Chapter 16 Chapter 15
A week after writing the letter, Giorgis received a reply from Dr. Kritis.
It was only a few days before they met, and the father and daughter were both relieved. Now, the two of them seldom think about anything other than the mark on Maria's feet.
After breakfast on Monday morning, they began the three-hour journey to Heraklion.No one thought it was odd that they were traveling together, thinking they were shopping for their upcoming wedding.The bride-to-be has to buy her wedding dress, and all kinds of pretty clothes, and what better place than Heraklion?The women sat on the threshold and chatted that night.
The long journey along the coast was blustery, and they entered the city, where the majestic Venetian harbor came into view, and Maria hoped they had no reason to come here.She had never seen such chaos in her life, the noise of trucks and construction sites was deafening.Giorgis hasn't been here since the war started. Although the thick city walls resisted the German bombing tenaciously, the city is almost beyond recognition.They drove around in a panic, caught a glimpse of the magnificent square with the fountain in the middle, and passed it again later, only to be annoyed to find that they were going in circles.When they finally spotted the new hospital building, Giorgis parked outside.
It was only ten minutes before noon, and by the time they walked through the labyrinthine hospital steps and found the department where Kritis was, their scheduled meeting time had passed.Giorgis was particularly flustered.
"We'd better leave some time beforehand," he said anxiously.
"Don't worry, I'm sure he'll understand. It's not our fault the city has become a maze—or they made the hospital a maze," Maria said.
The nurse was there to meet them, and they sat in the stuffy aisle as the nurse registered.Dr. Crittis will be here shortly.The two sat there in silence, smelling the pungent disinfectant smell unique to the hospital.They rarely talked, but watched the nurses rush in and out in the aisle, and occasionally a patient was pushed out in a wheelchair.Finally, the nurse ushered them into the office.
If the war had changed Heraklion's appearance, it had left a more pronounced mark on Dr. Crittis.Although his slender figure has not changed, his thick black hair has become silver-gray, and the marks of years and overwork are clearly engraved on his previously wrinkle-free face.No matter how you look at it, he is forty-two years old.
"Mr. Petkis," he said, coming out from behind the desk, shaking Giorgis' hand.
"This is my daughter Maria," Giorgis said.
"Miss Petrakis, it's been ten years since I last saw you, but I still remember you when you were a child." Crittis held her hand, "Please, come sit down and tell me about you The reason for coming here."
Maria began to describe her symptoms, a little nervous at first.
"Two weeks ago, I noticed a mark on my left foot that was dry and numb. Thinking about my mum's past, I couldn't let it go, so we're here."
"Only this one? Is there any other place?"
Maria looked at her father.Since finding that one, she's found several more.No one had ever seen her without clothes on, and it was hard for her to turn her head and check her back in the small bathroom mirror, but even in the dim light of the bathroom she could find a few spots.The piece on the foot is not the only one.
"No," she replied, "and a few dollars."
"I'll check later and we'll have to do some skin scrapings if I think it's necessary."
Dr. Kritis stood up, Maria followed him into the consulting room, and Giorgis stayed alone in the office, staring blankly at the human anatomy diagram hanging on the wall.Krittis examined the skin on her feet first, then her back.He checked the skin for sensitivity to irritation first with a feather and then with a pin.Crittis thought, there is no doubt that the nerve endings have been damaged, but whether this is leprosy, he is not 100% sure.He took detailed notes, then drew a sketch of the human body, marking where the spots were found.
"I'm sorry, Miss Petkiss, I've got to have some scrapings. It won't take long, but I'm afraid your skin will be a little sore after the scrapings."
Maria sat in silence while Crittis and the nurses were busy preparing smears and collecting the necessary equipment.A month ago, she was still showing a batch of her latest dowry to her friends, and the stockings slipped through their hands, light than air, as thin as a cicada's wing.She tried them on, and the stockings slid over her skin so thinly that it seemed her slender legs were naked; only a dark seam at the back of the legs indicated their presence.She had also tried on shoes for her wedding that day, but now the foot that had been in the delicate shoe was about to be cut open.
"Miss Petkis, I need you to lie on the examination table, please." Dr. Crittis' words shattered her daydream.
