Operation Rock of Ages: Triumphant Illumination

ORA: TI Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The next morning, he heard the familiar creak of the springs of the mattress as Brumley and Bess started moving about in the near dark. Greg gently removed his hand from Sasha's and got up as well. His bones didn't want to move; he was still tired. He could remember the days when a nap could regenerate him. Now, it was a totally different story. He had gotten about four hours of sleep and he could feel his body yelling for more. He had no idea how those two were able to get up at all. They probably both had twenty years on him and yet they were moving like they had all the energy in the world. He groaned and stood up and put his boots on. He checked his weapon and went into the living area and started some coffee. Everyone else was still asleep but himself and the Brumley's. Shachi peeked out of the nursery and noted him. She went back in and went back to sleep. The Sterling's dogs did the same thing. It was still too early for them to be thinking of the restroom, Greg guessed, and started another cup of coffee as Bess came into the room. He handed her the second cup and she thanked him. By time the third cup was ready Mr. Brumley was in and ready to go.

They took their coffee with them. Bess' kitchen staff was all inside already, waiting on her to tell them what to do. She set down to business right away and asked Greg to wait for the food going back to their apartment. She whipped up several boxes worth of stuff and sent him on his way. He noticed that the halls were still empty, which was good and bad. Normally there were some people getting started on their day, very few but some. Not this morning. He arrived back at the apartment and Shoshana greeted him with a pot full of coffee.

"Can you take this down to the clinic? It won't be hot very long but it should be hot enough for a first round until they get back here," Shoshana asked quietly. Greg nodded and rushed as fast as he dared to get the coffee to the clinic. Duncan was up and bleary-eyed.

"Oh, bless you," Duncan said grabbing the pot. He poured himself a cup and drank it down quickly, poured himself another and drank the second in a more normal fashion. Claire came out of one of the rooms of the clinic and poured herself a cup after greeting Greg. "Omar is awake already," Duncan said using a cup to point in Omar's direction. "Want to see if he wants some coffee before the doc says he can't?" Greg nodded and took a cup into the room with him.

"Greg! How wonderful to see you this beautiful morning! I am so excited about today I can hardly wait to start!" Omar exclaimed happily. Greg smiled and motioned by raising the cup that it was for Omar. "No, my friend, go ahead and drink it." Gratefully Greg sipped the perfect temperature coffee, not too hot but not too cold. Greg couldn't think of a thing to say so he didn't speak. He was still trying to think through the prayer from last night.

"Come here, Greg. It seems you have a story to tell me but have lost your voice," Omar said, which confused Greg. He didn't lose his voice, he just wasn't speaking. He tried to tell Omar that but nothing came out. He grabbed his throat and tried again. Dr. Choi came in and saw Greg holding his throat and looking distressed. She rushed to him and asked what was wrong and made him sit down. Omar started laughing.

"Dr. Choi, there is nothing wrong with him! His voice is overwhelmed by a story he has to tell and ran away. Bring him to me, I will pray for him." Dr. Choi ignored Omar but Greg did not. The last time he spoke was when he said 'Amen', he hadn't tried to speak since then. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He prayed for a moment and gently removed Dr. Choi's hands from him where she had been trying to examine his throat. He got up and walked to Omar and placed his trust in the prayer Omar was about to speak over him. Greg took his hand and bowed his head in reverence and looked up in surprise when Omar laughed at his seriousness.

"Greg, relax. I don't know why you lost your voice but I do know it is because of something great you have experienced." Omar said a quick prayer full of joy and thanksgiving to God. Greg was smiling at the joy that was within him. He felt Dr. Choi take his other hand and she tentatively asked for his healing. The two of them closed the prayer and the three of them said Amen together. Just that simply, Greg was able to talk again. He told them about the prayer last night and the mystery person that touched them and prayed with them.