Softly Awaken

 

 

Chapter Seven

 

*****

The wind blows wherever it pleases.

You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.

 So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

                       John 3:8

*****

 

“So you really think you’re leaving County?” asked Gallant.

 

The medical student had joined Jing Mei in the cafeteria during her lunch break.  They’d been talking about making it through life in County.  She laughed to herself.  Apparently she couldn’t.  “Pretty sure,” replied Jing Mei.  “So a little advice from a once know-it-all med student?  Realize you don’t know it all and listen to the doctors and the nurses.  Oh, and also, sometimes it is good to question things.”

 

The dark African American student nodded.  “Yeah, I’ve had a little taste of that already.  Sometimes there were times when I didn’t think I could make it, but Dr. Carter told me I could.  I always got the feeling that the doctors here aren’t too keen on med students.”

 

Jing Mei smirked.  “You get used to it.  They have to sift the wheat from the chaff.  Not all the student’s learning here will make it out alive, if you know what I mean?”  Jing Mei finished the last bite of her sandwich.  “John’s a good teacher.  You can learn a lot from him.  He’s got the heart, and that’s exactly what you want.”

 

Gallant seemed to ponder on her comments for a moment before taking another spoonful of pudding.  “I heard you were good too.  The nurses talked about when you were a med student here.  What does it take to be a great doctor?”

 

Jing Mei smiled half-heartedly.  “Well I was a different person back then.  A lot of things have changed.  People have left; new people have taken their places.  I don’t know.  But if you want to know my opinion Gallant, from what I’ve seen, you’ve got what it takes.  Just don’t let the bad stuff kick you down and out.  You were in the military right?”

 

Gallant nodded.  “Yeah.”

 

Jing Mei patted his hand.  “Take the discipline and the toughness that you learned there and bring it to the ER.  And,” she paused and looked over Gallant’s shoulder.  “Don’t be like him.”

 

Gallant frowned.  “Who?”  Gallant began to say something when Dr. Pratt slapped him on the back.  “How’s it going beautiful?” Pratt asked arrogantly, directing his greeting to the Asian doctor.

 

Jing Mei rolled her eyes.  “Like I said, you’ll do fine if you’re not like him.”  She picked up her tray of empty wrappers and smirked.  “Another pro for Mercy!” Jing Mei mumbled to herself.

 

Dr. Pratt rubbed the back of his head.  “What?” he asked.

 

“Never mind Dr. Pratt,” replied Gallant, who stifled his laughter.  Jing Mei winked at the somewhat timid medical student as she walked away.  “I’ll see ya around Gallant.”  And in the background she could hear Pratt questioning Gallant about the meaning of their conversation

 

~~~

 

Abby sat in the busy coffee shop looking out the second floor window.  It had a wonderful view of the Chicago streets and the street lamps were already burning.  As she pondered about the afternoon meeting, Abby couldn’t help but analyze her relationship with John.  She was attracted to him, and he was attentive and caring.  But somehow Abby found her thoughts drifting to Luka.

 

“Hey!” Susan greeted, holding a large mug of hot chocolate.  “Have you been waiting long?”

 

Abby smiled and shook her head.  “No.  I’ve been here a few minutes.  Not long at all.”

 

Susan took a sip of her hot chocolate and licked her upper lip, which had a whip cream mustache.  “Good.  I’m glad.  I was worried I might run late because of a ruptured appendix.  The surgeons were all tied up and we had to take it in the ER.”

 

Abby nodded and took another sip of her cappuccino.  “So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” asked Abby, who had been curious about what Susan wanted to ask her.

 

Susan smiled sheepishly.  “Oh, uh.  Well,” mumbled Susan.  “It’s really stupid.”  Abby watched Susan nervously tuck a lock of her short blond hair behind her ear.

 

Abby shook her head.  “I’m sure it’s not.  Really.  Now what was it?”

 

Susan bit her lip and smiled.  “Uh, are you and Luka kind of over?”

 

The question took Abby by surprise.  “Yeah, why?” frowned Abby.

 

“Well, I’ve been getting a vibe from Luka and I wasn’t sure if was kosher with you?”

 

Abby swallowed and raised her eyebrows.  “Well, I…”  She was speechless.  “I’m sure if he likes you then it must be right?”  Abby managed to spit out.

 

She hadn’t thought Luka would move on so soon.  The thought made her heart skip a beat.  Abby pushed those thoughts out of her head.  ‘Susan was a great doctor and a good friend.  Why should I have any problems with this?’ thought Abby.

 

“Great!” chirped Susan who seemed relieved.  “I mean, it’s not like he’s asked me out or anything, but we seem to work well with one another and get along really well.  He’s got a great sense of humor.  Kind of dry ya know?”

 

Abby licked her lips and plastered a smile on her face.  “Oh, yeah, sure.  He’s really funny!”

 

Susan gushed.  “I really have to say that when he did that rendition of Hamlet in Croatian, my god!”  She giggled.  “I can see why you dated him!”

 

Abby nodded and smiled half-heartedly.  “Uh yeah.”

 

Suddenly Susan’s eyes opened wide!  “Oh my gosh!  I’m sorry,” Susan apologized.  “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable!  We can change the subject!”  Her face began to flush and Susan hid her face in her hands.

 

Abby inhaled and smiled.  “No.  Really it’s fine!  I mean it’s girl talk right?  Why shouldn’t I be fine with it?  I’ve got John who’s amazing!  Why shouldn’t you go after Luka?”

 

Abby tried to mean it, but all she could think of was Luka kissing Susan and it made her stomach want to wretch.  But he’s not yours to think about anymore, right?  Abby sighed and took a big gulp of her lukewarm cappuccino.