The scalpel is exceptionally sharp.It pierced Maria's skin by only two millimeters, but in her heart, the incision was magnified many times, and she felt like she was cut in half like meat on a chopping board.The doctor collects enough skin tissue from under the epidermis, scrapes it on a smear, and examines it under a microscope.She trembled, her eyes filled with pain and fear.Crittis took the scraping from her back again, and the nurse quickly applied disinfectant ointment and cotton wool.
After the bleeding stopped, the nurse helped Maria off the examination table, and they went back to Dr. Kritis's office.
"Well," said the doctor, "I'll have the results of these smears in a few days. I'll check them carefully for Hansenella, the only definitive proof of leprosy. I can write to you, Or, if you want, you can come here to see me again, and I'll tell you in person. Personally, I wish I could tell you all the diagnoses in person."
Despite another long trip, both father and daughter knew they didn't want this kind of news in the post.
"We've come to see you," Giorgis said on behalf of both of them.
Before they left the hospital, a time was set for their next meeting.Dr. Crittis asked them to come at the same time next week.His professionalism was top-notch, revealing no observation of the outcome.He definitely didn't want them to worry unnecessarily, nor did he want to give them false hopes. His attitude was unbiased, almost indifferent.
That was the longest week of Maria's life.Only Fotini knew that her friend was on the brink.She tried to keep herself occupied with specific tasks, but nothing could distract her from what might happen next week.
On the Friday they returned from Heraklion, Ana came to see her.She was anxious to know: had Maria been checked?what's the result?Why doesn't she know?When will they know?There was no concern or sympathy in her problems.No matter what Anna asked, Maria simply answered with one or two words.Finally, Anna left.
Maria waited until her sister was out of sight, and rushed out to find Fotini.She sensed a malicious excitement in her sister's reaction to her situation.
"I guess she must be looking forward to that news, because it might affect her in one way or another." Fotini said, holding Maria's hand tightly, "but we can't keep thinking about it. We have to be optimistic, Maria."
For several days, Maria went into hiding.She sent Manoli a message saying she was not feeling well and would not see him until next week.Fortunately, he was not suspicious. When he saw Giorgis, his future father-in-law, in a bar in Plaka, Giorgis also made up a story with Maria to reassure Manoli that his daughter would soon OKNot being able to see Manoli caused Maria a lot of pain.She missed his joy, and it pained her to think that their wedding was in jeopardy.
Monday finally arrived.Maria and Giorgis made another trip to Heraklion, found the hospital easily this time, and were soon sitting outside Dr. Keritis's office again.This time he was late.The nurse came out to see them and apologized for the doctor's lateness.Dr. Crittis has been delayed, but will be here in half an hour, she said.Maria nearly went berserk.She has been trying to control her anxiety, but now she has to wait for thirty minutes, which is almost beyond the limit of her patience.She walked up and down the aisle, trying to calm herself down.
Dr. Crittis finally came, and he was very sorry for keeping them waiting, and he led them straight into his office.His whole attitude was very different from the last time we met.Maria's medical records were on his desk, and he opened and closed them, as if there was something he needed to check again.Of course, nothing.He knew exactly what he had to say, and there was no reason to keep these two waiting any longer.He cut to the chase: "Miss Petkis, I'm afraid you have germs in your skin lesions, which means leprosy is in you. I'm sorry it's bad news."
He wasn't sure who would be hit harder by the news, the daughter or the father.The girl resembled her dead mother, and he was keenly aware of the brutal repetition of fate.He hated this moment.Of course, he could soften the blow with soft words like, "It's not too advanced, so we might be able to help you," or "I think we caught it early."However, the announcement of bad news, no matter how it is expressed, is still bad news.Still catastrophic and brutal.
The two sat in silence, their worst fears coming true.They all thought of Spinalonga and knew for certain that that would be Maria's final destination, her destiny.Although she was sick with anxiety at first, she had spent the past few days trying to convince herself that everything was going to be okay.Imagining the worst would be unbearable.
Kritis knew he had to break the silence that filled the room, and when the dust settled on the dire news, he said something to reassure them.
