Chapter 45
Sheba demanded to see the doctor. The nurses were calling her the patient from hell, but she didn’t care. It had been seven days, and her baby was still hooked up to machines. He didn’t appear to be getting better.
“Where is David? He was supposed to meet me here!” Sheba shouted.
Delilah replied, “He said he had to make a quick stop at the church and then he would be here.”
“He needs to hurry up. They must not know I’m David King’s wife, or they wouldn’t keep me waiting.”
“Calm down, sis. They are doing everything they can for little David.”
“It’s not enough.” Sheba was a nurse. She knew they were providing him with the best care, but as a mother, she felt like there was more they could be doing.
The doctor had released her from the hospital four days ago, but she had yet to go home. Delilah or David brought her clothes to change into and food to eat. The food she barely touched, because since having little David, she hadn’t had an appetite. How could she think of food or anything else when her baby was fighting for his life?
The doctor finally came into the waiting room. “Mrs. King, sorry to keep you waiting.”
Sheba didn’t bother with the formalities. She didn’t reach out to shake his extended hand. “What’s the prognosis on my baby?” she asked.
Dr. Philips said, “Do you want to wait on your husband?”
“No. I’m standing right here. I need for you to tell me when you expect my baby to get better.”
“Mrs. King, his little heart is fighting, but I’m not sure of how long his heart will last. He was born with a defective heart, but I want to assure you that we’re doing all we can.”
Sheba plopped down on the chair. Her hands flew to her face. “Lord, please. Take me, not my baby.”
Delilah sat in the chair next to her. She patted her gently on the back. “It’s going to be okay.”
“No, it’s not. It’ll never be okay.”
The doctor continued, saying, “I’m sorry, Mrs. King. I wish I had better news for you.”
Sheba wiped some of the tears from her face. “Dr. Philips, thanks. What should I do now?”
“Do you have a pastor who can come pray over your son?” he asked.
Delilah pulled out her phone. “I’ll call Nathan.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Sheba said, barely above a whisper.
“I’m so sorry. I wish there was more I could do.”
Sheba heard Delilah deliver the bad news to Nathan. She hung up with him. “He’s on his way.”
“Where’s David? I need my husband,” Sheba said as she bent down and wrapped her arms around her knees. She rocked back and forth as Delilah patted her on the back. “Sis, it’s going to be okay,” Delilah said.
Sheba wished Delilah would stop saying that. If she lost little David, it would never be okay again. Her world was crumbling all around her, and there was no sign of David. She needed him here with her.
By the time Nathan arrived, Sheba and Delilah were in the nursery. The nurses allowed Sheba to hold the baby one last time. She sat in the rocking chair, with him in her arms, and she rocked him back and forth.
She heard Nathan tell Delilah, “David’s on his way. We were at the church, praying. His car had a flat, but he’ll be here soon.”
Delilah responded, “I hope he hurries up. Bathsheba needs him.”
“How are you holding up, dear?” Nathan asked, turning to Sheba.
“The doctor says my baby’s dying, Nathan. His little heart’s not holding up. I don’t know how I’m supposed to deal with this. Look at him. He’s so innocent in all of this.”
Nathan kneeled down beside Sheba. She stopped rocking as Nathan placed one of his big hands on little David. “Father God, we ask that if it is your will, you heal David and Bathsheba’s child right now, Lord. Put your arm of protection around this child. Let him know that he’s loved not only by his parents, but also by those of us who have had a chance to be in his presence.”
Nathan looked in Delilah’s direction. Delilah was wiping her face with a tissue. He continued his prayer. “I know that this is not what we would have for little David, but you know best. Lord, be with his parents, and let them know, regardless of the outcome, that you are still in their midst. That you will never leave them or forsake them. That you will never put more on your children than they can bear. If you put them through it, they can make it through it.”
The alarm that was hooked up to little David went off. The nurses ran over to where Sheba sat and took him away from her. Sheba didn’t want to release him.
Sheba yelled out, “No! Not my baby,” as they unsuccessfully attempted to revive him.