Author's Note: This story takes place after the BOOK, I have added a few (hopefully a very few) segments from either series. Since I have placed this after the book there is no Daniel Scott or Hattie McHabe as there was in the series.
-=*=-Prelude to Austria -=*=-
Chapter XI
Neil arrived at Dr. Seymour's home. He had been anxious to get away from the Cove, but yet he felt guilty for leaving. Alice said she could handle emergencies and she had encouraged him to come here. But that didn't help the gnawing in his stomach at the moment.
Dr. Seymour had graduated at the same time as Neil. He had just been promoted to 'Chief Surgeon'. Neil didn't want to be jealous or resentful of him. But looking around at this house, meeting his wife Maureen and their children--Neil had desired all of these same things when he graduated from medical school, but he had chosen to return to the Cove, to *his* people in Cutter Gap. He had made a commitment to them even before he had left for school much soul-searching and deliberation had gone into that decision. It had been the right one, hadn't it?
It wasn't the large home, or the position, or even the money which Neil felt a tinge of jealousy over, but the wife and happy family. Margaret had looked down on him and had never wanted the child which she had given birth to at the time of her death.
Now with Christy's accident and ensuing blindness, she had rejected him as well. All this happiness seemed to be outside of his grasp and he had a very difficult time understanding just why...
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Neil and Dr. Seymour-James, sat in the den after dinner that evening, reminiscing and catching up on each other's lives and pursuits.
"Well, Neil!" James began as he offered Neil a cigar. "You've been far too busy in Cutter Gap to keep me posted on what's been happening in your life. Why didn't you bring your bride with you? You two have been married for what--six weeks or so now? Isn't that correct?"
"We would have been." Neil said sadly. "Except--there was an accident."
"Oh NO!" James declared. "She isn't…?"
"NO! No." Neil answered. "It's not like that." He proceeded to elaborate on the accident and the time he had spent in Asheville at his fiancée's bedside at the hospital.
"You actually had to perform a Trephine on your own fiancée!?!" James replied with astonished awe.
"There was no other way, Jim. I couldn't leave her die!"
"No you couldn't, but from what you've told me over the years, and now this--Neil! I think *you* deserve my promotion more then I do! I don't think I could ever operate on Maureen the way you did Christy."
"It took plenty of prayer to get me through! Let me tell you! Alice Henderson was a Godsend in that, and most other instances."
"But you said Christy told you to go away?"
"Well, maybe not in so many word's, but yes. It was something to that effect at least." Neil paused. "But she did let me know without a doubt that life with me would be too--how shall I say this?--Arduous, I guess explains it best or perhaps I assumed that was what she meant. I'm taking things one day at a time and learning to go on with my life once again. Which brings me to this…" Neil paused a moment as he reached into his pocket. "I received this offer just yesterday Jim."
Jim stopped to read the letter. "This is wonderful!! The chance of a lifetime! If you need help with the fare to Austria don't be afraid to ask me! There are far too many ways to waste money when you have more then you need, but helping a friend is far from a waste, I assure you! In fact, I'll put it this way--'I insist you *allow* me to pay your fare to Austria!"
"Thank-you Jim for your generosity. To be honest with you I had my doubts as to whether I could go or not. I had no idea where the money would come from." Neil paused, staring at the floor. "I only wish I wasn't going alone."
"Well, go back and tell Christy your announcement, Neil! Ask her to come with you! There is no better place in the world to study about the human eye. So there have got to be excellent schools for the blind there as well! You'll be living in the city, not in the backwoods of Tennessee."
"I'm just not sure that I can do that. What if I go to Asheville and find out that Christy doesn't love me anymore?"
"Then *make* her love you all over again, Neil! Isn't it worth it to you?" Jim questioned.
"Worth it to me?!" Neil exclaimed. "Jim there is nothing in this world that I want more!" Neil paused a moment. "What if she says no again, Jim?"
"What if she does?" Jim answer with another question. "What is the worst thing that could happen?"
"She could make me go alone!"
"And how would that differ from the position you are in right now?"
