He removed his white cap and explained the reason for the extended time in some indecipherable remarks, focusing his attention mainly on Dat. Rose was nevertheless heartened when he stated that the surgery had been as successful as could be hoped for. Now they’d have to wait and see if Mamm would be free of pain, once her body healed from the operation.Dat and Joshua rose and shook the man’s hand, thanking him. They were told that once Mamm was settled in the ICU, Dat would be permitted to see her. “And anyone else who is family.” The surgeon’s face cracked a rare smile when Dat informed him that they were nearly all family. Bishop Aaron and Barbara almost are, of course, Rose thought.Just knowing her mother could start to mend now, Rose began to feel somewhat lighter. She headed for the snack area to purchase a package of peanut butter crackers to share with Suzy or Hen. On the way back to the waiting area, she stopped at the water fountain to relieve her thirst.Forty more minutes passed before they were encouraged to relocate to yet another waiting area.
