A racist doctor named Richard rejects a Black woman’s treatment, convinced her swollen abdomen is nothing serious. A few days later, something happens that he never expected. The woman he declined to treat actually has a life-threatening condition. Will he find the courage to make things right?
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Dr. Richard Collins strode through the hospital corridors, his white coat crisp and his posture impeccable. The click of his polished shoes echoed off the walls, announcing his presence before he even entered a room. Nurses and junior doctors scurried out of his way, their eyes cast down in a mix of respect and fear.
Richard’s reputation preceded him. He was known as one of the best surgeons in the country, his hands steady and his mind sharp. Patients from all over sought his expertise, and his colleagues spoke of his skills with awe. But there was another side to Dr. Collins that lurked beneath the surface of his professional success.
As he approached the examination room, he glanced at the chart in his hand. His lips curled into a subtle sneer when he saw the patient’s name: Gloria Johnson. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he considered a waste of his valuable time. Richard pushed open the door, his eyes immediately falling on the Black woman sitting on the exam table. Gloria’s hands were clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes filled with worry and hope.
But Richard saw none of that. All he saw was someone he deemed unworthy of his time and skills.
“Mrs. Johnson,” he said, his voice clipped and cold. “What seems to be the problem today?”
Gloria began to explain her symptoms, her voice trembling slightly. “Doctor, I’ve been having these sharp pains in my abdomen. They’ve been getting worse, and I’m really worried.”
Richard barely listened as he flipped through her chart, his mind already made up. He cut her off mid-sentence.
“Mrs. Johnson, I’m sure it’s nothing serious, probably just indigestion or menstrual cramps. Have you tried over-the-counter pain relievers?”
Gloria’s face fell, her hopes for a thorough examination dashed. “But doctor, it feels different this time. I’ve never had pain like this before.”
Richard sighed, impatience clear in his tone. “Mrs. Johnson, I assure you, if it were anything serious, you’d know. Take some painkillers and rest. If it persists, see your regular doctor.”
Without waiting for a response, Richard turned on his heel and headed for the door. He had more important patients to see—ones he believed truly deserved his expertise. As he left, he missed the look of disappointment and fear that crossed Gloria’s face.
The next day, Gloria returned to the clinic, her face etched with pain and worry. Her hand rested on her abdomen, which was visibly swollen beneath her loose-fitting blouse. She struggled to walk, each step causing her to wince. As she entered Dr. Collins’s office, Richard looked up from his desk, annoyance flashing across his face.
“Mrs. Johnson, back so soon?” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Gloria eased herself into the chair, her breath coming in short gasps. “Dr. Collins, please, the pain is much worse today, and my stomach… it’s swollen. Something’s not right.”
Richard leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. His eyes narrowed as he looked at Gloria, not with concern, but with disdain.
“Mrs. Johnson, didn’t I tell you yesterday it was nothing serious? Are you here for attention or pain medication?”
Tears welled up in Gloria’s eyes. “No, doctor. I’m really scared. This isn’t normal for me.”
Richard stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. “Listen, Mrs. Johnson, I’ve seen your type before. Coming from your background, I’m sure you’re not used to proper medical care, but that doesn’t mean you can waste my time with every little ache and pain.”
Gloria flinched at his words, feeling small and insignificant under his harsh gaze. She tried once more, her voice barely above a whisper. “But doctor, please, just look—”
“Enough!” Richard cut her off. “Take some more painkillers and stop exaggerating. There are patients with real problems who need my attention.”
Gloria’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She slowly stood up, one hand on her swollen abdomen, the other wiping away a tear, as she shuffled towards the door. Richard’s voice followed her.
“And Mrs. Johnson, next time, try not to be so dramatic. It’s unbecoming.”
The door closed behind Gloria with a soft click. She stood in the hallway, feeling humiliated and disheartened. The pain in her abdomen throbbed, a constant reminder of the dismissal she had just faced. With a heavy heart and an even heavier step, Gloria made her way out of the clinic, wondering what she would do now.
Emily burst through the front door, her backpack swinging wildly as she called out, “Dad, I’m home!” Her voice echoed through the spacious hallway of their suburban home.
Richard emerged from his study, a tired smile on his face. “Hello, sweetheart. How was school today?”
Emily’s eyes lit up as she launched into an animated recount of her day. “Oh, Dad, it was amazing! Lily and I got paired up for our science project, and we’re going to build a model of the solar system!”
Richard nodded absently, his mind still on the patients he’d seen that day. “That’s nice, dear. Who’s Lily again?”
