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“Uriel?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s…”
“It’s not common. Uri for short.”
“Okay… Uri.” He left. She sat on the edge of the bed and listened to the door latch click home. She waited a few minutes and then turned the light off and sat in the dark. She watched the luminous figures on the bedside clock turn over, the undressed and went to bed.
*
The black silhouette of a crow fell amongst the sparrows, scattering them from the remains of Elizabeth’s lunch. It pecked half-heartedly at the sandwich crusts for a moment before losing interest. Elizabeth sat on the park bench resting her feet from the burden of her increased weight. The bird lifted its cruel beak and squawked gently. Its body was all smooth curves, moving with oily efficiency, like a black bird-shaped hole moving toward her. It spread its wings and batted towards her a few paces. The crows head cocked and fixed her with a glassy marble eye. It advanced closer towards her until it was almost within reach of her foot. It squawked again. Elizabeth changed position uncomfortably, shuffling along the bench away from the bird. It hopped a little to keep up with her.
A sharp cry split the cold morning air. From out of the sky fell a grey-white herring gull, landing virtually on top of the crow. The crow struggled beneath the larger bird and then flapped away. The gull pecked at the half-eaten sandwich.
“Hello.” Elizabeth turned towards the greeting. It was Uri. She looked away.
“I thought you said you were going to look in on me.” Uri sat on the bench beside her.
“I’m sorry.” He said. “I got caught up with work”. She scrutinised two boys kicking a ball at the other side of the park. He reached out his big hand to where her hair fell across her face and pushed the offending strands back over her shoulder. She turned her head and her sulk disappeared. She brightened her face without much effort.
“What do you do?” She asked. He frowned. “Your work?”
“Oh.” It was his turn to look away. “Charity work, mostly.”
“Keeps you busy?”
“Yeah,” he grinned, “You don’t know the half of it. How have you been?”
“Fine.”
“Have you seen a doctor?” She looked guiltily at the swell of her dress.
“No. Not yet.”
“I hope you don’t mind but I mentioned your name to a doctor friend of mine. He said he’d be glad to put you on his list if you let him know the name of your last doctor.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve taken some time off now.” He sounded strangely eager. “I’ll be around a lot more if you need me to be.” His manner never seemed to fit in with the situation. He was there though and she really needed somebody. He wasn’t so bad, just a little odd. At the very least he was generous. And a little attractive, she admitted. “The doctor said he’d see you this afternoon if you don’t have anything planned.”
“Okay. You’re sure he can fit me in?”