the Sabbath."
"Yes. But He worked the other days."
The elderly lady walked at a brisk pace. She was a relatively fit person defying her advanced age whilst Naomi, a much younger woman, struggle to keep pace with her. They walked forever down the High Street. The elderly woman was definitely in her element once she got into her stride. At the half way point, Naomi was slowing down to catch her breath.
"Are we there yet?"
"We've nearly there."
"Why did I ever let you talk me into going out?"
"Can't we take a bus there?"
"Yes, but the exercise is good for you, Naomi."
"Who said I needed the exercise?"
"We all need physical and mental exercise."
"Are we there yet?"
"We have a few more yards to go."
"Thank you, Jesus."
"We are finally here."
They entered into the hospital with its whitewashed walls and red plastic chairs in the waiting area. A strong scent of disinfectant filled the air. The porters were pushing empty beds inside the elevator preparing for the next incoming patients. Nurses and doctors clothed in white uniforms rushed inside the lift. There was just enough space inside of the lift for Naomi and the elderly woman. Bodies were tightly compacted together making it uncomfortable. As soon as the auxiliary workers forced their way into the lift the elderly lady and Naomi decided to escape down the flights of stairs.
The whole hospital was heavily protected with CCTV cameras, security guards and alarmed doors leading to each ward. All visitors had to report first to the nurses on entrance to each ward and they were asked to rub gel onto their hands. Erik was seating in the armchair reading the newspaper. His brown eyes glowed brightly when he saw the elderly woman approaching him through the ward. They greeted each other with kisses and hugs. You could tell their relationship was intimate.
Naomi was a few feet away from Erik. Flashback of the mugging in Lower Ashworth Park entered into her mind. She felt emotionally sick inside as she recalled the familiar unwashed smells permeating from Erik. She was just about to turn back when the elderly woman pulled out a chair for Naomi to seat on. She moved the chair further away from Erik as the sense of fear gripped her.
Erik was ten years older than Naomi. He looked in good health and there was clearly no visible sign of physical disability or any reasons for him being in hospital. Naomi was curious to know the story behind Erik admission to hospital but she first needed to confront him about the incident in the park.
"Is that you, Naomi?"
"Yes."
"Long time no see."
"It has been a long time."
"How are you doing, girl?"
"Erik, were you in the park when I was mugged?"
"I'm always in the park."
"Were you in the park when I was mugged?"
"Yes. I was in the park."
"Why did you mug me and mum?"
"I was young and foolish and I joined the Lower Ashworth gang. I was one of the many new members of the gang. The leader of the gang asked us to stab or rob someone as an act of initiation into the group. Unless I mugged you guys, another new member of the gang would have stabbed you to death."
"We're family remember."
"I know Naomi. I did it to protect you and your mum or they would have definitely killed you both."
"Why didn't you tell us this before? I was an emotional wreck ever since the day of the mugging."
"I would have compromise myself so leaving you and your mum in grave danger."
"You shouldn't have joined the gang in the first place. It's horrid and disgusting."
"You are right. Can I be honest with you?"
"Yes."
"I had no family ties. Dad had abandoned us and we were poor. The gang became my family. I was accepted by the gang and for the first time in my life I had money in my pocket to buy clothes."
"Money is not everything, Erik."
"I know that now."
"We didn't know how bad things were with you, Erik or if we knew we would have helped you."
"Thank you, Naomi. Will you forgive me for robbing you?"
"Perhaps."
"It would mean the world to me if you would find it in your heart to forgive me."
"Okay. What are you doing in hospital?"
"I have prostate cancer and I'm having treatments."
"I am so sorry to hear that."
"Don't feel sorry for me, I have kept the faith and I will finish the race."
"What is your story?"
"Most of my young adult life I was a staunch unbeliever of God. I believed I controlled my own destiny and gained respect through the gang."
"What you sow is what you reap?"
"I trusted the gang members with my life until the leader tried to assassinate me."
"Why on earth would he want to do such a thing?"
