Chapter 2 - Life is . . . Beautiful

In the backyard of the house at 72 Orchard Street, located in town X, there is a courtyard with a children's playground that has a slide climbing the stepping stones to get out, a swing, and a small pool. The house is not very large. It has a living room and a kitchen downstairs, a small terrace in front, and 3 bedrooms upstairs. The Stone family lives in that house. It's the house where Mary grew up, where she was born, and where she lived with her parents, who are now deceased.

***

- A Long Time Ago -

Mary and her mother are in the living room where Mary has just opened a letter.

"Mom! I'm going to the faculty of medicine in New York! They want me!" Mary exclaimed.

When she saw her daughter so happy, Mary's mother smiled, even though it was clear that she was ill.

"I told you that being the valedictorian in high school would help you. Would help us," Mary's mother said through her fit of coughing. She coughs again, but more powerfully. She stops for a moment and then continues. "I wish your father were here to see his daughter, to see how beautiful and smart she is."

"Yes, I wish daddy were here, too."

"But he sees you, from where he is. And he sees that his daughter is a good person, just like he was."

Mary sighs and smiles at her mother. "Yes, he sees me."

"And I will see you becoming the best cardiologist."

Three years later, Mary's mother dies too.

***

- After some years -

After graduating high school as valedictorian in her little town, Mary attended the faculty of medicine in New York. She became a very good cardiologist. And even if she had many offers from the biggest hospitals, she decided to return to her hometown and practice at A New Hope in Life, the small town hospital.

Mary is inside Dr. Wilson Grand's office. Wilson Grand is a famous doctor at National Hospital in New York. After Mary became a good cardiologist, she soon stood out as the top of the young doctors. Now she is sitting in front of one of the greatest doctors.

"Mary, you know you are one of the best cardiologists, and we need you," Dr. Grand told her.

"Yes, I know," she said with modesty.

"You have had so many offers from some of the biggest hospitals in the country, and you can go where ever you want, even here at National Hospital."

"Yes, but like I already said-"

"You decided to return to your hometown and practice medicine at that hospital . . . what's its name?" the doctor asked with a smile on his face, although it was obvious that he is not happy about her decision.

"It's called A New Hope in Life."

"But they can't afford to perform open-heart surgery, a very expensive procedure," said Dr. Grand.

"I will bring the surgery patients here to the National Hospital in New York. A New Hope in Life will have a contract with the National Hospital," Mary explained to him.

"And the money for the equipment and all other things?" Dr. Grand asked.

"Foundations, town hall meetings, and the goodwill of people. And with that money we will construct a new surgical wing and purchase new equipment."

"You see, that's why I want you here, you have solutions for everything," said Dr. Grand without any smile this time.

After a short break, Mary tried to speak. "Like I said-"

But Dr. Grand wouldn't let her continue. It was too hard for him to lose such a good doctor like Mary. "Yes, even if it's hard for us, we respect your decision regarding A New Hope in Life."

"Thank you for all your help and understanding," Mary replied.

"You shouldn't thank me. We should thank you for being such a good doctor. And don't forget that we still need you," Dr. Grand reminded her.

So, a great cardiologist became the best doctor in a hospital that couldn't offer more. But this little hospital that couldn't deal with demanding treatment and that couldn't offer more than a few beds for hospitalization, became famous, not only in Mary's small town, but also in nearby villages.

At first it was hard, but in time Mary and the other doctors fought to purchase medical equipment required for various operations. With the money from donations, Mary succeeded in organizing the construction of the new surgical wing and purchasing new equipment.

People diagnosed with serious heart problems by Mary Stone herself, were transported to New York for surgery that Mary performs. Together with Dr. Wilson Grand, Mary operated on Christine, one girl who was only seven years old. Christine is Susan White's daughter, the principal from the private school No. 5, where Angel studies.

