As much as Lark resolved to stay away, he found himself making his way to the hospital the next day. The young woman had successfully been operated on and Lark was permitted to see her.
He entered her ward and was shown to her bed by a nurse. The young woman was asleep and he decided not to wake her. He placed the bouquet he had brought for her on the table at the bottom of her bed along with a box of chocolates.
He looked at her for a long moment, studying her. Her face was beautiful but nothing like Emma’s. Her hair was raven black and her cheeks were sprinkled with freckles. The freckles were the only similarity.
He finally turned and began making his way to the door. He was almost at the door when a small voice said, “Excuse me, Sir?”
Lark paused and turned. The young woman had woken up and was looking at him sleepily. Lark slowly retraced his steps to the young woman’s bedside.
“Good day,” he said softly looking down at her.
“Good day. Are you the man who saved me?” she asked looking at Lark.
Lark nodded. “Yes. I am. Do you recall what happened?”
“I… was mugged,” the young woman said.
“I’m sorry,” Lark said. “You’ll be okay now.”
“I know,” the young woman replied. She spotted the bouquet at the bottom of her bed. “Did you bring those?”
“I did,” Lark smiled.
Her face lit up. “And chocolates? My favorites!” she exclaimed.
Lark reached for the chocolates and handed the box to her. “You better hide those. I’m not if the nurses will allow you to eat them.”
She opened the box and shoveled two chocolates into her mouth. She closed her eyes as she hummed with delight. Then she held the box up and asked, “Want some?” around the chocolates in her mouth.
Lark smiled and shook his head. “Enjoy them.”
The girl finished the chocolates in her mouth and swallowed. “Oh forgive me,” she exclaimed. “You saved my life. I am truly grateful to you. I can never repay your kindness. I should have said thank you but instead, here I am gobbling up the chocolates you brought!”
“It’s nothing. Anyone else would have done the same thing if they found you in the alley,” Lark replied modestly.
“But it wasn’t anyone else that helped me. It was you. Thank you. I am sincerely grateful. I thought I was going to die alone in that alleyway,” she said and then added, “I am so rude. Please sir, what is your name?”
“Lark. Lark Cursor,” he replied and then added, “I do not know your name either.”
“It’s Lynn,” she said. “Lynn Stowler.”
“Nice to meet you, Lynn,” Lark said smiling down at her.
“And you too, Lark,” Lynn replied.
“Where is your family? Have they been notified?” Lark asked.
“I am an only child,” Lynn replied. “My parents are not here. They live in California. I spoke with them last night. They were shocked and wanted to jump on a flight immediately but I discouraged them from doing so. Flights are so ridiculously expensive this time of year and it’s not like I’m going to die thanks to you,” Lynn smiled.
“Okay, I’m glad they have been informed. What about the hospital bill?” Lark asked.
“What about it?” Lynn asked.
“Can you pay the bill? Do you have insurance?”
“What are you going to do if I don’t have insurance? Are you planning to pay the hospital bill?” Lynn asked surprised.
“I could if you needed help. You could call it a Christmas present from me.”
“Wow, that would be a pretty expensive Christmas present from a stranger,” she said. “I would be most grateful but I think I can manage. Thank you for offering anyway, Lark.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you get better soon,” Lark smiled. “Now, if you will excuse me, I must be leaving.” He squeezed her hand softly and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Lynn exclaimed. “How can I contact you when I get out?”
“Why would you want to?” Lark asked.
“You saved my life. The least I could do is buy you dinner or lunch or a gift. I would not feel good unless I did.”
Lark hesitated then reached inside his jacket. He removed a business card which he handed to her. She took it and read it. All it had was his name, address, and phone number.
“Thank you,” she said. “What do you do?”
“I’m a writer,” he said. “I get by.”
Lynn nodded as she looked at his card again. “Thank you.”
Lark smiled and nodded and then he bade her farewell and left.