W.W.米德/
OnewintereveningasIsatreading, myyoungson, Luke, 'sofficedesk.
Inthosedays, , , , -althoughhewouldn'tadmittomethathecoulddothat.
Ilookedupfrommypaper, , anot-too-flatteringimitationofme.“Ibrokemysaw,”hesaid, withdrawingthetoyfrombehindhisback.“Here.”
Hedidn', ', whotreasuredthetoolsofallprofessions, wouldnothaveapprovedofaplastic-handledsaw.
Isaid,“?”
.
Hewatchedmeintently, , turningoverthebrokenpiecesinmyhandsasIturnedoverthepastinmymind.
WhenIwasseven, I'dgonetomyfather', buthecouldalsobreakahorse, carveatopandslidedownLongHillonmysled, standingup!Ilikedtohangaroundhiswaitingroomandhearpeoplecallme“littleDoc”，andIlikedthewayhispatientsalwayslookedbetterwhentheylefthisoffice.
Butonthisday, whenIwasseven, mypurposewastoseemybestfriend, 'tbeeninschoolforthreedays, andhismotherhadsentwordtomyfather'snursethatshejustmightbringJimmyintoseethedoctortoday.
Whenthelastoftheafternoon'spatientshadgone, , , myfathersaidsuddenly,“Let'sgoupandcheckonoldJimmy.”Ifeltsquirmywithgratitude, , therewasalightintheupstairsbackwindowandanotheronthebackporch-theancientbeaconsoftrouble.
, Jimmy'soldersister, camerunningoutofthehouseandthrewherarmsaroundmyfather, cryingandshakingandtryingtotalk.“Oh, 'sdying!Dad''rehere.”
, , -smellingkitchenandupthenarrow, , , .
Hismothersaid,“Oh, , thenthisafternoonhestartedthisterriblesweat.”
IhadneverseenJimmy', bothherhandsonmyshoulders, asmyfatherlistenedtoJimmy'''sbreathandJimmy'shigh, wheezingresponse.