“Dad!” Emily rolled her eyes, exasperated. “I’ve told you about Lily a million times! She’s my best friend.”
Richard chuckled, ruffling Emily’s hair. “Of course, of course. I remember now.”
As they moved into the kitchen, Emily continued chattering excitedly. “Lily’s mom is so cool, Dad! She works two jobs and still finds time to help us with our projects. She even offered to help us paint our planets.”
Richard raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Is that so?”
Emily nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Mrs. Johnson is amazing. She’s always so kind and patient, even when she looks really tired. Lily says her mom hasn’t been feeling well lately, but she still makes time for everyone.”
Richard felt a twinge of something in his chest. Was it guilt? He quickly brushed it aside. “Well, that’s very admirable of her,” he said, his tone neutral.
“It really is, Dad,” Emily agreed, her voice filled with warmth. “Mrs. Johnson is so strong. Lily told me that even though things are tough sometimes, her mom always has a smile for everyone. She says her mom taught her that kindness doesn’t cost anything.”
Richard listened, his expression unreadable. He had no idea that the woman his daughter was praising so highly was the same woman he had dismissed at the clinic. The irony of the situation was lost on him.
“That’s a good lesson,” Richard said softly, more to himself than to Emily.
Emily beamed at her father. “I think so too! Hey, Dad, do you think we could invite Lily and her mom over sometime? I’d love for you to meet them.”
Richard hesitated for a moment before forcing a smile. “We’ll see, sweetheart. Now, why don’t you go start on your homework?”
As Emily bounced off to her room, Richard stood in the kitchen, lost in thought. The image of the woman he had dismissed so callously at the clinic flickered in his mind, but he couldn’t make the connection to the kind, strong mother his daughter had just described.
As the days passed, Gloria’s condition steadily worsened. The pain in her abdomen grew more intense, and she found it increasingly difficult to hide her discomfort from Lily. Each morning, she forced herself out of bed, wincing as she moved, determined to carry on with her daily responsibilities.
“Mom, are you okay?” Lily asked one morning, her big brown eyes filled with concern.
Gloria mustered a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Of course, sweetie. Just a little tired, that’s all.”
But the truth was far from okay. Gloria’s body ached, and she felt a constant gnawing pain that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. Still, she pushed through, refusing to let her daughter see her struggle.
At work, Gloria found herself taking more frequent breaks, leaning against walls for support when the pain became too much. Her co-workers noticed her pale complexion and the beads of sweat that often dotted her forehead, but Gloria brushed off their concerns with a weak smile. “I’m fine,” she’d say, even as she gripped the edge of her desk to steady herself.
As she prepared dinner one evening, a sharp pain shot through her abdomen, causing her to drop a plate. It shattered on the floor, the sound bringing Lily running into the kitchen.
“Mom!” Lily cried, seeing her mother doubled over in pain.
Gloria straightened up quickly, forcing a laugh. “Oh, silly me, just dropped a plate. Sweetie, could you grab the broom for me?”
Lily hesitated, her eyes searching her mother’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Of course, honey,” Gloria lied, her heart breaking at the worry in her daughter’s voice. “Now, go finish your homework while I clean this up.”
Later that night, after Lily had gone to bed, Gloria sat at the kitchen table, her head in her hands. She knew she needed medical help, but the thought of returning to Dr. Collins’s clinic filled her with dread. His dismissive words and cruel assumptions echoed in her mind, bringing tears to her eyes.
“I can’t go
back there,” she whispered to herself, her voice choked with emotion. “I just can’t.”
But as another wave of pain washed over her, Gloria realized she was running out of options. She needed help, but the fear of facing Dr. Collins again paralyzed her. Torn between her deteriorating health and her wounded pride, Gloria felt more desperate and alone than ever before.
Gloria’s condition continued to deteriorate over the next few days. She tried her best to hide her pain from Lily and her co-workers, but it was becoming increasingly difficult. At work, she moved slower, her face pale and drawn as she struggled through each task.
On a particularly busy morning at the diner where she worked, Gloria felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her abdomen. She gasped, clutching the counter for support. Her co-worker Jenny rushed over to her.
“Gloria, are you all right?” Jenny asked, her voice filled with concern.
Gloria opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. The room began to spin, and her vision blurred. She felt her knees buckle beneath her.
“Gloria!” Jenny cried out as Gloria collapsed to the floor.
