Jacob had shaken his head and continued walking. He didn’t see how water from South Africa could be any different than water from Sugar Creek, Ohio. But the people who had been standing around were reaching for their wallets.
“Have you ever been to Tulsa before?” Anna nervously cracked her knuckles as she stared out the window at the tall buildings.
“Ya. My bus came right through the city. I didn’t want to go farther south, so I got off.” Jacob laughed at the memory. “But I didn’t see any Amish.”
“What did you do?”
“There’s a mission downtown, a place that allows you to sleep for free and gives you two meals a day—breakfast and dinner. I stayed there for three days, and then a counselor met with me. He told me there were only two Amish communities in Oklahoma—one in Clarita.”
“I’ve never been there.”
“It’s small, with only a few families, or so this man said. The other was Cody’s Creek.”
“That’s why you came to our town.”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t have met you if it wasn’t for him.”
Jacob started to argue. He was certain they had been destined to meet. He had no doubt that God would have found a way to put him in Cody’s Creek, but before he could say that, Dr. Hartman began to explain to them what was going to happen when they reached the hospital.
“We’ll go in through the doctor’s entrance. That should keep you away from the news media.”
“They’re here?” Anna asked.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. With Google it’s easy to figure out what hospital you were originally brought to. If I remember right, all the newspapers covered it.”
“But they have no reason to believe Anna is here now.” Jacob reached over and enfolded her hand in his.
“Standard procedure. They’ll position a few reporters and camera crews out front.” Dr. Hartman pulled into a parking garage. “I could be wrong, but it’s best to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.”
A woman Anna seemed to know met them as soon as they exited the elevator. She wore nurse’s scrubs and had a pleasant manner, though she glanced at Anna and away constantly—never quite making eye contact. It occurred to Jacob that she seemed almost afraid of her. He could have been imagining that, though. It already felt like a long day, and it was only noon.
Sandy had pulled in behind them. She hurried off to make sure the paperwork was ready for Anna’s tests. Apparently, they didn’t want her to have to spend any time in the waiting room.
Anna, Jacob, and Dr. Hartman walked down a long hall and through a set of double doors. Beyond that was another set of doors with the word “Radiology” above them. Also on the door was a yellow triangle, bordered in black and sporting what looked to Jacob like a black fan in the middle. When he asked Hartman about it, he explained that it was required to post the sign so that people would be aware they were walking into a restricted area.
“Everyone from nurses to patients to maintenance workers needs to be aware that they are working around contaminated materials.”
Anna didn’t seem surprised by any of this, but everything the doctor was saying concerned Jacob.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about. You’ll wait over there, in the waiting area. Anna will go back into one of the rooms with an MRI machine.”
“And it’s safe for her?”
“Yes. Quite safe.”
Anna put a hand on his arm. “I’ve done this several times, Jacob. It doesn’t hurt and allows them to take a picture of my spine.”
A nurse stepped through the doors and strode toward them. “They’re waiting for you, Anna. I’ll walk you back there.”
Anna nodded and then turned toward Jacob. “This shouldn’t take long.”
He reluctantly went down the hall to the tiny room with a television in the corner and a stack of magazines on a table. There was only one other person there—a stooped, older woman.
“Doctors and their tests,” she muttered to herself, though he thought it might be for his benefit. “They simply want to drain all the money they can out of us. And for what? I can tell my spine is curved.”
She shuffled away when a technician came for her. Jacob was relieved to have the room to himself.
Chloe hurried in. “She’s already having the tests? Where’s Sandy?”
“Anna went back a few minutes ago. Sandy went to check on the paperwork so Anna could go straight in. I haven’t seen her since we arrived. How was your drive?”
“A little strange. I had two cars follow me from Samuel’s.”
“They followed you here?”
“No.” Chloe walked over to a vending machine, put a dollar in, and received a bottle of water in return. “Do you want anything, Jacob?”
He shook his head. What he wanted was to take Anna home. “What happened with the cars? The ones that were following you?”
“I took the exit for the Hard Rock Casino on the east side of town.”
“You went to a casino?”
“I didn’t go in. I drove through the parking garage, came out the other side, made sure I’d lost them, and got back on the freeway. That’s why I’m a little late.”
Jacob sat forward, his elbows propped on his knees. “I’ve seen people act in strange ways before, but this… why would they follow you?”
Chloe shrugged. “It’s a big story. A lot of people are looking for miracles. A lot of them pray for one every day but never receive it. And then there are the skeptics.”
Jacob thought of the signs folks were holding as they waited outside of Samuel’s property. How long would they wait there? What did they expect to happen?
“How did it go here? With the staff?”
“What do you mean?”
“How did they treat Anna? Were they friendly?”
“Nein, not friendly. Not exactly.”
“What do you mean? I would think Anna would already know the nurses and technicians on this floor. She’s been here often enough.”
“I think Anna did know the nurse. She greeted her by name. But the woman acted a little distant, almost as if she was afraid to touch her.” Jacob shook his head. “I could be seeing emotions that aren’t there.”
