Sal glanced up from his plate, almost cleared save some trails of sauce, at Shelly and then Nick. Shelly gave him a reassuring look.
“Well, she was such a sweet girl,” she said as she put down her fork and dabbed the sides of her mouth with a napkin. “With a beautiful smile. She always said she wanted to be a nurse, and I always joked with her that I would be a doctor like Dr. Wall. She was so scared. Doris had just started at St. Theresa’s, and she would come into our room and be like a big sister to me and like a mom to Kristen. She knew Kristen was alone.” She paused and took a sip of her water. “One day I made a promise to her that we would work together at St. Theresa’s. Later, as I got older, I thought of getting a statue commissioned of her holding hands with children. But I didn’t.” She shrugged. “Anyway, on the day I went home, as my mom was pushing me out the door, I watched Doc Wall and the crash team rush into my old room. And that’s the last time I ever saw her.”
“God, that must have been awful,” said Nick.
“You know, her death was the driving force of who I am today. I really feel my calling is to help sick children, some of whom are just like Kristen. And if I don’t save their lives, no one else will. Just like Mary, Nick. Mary’s alone and she’s scared. I won’t give up. That’s the way I am. But it tears me up sometimes.”
“This Mary, she has no one?” asked Sal.
“Besides her mom who drinks too much, doesn’t like black people, and smells like a stale cigarette? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mary is in state custody any day now. They’ll probably put her into a foster home. It’s sad.”
“What’s the prognosis?” Sal asked.
“Not good, as it’s her second time around with us. Doc Wall saved her, but we’re pretty sure her mom ignored her symptoms and her leukemia came back.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Why would she do that?,” Nick interjected. Sal hung his head, shaking it in disgust.
“So, what was it you wanted to discuss with me, Nick?” Shelly
asked, changing the subject.
“Yes, we have an idea I want to run by you,” said Nick. Sal sat silently sipping his coffee. “Now, I’d like you to keep an open mind. Okay?”