One Day Can Change Your Life
By Evy.-N.
Chapter 8
For three days Michaela and Dr. Thomas Stevenson met and shared their medical knowledge and he was very impressed. They took a fancy to each other and very fast they had confidence in each other. Like brother and sister though, not like woman and man. Michaela told him about her life in Colorado Springs, about Sully, about her children and why she had come to Boston. Thomas told her about his family in New York and his sister he had loved so much. He also told her about his fiancée Louisa. Michaela felt much better after she had told Thomas all her worries.
"Dr. Quinn, would you call me Thomas, please?"
Michaela hesitated a moment, "Well, then you must call me Mike."
"Mike?"
"That's what my father called me."
"Then ok. Mike." He smiled at her.
"Mike, I would like to make a suggestion to you. Would you like to practice at the Boston Memorial?"
Michaela's heart started to race. "At the Boston Memorial?" It sounded like a dream for her. In the past she had worked here together with her father sometimes.
"Yes Mike, so many women want to be treated by a woman physician."
"But Thomas, I have my own praxis in Colorado. I won't stay long in Boston. Only a few weeks."
"You can use my doctor's room. Perhaps twice or thrice a week for a few hours. We will see then how the female patients will accept this offer. Please Mike, say yes!"
"But you said to Dr. Alcott and Dr. Bates female patients bring a lot of extra money for the clinic. Is it because of the money you make me this offer, Thomas?"
"No Mike, not at all! You have to believe me. Money is the only argument that can convince my colleagues. I don't care about money. I would like that female doctors are finally accepted. Female doctors like you…," he said "….and Susan," he added with a low voice.
She thought about his statement and she knew he was right.
"Well, I'll accept your offer. Thrice a week I'll come to the clinic. Then we'll see how many patients will come. And if it is successful you can hire a woman physician for good."
"Oh thank you Mike, thank you."
"But first you have to convince Dr. Alcott and Dr. Bates and the chief of staff."
"Don't worry Mike. If I have introduced you to them they can't escape your charm anymore."
Michaela blushed and lowered her face.
Four days later at the Quinn residence in Beacon Hill, Elizabeth, Michaela, her sisters with families, Dr. Thomas Stevenson and his fiancée Louisa and also Dr. Alcott, Dr. Bates and the chief of staff Dr. Scott with their spouses sat on the table in the dining room. Thomas got up and raised his glass. "May I ask for your attention, please? Let's celebrate the forthcoming opening of the first medical office led by an excellent woman doctor, Dr. Michaela Quinn."
Everyone lifted their glasses, "To Dr. Quinn!"
Thomas squeezed Michaela's hand, kissed her cheek and whispered in Michaela's ear "Susan would be so proud of what you do for all woman doctors."
Michaela squeezed his hand too, "This job would have been exactly the right one for your sister."
When Michaela turned around and looked at her also proud mother she noticed a dark look from Louisa, Thomas fiancée. There was no smile on her face and Michaela was confused about this. What did that mean? Was Louisa jealous of her? But Thomas was only a good friend. She was a married woman. And suddenly it occurred to her that she hadn't got in touch with Sully for more than three weeks.
When she was in her room after dinner she wrote a letter to Sully and told him about her new job and how she missed him.
"…….and all this is so exciting and I feel so much better now! I'll be back in Colorado Springs in four or five weeks when a new woman doctor takes over the women medical office, because for me this is only a job limited in time.
Sully, I love you so much and I hope you still love me, too. I miss you and also Brian and Matthew.
In love – Michaela"
She rang for one of the domestics and Jonathan, a young man, appeared. "Jonathan, this is a very important letter. Would you please bring it to the post office right in the morning?"
"Yes, Mrs. Quinn. You can count on me." He took the letter and left the room.
As promised Jonathan got the letter to the post office the next morning. The postmaster took the letter and put it aside. But unfortunately, this letter didn't arrive in Colorado Springs…..
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Sully hadn't still got any news from Michaela, no letter nor telegram, since the wire after her arrival in Boston and he became worried about her and Katie. Is everything all right in Boston? Did she already feel better? Or maybe she had already given up on their marriage, maybe she still hated him and that was why she didn't write to him?