Chloe sighed and took a long drink from her bottle of water. “The next few days are going to be hard, Jacob. Maybe as hard as when she was first injured. Anna’s going to need her family and her friends to be there for her.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll do whatever she needs me to.”
“I can see why she likes you so much. You’re one of the good guys.”
Jacob didn’t know how to answer that. Anna had said she liked him? And why was he one of the good guys? What had he ever done that was so out of the ordinary? He was only doing what anyone would do, at least anyone from their community.
But that wasn’t exactly true, and he realized it even as the thought crossed his mind. What he felt for Anna—it was special. Other people had been kind to her, but he’d been willing to do anything to brighten her day. He’d stayed in Oklahoma because of her, and he wasn’t about to leave now.
The wait seemed to stretch on interminably, but according to the clock they’d been there less than an hour when Anna joined them.
“Any problem?” Chloe asked.
“Nein. The test is simple enough.”
“What did the technician say?”
“He didn’t say anything.” She glanced at Jacob and back at Chloe. “But he seemed a little nervous.”
Jacob barely had time to think about that because Dr. Hartman walked in.
“I’d like us to go to my office if that’s okay.”
They went down another long hall that led to an elevator, which carried them to a different floor. When they reached his office, an elderly woman who looked at them kindly sat at a desk outside the main office.
“Cushing?” Hartman asked.
“Already waiting for you.”
“Hold my calls plea
se, Judith. I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Yes, Dr. Hartman.”
They walked into a well-furnished office. Jacob had guessed that Dr. Hartman was an important doctor at the hospital. The bank of windows, expensive cherry wood furniture, and leather chairs confirmed that. On the wall were several diplomas and pictures of Dr. Hartman with various patients. Other photos showed him shaking the hands of city officials. Jacob knew this because each picture was framed with a mat and a label explaining the photo. Another man stood beside Dr. Hartman’s desk.
“This is Brent Cushing. He’s the president of the hospital.”
Dr. Hartman introduced everyone, and then they sat down.
“It’s good to meet all of you.” Dr. Cushing was middle-aged with short black hair.
“As president of the hospital, Dr. Cushing has access to all records,” Dr. Hartman said. “He’s reviewed your chart, Anna, and he’s also looked over the results from today’s test—we both have.”
“I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Dr. Cushing cleared his throat. “I’ve worked with Dr. Hartman for a number of years, and I don’t doubt his records or his assessment. I also don’t doubt what I’ve seen with my own eyes.”
He had been talking to all of them, but now he turned and looked directly at Anna.
“Can you explain what happened, Anna? Do you have any idea why you can walk?”
She didn’t answer. She shrugged, as if she hadn’t a clue. None of them had any idea what had happened. Jacob had been too busy, too excited, to give it much thought. Or perhaps he had blocked the questions, ones that couldn’t be answered, from his mind.
“What did the test show?” she asked.
Dr. Hartman opened a file and pulled out two sheets of film. He walked over to a box on the wall and pushed a switch that turned on a light behind it. “We keep most records on the computer now, but I wanted you to be able to see the actual film. This is your spine after your accident, Anna. Clearly, a break is here.” He pointed to a spot three-quarters of the way down Anna’s spine.
Jacob had an urge to walk across the room and touch the film, to touch the spot where her spine had been severed. Better yet, he wanted to reach out to Anna and clasp her hand as he had in the car. But he stayed where he was, watching, listening, and wondering.
“This is your spine today.” Hartman slipped the second picture onto the light box next to the first one.
It was obvious, even to Jacob, that there was nothing wrong with the second picture. There was no break.
“Your spine is healed, Anna. Not only is it healed, but there’s no evidence that it was ever broken—no scar tissue, no nerve damage, nothing to suggest you’d had an accident. After nearly a year in a wheelchair your muscle tone had deteriorated markedly, and yet you’re able to walk with no trouble.”
“That’s gut, right?” Anna glanced around the room. “I don’t understand it any better than anyone else, but it’s a wunderbaar thing.”
“Yes, of course it is.” Dr. Cushing steepled his fingers. “However, I’d like to propose that we look at this in the broader context. How did it happen? Why did it happen? Perhaps there’s something you did… some herb…”
He stopped midsentence, and for the first time it seemed that his confidence was shaken. He stood and walked to the window, his hands in his pockets. When he turned back to look at them, he shook his head. “That’s absurd. I realized it even as the words came out of my mouth. I think we all know an herb can’t heal a spinal cord injury. Nothing can. Dr. Hartman is one of the best surgeons in the country. He couldn’t have operated on you with these results. There was no need to operate because your injury was irreparable. What we’re seeing is… well, it’s impossible.”
“It’s not impossible,” Chloe said. “Anna is proof of that.”
“Which is why we’d like to run some more tests. If you would be willing to stay a few days—”
Anna stood and drew the strap of her purse over her shoulder. When she did, Chloe and Jacob stood as well.
“Nein. I won’t stay a few more days, and there won’t be any more tests.”
