Generous Gesture: A Surgery Upgrade
Alan watched as Ariel went outside of the hospital building to take in the fresh air.
It was a beautiful, clear day, a stark contrast to the sterile and antiseptic atmosphere inside the hospital. He felt a mix of relief and anxiety, knowing that Ariel was out there somewhere, safe for the moment, but also apprehensive about what lay ahead. She had been through so much, and the uncertainty of her son's condition weighed heavily on her mind. Ariel wasn't willing to share her son's condition with him. He understood that he was a stranger to her and that strangers were not to be trusted. But he meant it when he told her he would help.
Determined to gather information about her son, he walked to the hospital reception, where the hustle and bustle of nurses, doctors, and patients created a constant background hum of activity. Approaching the desk, he waited patiently for a nurse to become available.