Boundless Love (A Limitless Love Series.): (Christian Romance)

CHAPTER 7

Nurse Halima traipsed from the laboratory, results in hand. The usually warm corridor was now welcoming the evening breeze. She snuggled her sweater a little closer and hoped that the file in her hand contained the elusive answers; they had been seeking all afternoon.

The young boy's condition was only getting worse, none of the tests they had done so far had revealed what ailed the little boy. She sent a prayer to her Heavenly Father thanking him for the kind doctor who had not stopped researching on the condition. She pushed open the door to their office. Ryan sat behind the desk frantically scribbling on his notepad. He looked up and extended his hand to receive the file.

One look at the document therein and he tossed it aside crestfallen. Halima watched as his hands formed into fists. She had watched all afternoon as the man in front of her wielded the weight of the world upon his shoulders. The playful carefree doctor was long gone and was now replaced by an overburdened soul who was bound to break soon. She moved to his side and placed a hand on his fist. Ryan jerked a little at the sudden touch. He raised his eyes to meet her doe eyes and the dimpled smile that accompanied them.

"Come with me, Dr. Mitchell. I think you need a break."

"I can't Halima. I have to find out what ails this child before it's too late."

"I know. Someone else would have given up by now but you have worked on this case since you came in at 11 am this morning and I know you need a break. I haven't worked as hard as you and even I need some fresh air. Come with me, doc." She tightened her hold on his rigid fist.

Ryan wanted to protest, he never gave up on a patient. As long as the patient was breathing, he usually did everything within his power, to deny the eager clutches of death. This had been his routine ever since his first loss, intern year. Sure, his attending Dr. had taken the blame but Ryan would always carry the death of that pregnant woman in his conscience.

He sighed in defeat Halima was right, he was tired and couldn't think anymore. He relaxed his rigid hand in her warm one and let her interlock her fingers with his. He ignored the shivers flowing through his spine and let her pull him to his feet. She led him out of the office and to the back of the hospital where a set of emergency stairs led to the roof.

They took one step at a time on the rusty steps, as he hoped the rickety appliance would be able to hold their weight. His worries were dispersed once they emerged at the top of the hospital where a delightful view awaited them. The last traces of the sun could be seen on the horizon as the orange ball sank behind the curtain. The evening breeze blew unhindered at this height, it freed his mind and he was grateful he had accepted the invitation.

He turned around to see Halima sitting on a plastic chair, she gestured a welcome to the empty one beside her. He obliged.

"Where did these seats come from?"

"I live here... I mean I live around here and spend a lot of time in the hospital. I discovered the rooftop access a while back by chance. So I come here often to unwind. It's my secret place."

"But there are two chairs."

"Yeah, I brought that one up here for you an hour ago, right about the time you first looked like you wanted to punch something. I knew you needed a break."

"Thank you. I can get pretty consumed sometimes."

"Can I ask you, what drives you, Dr. Mitchell?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, everyone has something that drives them, yours is intense. What is it?"

"I don't like losing patient's, especially if I can prevent it, isn't that why we became doctors? These people come to us with the hope that we have a solution to what ails them. We can give their lives back to them, I like living up to their expectations. I didn't become the best in my field by chance. If the answers are out there, I will find them."

"May, I speak freely?"

"Aren't we already?"

"OK, I realize I do not know you very well but I think you are trying to be God, or rather are trying to do God's work. We can only do so much, we treat them and then leave Him to do the rest, you can't promise life doc, just as it's not ours to take, it's also not ours to give."

"I'm not trying to be God, first and foremost because you can't see God and I like to be seen. Secondly, Nurse Halima have you ever lost a patient?"

"Of course I have..."

"No I don't mean have you ever lost a patient who happened to be on your service. I mean has one died out of your negligence or lack of skill?" He stared as she shook her head. "Of course not, because you are just a nurse. The patients don't look up to you to save their lives or whatever. So, of course, you have the luxury of leaving it to God."

She stared in disbelief as the once honorable and intelligent doctor showed a new side of himself, it was one that she pitied. His lack of knowledge for her Heavenly Father became clear. How he carried himself and even how he spoke to his patients, the man didn't believe in God.

"Are you an atheist, Dr. Mitchell?"

"I don't subscribe to any religious beliefs or lack thereof."

"I see. That explains a lot about you." She stood up and staring into his eyes she continued; "That's a pity." She walked off leaving him staring at her retreating form.