The Demon in Uncle Joe's House

CHAPTER 3

It was past six o'clock in the evening when Uncle Joe was transferred to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). He was on ventilator as the hospital attendants wheeled him in. One of the nurses explained to me that Uncle Joe was on ventilator because he could hardly breath.

It was almost seven o'clock, and since I had nothing to do anymore, I decided to go home. While I was driving, I thought of Uncle Joe's condition. Bronchopneumonia was a deadly disease, and had killed many people. Based on what I had read about the disease, if it's not treated immediately, it could be fatal. Uncle Joe had been sick of the disease for many days. I shuddred at the thought that it might have been late for him.

"God forbid!" I exclaimed.

I had driven for more than half of an hour before I reached home. Mama opened the door for me when I called.

"How's Manong Joe?" she asked as I walked to our living room.

I slumped on the couch feeling drained. Then I replied weakly, "He's in a critical condition, Mama. He's been transferred to the ICU, on ventilator."

"A what?" she asked. Mama had no idea what a ventilator was.

"Ventilator. That would make him breath normally. Uncle Joe had difficulty breathing," I explained.

"Poor Manong Joe! Had we known earlier of his condition, we could have brought him immediately to the hospital," Mama exclaimed.

"I'll go back to the hospital tomorrow to know his condition. Anyway tomorrow is Saturday. I have no office work. That would give me time to monitor his condition in the hospital," I informed her.

"Well, Iho, it had been a long day for you. Come, I'll set the table for your dinner, then you can rest later on," Mama told me.

That's what  I like with Mama. She was a caring woman. Ever since I was a child, she never got tired taking care of my needs. Despite of my age (I am now 36 years old, and still single), she still treated me like a child. Pretty soon, I would marry Rachel. I wonder if she would still pamper me. I feared Rachel might think I was a Mama's boy!

I followed Mama to the dining room. True enough, the table was ready for me. I was tired, but I didn't eat much. I had no appetite. The reason was quite obvious: Uncle Joe's condition was crowding my mind.

Mama was worried. "Iho, you have to eat some more. You might get sick," she implored.

"Don't worry, Mama. I'm full," I assured her.

After brushing my teeth, I went to bed. I tried to get some sleep, but I couldn't. I thought of Uncle Joe. How I wished I could heal him and ease his suffering. Oh, God, save him! I prayed. I got up and walked to my bookshelf. I took out my Bible and located Psalm 23. It read:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."