She stood upon the precipice, gazing out over a vast expanse of wide sweeping plains. The sheer beauty of green forests and the rivers meandering in the distance completely took her breath away.
Laraine sat there thinking and dreaming about the happy days and the sweet memories of when she was a teenager. She was remembering how at dusk, she would race to this tree near the precipice. Here she met Dirk, her first love. They would sit here together, admiring the scenery with arms entwined around one another. Here she had her first kiss. It was utter bliss. Laraine felt butterflies in her stomach; it made her tingle all over.
They carved their names into the trunk of that tall pine tree by the precipice, vowing to each other, their love would last forever.
Laraine was sweet and easy to get along with. She had beautiful long locks of hair falling to her waist, and sparkling brown eyes accentuating her face.
Dirk was tall, dark and handsome. He was a real gentleman.
She recalled that day in her late teens, when there was a knock on the front door. Running down stairs, on opening it, was greeted by the postman with a registered letter addressed to her.
Quickly opening the letter, she let out a loud “Yahoo!”
She had been accepted into a nursing career at a large hospital in the city. Her dream and vision had come true at last!
This was to be a life changing experience for Laraine.
She prayed to God in heaven and thanked Him for answering her prayers.
It definitely was her calling. Laraine had been nursing for thirteen years. She never married as she was still carrying a torch for Dirk. Now the Matron of a large hospital, she made herself busy with nursing duties.
And then it happened — she fell and broke her hip.
x x x x
In the meantime, Dirk wanted to travel and see the world. His heart was set on seeing the jungles, animals and natives of Africa.
One day when reading the newspaper, Laraine saw that a Dirk Bogdan had been severely mauled by a lion at an African Wild-life Park. She was hoping to find out more of his condition, but no more news surfaced. Now confined to her wheelchair after breaking her hip, Laraine yearned to return to that precipice.
With the help of some of her nursing friends, a plan was hatched.
“Ma’am!” The young nurse said. “Today we are taking you for a short drive into the country. We are going to cover your eyes with a scarf, so don’t worry, as I’m sure you are going to enjoy the surprise when you get there!”
Arriving at the designated site, Laraine was helped out of the vehicle and into her wheelchair.
The young nurse said, “Just wait here a few minutes while I get our lunch organized. Don’t remove the scarf yet, as there is one more surprise waiting for you.”
As Laraine sat there wondering what all the secrecy was about, a gentle pair of hands began untying the knots of the scarf. Then, what a surprise!
“Dirk! I thought you were dead! I read in the newspaper that you were mauled to death by a lion!”
“Yes! I read that too.” He replied. “That was a newspaper reporter’s mistake. His name was Dirk Boaden, poor fellow. I happened to be kidnapped by a tribe of natives at about that time, but was released a short time later. Never mind, enough of that. Now let me take you by the hand.”
“I can’t do it!” She insisted. “I have a broken hip!”
“From what I’ve been told, you’re hip has had time to mend twice over!” He said. “Now take my hand and let’s see if you can walk with me to that tall pine tree over there.”
Stepping out of the wheel-chair her confidence grew. They walked slowly, arm in arm towards the tree.
Hilda Oakley
Copyright © 18.03.2013
