movie actor

  Americans, Danny DeVito.

  Dr. Luciano had the exact opposite profile. She was blond, young, tall and athletic, of those who spend

  hours a day working out in a gym, doing bodybuilding or other modality

  any. Humor was a striking feature of his personality, with no one laughing

  his jokes while he was around. It was not difficult to find some more daring patient

  trying to squeak in it. The nurses themselves did it, and he, with that gallant way,

  he gave signs that he thought it all good.

  "And then, Mrs. Iris, I heard you were on the rails last Saturday," said Dr. Luciano, in a

  joking tone

  - How do you know that? She suspected.

  "A little bird told me," he said, laughing.

  - Speaks seriously! You were there, were not you?

  - I? Imagine! And even if you were, you would not recognize me. The way it got stoned ...

  - I only had two drinks. If you were there, why did not you talk to me? She asked.

  "Let's just say I was ... busy," he said smugly.

  "You have no way, do you?" I bet I've already deceived some poor, unwise woman! When is

  who is going to be ashamed of his face and behave like a serious man? "he reprimanded.

  "Seriously like you, stumbling on your own legs?" He mocked.

  - What a lie! You're a clown, you know that?

  "Do you want to stop being boring and introduce yourself to your new friend?" He demanded, looking at mine.

  direction.

  "That's right, but it's not for your beak, is it, Mister Muscles?" He sneered. - Stephanie,

  This is Dr. Luciano, a doctor on call as well. Just be careful not to fall on his lips ... "

  he warned sarcastically, already leaving the room.

  "I'm vaccinated," I said, also with humor.

  - Damn it! All this just because I saw this crazy being carried by her husband? The way she talks,

  it seems like I'm some female devouring monster!

  "Does she always drink like that?" I asked, worried about what I had just heard.

  "This is not the first time I've seen that happen. I always hear comments from the people here.

  When I'm around, I always try to get caught up in it. But you know, she has a husband, so ... -

  He tried to apologize.

  - I did not know that. I'll keep an eye on you.

  - Is that you? He changed the subject. - I heard you're from Rio. How did you come here, in my

  terrinha

  You said you did not know me and you already knew that I was from Rio? My accent was so strong or the gossip

  in the hospital ran loose

  "Need," I said, without making any remarks.

  "Do you have relatives in Sao Paulo?"

  I'm really alone.

  - That's annoying. If you like, I can introduce you to some friends, mark something for the

  week...

  - Nice. Maybe one of these hours - I thanked her, trying to protect me from her supposed

  invested

  - I've been scoring to go to Guaruja with friends next Saturday, do not want to go with us?

  Strolling somewhere beach looked really tempting, however, I could not even dream of luxury

  to make such an extravagance. Probably have to crack the gas, spend in restaurants,

  anyway, everything he was currently running from.

  "Unfortunately, it will not." I'm going to ... stay home ... studying for a contest - I lied.

  "Okay, you're the one who knows. If you change your mind, the invitation is still on its feet. "

  believe in my version.

  - Thanks.

  ***

  Until this and a few shifts that followed were quiet, with no signs of stress. Only it turned

  and moved, a strange sensation disturbed me internally, giving me the impression that something

  was missing. This was not exactly new, for it always lacked for me. After all,

  he was sure this time was different, and he could not understand why.

  What could be missing, beyond what no longer existed?

  I thought it must be the homesickness of the family, or Anne ...

  As soon as he got to the boarding house, he would try to talk to her. And that's exactly what I did:

  "So, how's it going in the biggest metropolis in Brazil?" Anne snapped.

  - Surviving. - My answer was immediate.

  - Displaced?

  - The usual.

  - What about the hospital?

  - Good standard.

  - Did you get any friends?

  "As far as I know, I have not yet become an ogre," I mocked.

  "I spoke to you, Stephanie. No, put up with people ...

  "Is it for me to laugh at the joke?"

  - OK then. Any doctor available?

  "None that interests me."

  "Any cool, at least?"

  - There are some, but ...

  - But ...? He hinted.

  "Nothing," I said.

  "You typed this but for some reason, do not even try to get me through.

  Ready. He was about to start the police investigation. Investigator Anne set the badge on her chest.