A week after the dinner at the Quinn's home in Boston in Colorado Springs Sully and Brian went to the telegram office to pick up Michaela's mail when Horace delivered a telegram to Sully. "This just came in for you."
"Pa, is this a telegram from Ma?" Brian asked curiously.
Sully read it loud "Love you papa, miss you papa – Katie. / Michaela is fine – Rebecca."
But there was no word from Michaela. Sully was disappointed. So was Brian.
"Sully, has Ma forgotten us?" He asked anxiously.
"No Brian, I don't think so."
"But why doesn't she write to you?"
"I don't know, Brian."
Preston approached the two. "Hello Sully, Brian. I see you've got a telegram, surely with this wonderful news from Michaela. But why do you make so sad faces? Aren't you proud of Dr. Mike and her new job?"
Sully narrowed his eyes "What do you mean, Preston?"
"Her new job at the Boston Memorial." Suddenly Preston laughed out loud "You really don't know anything, Sully?" Preston still laughed. "I can't believe it, she has told you nothing of this! And I knew these tidings right before her own husband! So Sully, let me explain the news my father told me in a telegram two days ago: Michaela runs the first medical office led by a woman at the Boston Memorial! You should be proud of her, Sully. Now she can send you a lot of money so you don't have to work any longer. Oh I forgot, you don't have a job anyway except this hunting and carving things."
Sullys heart began to race. What did this all mean?
Preston continued, "Perhaps she likes Boston more than Colorado Springs and she doesn't want to come back. My father told me Michaela and Dr. Stevenson – he is her partner at the medical office – are fond of each other."
He patted Sully's shoulder. "Don't worry, Sully. I'm just on my way to Boston to join this great event. In four days there is the official start-up with many prominent notabilities – my father is one of the investors - and I'll send your regards to Michaela. And when I'm back I'll tell you everything about her new life, her new job and her new partner. Sorry Sully, I mean her colleague, Dr. Stevenson."
Preston picked up his luggage and entered the train. "Good bye Sully," and smirking he disappeared into the compartment.
Sully clenched his lips and fists and so many thoughts spun around in his head.
"Pa, what does this all mean?" Brian asked him.
"I don't know Brian, but I think your Ma will inform us if there is something to say."
But no word came from Michaela, but one day later another telegram arrived instead:
"Mr. Sully – your wife should be at home with her family and not try to destroy the luck of an engaged couple."
This was an anonymous telegram. Sully got more and more confused. He decided to send Michaela a telegram:
"Dear Michaela, I hope everything is alright in Boston and you and Katie are well. Love Sully, Brian and Matthew."
Michaela received the telegram and she was glad that she had written a letter to him and he knew that she would come back soon…..
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The opening of the new practice took place today. Michaela and her family were so excited and so proud.
"Hurry Michaela, do you want to come too late to the practice opening?" Elizabeth and Rebecca stood in the hall "The carriage is waiting."
"I'm coming." Michaela called from upstairs, "Come on Katie, it's time to go." Michaela sighed, "I wished your papa were here."
"Papa? Papa com' Boton?"
Michaela shook her head, "No sweetheart, no he doesn't."
"Wan' go home to papa," Katie's lips began to tremble.
"Yes, darling, soon. But first Grandma, Rebecca you and I'll go to an important celebration now."
"Then we go home?"
"I told you Katie, soon."
Many prominent Boston people came to the medical office opening and mayor Henry L. Pierce gave the inaugural address. Michaela had to shake many hands. Most of the women were pleased that there was a female doctor now but most of the men didn't feel happy.
At the end Michaela went to the lectern and spoke to the attendees. Dr. Stevenson stood next to her.
"Thank you, Mayor Pierce. Ladies and Gentlemen, all I want so say is that I'm proud to be the first woman doctor who runs a practice especially for women at the Boston Memorial. I want to thank Dr. Stevenson who had the idea…." she turned to her new friend.
"You're welcome Mike," Thomas smiled.
"…and I also want to thank Dr. Alcott, Dr. Bates and the chief of staff Dr. Scott, who gave their agreement. And I still want to say that we don't only treat women. Men are also welcome! Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen."
The crowd murmured but than applauded.
Suddenly a man approached the lectern, smiled at Michaela and took her hand in his.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. I can assure you, Dr. Michaela Quinn is a wonderful doctor. We both have worked together for some years here at the Boston Memorial. And she is now a respected member of the town council of Colorado Springs and runs her own clinic very successfully."
