Innocent Trauma

by William Diamond

 

Like the other victims, Galera was bruised and bleeding. Limping from the upended world into the chaos of the makeshift emergency room, she didn't feel her pain because of her maternal agony.  Overwhelmed nurses, doctors and medical techs triaged among the injured at a reckless pace.  
 

Galera surrendered her infant son, Charlie, to a disheveled young nurse. Placed on an improvised table, three people quickly crowded above him. Over the din of the ocean of raw desperation, she begged, "Please, please, save my baby!”
 

They mumbled re-assuring words, but their dark expressions tore her heart. When a rescue worker tried to move her to treat her own wounds, Galera refused to leave.
 

The best of modern medicine fought the wages of the worst of modern life. At every gesture the doctors made and each new piece of equipment they applied to the tiny body, hopeful faith and hopeless impotency clashed in Galera.
 

They just wanted a life. Today, it was their turn to be casualties of a brutal world.  
 

Charlie was at the cusp of walking. That happy stage when he was mobile and loud and alert and laughing. Now, he was none of that. He lay silent and almost inert on the table. A too large plastic tube was forced down his throat. Charlie's eyelids fluttered when a pitiless metal needle was stabbed into his discolored flesh.
 

As if the rubble of a collapsed building was crushing her, Galera labored to breathe. With eyes leaking and body rocking, she leaned forward and bit her finger until it bled. She wanted to hold and nurture Charlie as she had for the last year.
 

The minutes dragged forever. Eventually, the motions of the doctors and nurses slowed. She stood in hope and fear. They removed the alien needles and tubes. One of the health care providers gently wrapped Charlie in a pure white cloth. It was like the one used when Galera joyfully gave birth thirteen months ago and her world had expanded. Charlie was lowered into her protective arms. He gurgled softly.
 

The nurse helped her into a chair and whispered, "We've done everything we can.”
 

Galera sighed, her baby would be fine. Then, with forsaken eyes, she saw the doctors' slumped shoulders and the sadness on the nurse's face.
 

"Noooo!'' Her wail ricocheted off the unfeeling walls and added to the racket. The nurse hugged her tight as the doctors moved to the next patient. "Don't leave!  He's still alive!”
 

Her tears anointed his head. Between sobs, Galera kissed Charlie and tried to absorb his suffering. His crushed chest struggled. Her head swiveled in aching desperation, then her eyes settled back on the little being that was her life.
 

Charlie shuddered and was gone.