In other parts of the world young men leave home and travel far and wide in search of a promising future. Their journeys are often fueled by dreams of triumphing over evil, finding a great love, or the hopes of fortunes easily made. Here in St. Cloud’s not even the decision to get off the train is easily made, for it requires an earlier, more difficult decision – add a child to your life, or leave one behind. The only reason people journey here is for the orphanage.
I came as a physician to the abandoned children and unhappily pregnant women. I had hoped to become a hero. But in St. Cloud’s there was no such position. In the lonely, sordid world of lost children, there were no heroes to be found. And so I became the caretaker of many, father of none. Well, in a way, there was one. His name was Homer Wells.
My Dear Homer: I thought you were over you adolescence – the first time in our lives when we imagine we have something terrible to hide from those who love us. Do you think it’s not obvious to us what’s happened to you? You’ve fallen in love, haven’t you? By the way, whatever you’re up to can’t be too good for your heart. Then again, it’s the sort of condition that could be made worse by worrying about it, so don’t worry about it.
Homer, here in St. Cloud’s, I have been given the opportunity of playing God or leaving practically everything up to chance. Men and women of conscience should sieze those moments when it’s possible to play God. There won’t be many. Do I interfere when absolutely helpless women tell me they simply can’t have an abortion – that they simply must go through with having another and yet another orphan? I do not. I do not even recommend. I just give them what they want. You are my work of art, Homer. Everything else has been just a job. I don’t know if you have a work of art in you, but I know what your job is: you’re a doctor.
You’re going to replace me, Homer. The board of trustees is looking for my replacement.
“Sorry”? I’m not sorry. Not for anything I’ve done. I’m not even sorry that I love you.
I think we may have lost him to the world.
She died of secrecy. She died of… ignorance. Homer, did you expect to be responsible for their children, you have to give them the right to decide whether or not to have children. Wouldn’t you agree?
First pregnancy?
I presume you’d prefer handling the delivery?
You know how to help women. How can you not feel obligated to help them when they can’t get help anywhere else?
What else could I have shown you, Homer? The only thing I can teach you is what I know. In any life, you have to be of use.
