plan to discuss Richard’s case with Dr. Schiller and Dr. Johnson, a brain specialist. The three of us will examine test results. As soon as I have news, I’ll have you paged. I suppose you’ll be in the waiting room.”
“Aye, I’ll be there.”
“Why don’t you get out of the hospital for an hour or two and get a bite to eat—that’s my prescription. You have to keep your strength up, you know.” Dr. Olson’s tone showed sympathy and concern for her patient’s uncle.
“Thank ye, Doctor, I think I’ll take your advice.” Mac suddenly felt tired. He realized that, for the last three hours, he had been getting by on adrenaline.
A simple meal at a nearby restaurant boosted his energy, and Mac returned to the hospital. He was directed to a private telephone and called Richard’s Aunt Jennifer. He assured her that all she could do now is pray. He promised to keep her informed. He then called a number of Christian friends, telling them about Richard’s accident and requesting their prayers. He called the senior pastor of their church, who promised to organize a 24-hour prayer chain, including members of the youth group. Mac also called Melissa’s home and spoke to Helen Ingram. She assured Mac that she, her husband Donald, and their daughter would be in prayer for Richard. Helen’s voice revealed that Mac’s bad news had upset her. “I know that this will hit Melissa very hard,” she said, “she thinks a lot of Richard—we all do. Please let us know when we can visit Richard at the hospital.”
“Aye, I will Mrs. Ingram, and I thank ye for your prayers and friendship.”
After placing a few more calls to former colleagues to ask for their prayers, Mac returned to the waiting room. When two more hours passed without any word from Dr. Olson, he became worried and began slowly pacing the length of the spacious room. He had walked from one end of the room to the other several times, when a young man sitting in a secluded corner spoke to him.
“It’s the waiting that’s so hard, isn’t it?”
Mac stopped pacing and looked in the man’s direction. “Di’ ye say somethin’ to me, sir?”
“Oh,” said the man, “I just said that it’s the waiting that’s hard.”
“Aye, I’m no gude at waitin’, though I’ve had a gude deal o’ practice in my life. I suppose you’re waitin’ to hear aboot a patient yourself?”
“I am, yes. A few hours ago, my father went in for bypass surgery. I’m waiting for him to come out of the operation. The surgeon said Dad was a good candidate for the operation. But, he’s not as young as he used to be.”
“I would like to pray for your father. What’s his name?”
“That would be very nice; thank you. My father’s name is Bruce Grant. I’m John Grant.”
“‘Grant’ is a braw name for a man to have, so it is. The clan o’ Grant has a great history in Scotland. The Grants and the MacGregors—I’m a MacGregor—come from the same stock. Where was your father born?”
“Dad was born in Los Angeles. But his parents were born in Inverness, which, I believe, is in Scotland.”
“Aye, Inverness is in the highlands. Ye can take a ruler and draw a straight line doon a map o’ Scotland and intersect Glasgow, where I was born. I can tell ye, any Scot in Scotland knows the Grants are tough fighters, and that weighs in your father’s favor, as he fights to live.”
“You’re right about Dad, he’s tough. Thanks for reminding me, Mr. MacGregor. I feel a lot better.”
Mac was about to respond, when he heard Dr. Olson paging him. As he hurried toward the elevators, he called, “I’ll remember to pray for your father.”
As directed, Mac went to Dr. Schiller’s office where he saw Dr. Olson. He entered and, at her invitation, took a chair near hers.
“Dr. Schiller was supposed to be here, but he received an emergency call and had to leave. And Dr. Johnson was due in surgery. I did talk with both of them before they left.”
Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
