Legacy of the Dreams

Chapter 99 - At the Hospital

Susan sent an email to her manager and her co-workers late Sunday evening, explaining that Melody was ill and in the hospital, and she would be taking Monday off. Monday morning, when Greg and Susan made the trek to the hospital in Malibu before dawn, Susan received multiple emails back from colleagues sending their good wishes. Some even sent their prayers.

"That is so nice of them," Susan remarked.

Greg arched a brow. "That your friends from work might be willing to pray for you?"

"Sort of," Susan told him. "We don't talk about things like religion or faith at work. It's company policy not to."

"And yet your colleagues are good people. They care about you. That was obvious from the welcome home party they held for you more than 6 years ago," Greg recalled.

"Maybe, Greg. But I work with different people now than I did then. And even those I've known a long time have never met Melody. Things have changed at work over the years," Susan pointed out.

"It doesn't matter. They know she is your daughter, and as such is important to you," Greg reminded her.

Susan looked down into her lap and nodded as he drove. Greg thought she might be saying a little prayer, because she momentarily closed her eyes.

"Things will be alright," Greg said, trying to reassure her.

Susan nodded again. "I know."

They didn't talk anymore. Instead they did what they could to arrive at the hospital as early as possible.

The clock in the lobby read 5:00 a.m. when Greg and Susan walked in. There was no one seated at the welcome desk and the security guard arched a brow at them when they approached.

"Visiting hours don't start until 8:00 o'clock," the guard told them.

"Yes, we know," Greg assured the man. "We simply came early with the hope of being present when either of our daughter's physicians, Dr. Bowers or Dr. Lin, makes their rounds this morning."

"Who is your daughter?" the security guard asked, consulting a computer at the welcome desk.

"Melody Abernathy," Greg told him.

"Not Melody Gaffney?" the guard asked in surprise.

Greg arched a brow, realizing he'd been recognized and that the guard was probably a fan. He smiled at the man, explaining that 'Gaffney' was his stage name.

"I understand, Mr. Gaffney," the guard said. "You can go on upstairs. Dr. Lin should already be in the hospital. Dr. Bowers isn't, but she is."

"She beat us here?" Susan said in dismay.

"Dr. Lin never checked out after coming in late last night," the security guard confirmed.

"I think she may have been here for another patient," Greg suggested.

"That may be," the guard said amicably. "Those pediatric doctors come and go at the oddest hours sometimes."

"Thank you," Greg told him, and he escorted Susan to the elevator.

All was quiet when Greg and Susan emerged from the elevator on the fourth floor. It was the lull Susan remembered from her nursing days, that hour before the shift change; before the laboratory sent personnel to collect specimens, before patients scheduled for surgery were wheeled away, before the food carts came or the last round of vitals for the night was taken. An hour from now, it would be a busy place, but at the moment, everything was quiet.