Woman: “Why are you skipping the line? Everyone here isn’t feeling well.”
“Why don’t you just call me Granny! I need to get through, and I will!”
The man with a bandaged head merely waved his hand dismissively. “Just let her be. We’ve got nowhere to rush.”
“But that’s not true! Everyone here has somewhere to be!” The queue grumbled collectively.
An elderly gentleman tapped the impatient woman on her shoulder with his walking stick. Who knows how the confrontation would have ended, but just then, the door opened, and a flirtatious nurse announced sweetly, “Sarah Robinson, please come in.”
The woman waved her manicured hand at the line and disappeared through the door.
“Hello, doctor! So, what good news do you have for me? Surely, the scan showed I’m perfectly healthy?”
The doctor busied himself sorting papers into folders, hesitating to start the conversation.
Finally, he gestured to a chair. “Please, take a seat. Believe me, I struggle to deliver serious news to patients. But you’ve neglected your health for too long. A little earlier might have changed things… Linda, could you get the patient some water?”
He began rearranging the folders again. “Yes, this is how it sometimes goes… I wasn’t expecting it myself – the tumor is inoperable, stage four.”
The confident demeanor was replaced by shock.
“Doctor, how is this possible? Just like that?! I’m only 39! I haven’t even married. I studied for so long, then focused on my career. Surely, there’s surgery? Maybe some injections? I know cancer treatments are advanced now. Doctor? Surgery? You help others! I’ll pay whatever it takes. Or I’ll go to Europe for treatment. Why are you silent?!!”
“My dear, I wish I could comfort you. But at this stage, there’s no use. I’m not just going off the scans. We have MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood tests – everything together. I’ve practiced medicine for over 30 years. It’s hopeless. If you’d like, I can give you a referral to a hospice. You’ll likely need it. You have no family, and this malicious disease is spreading quickly through your body. Soon you won’t be able to care for yourself. Wait! Where are you going? I’ll write you a referral.”
But Sarah walked unsteadily into the corridor. The previously aggressive queue rushed to assist her.
“Is it that bad? You look pale! Here, take a sedative! Clear a space for the woman; she doesn’t look well!”
An elderly lady patted her hand: “Dear, go to church, speak to the vicar, and then we’ll see.”
Sarah thanked everyone and left her “Ford” in the oncology department’s lot, opting to take the bus. At home, she set the kettle, prepared coffee, and turned on the TV. A boy with leukemia was on the screen, and some charity was collecting funds for a life-saving operation in England. The boy’s mother clutched her hands to her chest, pleading, “You’re our only hope, kind people, he’s my only child, and he so badly wants to live! We’ve raised almost two-thirds of the money, but we still need so much.”
Sarah gazed into the boy’s large eyes, seemingly begging her, “Auntie, I’m counting on you!” She pulled out her iPhone and donated the remaining amount needed for the operation. Only then did she curl up on the couch and cry like she never had before.
“Oh Lord, oh Lord, help me!” She suddenly realized she didn’t even know a single prayer.
—
As Sarah Robinson stepped out of the elevator, the office erupted into a flurry: “The Dragon’s coming!” – and they scattered to their desks. Her secretary, unable to contain her sarcasm, remarked, “Got a new dress code, Miss Robinson?”
“Oh, Inga, you’re always sharp-tongued! Why haven’t I fired you yet?”
“Who else can handle your temperament? I’ve got nerves of steel. But really, what’s behind today’s ensemble? A floor-length skirt, scarf over your hair – I’d pass you in the street without recognizing you!”
“Inga, cut the chatter. Take a seat, ready a memo, I’ll dictate it now. As for the outfit, I went to church this morning.”
“You? In church?! Did someone pass away?”
Sarah paled. “No, everyone’s alive for now. Just type the memo. I’m taking a two-month leave. No questions! Your chatterrr is endless! And call Peter Harrison, he’ll be stepping in for me. Draft a memo for him as well: ‘Acting Director of the company…etc.’ I trust him implicitly.”
As Sarah walked to the parking lot, the office buzzed like a hive: “Did you hear? The Dragon’s taking two whole months off! Never been out of the office on weekends, and now this!”
Peter Harrison quelled the murmurs: “Back to work, everyone! Just because the director’s on leave doesn’t mean we slack off!” And office noise was reduced to the sound of keyboards and whispered phone calls: “Did you hear?…”
—
As the pilgrimage bus approached Canterbury Cathedral, Sarah’s heart fluttered with anticipation. She couldn’t take her eyes off the glistening spires. “Oh God, it’s so beautiful! What have I been doing with my time? Always missing, always rushing…”
Pilgrims bustled about.
“We must visit the shrine!”
“No, follow the guide, or you’ll get lost; and then someone will have to find you!”