  - It's OK. But there's one that's annoying, too, "I said, completing the sentence without thinking.

  - What did he do?

  "It's too demanding, thick, irritating, I do not know."

  "Since when do you get angry at someone just because you're picky?"

  - Ever since I met you.

  "Did he hit you?"

  - No.

  - Did you get your number?

  - Neither.

  - And cat?

  It took me a few moments to print my answer.

  - IT IS. - I had to confess to myself.

  "Then it's serious."

  - What do you mean by that?

  "You're interested in him," he said.

  - Of course not! I shrieked at the screen. Where did she come up with this absurd idea?

  "Yes," he insisted.

  - Anne, go to sleep. Your brain has already disconnected from the neurons.

  "Are you angry just because I've discovered the truth?"

  Ugh! What a hate! Anne, from time to time, looked like she was born to piss me off! Why is that

  Did I have the unfortunate idea of talking to her? I should have gone to bed early!

  "Good evening, Anne," I finished.

  After that, I had to turn off the computer and the light from the bedroom to force me to sleep soon. Anger,

  however, he would not let it. And the noise did not either. There must have been an accident for so many cars

  standing in front of my window, honking.

  Let there be a tympanum to withstand such noise pollution! Maybe the soft music coming from my MP3 -

  my last acquisition in Miami before the turnaround occurred in my life - could

  deceived in the brain.

  Sweet illusion!

  I decided to dribble him, taking the sedative he used to use when flying. Needed

  sleep anyway, including to cheat the hunger, my current nightly enemy.

  And I did it.

  But I scarcely knew that this damn remedy would put me in trouble twice in a row

  Damn

  Chapter 8

  And the first time happened the next day. I got up with heavy eyes and almost had a

  I looked up at the clock. There was a lack of light during the night and I did not notice that the alarm went off.

  disabled. I reached for my cell phone and exalted.

  What the hell! If I did not run as fast as I could, I'd be late!

  He only had time to drink a miserable cup of cold coffee and head out into the street. I ran the maximum

  that I could, arriving at the dressing room in minutes to put on uniform and to tie the hair. Even so,

  I was late in five minutes. As he walked do
wn the hall, he could already hear a complaint. And for

  voice, I mistrusted soon.

  It was him. It just could be.

  As soon as I set foot in that enclosure, Dr. Richard again spoke up without even having the

  to raise his face to know who was there at his side.

  "Does the nurse know what time it is?" He asked, typing something on the affixed chart

  on your clipboard.

  - Err ... Yes, doctor. There was no light last night and my watch did not wake up. - I tried to apologize.

  I suspect he noticed from my voice that I was not one of the nurses with whom I

  I used to.

  The doctor looked up suddenly, staring at me in a disturbing way. He examined me

  face in slow motion and once again I noticed that his eyes landed on my mouth. The difference was

  that, at that moment, he who had withdrawn his lips was himself, a fact that he tried to disguise,

  hands to hide them and looking away. I had the distinct impression that even a

  little disconcerted, reluctant, but he did not surrender.

  He just lowered his head a little and went on talking dryly:

  "It explains, but it does not justify," he rebuked. - Hospital is a serious institution. Patients do not

  can expect our professionals to solve their personal problems

  adequate care.

  Ugh! Having to listen to a sermon from someone as trained as I could get on my nerves! What the need

  of employment did not ...

  "The doctor ... you're quite right. That will not happen again, I promise, "I said.

  "That's what I really expect," he said, almost snarling, glancing back at the clipboard.

  "Do you need anything?" I ventured to inquire, afraid to know the answer. I do not know what happened

  in his head

  "I ... I need ..." his voice sounded a little confused, "... from the result of bone marrow biopsy

  of this patient. Is it now able to solve this problem? He mouthed, composing himself.

  "Perfectly." I confronted him confidently. - Just wait a minute.

  I left the room and went quickly to the closet where I myself had separated the exams of the patients

  marked for the next day, returning not only with this, but with others he had not even asked for.

  "Here they are, Doctor. I brought these exams too. I reached out to hand it over.

  Dr. Richard took the envelope from my hand, looking at me suspiciously. His brow furrowed and

  it seemed to grind his teeth a little. It was clear how somehow my presence