"David!" Michaela exclaimed astonished.
Elizabeth and Rebecca shared a puzzled look and on the other side of the hall Louisa together with two tall men watched Michaela and David. The younger man asked Louisa, "Pardon me, who is this man next to Dr. Quinn?"
"I guess this is Mr. David Lewis a former doctor and now famous naturalist from the east coast. Perhaps he is one more part in her collection." She replied with an angry voice.
"Hello Michaela," David looked at her and kissed her cheek. "Welcome home to Boston."
"What are you doing here?" Michaela asked with a trembling voice. This was the first time she saw him after his visit in Colorado Springs three years ago.
"Well, I was on my way to Washington when I heard about a lady doctor named Michaela Quinn who runs the first practice especially for woman on the Boston Memorial hospital."
Michaela eyed David up and down. He looked gorgeous. He had cut his hair, wore no eye pad and didn't limp anymore.
"How are you David? Seems you feel much better than the last time we saw each other."
"Yes Michaela, I feel much better."
"Are you still a naturalist?"
"I am."
"And do you still search for glaciers?"
"Yes, I do."
"Do you live in Boston now, David?" she asked him.
"No, I live in Washington. I have written some books and I still write articles for the Washington Chronicle and many other things."
Dr. Stevenson stepped to them, "Excuse me Mike, but there are some people who want to get to know you and in addition, the press still would like to take some pictures for the tomorrow's newspaper."
She turned to David "Sorry, I have to go."
"May I invite you out for dinner soon, Michaela?"
Michaela hesitated but then she agreed with a smile, "Yes David, I'd be glad to come."
Dr. Stevenson introduced Michaela to many important people. They all were ravished about her beauty and her extensive knowledge.
"These are the last two persons I want to introduce you to, Mike," Thomas said in front of two gentlemen that stood with their back to Michaela.
"Thank God. It's enough. This new shoes give me much pain." She laughed but then her smile froze.
"Dr. Quinn, may I introduce Mr. Preston A. Lodge II. and his son Mr. Preston A. Lodge III."
"Hello Michaela, nice to see you again," said Preston with a grin and kissed her hand.
"Preston!" she called shocked.
"Michaela, what a shame that Sully can't be here to share this day with you. But I think you don't need him. Look, there are so many men around you, especially Dr. Stevenson and this nice fellow who gave a wonderful speech on you. His name escaped me…"
"Uhm, David Lewis." Michaela replied.
"Yes Mr. Lewis. Well, with all this civilized people around, you should forget this renaissance-man called Sully," he smiled.
"Preston, that's enough," Preston's father interfered. "Dr. Quinn, excuse my son's behavior."
"It's all right Mr. Logde. I know him very well. Sorry, but I have to go now, my family is waiting. Goodbye."
"Michaela, will we see each other again in Colorado Springs or does your new life start here without Sully maybe with Dr. Stevenson or Mr. Lewis?" Preston shouted across the room.
Michaela's face turned pale while all conversations broke off because of Preston's words. Without looking back Michaela left the event.
Louisa's face blushed about the mention of her fiancé Dr. Stevenson and she hated Michaela for that.
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Michaela was in Boston now for more than seven weeks and Sully and Brian had still gotten no word from her. Sully had hoped Michaela would respond to his telegram but she didn't. A anonymous letter arrived instead. When Sully opened the envelope, a newspaper and a sheet of paper dropped out. He picked it up. It was a press cutting from the Boston Globe that showed a story and some pictures from the practice opening at the Boston Memorial hospital two weeks ago. One picture showed Michaela at the lectern while she shared a confidential gaze with Dr. Thomas Stevenson. To confidential, almost intimately for Sully's liking. The second was a group picture with all the doctors and investors. Two rows behind Michaela he recognized a well-known face: Preston A. Lodge III. When Sully looked at the third picture he saw a man who kissed Michaela's cheek. And under this picture stood written "…..Dr. Michaela Quinn and Dr. David Lewis, her former fiancè, who gave an eulogy on her….."