The diner erupted in chaos. Customers gasped and stood up from their seats, while Gloria’s co-workers rushed to her side. Jenny knelt beside her, gently patting her cheek. “Gloria, can you hear me?” she called, but Gloria’s eyes remained closed.
“Someone call an ambulance!” the diner manager shouted.
Within minutes, the sound of sirens filled the air. Paramedics burst through the diner doors, quickly assessing Gloria’s condition. They carefully lifted her onto a stretcher and rushed her to the waiting ambulance.
At the hospital’s emergency room, doctors and nurses swarmed around Gloria. They ran tests, drew blood, and conducted scans. The medical team’s faces grew increasingly serious as they reviewed the results.
Dr. Lara Chen, the lead physician, frowned as she studied Gloria’s charts. “This is far more severe than we initially thought,” she muttered to her team. “We need to admit her immediately and prepare for emergency treatment.”
As they wheeled Gloria towards the intensive care unit, she briefly regained consciousness. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with fear and confusion.
“Lily,” she whispered weakly. “My daughter…”
A kind-faced nurse squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll contact your family. You’re in good hands now.”
Gloria’s eyes closed again as the medical team continued their urgent work, racing against time to save her life.
As Richard made his rounds at the hospital, Dr. Chen approached him with a concerned look on her face.
“Dr. Collins, we have a critical case I’d like you to consult on,” she said, her voice urgent.
Richard sighed, barely glancing up from his clipboard. “What is it, Dr. Chen? I’m quite busy.”
“It’s a woman named Gloria. She was admitted with severe abdominal pain and swelling. We believe it might be a complicated case requiring your expertise.”
Richard’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. The name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. “Gloria who?” he asked, his tone dismissive.
Dr. Chen flipped through her notes. “Gloria Johnson. Her condition is rapidly deteriorating, and we’re worried about potential complications.”
Richard’s mind flashed back to the woman he had dismissed at his clinic. A twinge of discomfort flickered across his face, but he quickly masked it.
“I see,” he said coldly. “And why exactly do you need my input?”
Just then, a nurse rushed up to them, her eyes wide with urgency.
“Dr. Chen, the patient in room 305 is asking for her daughter. She’s very distressed.”
Dr. Chen nodded. “That’s Gloria. Her daughter’s name is Lily. We’re trying to contact her now.”
At the mention of Lily’s name, Richard froze. His heart began to race as the realization hit him like a ton of bricks. Lily—his daughter Emily’s best friend. The kind, strong mother Emily had praised. It was Gloria.
Richard felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He gripped his clipboard tightly, his knuckles turning white. The weight of his earlier dismissal and prejudice crashed down on him, threatening to overwhelm him.
Dr. Chen and the nurse looked at him expectantly, waiting for his response.Richard took a deep breath, forcing his face to remain impassive. He couldn’t let his colleagues see the turmoil raging inside him.
“I’ll… I’ll review her case,” he said, his voice carefully controlled. “Send me all the relevant information, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Dr. Chen nodded, relief evident on her face. “Thank you, Dr. Collins. We appreciate your expertise on this.”
As they walked away, Richard stood rooted to the spot, his mind reeling. The gravity of his actions and their potential consequences began to sink in, leaving him feeling hollow and ashamed.
Emily burst into the house, her face flushed with worry. She found her father, Richard, sitting in his study, staring blankly at his computer screen.
“Dad!” she cried, her voice trembling. “Something terrible has happened!”
Richard looked up, startled by his daughter’s distress. “What is it, Emily? What’s wrong?”
Emily’s eyes welled up with tears. “It’s Lily’s mom, Gloria. She’s in the hospital, and it’s really bad. Lily’s so scared, Dad. She doesn’t know what to do.”
Richard felt his stomach twist into knots. He tried to keep his face neutral, but his heart raced as he remembered his earlier encounter with Gloria.
“That’s… unfortunate,” he said, his voice strained. “I’m sure the doctors at the hospital are taking good care of her.”
Emily shook her head, frustration evident in her eyes. “Dad, you don’t understand! Gloria is amazing. She’s done so much for Lily, all on her own. Did you know she works two jobs just to make sure Lily has everything she needs?”
Richard shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “I… I didn’t know that,” he mumbled.
“And she’s always there for everyone,” Emily continued, her voice full of admiration. “Last month, when Mrs. Rodriguez down the street was sick, Gloria cooked meals for her whole family. She’s just so kind, Dad. She doesn’t deserve this.”
As Emily spoke, Richard felt a growing weight in his chest. The image of Gloria he had constructed in his mind began to crumble, replaced by the reality of a hardworking, selfless mother.
