CHAPTER FOURTEEN

That night, Catherine slept with me. Sometimes when I opened my eyes she would be gone. But after a while, she would return with a little food and we would drink some of my wine together.

When I woke up in the morning she was gone again. Eventually, however, she came back and announced that the time had come for her to prepare me for the operation.

"I've arranged it so that I will be getting you ready this morning. I just hate having the other nurses care for you. I must warn you, though. This won't be fun."

"I'm glad you are doing it."

"Now, be sure that you don't think about me when they give you the medication to sleep. You might mention me during the operation."

"Don't worry. I won't."

"You are such a good boy. I hope they don't send me away from you soon. This hospital has too many nurses and too few patients. I fear that they may ask some of us to leave."

"I'm sure they won't. More patients will come. You'll see. Let's sleep together again tonight."

"I don't think you'll really want that. You'll be too ill from the operation to want anything."

"We'll see about that. I'll always want you."

"Be honest with me. Have you loved many other women?"

"Only you!"

"Really?"

"It's true. I promise you, or my leg will never be well again!"

She laughed and said: "OK, then, how many women have you ever had ... I mean, have you ever slept with!"

"Only you!"

"You are such a liar!"

She was right, but I had to say: "I'm not lying, you are the first woman I've ever slept with! I promise!"

"I know you are not telling the truth, but I'll pretend it's the truth. Do you really love me? If I do whatever you want, will you love me forever, and not love any other women anymore?"

"Yes. Why don't you begin by coming over to me now?" I held her tightly, and kissed her. "I love you, Catherine. You are so nice!"

(end of section)