Dad shifted his weight in the uncomfortable waiting room chair when he heard determined footsteps. He looked up and saw a man in scrubs with blue protective booties over his shoes. The man’s face looked serious and tense.
“Mr. Stevens?” the man asked as he approached my father.
“Yes.” Dad stood and shook the man’s hand.
“I’m Dr. Mark. We removed your wife’s gall bladder, but she won’t wake up.”
Dad’s posture stiffened. “What? What do you mean?”
“Your wife’s heart stopped, Mr. Stevens,” said the doctor, “but we it got it started again. But she’s unconscious, so . . .”
“Is she dead?” Dad gasped.
Dr. Mark exhaled loudly, “I can’t say for sure, Mr. Stevens. But we need to act quickly to find out what’s wrong and hopefully bring her back for you. We need your permission to…”
“Do what you need to, Doctor,” Dad interrupted in a shaky voice, staring at the floor. “Just do it…go ahead and do it…”
“Thank you, Mr. Stevens.” Dr. Mark turned and walked quickly down the hall as Dad collapsed into the chair and buried his face in his hands.
KERRY L STEVENS 