Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Surgery always comes with risks, and the thought alone left Sallie shaken.

She stared at the consent form in her hands, too unsettled to speak.

Herbert tried to reassure her. "Every surgery has its risks, Sallie. But waiting comes with its own dangers too. If you can't decide on your own, talk it over with your family. All of us here, every doctor, will do everything we can for Timothy."

He spoke calmly, as a doctor-objective, professional, keeping his personal feelings out of it, even with the holiday approaching. He never let private matters interfere with his work.

"Thank you, Dr. Wheeler."

Sallie could be hot-tempered, but she wasn't unreasonable. She knew Herbert was giving his all for Timothy's sake this time.

"Once you've discussed it and made a decision, let me know. We'll schedule the surgery as soon as possible."

With that, Herbert headed back to his office.

Sallie stood there, and her brother spoke up. "Sis, I still think we should go ahead with the surgery. I know there are risks, but if it succeeds, we won't have to worry about him ending up in a vegetative state."

"But Timothy's all we have."

No one could make a choice like this easily-not when it was about someone's fate.

by, silent. In moments

suggested, “Maybe we should ask Grandpa and Dad what

to them.

the other person

Sallie dialed Vince's number.

are you?"

"Downstairs. What's up?"

about Timothy's surgery. I want

we'll be right up.

Vince walked over and heard her asking, “Is this really the only option? Is there any way to make the surgery less

Herbert answered, "Honestly,

the simplest

of unknowns. No doctor can give you a hundred percent guarantee. If something goes

doctors could bear

always factors outside our control. That said, the specialists handling Timothy's case are

understand,” Jessica replied

life both internal and external forces shaped outcomes. Sometimes it was just the smallest turn of fate that