Chapter 25

The crowd at the door was arguing among themselves, completely disregarding the doctors and nurses who tried to stop them. I hurried to the door to see what the commotion was about, only to recognize the familiar face leading the argument. "Uncle Gilbert, what are you guys doing here?" I asked. Gilbert Richardson glanced over his shoulder upon hearing my voice. "Oh, good that you're here, Edward. Tell these doctors that we're the patient's family, here to visit him." My father had been ill for a long time, during which he was mostly hospitalized. Uncle Gilbert could have visited sooner, but for him to show up now of all times was dubious, to say nothing of the crowd he brought. I didn't want them to cause a scene, so I addressed the medical team waiting by the door, "I'm sorry for the commotion. They're my family, and they're here to see my dad." The nurse gave me a disapproving look. "Your father's condition has only just been stabilized. He is in no shape for visitors, much less