"Mom needs help! She needs a hospital now, or she's going to die. Dad, we have to do something." pleaded Ezekiel.
Outside, the neighbor's goat bleated, as if she shared in the young man's grief. In an almost mournful tone, the rooster across the road declared the beginning of another day.
"I'm trying. You know that I go out every day looking for work - any work! Ezekiel, yesterday I didn't get enough for the flour needed to bake today's bread. How could I pay a doctor?" he asked, with sadness and guilt.
"I don't know, maybe just go talk to them?" Ezekiel suggested, his voice cracking with emotion.
"What can I tell them? That she is dying, but we don't have any money? They hear that every day. No, the only one who can help her is God. Unless you suddenly become a doctor."
"Me? But I'm only a boy. How could I learn how to be a doctor fast enough to help her?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"You can't. But it's the only thing I can think of. Unless you have another idea?" asked Ezekiel's father, hopelessness thick in his voice.
"I'll do my best to think of something, maybe I could learn just enough." he said.
"Just try to earn enough to get something for her to eat tonight. What you're thinking takes years, and she might not have weeks." he replied, choking back tears.
Ezekiel then left his modest but tidy home, and went to the market. As he roamed around, looking for a likely spot to sell the tiny carvings which he made in the evenings, he felt a sharp pain in his back.
"Don't turn around, just keep on walking. Head for that alley on the other side of the square." growled a raspy voice.
In the alley:
"Good job, Lonnie. Now let's see what excuse my esteemed employee has for missing work yesterday." said a young man, around Ezekiel's age. Three others, all a bit older, and at least a third heavier, snickered.
"Marco. I'm very sorry, I was home all day. My mother was running a high fever, and I needed to attend to her.
"Well, since it was just once... I guess you can make it up to us by giving us everything you make for the next month. But don't let it happen again, or your dear mum might not have to put up with you lazing around the house all day."
Lonnie laughed. "Our friend here really should stop bugging her so much!" agreed the tall, lithe youth."
"Right you are, we'd be doing her a favor if we just did it now." replied Marco, grinning.
Ezekiel slowly backed away, at the same time gauging the distance to the road. "I'll never make it... Lonnie is the fastest runner in the city." he thought to himself.
"Oh, just relax. I'm not going to do anything yet." Marco said, laughing.
Ezekiel breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll do better from now on." he promised, lowering his eyes.
"Be sure you do. Now on your way!" Marco said, as he motioned towards the street.
Once he was well away from them, the youth lost himself in the crowd, and just walked. "Now I won't be able to bring home any food... Not for a long time. Maybe I really should try to learn how to heal my mom. I know it's a long shot, but it can't hurt to try. I will go to Drakeswilling, and talk to the people at the hospital. Maybe they will teach me how to help her. If not, at least I can sell my wares without those thugs stealing my money, and send it back to help Mom and Dad." he thought, as his feet subconsciously took him to the bus.
In Drakeswilling:
"Excuse me, Sir. Do you know the way to Drakeswilling Memorial Hospital?" asked Ezekiel, looking up into the face of a tall, gangly man with silver hair.
"Yes I do, I'm going there myself in about 45 minutes." he replied, taking in the bedraggled and exhausted appearance of the lad.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Sir. I hope you are well soon." he said sincerely.
"Oh, why thank you. But I'm not ill. I will be escorting my aunt, for her yearly examination." the older man replied, kindly.
"I'm glad it's nothing serious. Can you please give me directions, Sir?" asked Ezekiel.
"I can take you, if you would like to wait with me? It's quite a walk from here." he offered, smiling.
"Thank you, Sir. I would like that very much." said Ezekiel, relieved to have found a kind person in the strange city.
"So why are you going to the hospital, if you don't mind me asking? Is a friend or family member ill?" he asked, making conversation.
"Sort of... I think my mom is dying, and I want to learn how to make her well." Ezekiel replied, starting to choke up at the thought of how weak she had been when he left.
"Ah... Why doesn't she come and visit the hospital?" asked the kind stranger.
"We don't have any money. But I thought if I could learn how to take care of her..."
"I think I understand now. We can talk more about this later, Aunt Dani is about to arrive."
In Drakeswilling Memorial Hospital:
"Aunt Dani, you're in good hands now. I'll be right here waiting for you. Meanwhile, I believe that I have some business to attend to with our young friend here." he said, smiling.
"I'm sorry, I don't understand, Sir." Ezekiel said, confused.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Dr. Monroe Porvis. Around here, they usually call me Medical Director Porvis, but I like Monroe better. It suits me. Don't you agree?" he asked, his chocolate colored eyes sparkling merrily.
"Yes, Sir." replied Ezekiel.
"You said you would like to help your mom. Medical training takes years. Why don't you just have her come here? I'll have a look, and see what's wrong. After all, I've had a few years experience." he said with a chuckle.
"Yes Sir!!!" Ezekiel repeated, this time in a joyful shout.
"I will help you with the arrangements, and see what we can do. I know how worried you are about her, it shows on your face. Unfortunately I can't cure everything, but perhaps my years of knowledge can at least cure your worry."
"You have already done that, Sir. I just know that she will be fine now! There's one more thing though. If you don't mind, I would still like to know how to cure people."
"I think I can help in that area too, as long as you have the dedication." replied the doctor, smiling happily.
Cover image made in Canva using their gallery