And then he read the story "Dr. Michaela Quinn, daughter of the well-known Dr. Joseph Quinn from Beacon Hill, has returned to Boston and opened the first medical office run by a woman at the Boston Memorial. Dr. Thomas Stevenson offered Dr. Quinn this job and she accepted. Original quote Dr. Stevenson: 'It was very easy to convince my male colleagues of Dr. Quinn - and honestly, which man can resist her charm?'
The lines became blurred in front of his eyes and he had to sit down on the bench in front of the sheriff office. His heart raced and his mouth got dry. Then he read the short anonymous letter:
"Mr. Sully, obviously you are not the only man in her life. She needs more: An engaged man like Dr. Thomas Stevenson and her former fiancé David Lewis and maybe some more….."
Sully was shocked. What did this all mean? Why hadn't she told him about her job? A cold hand gripped his heart. "She won't come back to Colorado Springs. That's why she hadn't written to me all the time. She doesn't love me any more. She hates me."
At this moment Daniel left the sheriff office.
"Hello Sully. What's wrong with you? You look as if you have seen a ghost." Daniel patted his friend's shoulder.
Sully didn't answer but handed Daniel the newspaper and the letter.
"That's why she didn't write to me Daniel. She will never come back to Colorado Springs. She has a new life in Boston now – and she has taken Katie with her."
"Sully, you can't know this!"
"This pictures are the best proof Daniel. She doesn't love me anymore. Before she left Colorado Springs she told me she needs to forget what happened and now she has forgotten me." He tore the newspaper out of Daniel's hand and his eyes were filled with tears.
"Sully, my friend. You should catch the next train to Boston and bring her back."
Sully shook his head. "It's too late, Daniel."
Sully barely slept that night. He had lost her, his true love, his heartsong. And he knew that one day had changed their whole life. It was the day when Luke Evans came to Colorado Springs…..
The next morning Sully informed Brian that he had to go to Denver for two days.
"What will you do in Denver?"
"Business."
"May I come with you?"
"No Brian, you have to go to school. Would you stay with Matthew these two days? I'll be back tomorrow evening."
"Sure Pa." Brian was concerned but he didn't push Sully to say more.
"Let's go to town Brian, I want to catch the first train to Denver."
At the train station. "Horace, I need a ticket to Denver. When does the next train leave?"
"The train will arrive in 10 minutes and then depart in 30 minutes."
"That's good." Sully gave Horace the money for the ticket.
Daniel had approached unnoticed. "What will you do in Denver, Sully?" Daniel asked curiously.
"Business," was his short answer and he walked away but Daniel ran after him.
"No, that isn't true. I know you well, you have something in your mind."
"That's non of your business!"
"Sully, we are friends. Tell me."
"I came to a decision. A final decision," he said and walked away.
"Sully, don't make any stupid things. Promise me," Daniel called after him.
But Sully didn't answer.
Five minutes later the train arrived and many people stepped off. One of them was Preston. When he saw Sully he headed for him.
"Sully, nice to see you. Sorry, that I didn't arrive sooner, but I spent a lot of time with my family. But now I'm here and I want to tell you everything about Michaela's medical office. And it's really a pity that you weren't in Boston for this great event. But honestly, I don't think that Michaela has missed you. There were so many men round her. Civilized men like David Lewis in decent suits Sully. Not like your … what do you call this….," he touched Sully's leather jacket "… injun clothes".
Sully grabbed his arm and hissed "Don't touch me Preston!" Then he turned and got on the train.
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Michaela woke up at 6:30 a. m. and she felt uneasy. She thought about Sully. Why hadn't he answered her letter? She had written to him that she loves him but he had sent her only a skimp telegram. Was something wrong at home? She also had a bad dream. She was on the train home to Colorado Springs and when she arrived she couldn't open the compartment door. Then she saw Sully who stood next to the train with Katie on his arms and both waved to her "Good bye Michaela. Good bye Mama." Desperately she tried to open the door but the train moved off faster and faster…
She dressed, woke Katie and joined her mother in the dining room.
"Michaela, what's wrong? You look very pale this morning. Do you feel sick?"
"No Mother. I only had a bad dream last night."
"Do you have to go to the clinic today?"
"No, it's my day off. And I guess it's time for me and Katie to go back to Colorado Springs. To Sully, Brian and Matthew."
"We go to papa?" Katie asked excited.
"Yes sweetheart." She stroked Katie's head.
