Cameron sat beside his daughters bed. He was exhausted from work , but had trouble sleeping. How could he sleep at a time like this? The doctors advised him to at least try to get rest. His work had to wait at this point. Ruth had been in the hospital for two weeks now.
She would wake up, but didn't speak. She would gaze straight ahead, that was difficult to watch for Cameron. He made sure he communicated with her. She would turn to look at him, but that was it. Kate arrived with flowers that she would change every other week. They would sit and watch her sleep. There was no talking , just the silence. Her monitors beeping the clock on the wall ticking.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you two" Cameron said in a soft voice. Kate looked at him. She didn't have any words, maybe it was better for her to just listen. She sat back trying to get comfortable.
"I put my career ahead of you and Ruth and now ."
" We can't go back and buy time " Kate said. Cameron holding back tears tried to clear his throat.
"Look at her our sweet baby ... I neglected my family". Kate knew he was right , but couldn't scold him. The truth was simply they both were guilty.
"I'm sorry for Riley ...I'm sorry for all those nights I came in late" he said finally breaking down. Kate held him, she was in tears.
"Daddy it's okay " Ruth whispered as they turned to see her watching them. This was the first time she had spoke in nearly three weeks. Cameron immediately called for a doctor. He was still in tears holding Kate as the doctors tended to Ruth.
Dr. Winnington ran a few tests as they sat and waited. They didn't know how much time she had left. Kate called the family and delivered the news , while Cameron did the same. His sister flew in from Nashville to stay with them. The pastor would come in to pray over Ruth. The entire community offered support and comfort. Over the next month prayers came in from all over Lafayette. "PRAYERS FOR RUTH " letters from her classmates came in, Kate and Cameron would read them to her while she sat and listened.
Cameron would take time to fix his old cars when not at the hospital. He tried to take his mind off of it all. He turned to see a familiar face. It was John standing in the driveway.
"Hey Cameron...it's been a while ."
"John... how have you been ?"
"I'm good and you?"
"It's ..... it's tough we haven't seen you in a while " Cameron said.
"I needed to clear my head I'm sorry about Ruth how is she ?"
"We don't know how much longer she has but she's in good spirits ."
"That's good and Kate "? John replied.
"She's doing her best." John nodded
"Hey I'm going to get going it's been nice talking to you ."
"John..... I wanted to thank you " Cameron said.
"Thank me for what?"
"Everything you did for Ruth .... I was a horrible father,"
"No you weren't.... we all get distracted " John said turning to walk away. Cameron watched on as John disappeared from his sight. He was right he had been distracted. But he had the opportunity to be there for his only daughter during her last days. He wouldn't fail her again.
Extraordinary Gifts Of John Kelsing