“I don’t know how he’s pulled the wool over your eyes, but he’s not a good man,” Fielding scorned. “He’s an insolent, lazy, criminal who cheats academically. He’s not good enough for you.”
“If he cheats academically then you would have proof to throw him out of the program, not force him to quit,” Holly pointed out. “The tattoos he has do not indicate that he belongs to a gang. They allow him to pass through gang territory without any interference. He helps people. He goes through this city’s back alleys and forgotten places, bringing food, hygienic supplies and medical care to people each week. People who can’t afford to go to clinics or the hospital. People who are forgotten by the system.
“Molson has been caring for his mother for years. Maybe if you’d visit her here in the hospital, you would know what he’s been dealing with. She has multiple delusions, refuses to take her medications and we’ve only just scratched the surface of her mental disabilities. I’m not sure she was ever mentally competent enough to take care of her three kids. Yet he’s cared for her when no one else would. He pays her bills, he makes sure she eats, he tried to get her to take her pills.
“When his brother was wrongfully imprisoned, Molson vowed to figure out a way to clear the charges and set him free. He did it. You can read all about it in the papers or see it on the news. Michael Ramesly is a free man because of Molson. Molson is a hero for getting to the bottom of the truth.
“You always complain to me about him. When we share dinner or a coffee, you put him down,” Holly told him. “Not once has Molson put you down. Not once has he complained about you to me. When I asked him what he thought of you, he said you take a lot of pride in your work and that you loved me. When I asked Molson if the two of you were getting along, he told me you didn’t like him very much. He said he could understand that because dads should always want the best for their daughters.
“When you tell me that Molson isn’t good enough for me, you’re wrong,” Holly insisted, her voice cracking. “I’m not good enough for him. He’s amazing. If you’d bother to get to really know him, you would know that.”
“You believe him? He’s probably taking credit for something he’s never done,” Fielding fished out his phone. “I’m going to call Christian Gains at Ramesly Pharma. He’ll know if this is true.”
“It is true. I was there helping him,” Holly said dampeningly.
“Gains? I heard this bizarre rumor,” Fielding filled Christian on what Holly had said, putting Gains on speaker so that Holly could hear.
“I’m not sure about that. The family has been particularly closed mouth about what happened. We’ve all just been so pleased about Michael’s release, I haven’t questioned it,” Gains responded. “However, I have Noah Ramesly with me. You should congratulate him. He’s the new head of the company. I’ll put him on speaker phone.”
Gains told Noah about what Fielding had said.
“Is there a reason you’d like to know this information?” Noah asked coolly.
“Molson Colborne is a student resident at Mercy Hospital,” Fielding replied. “I’m his professor and I’d like to know if he’s telling the truth or not.”
“Molson was instrumental in getting the proof required for Michael’s release,” Noah confirmed. “Our family owes him a great debt.”
“Thank you,” Fielding ended the call, a confused expression on his face. “It’s true.”
“Get your coat,” Holly grabbed hers out of the closet, opening the door to her office. “Irma, I’m out for the rest of the day.”
“Yes Dr. Urshman,” Irma replied.
“Where are we going?” Fielding questioned.
“To do Molson’s rounds,” Holly said firmly. “I’m going to show you what he does. We’re going to stop by the soup kitchen, we’re going to get everything we might need from a pharmacy and we’re going to walk the city, helping those in need. Molson has been gone for three days. Normally he goes twice a week to see these people. If he hasn’t done it this week, then someone needs to step up and fill the void.”
“If he’s playing hooky to whatever obligations he has, that’s not your problem,” Fielding glowered.
“No,” Holly agreed. “It’s your problem because you upset him enough that he’s not here. Now you can step up and help, or you can never talk to me again. It’s your choice.”
“Are you only going to deal with me in ultimatums now?” Fielding grabbed his coat, annoyed with Holly.
“Until you become more sensible,” she led the way.
“Holly, I love you. I was only trying to do what was best for you,” Fielding tried to reason with her as he followed.
“No, you were impressing your beliefs and values on me,” Holly impatiently told him. “You should have faith to realize that I know what is best for me.”
“Molson Colborne is not what is best for you,” he responded.
“That’s not for you to decide,” Holly bit out.
A few hours later with sore feet and freezing hands from the constant drizzle the clouds were unleashing, Holly handed out the last of the soup that the soup kitchen had given them.
“Smells like potato,” Geoff sniffed appreciatively.
“Cream of potato today,” Holly confirmed. “How has your cold been?”