She turned to Elizabeth "Today I will request Dr. Stevenson to place an advertisement for another woman doctor. I came here to cope with what happened to me so many weeks ago and I got over it. I feel so much better now and I miss Sully terribly."
Elizabeth squeezed her hand. "I understand."
Fiona entered the room with the breakfast plate. When Michaela smelled the fried bacon she got sick.
"Excuse me." She hit the hand on her mouth and ran outside.
Elizabeth ran after her. "Michaela what's wrong?"
But Michaela didn't answer and disappeared into her room where she entered the bathroom and vomited. A while later she lay down on her bed while her stomach still felt sick.
It knocked at the door and Elizabeth came in.
"Michaela, do you feel better?"
"Yes Mother, I guess I have an upset stomach. Maybe I catched a cold."
"That's not a cold Michaela and you know it."
"What do you mean?" she asked Elizabeth.
"This was the second time this week you hadn't touched your breakfast."
"As I said. I have an upset stomach."
"Yes, yes Michaela, if you think so." Elizabeth smiled and left the room.
One hour later Michaela got up from her bed and at this moment she felt dizzy. She wanted to grip the bedpost, trying to hold on, but she couldn't. Her fingers pulled away from the wood and she fell down on the floor.
Elizabeth heard thud when she sat with Katie in the parlor playing with her dolls. So did Katie and she looked at her grandmother worriedly. Elizabeth went out into the hall and called "Michaela, are you alright?" No answer. She rushed upstairs and opened Michaela's door.
"Oh my God," she cried. "Harrison. Harrison. Fetch the doctor, it's Michaela. Hurry!"
Fifteen minutes later Dr. Samuel Gardner, Elizabeth's new family doctor, arrived at the Quinn residence. Harrison showed him to Michaela's room.
"Elizabeth, I came as fast as I could. What happened?" he asked.
"It's my daughter Michaela."
Dr. Gardner came next to Michaela's bed.
"Good morning Miss Quinn. I'm doctor Gardener."
She held her hand out to him. "It's Dr. Quinn."
"Dr.?" he said amazed. "So we are colleagues! And now I remember. You are this lady doctor who runs this first medical office at the Boston Memorial. Respect, Ma'am."
"Thank you, Dr. Gardner." Michaela smiled proudly.
"Well, tell me what happened this morning." He looked down on Michaela and then he turned around, "and Elizabeth, would you wait outside, please."
"But…" she contradicted.
"Please," he led her outside and closed the door.
Shortly after he opened the door again, "Elizabeth, you can come in and please bring your granddaughter along".
Elizabeth nodded and called for Katie. The little girl rushed upstairs with her new doll in her arms.
"Mama? Mama ill?" she asked anxiously and slid her little hand into her grandmothers hand.
"No sweetheart. I'm fine." Michaela said from the bed. "Come to me darling. I have something to tell you." She looked at her mother with sparkling eyes. "I'm pregnant."
"Oh Michaela, I knew it! That's so wonderful. Congratulation." Elizabeth hugged Michaela.
"What's pegnen?" Katie looked puzzled.
Michaela and Elizabeth smiled. "Sweetheart, mama is having a baby."
"Baby?"
"Yes darling you get a little sister or a little brother."
"Like my doll?"
"Yes, like your doll," Michaela laughed loud and kissed Katie.
"Now?"
"No," Michaela laughed again "It would be about seven month before he or she will be born."
"I'm so happy for you Michaela." Elizabeth's eyes were filled with tears full of pride. "We should send a wire to Sully."
"No mother. I would like to surprise him when I'm home next week."
"Yes, of course. That's a good idea."
"And now I go to the clinic to tell Dr. Stevenson that I'll leave in two weeks the latest."
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A few days later when Michaela sat with Katie and Elizabeth on the dinner table it knocked at the front door and a moment later David entered the room.
"Good morning Mrs. Quinn" He stepped to Elizabeth and gave her a kiss on the hand. Then he walked around the table next to Michaela who had risen from the chair.
He kissed her cheek, "Good evening, Michaela." Then he turned around to Katie. "And who is this lovely young lady?"
Katie giggled. "I'm Katie."
"Katie. What a wonderful name for such a cute girl."
