The Wisdom of Evil Read Online Free Page A

which was often the case in those who’d grown up in abusive homes.
    She took a deep breath and told the doctors they would need to think about it and let them know their decision. She could see the relief on Ted’s face.
    “ I want another opinion from a doctor not from this hospital. Then, if need be, we will sign the paperwork to terminate her life. I cannot do that at this point, not if there is even a slim chance she could…recover.”
    “As I explained, there is a zero chance of recovery ,” Dr. Pierce said.
    “ I understand what you’re sayin', but this is our mother you are asking us to pull the plug on. Please have another doctor here before we arrive. We want that second opinion or we won’t make any decision at all.” She left the doctors staring after her as she walked briskly from the room. She didn’t give a shit what they thought of her; she’d stood her ground and spoke up for her mother because she couldn’t do it for herself.
    The family traveled back to Maine with heavy hearts, the weight of a dreadful decision to be made even as the sleepless night was beginning to take its toll. It was now late morning; the sky was a perfect, cloudless blue; the ground spectacular with a blanket of white snow as yet untouched by oil and dirt from the roads. The beauty of it seemed surreal, as though the night before had never happened, the darkness and gloom that accompanied the blizzard, only a nightmare.
    Glory felt numb and yet a major decision was hanging over her head, swinging back and forth like a pendulum, the very pendulum of death, waiting, lurking, and she would be the one to bring it down upon her own mother. Deep down, she knew her brother would balk at any decision and she’d have to do it…and learn to live with it.
    They pulled into the long driveway, as yet unplowed. Joan opened the door before they’d even reached the stairs. A very strong and capable woman of seventy, she had a heart of gold; Glory adored her. Her face was etched with weariness and worry. Glory was sure she hadn’t slept a wink, yet she was fully dressed, and her perfect white hair combed neatly, as always. Her eyes, blue and kind, were as big as saucers as she asked what had gone on at the hospital.
    The four of them sat at the dining room table as Glory told Joan everything that had been said. She looked as shocked and disgusted as they had when Glory mentioned the autopsy and organs request. Yet, she said nothing. As long as her mother was still breathing, she would hope. Glory couldn’t accept death until it was undeniable; and even then, she struggled with it. Mickey and Olivia came out of their rooms to greet them and let them know happily that school had been cancelled due to the snow storm. Ted’s son, Sean, joined them as they went out to play in the snow.
    “So, what are we going to do?” Ted asked.
    Everyone turned to look at Glory. Again, she felt the ponderous weight of it, that she must provide the answers, she must fix it!
    As the oldest child of two alcoholics, and having worked hard to not become like them, her family, including Joan, admired her. As for her brother, he was just like them, and couldn’t really make the decision. He would leave it to her and then most likely hate her for it.
    “You saw there was nothin ’ left. No brain activity. I think the choice is clear,” she said gently.
    “We can’t do that! What if we take her home and care for her?” Ted exclaimed.
    “Ted, that isn’t our mother any more lying on that bed. It’s just her body. She can’t see us or even…breathe on her own. There’s no quality of life at all.”
    “So, you ’d just pull the plug? Just like that?” He snapped his fingers in her face.
    “ Would you want to live like that? I know I wouldn’t.” Glory spoke calmly, gently, although she felt neither of those things.
    “ Yeah, well, being alive is better than being dead!” Ted said defiantly.
    “Ted, please, you must know your sistah doesn’t