The Doctor Denied His Father at the Door

CHAPTER 3 - The Daughter Who Heard Too Much

Sophie improved slowly.

Mark visited before and after every shift, but he did not know how to behave around her.

He could diagnose her fever and listen to her lungs.

He could not recover six missing birthdays.

Sophie called him Dr. Mark.

She asked what food he liked, whether he had a dog, and why he never visited her mother.

Mark answered carefully.

"I did not know where she was."

"Grandpa knew."

"Yes."

Sophie became quiet.

Walter remained in another hospital room. He told Sophie that he had lied to both her parents.

"I wanted Mark to become important," Walter said.

"Was Mommy not important?"

Walter's eyes filled with tears.

"She was. I was too proud to understand that."

Sophie turned her face toward the wall.

Mark was angry with Walter, but Sophie's rejection hurt the old man more than anything Mark could have said.

The hospital social worker asked Mark what he intended to do when Sophie was discharged.

Mark hesitated.

Becoming her father was not only an emotional promise. Sophie needed a home, a school, medical care, and time to grieve her mother.

"I met her three days ago."

The social worker answered gently.

"She lost her mother four months ago. Do not make promises because you feel guilty. Decide what you can actually give her."

Sophie heard part of the conversation.

That evening, she climbed out of bed and tried to find Walter.

A nurse discovered her near the elevator, crying and struggling to breathe.

Mark rushed to her.

Sophie pushed his hand away.

"You do not want me either."

"That is not what I said."

"Grandpa said he wanted you to be important. I am going to make your life difficult."

Mark knelt in front of her.

"You are not a problem I have to solve."

"Then what am I?"

He had no easy answer.

He carried her back to bed and remained until her breathing settled.

Then he told her the truth.

"I am frightened. I know how to be a doctor. I do not know how to be your father."

Sophie studied his face.

"Mommy did not know how at first either."

Mark laughed through his tears.

"No. I suppose she did not."

Sophie held out her small hand.

"You can learn slowly. I am still learning how to be your daughter."