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I felt a lump rise in my throat.
"I-I don't know what to say, except thank you, Dr. Talib. My life has also been forever changed by being here. I will never forget the kindness shown to me by this country and its wonderful people."
He slowly backed out of the room, leaving as silently as he arrived.
I looked at the sculpture that lay heavily in my hand. I realized I overlooked something massive this week. I couldn't wait to get back to tell the boys.
As I examined the sculpture, I saw the rough edges where Dr. Talib used his tools. I rotated the sculpture, examining it from every angle I could. And that's when I saw it. An inscription on the bottom:
Everything unfolds in beautiful ways.
There appeared to be a theme that kept showing up on this trip, and it was about time I listened to it and did what was right.
Because everything does unfold in beautiful ways. And I just had to give up my need to try to control it.
"Karen!" I shouted excitedly. "Let's get going home!"
Chapter 34
Calla
Iwarmed my hand around my coffee mug as we sat in our weekly staff meeting. The doctor-owners would go over what happened this past week and what we had to look forward to next week.
The meeting continued as usual. Going over supplies, patient loads, doctor needs and any other concerns.
Dawn from logistics piped up. "We had confirmation that all the supplies for Dr. Harrington's mission arrived in time. Has anyone else heard anything about anything else? Dr. Harrington or Karen?"
A murmur went through the staff. Logan sat up. "No, we haven't heard anything, but Dom mentioned that we should expect that. He couldn't be sure he would have a connection until he left. We all know that the week that we take for this kind of work is very hectic and exhausting. I'm glad we were able to send Karen to be with him, but I'm sure they will need some downtime for themselves and their families when they are back. In fact, they should be boarding their return flight pretty soon, since they are seven hours ahead of us at the moment." Logan looked at his watch. "Well, maybe not quite yet, but in the next few hours. Then I hope we will hear from them that all has gone well this week."
Hugo nodded at Dawn. "We appreciate your concern. We have all been a little nervous this week. This mission was a higher than average risk for us…"
Austin interrupted quickly, "But nothing we didn't fully assess before making the decision to go."
"Wait," I said. "What do you mean by 'higher risk'?"
I could see the doctors look at each other and a look of "Oh shit" shining brightly on Hugo's face. Clearly, he said something he wasn't supposed to.
Hugo hesitated but said, "I misspoke. However, Somalia is known for unrest…"
Logan interrupted again, "But we're sure everything is going to be okay."
"I don't get it. I feel like there's something you're not telling us." I started to panic. My heart rate raced and I could feel myself losing the ability to breathe.
"Calla!" cried one of the nurses. She came to put her arm around me, then said to another nurse, "Gwen, quickly go get a paper bag. Calla is having a panic attack."
I crumpled into my chair, unable to understand what was happening. Was Dom in danger? Why hadn't anyone told me? Was there a reason why no one has heard from him? What if…? I started to uncontrollably cry as I gasped for breath.
Logan took control. "Everyone out. Please. We'll take care of this." Someone brought a paper bag for me to breathe into and a glass of water. Another person brought in a warm blanket along with a box of tissue.
Logan sat beside me and put his arm comfortingly around me. "Calla, breathe. 1..2..3..4, that's right. Slow it right down."
I could see Hugo looking sheepish. As my breathing came more into control, he looked at me and said, "Calla, I'm very sorry. I wasn't supposed to say anything."
I looked up at him. At them all. "What weren't you supposed to say?"
They looked at each other.
I screamed as the tears ran down my face. "TELL ME! TELL ME NOW!"