"This news is terrible for you, and I am sorry to tell you. But you must rest assured that great progress has been made in the cure of leprosy. Giorgis, when your wife Petrakis When Madame fell ill, the methods of treatment seemed to me primitive. Great advances have been made in the past few years, and I very much hope that you will benefit from them, Miss Petkiss."
Maria stared at the floor.She could hear what he said, but his voice seemed to come from far away.She raised her head only when she heard her name.
"I think," he was still going on, "that it will be eight or nine years before you get worse. For the time being, your leprosy is neutral. If you continue to be in good health, it will not develop. nodular leprosy."
What is he saying?Maria thought.In fact, I was sentenced to death, but did I have to wait so long to die?
"So," her voice was almost a whisper, "what's next?"
This was the first time since Maria entered this office, she looked directly into Kritis' eyes.She saw in his determined gaze that he was not at all afraid of the truth, and that whatever needed to be said, he would tell her.For her father, not for herself, she must be brave.She can't cry.
"I'll write to Dr. Lapakis and explain to him that you're going to Spinalonga for the next week. There's probably no need to say more, but I suggest that all but those closest to you You try not to tell anyone other than your own people. People still have a prejudice against leprosy, and they think that they can get it just by being in the same room with a sick person.”
Having said that, Giorgis spoke. "We know," he said, "that we have lived so long across from Spinalonga that we don't know what the majority thinks about leprosy?"
"Their prejudices have absolutely no scientific basis," Crittis reassured him, "your daughter could have contracted leprosy anywhere, anytime—but, I must say, most people are too ignorant of that gone."
"I think we should go," Giorgis said to Maria. "The doctor has told us what we want to know."
"Yes, thank you." Maria was completely calm now.She knew she had to do something, that she was going to be there for the rest of her life.Not near Elounda with Manori, but alone on Spinalonga.For a moment, she had an impulse to resign herself to fate.Just last week, she was in Limbo, and now she knows what's coming.Everything is settled.
Critics opened the door for them.
"One last word," he said. "I have maintained normal correspondence with Dr. Lapakis, and I will start visiting Spinalonga Island again in a short time. Therefore, I will also participate in your treatment."
They listened to his words of reassurance.It's nice of him to be so caring.But it didn't work.
Maria and Giorgis emerged from the hospital into the bright afternoon sun.People around me came and went, all busy with their own affairs, unaware of the grief of the two people standing here.These coming and going lives are the same as when they woke up in the morning, but it's just another ordinary day.How Maria envied them to be busy with their daily chores, which in a few days would all be lost to her.In one hour, her life, and that of her father, were completely changed.What little hope they had had when they arrived at the hospital was gone.
Silence seems to be the easiest way to hide.At least for a while.More than an hour after embarking on the journey, Maria spoke: "Who shall we tell first?"
"We'll have to tell Manoli, then Anna, then the Vandorakis. There's no need to tell anyone after that. They'll all know."
They talked about what needed to be done before Maria left.There is very little to do.With her wedding day approaching, all preparations were made for her departure.
When they returned to Plaka, Anna's car had already parked in front of their house.The last thing Maria wants to see is Anna.She would rather turn to Fotini for comfort.But Anna still had a key, which she herself waited for at home.It was almost dark now, and she sat there in the twilight waiting for their return.Yes, bad news.The elongated faces they had as they entered said it all, but Anna, as numb as ever, broke their silence.
"Huh?" she asked. "What was the result?"
"The result is certain."
Anna was momentarily confused.definitely?That sounds like good news, why are they still sombre?Confused, she realizes that she herself doesn't know what the best outcome is.If the younger sister hadn't had leprosy, she would have married Manoli.For her, that was a nasty ending.If Maria did get leprosy, it would immediately affect her status in the Pandoraki family.Inevitably, they would discover that Maria was not the first Petrakis to live on Spinalonga.Neither ending was ideal, but she couldn't weigh which of the two evils was the lesser.
"What does that mean?" Ana found herself asking.
"I have leprosy," replied her sister.
These words were so harsh that even Anna had no choice but to allow the silence to continue.The three of them stood in the middle of the room, fully understanding what this meant, and there was no need to ask any more.
"I'm going to find Manoli tonight," Giorgis said decisively.
"Go to Alexandros and Elevatoria Vendoraki tomorrow. They should all know sooner."