Neil sighed. "I catch your meaning, Jim. I suppose… And if I don't go I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
"Exactly! If she starts out by saying no, stand firm! Convince her that marrying you and traveling to Austria is the best thing that could ever happen to her! After all she wanted to marry you once, it can't be that difficult to convince her again! It's not like she stopped loving you or vice versa, you parted because of an accident. The two of you can overcome any obstacle if you face it together in love."
"One draw-back Jim. And knowing Christy the way I do, I know she'll think of at least this reason to say no… What about after my time in Austria is over, in a year of two?"
"Hmmm? That's a valid question. What do you want? Where do you want to be in a year or two? Down deep inside, in your innermost being, what do you want more then anything?" Jim offered.
Neil got up and paced. He walked over to the fireplace and stood pulling at the hairs on the back of his neck. He wanted, or rather *needed* to make the right decision! And as he had years ago in Dr. Kinnigan's office he paced and puffed on the cigar Jim had given him. It was at least an hour before he answered. "The one thing I've always wanted to do was make a difference in the world. If I make this leap to study, or train in Austria, I have to find some way to use it to the best advantage of all. I could help the people of the Cove more here in Knoxville as a specialist with another physician or two attending to their immediate needs right in Cutter Gap…" His voice trailed off.
"And…?" Jim prodded.
"And…" Neil added and paused. "AND I don't want to go to Austria alone!" Neil declared. "AND I'll do whatever it takes to *not* spend the rest of my life alone! Even if that means moving to the city! My happiness must be considered in this decision as well. I am perfectly content in the Cove, but I *cannot* spend the rest of my life there is I want to make an impact on the world, or at least the medical community!"
"Bravo Doctor!!" Jim cheered as he rose from his chair and approached Neil. Clapping him on the shoulder. "Then *DO IT* Doctor MacNeill!! Do whatever it takes to win Christy over and make her your bride!! And as a wedding gift I'll pay her fare to Austria as well! Train and ship fares for both of you!"
"Thank-you Jim! I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you for everything?" Neil declared.
"Bring Christy here for us to meet her. Maureen would love it and so would I. That's all the payment I ask."
"I'll do that Jim. I promise! After we return from Austria."
"I think I know the perfect people to take over your position in the Cove as well, Neil…"
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I arrived at the Perkins Institute with mother and father. I shook with fear all the way. Saying good-bye to George was difficult, I wanted him to protest my leaving! I wanted him to demand that I remain, but I could not expect him to do that. He was an obedient son and a good brother. In my heart I knew he only wanted what was best for me, as did mother and father.
Mother and Father had to say good-bye to me in the lobby. They were not allowed to accompany me farther. From the lobby onward, the institutional staff was in complete control of everything.
A lady, I can't remember her name, led me to my room. She placed my suitcase on the bed, then she told me where all the pieces of furniture and closet were. "Now, you'll need to unpack your suitcase. Later we will inspect your dresser and closet to be sure everything is in order.
"After you are finished unpacking you may rest. Someone will be here at dinnertime for your first lesson--feeding yourself, at that time. Have a pleasant afternoon." Then she left the room. I didn't even get a chance to tell her I had never done this before!
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Neil spent a few days with the Seymour family. Getting to know Jim's family better. It only helped to set in his mind what he wanted to do. Seeing Jim and Maureen together made his heart ache that much more to be with his Christy once again; and Jim's positive attitude toward Neil's winning Christy over made Neil more resolute in his determination.
Jim introduced Neil to two young physicians--one who was a surgeon who sounded interested in taking over his practice in the Cove. They were a pair of 'Quaker' who had been undecided as to whether or not they should become missionaries to the mountain people or attend medical school. They had chosen medical school in the hopes of becoming missionaries later as well. This would be the fulfillment of both of their dreams.
Neil told them he hadn't, as yet, heard from Dr. Fuchs about the details, so he would get back to them about the timing, etc. at a later date.
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Back in the cove, Neil's resolve was unmoved. He was determined to win Christy over. He scheduled a trip to Asheville at the earliest possible moment.
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End of Chapter 11
Chapter 12 Coming Soon!!