A Boy from Beyond Saved His Mother
A little boy called me, begging me to save his dying mother. She was saved, but it turned out later that the ladTommywhod rung me had been buried a month earlier… Im a doctor. Over the years, Ive seen all sorts in my practice. Some stories were sad, others joyful, a few downright odd. But one, perhaps the strangest of all, stuck with me.
This happened early in my career, back in the 1980s. Fresh out of medical school, Id been assigned to a small-town clinic. Id expected some run-down old building, but it was brand new. The staff welcomed me warmly. I was delighted! The first week passed uneventfully, though we worked late into the evening.
That Friday, I arrived early, hoping to sort paperwork in peace. The nurse, Margaret, hadnt come in yet. But the moment I settled in, the phone rang.
I picked up to a boys bright voice: «Dr. Edwards! My mums poorly! Its 11 Oak Lane. Please hurry!»
«Whats wrong with her?» I asked.
«Shes dying!» he whispered.
«What happened? Call an ambulance!» I urged.
«No ones home but me. My sisters not back yet,» he murmured before the line went dead.
I threw on my coat and rushed to the address. Fifteen minutes later, I pushed open the slightly ajar door. «Hello? Medical emergency!» No answer. Inside, a woman lay sprawled across the bed, her face deathly pale beneath tangled dark hair.
Her skin was ice-cold, 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 called for an ambulance. While waiting, I did what I could.
The paramedics arrived swiftly. I lied, saying shed misjudged her medication and called me in time. I didnt want her labeled mentally illsuicides were treated harshly back then.
As they carried her out, neighbours gathered. «Will she pull through, Doctor?» an old woman asked.
«Shell recover,» I said firmly.
The woman sighed. «Must be her Tommy calling her. Poor lad drowned. Been a month since they buried him.»
«But she has other childrena boy and girl,» I said.
The old woman shook her head. «No, Doctor. He was her only one.»
Then whod called me? What sister had the boy mentioned? With no time to dwell, I hurried backthe clinic was opening.
Margaret threw up her hands. «Dr. Edwards! Whereve you been? I was worried sick!»
I told her the strange tale. Her face fell. «Thats Lydia. Lovely woman. She and her husband longed for children. When Tommy came, they doted on him. Whyd fate take their only child?» Her voice cracked. Then she frowned. «But howd they ring you? Our clinics phone hasnt been connected yet.»
«What?» I stared at the phoneonly then noticing it lacked a cord.
Had a dead boy called me on a dead line? Was I losing my mind? Yet Id spoken to him.
That evening, I visited Lydia in hospital. Her husband gripped my hand. «Thank you, Doctor. You saved my Lydia.»
But Lydia gazed blankly out the window. «How did you find us?» she whispered.
I told her about the call. A tear slid down her cheek. «Tommy saved me.»
I squeezed her hand. «Your son wants you to live. Fight for his sake! He even mentioned a sistermaybe theres hope.»
She shook her head. «Doctors say Ill never have children.» She turned away, weeping.
I left, my own eyes stinging. I didnt visit againshe seemed uneasy around me. But their story haunted me.
Five years later, during a winter clinic, a knock came. To my shock, Lydia stood there, radiant, holding a five-year-old girl and cradling her swollen belly. «Meet our daughter, Emily,» she beamed. The girl peeked shyly from behind her skirt.
«You saved me,» Lydia said. «Your words struck my heart. After recovering, we went to an orphanage. Emily was on the steps, as if waiting. Then I understood why Tommy wouldnt let me die. And then… another miracle.» She touched her belly. The baby kicked, strong and sure beneath her palm. Lydia smiled through tears. «Hes coming, Dr. Edwards. A second chance. A family whole again. Tommy brought us all back to life.» I looked at Emily, clutching her mothers hand, her eyes bright and full of wonderjust like the voice on that silent phone. And for the first time, I believed in miracles.