Elizabeth offered David a seat, "Sit down David. Would you like to join us for breakfast?"
"Thank you Ma'am. I'd be glad to."
"What brings you out here, David?" Michaela asked him.
"Well, like I told you at the opening, I want to invite you out Michaela."
"When?"
"Now."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"But I can't leave just like that David."
"Why not?
"Because…" she didn't know what to say.
"I want to show you the new Museum of Fine Arts and we can take a walk along the Charles. Like we did so many years ago."
"Things aren't what they used to be, David."
"Maybe they come back. And in addition I have a surprise for you. We'll meet Professor Alexander Graham Bell. He is a teacher for deaf-and-dumb language at the Boston University."
"Alexander Graham Bell? Really? I read a lot of this language in my medical journals."
"So you'll come with me?"
"All right. You have convinced me." She smiled at him.
"And tonight we'll have dinner in one of these fine new restaurants."
"Mother is it all right for you when I go?" she asked Elizabeth.
"Of course darling. I watch Katie for you. Enjoy this last few days in Boston."
"Katie, Mama will be back in a few hours."
Michaela smiled at Daniel and when she left the room Katie began to cry. "Mama not go with man. Man hurt Mama."
„Oh sweetheart. No one will hurt me and for certain not David. He is my friend. Like Jamie is your friend. Do you remember Jamie? Soon you will see him again at home in Colorado Springs." Michaela stroked Katie's cheek and kissed her while Katie sobbed and nodded.
"Is everything all right sweetheart? I'll be back in a few hours."
David kneeled in front of Katie too and told her, "Katie, I want to be your friend like I'm a friend of your Mama. And I'll never hurt her because I love your Mama. You understand this?"
With big eyes she looked at him and said almost angry, "You not love Mama! Papa loves Mama!"
"Katie! Don't be so rude to Daniel."
Katie sulked and climbed on her grandmother's lap.
"Michaela, go now, I take care of Katie."
"Thank you Mother. Good bye, sweetheart." Michaela waved.
"Good bye Mrs. Quinn, good bye Katie." David made a bow and went out, too.
After a wonderful afternoon with so many new impressions David and Michaela dined at a fancy restaurant and they talked about their lives. "What have you done the last few years David?"
"Well, I traveled a lot. From the east coast to the west coast. From north to south and I even traveled to Europe."
"Still searching for glaciers?"
David laughed. "Yes, and I found several glaciers in Switzerland. I hope you, Sully and the kids aren't angry with me because I have broken my promise to show you a glacier."
"No," she smiled "I don't think so."
"And how is your marriage with Sully?" He recognized a blaze in her eyes.
"It's wonderful David. We are very happy."
"Don't you miss your former life here in Boston?"
"Not at all. It's nice to visit Mother and my sisters sometimes, but my real life is in Colorado Springs and I love our little town."
"Well, and why have you accepted this new job at the Boston Memorial?"
"It was a great honour for me to do this but I also told Dr. Stevenson and the other doctors that this is only a temporary job for me, because I will go back to Colorado."
"When will you go back?" David asked her.
"Next week."
Both remained silent for a moment.
"Are you married David?"
"No, Michaela. To be honest I could never forget you. Sometimes I met a nice woman but no one is like you."
Michaela's face blushed.
"You must try to forget me, David."
"That will never happen," he whispered and kissed her hand.
It was almost midnight when Michaela returned home. She undressed and lay down on her bed to think about this evening with David. He and Sully were so different. She smiled when she thought about Sully. "I miss you, Sully and I can hardly wait to see you again and tell you about our new family member," she whispered. Then her gaze fell on an envelope on her nightstand. She reached for it and turned it around. This was a letter from Sully. Her heart raced full of love when she opened the letter.
Dear Michaela,
you have been gone now for almost two months and not a day goes by that my heart does not ache for you and Katie and the life we had together. I miss you so much I can hardly stand it. I miss your smile, your scent, your sparkling eyes, your touch and in particular your love. Michaela, I feel so lonely! Don't you feel lonely?
First she smiled about his words but with every following word her face turned more and more pale and she began to tremble.
I got the Boston Globe with the article about your medical office opening and I'm very proud of you Michaela, but I was also disappointed because you didn't tell me anything about that all. When I looked at the pictures I saw a happy, pleased and satisfied Michaela and now I know that this must be the reason why you haven't written to me the whole time, neither a telegram nor a letter, except your first telegram two month ago.