Neither physician looked surprised.
“I want to thank you for taking care of me while I was sick, but I’m well now. If the test you did today can help you understand what happened and perhaps help others with my condition, feel free to use it. But after today, I hope never to see you again. No offense.”
Jacob wanted to cheer. He wanted to put his arms around Anna and swing her in a circle. He wanted to take her home.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and Dr. Hartman’s receptionist stepped inside.
“I’m afraid we have a problem.”
CHAPTER 47
Chloe wasn’t surprised that the press had found them. She was a member of that particular tribe. She understood all too well how desperate reporters were to catch a big story, and this story could be huge. She was still struggling to believe it herself.
After the receptionist had explained the size of the crowd outside the hospital, including three major television stations and several national affiliates, Dr. Cushing took charge.
“Dr. Hartman will drive you home now. You can leave the way you came.”
“Actually, I was going to drive them home.” Chloe looked to Anna and Jacob for confirmation.
They both nodded, though they looked a bit stunned at the latest turn of events.
“We could get a police escort,” Dr. Hartman suggested.
“Nein. I don’t want that. I just want to go home.”
“Very well,” he said. “Where did you park, Chloe?”
“In the outpatient lot.”
“Which is on the other side of the building from our main entrance. Good. Why don’t you bring your car around to the employees’ entrance. I’ll have Judith call ahead and tell the attendant to allow you through.”
“I’ll release a statement to the press.” Dr. Cushing stood and straightened his suit jacket. “That should keep them occupied for a little while.”
They had gathered their things and were hurrying out of the office when Anna stopped. She turned to Dr. Cushing. “What will you say?”
“Basically? No comment, but I’ll say it in such a way as to keep them occupied long enough for you all to get away.” He paused before he said, “Anna, I understand why you don’t want to be poked or prodded anymore, but if you change your mind—”
“I won’t.”
Sandy was waiting in the outer office. Dr. Cushing walked out, talking on his cell phone as he left. Dr. Hartman said to Sandy, “We’re taking them out the back way—by the chapel and employee cafeteria.”
“Is there any way I can help?”
“Come with us in case we need reinforcements.”
Chloe finally understood how serious the situation was. Reinforcements? Just so they could leave the building? Reporters were ambitious, but they weren’t crazy. There must be more going on outside than what they had been told.
The group of five hustled down the hall and into an elevator. Dr. Hartman put a key into the panel before pushing several buttons. “So we’ll go straight down,” he explained.
A moment later they stepped out of the elevator into a nearly empty hallway.
They had gone halfway down the length of the hall when two security guards appeared. “Sir, we have a situation.”
Everyone stopped. What else could have happened?
“The reporters?”
“No, sir. Dr. Cushing has their attention for the moment.”
The taller of the guards glanced at their little group, his eyes lingering on Anna for a moment. The shorter guy spoke briefly into his radio before turning his attention back to Dr. Hartman. His name tag had “Taylor” on it.
“They know she’s here. Someone leaked a picture of Miss Schwartz to the media as she was leaving the exam room.”
“What?” Dr. Hartman’s face flushed in anger.
“There’s more. The major networks have released pictures of her tests—both before and after.”
“That is a direct breach of our patient privacy laws! I want you to find out who leaked those tests, and they will be held responsible.”
“Yes, sir.”
The doctor scrubbed a hand across his face. “What is the outpatient parking lot like?”
“Jammed.”
“That’s where I’m parked.” Chloe stepped closer to Anna. “We need to get her out of here.”
“Take my car.” Sandy fished in her purse for a set of car keys. She scribbled her cell phone number on a sheet of paper. “We can meet up later and swap back. You’ve seen my car before, a white sedan. It’s on the third floor of the employee parking garage. My slot is three-one-four.”
Chloe had already pulled out her own keys. “Blue Chevy Cavalier. I’m all the way at the back of the outpatient parking area, probably surrounded by sharks.” She gave Sandy the license plate number for her car.
“All right.” Dr. Hartman glanced around. “Radio your men, Taylor. Instruct them to split your security force. Keep half out front and send the rest to the outpatient parking area. You two stay with Miss Schwartz until she is able to safely leave this property.”
Hartman turned to Anna. “Give us fifteen minutes. That should be enough time for the media to swarm the outpatient lot. You should have a clear path out of the employee lot.” He stopped and reached forward to touch her arm. “You’re a very special woman, Anna, and I’m sorry that what may be the most amazing day of your life has been marred by all of this.”
Turning from her, he said to Sandy, “Come with me,” and the two strode off in the direction they had come.
Taylor delivered orders to someone on the other end of his radio. After a moment, he faced them and said, “We can continue down this hall. Once we reach the end, we’ll wait for a few minutes until I receive word it’s safe for you to proceed.”
It all seemed completely surreal to Chloe. She’d covered a lot of stories in her life, but she’d never been through anything remotely like what was taking place.
Apparently, the hall had been cleared, as they passed no one. They didn’t see a single other person until they neared the chapel, when someone Chloe recognized stepped out.
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