After speaking, he left.The two daughters sat together for a while, although they had nothing to say to each other.Ana would see her in-laws later tonight, and she wondered whether to tell them before Giorgis had a chance to tell them.Would it lessen the blow if she went to tell them the news?
Although it was late, Giorgis knew that Manoli could be found in the village tavern.He strode in and spoke bluntly, even a little rudely.
"I have to talk to you, Manoli. Alone," he said.
They retreated to a table in the corner, far enough away from the crowd that no one else could hear them.
"I'm afraid I have bad news. Maria can't marry you."
"What happened? Why can't you marry me? Tell me!" Manoli couldn't believe it.He knew that Maria was not feeling well these days, but he just thought it was a small problem, "You must tell me what happened!"
"She has leprosy."
"Leprosy!" he roared.
The word exploded in the tavern like thunder, and the people in the tavern fell silent.However, the word was often heard here as well, and after a few minutes the conversation in the room resumed.
"Leprosy?" he repeated, much softer this time.
"Yes, leprosy. I'll take her to Spinalonga the day after tomorrow."
"How did she get it?" Manoli asked, immediately concerned for his health.
What should Giorgis tell him?Leprosy can lie dormant for years before symptoms appear, and it is likely that Maria was infected by her mother.He thought of Anna and what it meant to her.Although the chances of her getting leprosy were slim, he knew it might take some work to convince the Pandorakis.
"I don't know. But she couldn't infect anyone," he replied.
"I don't know what to say. Terrible news."
Manoli dragged the chair away from Giorgis.This is an unconscious move, but it is full of deep meaning.This person cannot comfort others, nor does he need comfort from others.Giorgis watched him, surprised at what he found.This is not what a man should look like when he is heartbroken and devastated to hear that he cannot marry the woman of his dreams.Manoli was shocked, but by no means devastated.
He felt sorry for Maria, but it wasn't the end of his world.Although he loves her, and he's loved a dozen other women in his life with such affection, he's being realistic.Sooner or later his affections will find another target - Maria is not his only true love.In his experience, love is a commodity, and if you have a natural supply of it, there will always be enough for other women.Poor Maria.Leprosy, as far as he knew, was the most terrible misfortune a man could have, in God's name, but if she caught it too late, he might get it too.Never do this!
The two chatted for a while, and Giorgis got up to leave.He had to get up early to visit Alexandros and Eleftria.When he arrived at Pandoraki's house the next morning, the four of them were already sitting there waiting for him.The tense-looking maid took Giorgis to the dim living room, where Alexandros, Elevatoria, Andres, and Anna all sat like wax figures, indifferent and silent, staring at him.
Concerned that sooner or later the truth about the family's past will be revealed, Anna confesses to Andreas the fact that her mother died on Spinalonga.She had calculated that her honesty would be a virtue in the circumstances.She is going to be disappointed.Even if Alexandros Pandoraki was a sensible man, he knew as much about leprosy as many ignorant peasants.Although Anna insists that leprosy can only be transmitted through close human contact, and even then, the chance of being infected is very small, but he still believes in the ancient myth that the disease is hereditary, and it is found in a family His illness was a curse to the family.Nothing could change his opinion.
"Why did you wait until the last moment to tell us the truth about Maria's leprosy?" he asked, furious. "You've dishonored our family!"
Aleftria tried to restrain her husband, but he was determined to continue: "For our dignity, and for the honor of the Pandoraki family, we will keep Anna in our house, but we will never forgive you for what you have done to us." Deceit. We found out that not one but two of your family have leprosy! If my nephew Manoli marries your daughter, it will get worse. From now on, if you stay away from our family, we Will be glad. Ana can visit you in Plaka, but you will never be welcome here again, Giorgis."
Not a word of concern for Maria, not a moment's thought of the dire situation in which she was now.The Pandoraki family was unanimous, and even the kindest Eleftria sat in silence, fearing that if she spoke for the Petkis family, her husband would take his wrath on her.It's time for Giorgis to go.Without saying a word, he left his daughter's house for the last time.On the drive back to Plaka, he was devastated, whimpering with chest tightness.The home was shattered in the end, ruined forever.
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