Very sick, having been born with a heart malformation, Christine had only a maximum of two years to live. When Christine's mother learned the diagnosis of her daughter from Mary, she was devastated. She registered her daughter on the waiting list for a new heart and waited and waited and waited. After almost one year, her waiting ended. Her joy was boundless. They found a heart for the little girl.

The surgery was a success, and now Christine is monitored by Mary, because she must return to the hospital regularly.

***

- Few years ago -

A group of doctors are speaking inside the corridors of National Hospital. Susan White, with tears in her eyes, approaches Mary.

"You gave me back my life. You gave me back the wish to live. My daughter is everything to me. And you gave her back to me. First, God gave her to me and now you gave her back to me again. You are my second God."

"Susan!"

"I don't know how to thank you. Never will I be able to thank you in this life," said Susan.

"I only did my job," Mary reminded her.

"Whatever you need, I promise I'll help you whenever you need it. Be sure about that," said the crying woman.

"It's okay, Susan. Don't worry."

"You know, I'm not sorry about getting this heart. Maybe it means I'm a bad person, because, from the suffering of some parents who lost a child in a car accident, my joy has been reborn," added Susan.

The famous Dr. Wilson Grand was also there and added, "This is life. Sometimes that's how the joy of life is: born from the suffering of others. You are not a bad person, Susan. You love your daughter so much, like any mother does. And let's thank God we have such a good doctor as Mary here, and let's hope she will never leave us."

"Let's hope you will never ask me to come again," said Mary, smiling at Dr. Wilson.

"You know we'll never ask you not to come. We need you. I need you, and the patients need you as well," said the old doctor seriously. He touched Mary's shoulder, as a father would touch his daughter's shoulder.

So the two women-Mary and Susan, Christine's mother-became the best friends.

Mary spends much time diagnosing the illnesses of the different people in her small town, including the elderly and children. And her involvement consists of, not only diagnosing, but also struggling to bring in the necessary medications for her diagnosed patients. Sometimes it is difficult to find the treatment prescribed by a doctor, especially in a small town. But even if the treatment must be brought in from afar, Mary does whatever it takes to provide it for her patients.

And even though the job takes her away from her daughter, she can see her Angel sleeping in the early mornings as she leaves for the hospital, and she can see her sleeping again when she comes back home late from the hospital.

Mary takes care of her patients . . .

***

- Present -

The Stone family is outside in the courtyard. Mary is free and spends the Sunday with the family, while Sam does something else.

There is a member of the family who is a true angel and whose name is Angel Stone. Angel is a beautiful and good child and, at only seven years old, very intelligent. A child who is loved so much, not only by her two parents, but also by her neighbors, relatives, and family friends.

All of them are in the backyard, a courtyard bordered by flowers. In front of the house is a small garden with flowers, too. Flowers are blooming everywhere. It's spring. Outside, in the courtyard, it is a beautiful sunny day. The birds are singing. It's noon.

"Mommy, which flower do you like most?" Angel asked her mother.

Mary is holding her daughter in her arms. She looks at her Angel with love and answers, "Let me think . . . no, wait, let's see if you can guess."

The little girl begins to think, and then answers, "Lilies?"

"No," answers Mary.

"Tulips?"

"No."

The girl is laughing because she knows which flower is her mother's favorite. "Then, what is it?" she asks.

The mother looks into Angel's eyes. She is very serious, but suddenly she begins to smile. "Angel is my favorite flower!" Mary told her and throws a rain of kisses upon Angel, making her laugh heartily. The girls start to play together, while Sam is building a bird cage.

"Look, Angel! Can you see that? Daddy has just built a bird cage!"

Angel begins to shout and jump. "Yes! Daddy is the best builder!"

The girl runs to hug her father. It is one of the happiest days for this girl named Angel. Her mother and father stay with her all day. Her father built a small bird cage and installed it in a tree in the yard. And now it is ready, a home for birds.

Her father hugs her and starts to spin her around. Angel is laughing louder, and her mother comes to play and starts to spin her too, and so all are happy spending the Sunday together.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***