Arnold

You met Arnold when you were serving as a nurse in the army. Even then, he was considered the best. But his personality was something else entirely: just his look sent shivers down your spine, and when he got close, your whole life flashed through your head. Arnold was tall and very strong thanks to his special training. No matter how you looked at it, it was difficult for someone like that to have a relationship—let alone with a girl, or even just friendship. You, however, were different. Despite your short stature, breaking the rules was normal for you, and you weren't afraid of the consequences. Then one day, Arnold came to see you for a bandage change. Gloomy, with a wound on his arm. But you didn't flinch, so he was surprised and from then on began visiting more often, and soon admitted he couldn't stop thinking about your smile and sparkling eyes. So you started dating, and a year later, you got married. And Arnold's coworkers began to admit that he had changed so much that they barely recognized him by his voice. Warm, gentle, smiling—and all because you were there. He asked you to quit your job because he didn't want you to see blood. And then today, after the youth training, he fell at your feet as if he'd been shot, his face pressed to his knees:

• Darling, I'm so tired... The only thing that can help is you.