“Lily told me once that her mom sometimes skips meals so she can afford Lily’s school supplies,” Emily said softly, wiping away a tear. “But she never complains. She always has a smile on her face, no matter how tough things get.”
Richard swallowed hard, trying to push down the guilt that was rising in his throat. He remembered the dismissive way he had treated Gloria—the assumptions he had made based solely on her appearance and background.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Richard said, his voice lacking conviction. “The hospital has excellent doctors.”
Emily looked at her father, her eyes pleading. “Can’t you do something, Dad? You’re a great doctor. Maybe you could help.”
Richard felt a twinge of panic. He wanted to help, to make things right, but the shame of his earlier actions held him back. He tried to dismiss the feeling, to rationalize his behavior, but Emily’s words kept echoing in his mind.
“I’ll… I’ll see what I can find out,” he said finally, unable to meet his daughter’s gaze.
The next morning, Richard walked into the hospital, his footsteps heavy with dread. He approached the medical team treating Gloria, who were gathered around a conference table, discussing her case. Their faces were serious as they reviewed the charts and test results.
Dr. Collins, one of the doctors greeted him. “Thank you for joining us. We’d like your input on this case.”
Richard nodded stiffly and took a seat. He reached for Gloria’s medical file, his hands trembling slightly as he opened it. As he scanned the pages, his heart sank. The symptoms were all there, clear as day—the swollen abdomen, the pain, the fatigue—all signs he had dismissed when Gloria had come to his clinic.
“Patient presented with severe abdominal pain and distension,” another doctor was saying. “CT scan revealed a large tumor in her ovary with signs of metastasis.”
Richard felt the blood drain from his face. He remembered Gloria sitting in his office, her face etched with discomfort, pleading for help. And he had sent her away with nothing more than a dismissive wave and a cruel remark.
“How…” Richard’s voice cracked. He cleared his throat and tried again. “How advanced is it?”
The lead oncologist shook her head. “Stage three. If it had been caught earlier, her prognosis would have been much better. As it stands now, we’re looking at aggressive treatment just to give her a fighting chance.”
The words hit Richard like a physical blow. He had done this. His prejudice, his arrogance, his utter failure as a doctor—it had all led to this moment. He had sworn an oath to do no harm, and yet his negligence had almost cost Gloria her life.
“Dr. Collins?” one of the younger doctors was looking at him with concern. “Are you all right?”
Richard realized he had been staring blankly at the file, his hands shaking. He looked up at the team, seeing the confusion and worry on their faces. They had no idea of his involvement, of the weight of guilt crushing down on him.
“I…” he started, then stopped. What could he say? How could he possibly explain or justify his actions?
Richard took a deep breath, steadying himself. “I’d like to take on this case personally,” he announced, his voice firmer than he felt inside.
The room fell silent. Richard Collins, known for his selective approach to patients, was volunteering to treat someone he would typically avoid. It was unprecedented.
“Are you sure, Dr. Collins?” the lead oncologist asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise. “We have several other specialists who—”
Richard cut her off, perhaps too sharply. He softened his tone. “I mean… I believe I’m the best equipped to handle this case.”
His colleagues exchanged glances but nodded in agreement. After all, Richard’s surgical skills were unmatched.
As the meeting concluded, Richard remained seated, staring at Gloria’s file. The face of the woman he had dismissed so cruelly now haunted him. He could see her eyes, filled with pain and desperation, silently pleading for help.
A war raged inside him. Years of ingrained prejudice battled against the stark reality of his failure as a doctor. He had let his personal biases cloud his judgment, and now a woman—a mother—was fighting for her life because of it.
“This isn’t about race,” he muttered to himself, trying to convince his own stubborn mind. “This is about being a doctor. About saving a life.”
As he walked out of the conference room, Richard noticed the curious glances from the hospital staff. Word had already spread about his unusual decision to take on Gloria’s case. He could hear the whispers, see the raised eyebrows.
Dr. Martin, a colleague he often consulted with, approached him in the hallway. “Richard, are you feeling all right? It’s not like you to…”
Richard cut him off with a curt nod. “I’m fine, thank you. Just doing my job.”
But he wasn’t fine. With each step towards Gloria’s room, the weight of his guilt grew heavier. How could he face her? How could he look into the eyes of the woman he had failed so miserably?
As he reached for the door handle, Richard paused. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and silently promised himself—and Gloria—that he would do everything in his power to make this right.
