The nurse who was attending to David approached the little group. “We’re about to move him into surgery as soon as the room opens up, but you can step in real quick.” She paused and gave them a nervous smile. “And he’s already responding to the anesthesia a bit, so congratulations, I’m going to be your daughter-in-law.”

Susan glanced at Jimmy and Pastor Jeff and the two seemed as bewildered as she was.

With perfect comedic timing, the nurse said, “Just kidding. He did ask, but I said no.”

She led them into the room and Susan saw immediately that David had become what she could only describe as loopy. She’d seen videos online—Nate had shown her several—of people on anesthesia who said wild and hysterical things. Now it was David’s turn.

David was laughing at something when she walked in and when she said his name, he looked up, wide-eyed with surprise. “Aww, hey, guys, thank you for coming! Hey, come here, come here. I need to tell you something.”

Susan and Jimmy leaned close. David’s face was expectant, as if he were sharing a hidden secret that could save humanity.

Slowly, with a circular arm motion between them, he said, “We are family.”

“Oh, my goodness,” Susan said, standing straight as David began to sing the old Sister Sledge song, moving in the bed, bobbing his head as if he could hear the singers and the music at full volume.

Jimmy and Pastor Jeff watched and smiled. Susan leaned down. “David, I don’t think this is the best time to sing.”

“No, no, no, no, Mom. I’m going far in life. Farrrr.” He pulled his head back and pointed at her. “You’re the reason!” He looked at Jimmy. “You’re the reason. All of you are the reasons!”

David ran a finger over his lips and made a motorboat noise she remembered from his childhood. Susan wondered if everyone reacted this way to the anesthesia.

Suddenly David noticed the third person in the room. “Oh, hey, Pastor! I didn’t know you worked here. Come here, I got to tell you a secret.” When Pastor Jeff leaned close, David said, “I really like your sermons.”

“Thank you,” Jeff said.

“Especially the good ones,” David said, and then he broke into another round of laughter.

Thankfully the nurses arrived to take David to surgery. Susan kissed him and David raised a hand and yelled, “All right, let’s do this, people! Let’s kick this dog and make him holler!”

Susan shook her head and walked into the hall, watching them roll David away. He was still talking when they rounded the corner.

“And you’re a reason, and you’re a reason. There’s a lot of reasons around here.”

“He’s going to be okay,” Jimmy said.

“I still want to pray,” Susan said.

Jeff nodded. “Absolutely.”

CHAPTER 22