The Bridge                 

by sloanranger

Part  3

And then it was over. 

"You will not see him again," her father declared, upon finding out about their park visits.

Her father wouldn't even allow a formal introduction. The note sent from Amrit's parents and delivered by her aunt was returned unread.

"But Papa, I don't understand."

"You are far too young to understand," he stated and left the room.

Soon after, she and her father left for an extended tour of England. They'd come to America then, visiting the major cities. Her father unexpectedly, had put off taking her to Europe and the one place she most wished to see. Now he knelt by her bed, holding her hand.

"You must be well, my Lizzy, so we can go home."

"But Europe, Papa...and Paris?" Her voice was barely audible.

"Soon, my Love, as soon as you are strong," he said. "I promise."

The girl closed her eyes, sleep was coming again. Perhaps the dream would come, as well.

Doctor Hemming came close. "She should rest now."

"Yes, yes of course," her father said, rising. "I'll be right outside, Lizzy."

The two men stopped at the doorway. Lizzy could still hear them:

"She mustn't know,"  the doctor said quietly.

"Of course, not, Hemming, why do you think we've stayed in this country so long?"

The girl wondered what it was she shouldn't know, but she did not care enough to let it keep her from spiraling down into blessed unconsciousness.

"Surely, it's not something to worry about, now?" Hemming continued.

"My thoughts, too, Doctor. But it may perhaps, still be topical conversation in Paris, where it occurred."

"Wretched business," Doctor Hemming continued, "suicide on a bridge."

"I agree, doctor."

The doctor clucked: "Certainly something no Englishman would ever do, not in a public place like that."

"No."

But Lizzy did not hear, now. The girl was dreaming that she was with Amrit, standing on the Pont au Double, the little bridge he had told her about. The sun was setting a brilliant scarlet–pink, and Amrit was gently kissing her gloved fingertips. Swans were everywhere on the river.

Lizzy was so very tired. She laid her head against his chest. Still standing, she could feel the warmth of his heart, hear its soft murmur.

Suddenly, a great rushing sound filled the air, as hundreds of swans took to the scarlet sky all around them. But Lizzy did not hear.

The nurse had summoned the two men very quickly when she saw the change. Doctor Hemming shook his head and moved over to the window while the girl's father knelt beside her bed, saying his goodbye.

A beautiful sunset, Hemming thought, looking out at a scarlet sky.

"Odd," he spoke aloud, to no one in particular.

The nurse joined him by the window. "Doctor?"

"There, on the water," he nodded. "The girl was speaking about a swan when they found her."

"It's been there all week," the nurse volunteered.

"Yes," the doctor agreed. "I've seen it." 

"I've heard somewhere that they mate for life," the nurse continued.

"I don't know," the doctor said, absently. "But there appears to be two there, now."

The End