A Boy from Beyond Saves His Mother
A little boy called me, begging me to save his dying mum. She was saved, but later, I discovered the boy, Charlie, who rang me had been buried a month earlier… Im a doctor. Over the years, Ive seen all sortsheartbreaking cases, joyful ones, even the odd funny story. But this one, perhaps the most astonishing, has stayed with me.
It happened early in my career, back in the 1980s. Fresh out of medical school, Id been assigned to a small-town clinic. Id expected a crumbling old building, but instead found a brand-new facility. The staff welcomed me warmly. I was over the moon! The first week passed without incident, though I often worked late. That Friday, I arrived early to organise paperwork before the morning rush. My nurse, Sarah, hadnt arrived yet. Just as I settled in, the phone rang.
I picked up to a bright young voice: Dr. James! My mums really poorly! Elm Street, number 11. Please hurry!
Whats wrong with her? I asked.
Shes dying! he whispered.
Dying? What happened? Call an ambulance! I urged.
No ones home but me. My sister hasnt come back yet, he murmured before the line went dead.
I grabbed my coat and dashed to the address. Fifteen minutes later, I pushed open the slightly ajar door. Hello? The doctors here! No answer. Inside, a woman lay slumped across the bed, her pale face hidden under tangled auburn hair. Her skin was icy, but a faint pulse flickered. An empty pill bottle lay on the floorshed taken a lethal dose. Id never dealt with a suicide before. Every second counted. Spotting a phone on the nightstand, I dialled emergency services. While waiting, I did what I could. The ambulance arrived swiftly, and I lied, saying shed miscalculated her medication and called me in panicto spare her the stigma of a psychiatric hold.
As they carried her out, neighbours crowded round. Will she pull through? an elderly woman asked.
Shell recover, I said firmly.
The old lady sighed. Must be her Charlie calling her. Her boy drowned. Been a month since the funeral.
But she has other childrena boy and a girl, I said.
She shook her head. No, doctor. Just the one.
My blood ran cold. Who had called me? What sister was the boy talking about? With no time to dwell, I rushed backclinic hours were starting.
Sarah gasped when I walked in. Dr. James! Where have you been? I was worried sick! I recounted the eerie events.
I know that family, she said softly. The womans name is Emily. Shes lovely. She and her husband struggled for years to have children. When Charlie came along, they doted on him. Whyd they lose their only boy? Her voice cracked. Then she frowned. But how did he call you? Our clinics phone line isnt even connected yet.
What? I stared at the phone. Sarah lifted the receiverno cord. My stomach dropped. Had a dead boy really rung me on a dead line? Was I losing my mind? Yet Id spoken to him.
That evening, I visited the hospital. Emily had stabilised, and her husband, Mark, clasped my hand. Doctor, thank you. Without you, my Emily would be gone. But Emily herself stared blankly out the window.
How did you find us? she asked flatly.
I told her about the call. A tear rolled down her cheek. Charlie saved me.
I squeezed her hand. Your son wants you to live. Fight for him! He even mentioned a sister
She shook her head. Doctors say I cant have children now. Turning away, she wept. I left, my own eyes stinging.
Years passed. One winter morning, a knock interrupted my clinic hours. In walked Emily and Markradiant, a world apart from the broken woman Id last seen. One hand rested on her rounded belly; the other held a little girl, about five.
Meet our daughter, Lily, Emily beamed. The girl peeked shyly from behind her mums skirt.
You saved my life, Emily said. Your words struck me. After I recovered, we went to an orphanage. Lily was on the steps, like shed been waiting. Then a miracle. She patted her belly.
Even now, I wonder: Why did Charlie choose me?
