Chapter 18: The Journey (2)
The emergency clinic was located in Zone C of the airport, at the opposite end from the waiting lounge in Zone A, the two areas sitting at either extreme of the terminal.
Old John ran the entire way with the baby in his arms, finally reaching the emergency clinic. The doctor stationed there took the infant, gave her a quick examination, then came to a baffled conclusion with a puzzled look on his face. “There’s nothing wrong with the child. She’s very healthy.”
“How is that possible? Everly has never spit up milk like this before!”
Old John refused to believe the doctor and urged him to examine Everly again.
However—heaven be merciful—Everly really had just spit up milk. No matter how many times they checked, the doctor maintained that she did not need to be hospitalized or given any medication. The two talked past each other for quite a while. By the time Old John was finally convinced and picked up the baby, ready to return to the waiting lounge, it was already too late.
They had missed the flight.
The good news was that the suitcase Old John had left in the waiting area had clearly been rummaged through, but since the contents were so worthless, nothing had been stolen.
After repacking the suitcase, Old John held the baby and slumped into a chair in the waiting lounge for a while.
After running back and forth all morning, even a man of iron would be exhausted—let alone someone in his sixties, long past the days of boundless energy.