Subj: Never Without You Part 5
Date: 6/15/99 6:39:08 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Jody
Dr. Halstead stood before the confines of Wyndcliffe having made one of his rounds with patients. Barnabas and Julia were there carrying on general conversation when they heard the voice raised of Dr. Jeffrey Halstead.
Apparently what had happened is one of the staff at Wyndcliffe had little knowledge or common sense about saying to him that in general medicine was cold and inhuman and doctors as a general rule were such too, cold and devoid of any humanity and understand. The remark was innocent, but Halstead made his point.
Barnabas interrupted and saw the man didn't do it on purpose and for often or not had thought this himself. That medicine and science was cold and impractical and those who practiced were devoid of passion and humanity. So Barnabas, replied. Jeffrey calm down, the man meant no harm to you, Its not a life threatening situation.
Halted usually calm and sedate, turned to Barnabas Collins, and lashed out. It's people like you Collins that give doctors a bad name, You apparently don't understand anything about the whys or whats behind medicine and why we are here as doctors. And yes we are people too.
Barnabas' became furious at this outrage, but Julia put her arm on Barnabas and motioned him to stop. She was defending Halstead , he couldn't understand. How could Julia defend Halted over him? He was shocked. She was relentless about this and kept her arm on him so he would remain calm.
She glanced over to Dr. Halted, replying. "Barnabas doesn't mean any harm Jeffrey, he just doesn't have the understanding." Barnabas was flabbergasted. Dr. Halstead walked over to Barnabas and Julia, and motioned them to follow him to a vacant room.
"Barnabas, I am sorry I got upset. But I think you have some misconception about Doctors and Medicine. I can only speak for myself. I think Dr. Hoffman is too blind to you on this subject, but I shall not remain silent on the issue. I have few things to you but this subject is of paramount importance to me. It's true many doctors are cold clinicians are cold and non feeling, but there are some of us like myself and DR. Hoffman who have dedicated our lives to save humans at the expense of our own lives. We are in this doctor business to save because we care. And yes ,Mr.Collins, I do care about my patients. I care for them when they hurt, suffer, have joy. I do all by training to help them. And Collins , yes we can feel and have passion beyond the vision of an ordinary man. Our hearts can be subject to the winds of the gods. We do feel, think , smell, and appreciate the beauty of life herein around us and we do rejoice unto our maker thanking for him for such gifts. I never take a day in life for granted , a gift of life is a joy to be savored and enjoy. Collins, I read classics, look at the ocean, the sky, listen to music. I assure you I am not devoid of humanity, is that understood. I love my life and the ability to be an active participant. The only regret I have is the fact I have no wife, and no children.But if I were to depart from the world, I would be no less a man for I have endured and appreciated my existence on earth , is that understood. Because I choose the time when to be this way or not, does not make me any less a man who loves life. It is just a matter of time and place in my case, Collins."
Julia was still holding on to Barnabas' arm motioning him not to get involved with Halstead over this issue. Reluctantly for Julia's sake he complied and they left the room.
Julia explained to Barnabas, "Barrnabas , sometimes we have to look at a man in his entirety. Jeffrey is very sensitive about this lack of appreciation for what and who some doctors are. He, like a few of us in life, are good human beings who strive to save human lives and help people. From all the suffering , we see we maybe more than most appreciate in life and have the able to have a appreciation for the gifts that life bestows us. In fact , Jeffrey is one of the humble men of his stature I have ever met. He is dedicated to helping our Barnabas heal, he is humble , and he will do anything in his power to help what he considers any good human with virtues . And he will go to any length beyond a normal man to do so . He is good, compassionate and kind. He loves his life on earth and filled with such an enthusiam about it. I think he gets upset with people, including you who don't understand. He considers both you and I to be good people who he shares in his realm of friends. He has a great amount of honor , Barnabas. He considers you , Barnabas to be a good, gentle and passionate man who also seeks to help others. I guess he got upset you do not understand. Forgive him will you?"
"Yes, Julia, I will. He considers me a good man?" asked Barnabas.
"Yes, Barnabas, he does, He has met many men but considers you to be one of the most genunine and decent men he has met. Halstead, will do anything for any friend of such stature, including , You, Barnabas. He would do anything to help you." replied Julia.
"Julia, does Halstead think of you as a friend and is willing to do anything for you he can. Do you think he would do anything to help you?" replied Barnabas
"Yes, replied Julia, he already had done more for you and I than you can even begin to imagine. He wants the friendship of us both. He hopes you and I will be his friends for a lifetime .And he has personally made such a sacrafice to do that."
"What do you mean Julia? " asked Barnabas. "Barnabas, if that's not evident I can not explain it to you. Lets talk about this at a more opportune time. Julia , are you not telling me something you should? What is wrong with you Julia in not telling me this?" asked Barnabas.
"Barnabas, in case you haven't known . Julia replied., Jeffrey likes you as an honorable man. He also desires a wife, a home and children. He intentionally has made no advances upon me, for he knows I care greatly for you. And won't even allow anything to begin, do you understand? He cares about your welfare too and wants you to be happy and me happy."
With that remark Julia left Barnabas and went back to her patients at Wyndcliffe.'
to be continued......