It took a lot of trials to decide how to write this story of Sabrina, one of the most colourful women in my life. The sixties seem so long ago but memories can be etched in one’s mind that are permanent even at eighty. Going back, there seems to be wave of events and emotions that give life to today, to be written and relived be they joy or tribulations.
It started when a doctor friend, housed in a small house with a wife and six small children, asked me to share an apartment with his sister- in -law since there was no room for her with them. I agreed to meet her at their house on the weekend.
The door opened to reveal a rather bow-legged woman fresh from the shower with a huge white towel wrapped around her head. On closer look I saw a glorious face that could launch a fleet of ships. Her name was Sabrina.
“So, you’re the illustrious technician my brother-in-law mentioned,” said Sabrina. “Where did you get that beat-up vehicle? Gaud, I thought you’d be driving a Porche and wearing furs!“ I felt my eyes narrow and my cheeks burn. I didn’t like this one bit!
I waited for a half hour until she dried her hair, but I felt like running. Then we headed out to check out the advertised flat in a home near the hospital where we would both be working with her on the obstetrics’ floor and me in the basement.
The house had an upstairs all set up to move in with nothing but a suitcase. At $100 monthly, it was a steal if this nurse and technician could stand each other.
Sabrina’s sister was a salvation for me since she was pretty, kind and helped us get to know each other. An apartment was a step up from a bed sitting room I had known for months. This had to be better.
There was little luggage, but unpacking gave us time to relate. Sabrina had been working in Texas but she had a conflict with the head nurse and wanted to live near her sister. She volunteered that she had a temper to control and often spoke out of turn. I had seen that.
In the sunlight I saw her high cheekbones, porcelain skin, dark brown eyes and raven hair. She was in her thirties and a beauty but unmarried nor attached to anyone. On the Island she would have been wed in her twenties.
Our first trip out to the theatre was a treat. Sabrina stood out in a red dress and shawl. An attention getter, her perfect smile drew even my friends to her side. Where did she come from? Who was she? How did we meet?
