out in this winter weather. I know it wasn’t easy getting here.” She paused, her gaze resting on her husband, who stood a little apart from the rest of the
crowd. “As of February first of this year, Good Cheer
Hospital will be taken over by Restoration Heartware
of Cleveland, Ohio.”
A gasp went up from the crowd in the hallway.
Hardened journalists they might be, but Blanche’s
statement wasn’t what they’d expected. Judith gasped
right along with them, then turned to Sister Jacqueline.
“Did you know this was coming?” she asked of the
nun.
“Yes.” Sister Jacqueline kept staring straight ahead,
in Blanche’s direction.
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Mary Daheim
“This,” Blanche continued, “is a very difficult time
for those of us who have been associated with Good
Cheer. We are all very grateful to the sisters who
founded this hospital almost a century ago. Their dedication to physical, emotional, and spiritual health has
been unparalleled in this region. Fortunately, the order
still has hospitals in other cities, and will continue to
administer Good Cheer’s retirement and nursing
homes.”
Blanche drew in a deep breath. “This is a sad day for
us, but we are not without hope. The state of medicine in
this country is pitiful, and universal health care has been
only a dream for the past fifty-odd years. It’s time to stop
talking about it, and act. Therefore, I intend to run for
Congress in the upcoming election. Health care will be
the issue—my
Blanche stepped down amid more gasps from her
audience. She moved quickly through the crowd to her
husband’s side. A few yards away, Dr. Garnett glared
at the couple. Sister Jacqueline had bowed her head
and appeared to be praying.
“Well.” Renie was fingering her chin and observing
the reporters who were pressing in on the Van Boecks.
Dr. Garnett had turned away and was coming down the
hall toward the cousins. He stopped when he spotted
Sister Jacqueline.
“Courage,” he said, touching the nun’s arm. “You
know that you and the other sisters share no blame in
this disaster.” He nodded in the direction of the Van
Boecks, who were trying to escape the media. “If there
are villains other than governmental ineptitude, there
they are.”
Sister Jacqueline gave Dr. Garnett a bleak look.
“What’s the use of blame? It’s over.”
SUTURE SELF
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