Sully, that's not true. I wrote you a letter a few weeks ago in which I told you how much I love and miss you!
You like this new live in Boston and you deserve it. Now you have got the recognition from your colleagues, your friends and your family you always looked for. And I guess you have decided that you will never come back to me, especially after what happened in Colorado Springs. You tried to forget Luke Evans and I guess you tried to forget me too because I haven't heard the words "I love you" for so long.
Therefore I made a decision which hasn't been easy for me.
I'll not stand in your way and I'm not really the right person for you because I wasn't home when you needed me the most and I don't know if you will ever forgive me. And I suppose you will never come back to live with me again.
Michaela, please forgive me, I want you to find someone better, someone who suits you more. Now with your new job at the Boston Memorial and all your family around it will be easy for you to forget me.
With this letter I send you the divorce papers. Countersign the papers and send them back to me. Then I'll take care of everything else.
There is one thing I am asking for: I want to see Katie regularly. She should not forget me. Please don't disapprove of my wish. And please allow Brian, Colleen and Matthew to visit you in Boston some times.
Michaela, I love you more than words can say and because I love you I made this decision. You will live on in my heart forever and I will love you for evermore.
In love, Sully
Michaela was shocked. What did this all mean? Why did he want the divorce if he still loved her like he said? And who gave him the Boston Globe? Maybe Dorothy? And then it dawned on her. The article reported that she runs the new medical office but not that it will be only temporary! And all the pictures with Dr. Stevenson and David! What must Sully think about her! Oh no!
Michaela cried bitterly the whole night alone in her bedroom in Boston and she was so confused about her pregnancy. A few days ago when Dr. Gardener confirmed her pregnancy she was so happy….and now?
"Dear God, why has he done this and what am I going to do?" She placed her hands on her abdomen, "Will this new life grow up without a father?" And again she cried hot tears.
The next morning she didn't want to get up. Katie came into Michaela's room and crawled on the bed and cuddled up to her mother. "Morning Mama." Michaela kissed Katie's cheek, "Morning sweetheart." And she already began to cry again. Katie was concerned, "Mama? Man hurt you?"
"Oh no sweetheart, David is a very nice gentleman. He would never hurt me."
"Why do you cry?" She touched Michaela's wet cheek.
Michaela sighed, "Mama is sad, darling."
"Katie happy," she beamed "I go home to papa!"
Michaela stroked Katie's head lovingly, "Katie, I think we can't go home."
Katie didn't understand the meaning of these words.
"Love Papa," she smiled. "And love Mama. And Papa love Mama and Mama love Papa."
Michaela nodded with tears, "Yes I love him. Very much."
Together with Katie Michaela went down to have her breakfast but she couldn't taste it.
"Michaela, you look bad today. Is it the morning sickness?" Elizabeth asked her daughter.
"No Mother, everything is all right but I'm not hungry. I'm still full from the dinner last night."
"Grandma, Mama is sad," Katie uttered.
"Katie!" Michaela exclaimed.
"Sad?" Elizabeth looked at Michaela. "Why are you sad?"
"Mama cried," added Katie.
"Wasn't it a nice evening with David? Have you quarreled?"
"No, no. It was wonderful."
"But why are you sad like Katie said?"
"I'm not sad. Really, I'm fine Mother."
Elizabeth didn't believe her but she changed the theme. "Well then. By the way, a charity ball takes place next week."
"Yes, I know, David has invited me."
"That's wonderful. This becomes a wonderful completion of your visit here in Boston.
"I don't know yet whether I will go."
"But Michaela, this is the greatest social event of the year. Many important people will be present, people of position. Dr. Gardener and I will also be there, he has invited me. Michaela, you can't reject David's invitation!"
"We'll see."
"You miss Sully, am I right?"
Tears rose to her eyes but she tried to hide her upcoming anxieties.
"I know how much you like to dance and I also know that Sully doesn't like to dance. That is why you should enjoy this ball. You won't lack dancing partners. And after the ball you will return home to Sully and your lovely little town. Please do it for me, accompany David to the charity ball."
"We'll see mother. I have to go now." She said and left the room.
….to be continued…..