~~~

 

Luka walked down the same street as always, but this time, instead of speeding by the old cathedral, Luka stopped and slowed down.  ‘Well feel free to drop by anytime!’  The older gentleman’s voice kept ringing through his head.  Unexpectedly, Luka found his hand pressing against the iron gate barring the path to the church.

 

As he entered the cathedral he crossed himself, out of habit.  Luka walked to the front of the church.  It had no distinguishing features, except the large cross that sat upon a dusty table.  Everything seemed quite old and either full of cobwebs or covered with dust.  “Hello?” Luka called.  “Anyone here?”

 

Luka sat down on a nearby pew, close to the alter of the church.  It had been ages since he’d been in a church, other than to attend to the Bishop.  He’d come away from that experienced changed.  Luka didn’t know in what way, but he’d felt it.  Gazing at the architecture though, Luka could tell a lot of craftsmanship went into the making of the building

 

“Oh the winds are a changing!” an Irish brogue echoed through the church.

 

Luka turned to find a fragile old man, leaning on a cane staring at him.  He had a big smile on his face and his eyes twinkled.  “I dinnae think any ladies came to this church no more!” he continued.  Luka watched the man slowly make his way towards the front of the church.  He rose from the pew to help the man but the gentleman waved him off.  “Oh, I don’t need no help.  I have my trusty stick to guide me!”  The old man waved his cane in the air.

 

Luka motioned for him to sit down in the pew.  “I didn’t think there was anyone here.”

 

The old man nodded.  “Nope.  No one comes round here no more!  Except I, and a few of me other friends,” the old man winked at him, which made Luka smile.

 

“Well it is old, but it looks like it was a great on in its day.”

 

The senior smiled.  “Yes, it was.”  He stopped and closed his eyes for a moment and then suddenly he burst out with energy.  He stood up and held out his hand.  “I’m sorry, don’t know where me mannas are.  You can call me McGregor.”

 

Luka nodded.  “I’m Luka.”  He reached out and took the old man’s hand.

 

“Well, so what are you doing here?  You don’t seem like the kind of man who thinks he needs the Lord.”  McGregor squinted and then continued.  “Yup, I can tell.  You’ve lost your faith!”

 

Luka smiled half-heartedly.  “It’s hard having faith sometimes,” he sighed as he sat down on the pew.  McGregor joined him, placing his cane on the pew beside him.

 

“Why’s that?”

 

“Bad things happen; nothing seems right.  Things always change.”  Luka tried to hide the cynicism in his voice, but knew the old man could see right through him with his dark brown eyes.

 

“Well, change is a good thing.  Sometimes it’s hard, but in the end, you’ll end up with something better,” spouted McGregor.

 

“Well, so far all the changes haven’t turned into something better for me,” mumbled Luka.

 

McGregor put his arm around Luka’s shoulder and sighed.  “You hafta work with it laddie.  You can’t get lemonade without squeezing no lemons!”

 

Luka shook his head and laughed.  “Right, I forgot that part in the Bible…”

 

Luka looked beside him to hear the old man’s reply, but found no one beside him.  He frowned.  Luka shook his head and rubbed his face.  What was happening?

 

The old Irish man’s brogue voice chimed in his head.  “O the winds are a changing!”