"I was gaining the confidence and respect of the gang members. But the leader of the gang was envious of my exploits and the gang member's admiration of me."
"Are you telling me the truth, Erik?"
"Oh yes, I was creating havoc in people lives because I was unhappy with my lot. I hated people for being happy. My life was pointless."
"What made you turn your life around?"
"I was engaged to marry this woman and she told me that she felled in love with Jesus. I was extremely upset, angry and confused at the time. She was the love of my life."
"What happened next?"
"I despised Jesus for taking away my true love. One day I asked God to prove to me that He is real. Nothing happened at first. I sat down on the lawn in tears. A few moments later a piece of paper from nowhere landed on my lap with the words expressing Jesus love for me and dying on the cross for my sins."
The elderly lady opened her handbag with due care and took out the brown envelope. She handed it to Naomi.
"Please don't open the envelope until I am gone. The letter will instruct you on what you should do."
"What is the letter about?"
"You must take care of the letter. I know you can do it. It's up to you to carry out God's business."
"What's inside of the letter?"
"Promise me you won't open it before I'm gone."
"Where are you going?"
"Erik and I are going to get married in Barbados."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Naomi."
"We can't live forever and we want to enjoy our lives."
Erik gasped for air from the oxygen tank and repeated this several times. He reassured them that the gas was to ease his pain whilst the elderly lady shared her life experience with Naomi.
"I remembered when I was your age, Naomi. It was not long ago. I wasted my time worrying about the things I couldn't control and have missed out on too many opportunities to socialise with love ones. When you have a limited amount of time to live you don't care about what other people think about you anymore."
"That is quite deep and what do you mean by that?"
"Don't allow events and circumstances to distract your vision for a better life. We are part of a greater whole. Can't you see, Naomi? Don't let your life become like mine. I lived in that bedsit for all of my life. I had never exceeded beyond my low expectation and aspiration. Don't let your past determine your future."
"You must change your thinking."
"How can I change my thinking?"
"Change what you read. The input will influence the output. You churn out what you read. Negative statements will produce panic and fear. You must endeavour to become more proactive. Set goals for your life and discover your passion and finally think big."
"How do I do that?"
"Is there something you are doing which blesses others?"
"I enjoy serving other people and I like writing stories."
"That is where you need to start from. You are young enough to go back to college and enrol yourself onto a writing course. You can change the world."
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The elderly woman glanced at her watch. Visiting time was over. She kissed Erik fully on his lips. She was more than thirty years his senior and was clearly upset with leaving Erik on the ward. It was now obvious to Naomi that Erik and the elderly woman were in love.
"I have an appointment with the hairdresser. I must leave you now. I will see you soon. Don't you be afraid? I love you, always," said the elderly woman.
I won't be afraid. I love you too," declared Erik.
Walking back from the hospital Naomi was brimming with questions. The elderly woman kept quiet and she wasn't taking the bait. She blanked out Naomi completely and headed for another direction which made Naomi become even angrier.
"What's inside of the letter?"
"I can't tell you?"
"I need to know."
"Open it when I'm gone."
"Why?"
"Everything will be explained you by the letter."
"You're not going to tell me what inside of the letter. Are you?"
"No. It's not all about you, Naomi."
"What do you mean?"
"You know what exactly what I mean."
"Tell me, then?"
"Jill's daughter has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jayne is unable to fit into large social groupings and she has panic attacks and severe anxiety. Jeff has helped Jill raised Jayne. He stood by Jill's side during the hard times.
"How do you know about Jayne?"
"Jill had been off work sick and we had worked together at the bakery."
"Are you saying I don't think of others?"
"Yes. You are selfish and you mustn't quit on life. It will get better."
"I am leaving you now. My time with you has expired."
"You sound like you are offering me counselling."
The elderly woman walked away into the distance leaving Naomi confused. The next day Naomi returned to the hospital and there was no sign of Erik. It was as though they had never existed. The nurse on reception told her that Erik had discharged himself from the ward in the morning. Naomi had mixed