“I came to see the vicar… or sage… I’m not sure what to call them. I barely understand what a sage is.”
A fellow pilgrim explained: “A sage is a monk or priest who has achieved spiritual purity and can therefore reveal God’s will for a person.”
“Oh dear, you need days to see him! You’ll still need a place to stay later. Where will you sleep?”
And their guide was doing their job: “This is the Chapter House, admire its beauty! But keep your cameras away, photos are only allowed outside.”
“If only I could see the priest,” Sarah interjected quietly.
“Alright, alright. We’ll take this restless soul along; she won’t let us be. Over there is Becket’s shrine, head that way and join the line. Over there’s another line for holy water.”
The pilgrims split up – some suddenly needed holy water. The rest went to pray before the relics of St. Thomas.
It became evident they’d have to wait two, maybe three days. The more proactive ones recorded names and offered available lodgings in nearby homes. Soon Sarah caught up with her fellow pilgrims. The woman she befriended on the journey was curious: “Are you here for penance?”
“No, my issue is different.”
“But I’ve heard everyone comes to him for penance. Have you visited any sacred sites before, or is this your first?”
“I have,” sighed Sarah. “I’ve visited many churches in London, been to Lindisfarne. The first time I traveled to Canterbury to see the shrine of Thomas. I’ve been on the road for almost two months. I’ve seen much, learned a thing or two, thank God! I didn’t even know the Lord’s Prayer before. I’ve met wonderful people on this pilgrimage.”
“Wow… You must have serious concerns.”
“Let’s hurry! I want to reach the shrine! I bought a booklet in London and read all about it. The relics lie in the southern part of the cathedral in a specially crafted case, and it’s the main sacred site of the cathedral and Canterbury itself. Let’s pick up the pace; there they are.”
When the pilgrims visited all the shrines, Sarah returned to her line. Her accommodation had already been sorted nearby…
—
The silvery crescent moon descended towards the horizon, and Sarah and her new friend chatted away. The lively Rose shared tales of her ample family. Sarah began to doze off, only to be awakened again by Rose.
“I keep thinking… So you don’t have close family, shouldn’t you start your own? Have some kids – nearly forty already! As a vicar says – it’s like dried flowers. Surely there’s someone you fancy? Anyone who makes your heart race?”
“I’ve thought about it. There’s a man I’m quite fond of. But he’s quite shy. I see he watches me with admiration but hasn’t confessed. He’s my assistant.”
“Then confess yourself! It’s possible.”
“Dear Rosie, a family just isn’t in my story. I should’ve thought about it earlier. Maybe then…”
“Why did you stop? What might have happened?”
“Come on, let’s sleep! We’ve talked all night. And as for family, it’ll never happen for me. I have cancer. The doctor said no more than six months, and two have already passed.”
“Oh my dear, what a sorrow! And here I am, babbling away… Lord, such a wonderful woman, please help her!”
Sarah couldn’t hold back her tears. Visiting sacred sites, she had felt deeply how wonderful it was to live, to know God’s love, to connect with good people… Ah! It was all education and career! Pushing forward always! Missed everything! To hell with that career! What did I achieve? Being feared by my own colleagues, among whom could be genuinely nice people like Rosie. And they actually call me – the Dragon – behind my back! This is what I’ll leave to the Lord with! God, forgive me, forgive!”
Rose comforted her as best as she could.
The next morning, Rose whispered to someone in the line, and Sarah was allowed to see the sage out of turn. Nervously, she entered the small room, asking for a blessing.
“I bless you for the journey, my child! You are eagerly awaited where you’re headed.”
“What about my health? Is there anything else to do, Father?”
“I’m not a magician. I’ll pray for you. God has given you a challenge, bear it with grace. Look how your spirit has mended! Go with God! Remember – you’re expected! Yet you left no address or phone.”
“How do you know?” she stammered. “Forgive me, Father!”
The sage chuckled, “Well, if I didn’t know even that, would people queue up to see me!”
—
Surprisingly, there was no waiting at the oncologist’s this time. Sarah’s heart hammered so fiercely that she pressed her hand against her chest, trying to calm it.
The elderly doctor stood to greet her: “My dear, why did you leave without leaving an address?”
“My address isn’t my house nor a street!”
“You’re joking, but we had the whole city looking: police, hospitals, mortuaries! Forgive me, how wrong I was with your diagnosis! The files were next to each other. Robinson, Sarah Jane and Robinson, Sarah Grace. You don’t have cancer! You’re healthy! You understand? Healthy! Calm down, these things happen. You’re entitled to sue me. Dear Lord, why are you crying?!”
“But Doctor, what about my namesake, Sarah Grace?”
“Oh, you mean… She passed away two weeks ago. Peacefully, in her sleep. And you, my dear, look like a new person! It’s as if you’ve healed! You could say – you’ve recovered!”
