The Art of Endings

Chapter 1

She’s Mine

“She’s mine,” I declared, the second we laid eyes on her.

We walked down the corridor together. I saw her from a distance, sitting at the desk next to Shira, the ward secretary. I froze momentarily, then slowed my pace and murmured to David, “She’s mine.”

“Who?” He slowed too.

“The one sitting next to Shira.” We headed toward the doctors’ room.

“There is something about her… Okay, she’s yours! I’m staying out of it,” he said.

“Who wants to draw blood?” Shira’s voice rang out just as we dropped our bags on the residents’ table.

“Let me have some coffee first and recover from the exhausting journey.”

“But she’s in a hurry!”

“Who?”

“Lily.”

“Who’s Lily?”

“The prettiest patient in the ward.”

“Which room’s she in?”

“She’s sitting right next to me.” It took me a second to realize the woman I’d just staked my claim on was actually a patient.

“When was she admitted?” I pressed.

“And why isn’t she wearing hospital pajamas?”

“She was discharged about a month ago. She’s here for follow-up tests. So – who’s taking her blood?” Shira’s patience was wearing thin.

“Him!” I pointed at David. He looked surprised. We never dumped jobs on each other, and here I was, giving him an assignment before we’d even had coffee.

“Me? You’re the one who called dibs.”

“My hands will shake if I go near her. Worse, if I have to touch her,” I whispered.

“Okay, I’m on it,” he told Shira, then called over his shoulder,

“Save me some coffee.” Shira watched him go, then turned back to me.

“What’s with this ‘she’s mine’ business? Since when do you guys divvy up women like spoils?”

“Long story – it started in the Yom Kippur War. Not for now. Unless you want me to tell you who you belong to?” I grinned.

“Rude!” She headed for the door. We both knew she had a thing for him.

“Wait, don’t go,” I stopped her.

“What?” I shut the door and leaned against it. I didn’t want anyone to overhear.

“Who is she?”

“Lily?”

“Yes, Lily.”

“I told you – long-time patient here. In and out.”

“What’s the matter with her?”

“I’m not sure the doctors know.”

“Even the department head?”

“Even him. Like everyone else, he adores her. Some of them are clearly smitten. But they’re still groping in the dark, probably in the wrong direction.”

“She doesn’t look sick at all.” I ignored the rest of what she said.

“Different symptom every time. Last admission… I can’t remember exactly why,” Shira frowned, glancing upward as if trying to recall.

“The docs will be here in half an hour – ask the deputy.”

“At least tell me where she’s from.”

“Tel-Aviv.”

“More specific – Tel-Aviv’s a big city.”

“Ramat Aviv.” She shut the door behind her.

My heart skipped a beat. A sign from above, I thought.

I just happened to have a meeting in Ramat-Aviv that very morning at Army Personnel.

We military track doctors needed clearance for any trip abroad; this time, I was getting approval for a planned trip to Finland.

I decided I’d make the most of the coincidence.

“Could you ask her if I can hitch a ride to Ramat Aviv?” I asked Shira, in the most pleading tone I could muster.

“Not sure she has a car. And why don’t you ask yourself? You’re the one who said she’s yours.” A mischievous smile played on her lips.

“You’re just mad at me. Come on, help me out? I need to be there at ten – maybe I can catch a ride.”

“O-kay… but only if you look out for my interests too.”

“Always.” I smiled at her, as if we shared a secret. She blushed.

“Listen,” David said when he got back, “beautiful isn’t the word – and she’s nice, too.”

“Did you talk to her?”

“No, just about the blood draw. Piece of cake.”

“I’ve always said you’ve got a light touch. Thanks.”

“Why are you thanking me?”

“Because she’s mine. Period.” David smiled.

“She’ll give you a ride,” Shira announced a few minutes later.

“Who’s giving you a ride, and where to?” David sounded surprised.

“Her – Lily,” Shira answered for me.

“She’s his, right? Jealous? Schmuck!” She spun on her heel, straightened her back, and walked out.

“You barely got here, and she’s already yours and already driving you somewhere?

” I was as surprised at myself as David was.

When it came to women, between the two of us, he was usually the one to be assertive and make the first move.

But this time, I felt like something was different.

I didn’t know what made me act this way, but I didn’t stop to think about it either.

“What’s she doing until ten?” I asked Shira a few minutes later.

“What do you care? She said she’d be here at nine-thirty. Believe me, she will.”

“For me?” I couldn’t quite believe it.

“When I set something up, I do it right. I even put in a few good words for you.”