Nathaniel gave a drew a heavy, relieved sigh.
“How do ya feel?” The doctor asked.

The boy just shook his head and shrugged.
“I don’t even know. I can’t explain it…”
The doctor patted him on the shoulder.
“C’mon, we’ll get you something to eat.” He then turned to Father Paul, “Thank you for your time, Father.”
The Pastor smiled and nodded, ruffling Nathaniel’s hair.
“Any time, old friend, any time.”

With that, Nathaniel and the doctor left the church. They didn’t talk until exiting the parking lot.
“So,” the doctor began, “how do you feel?”
Nathaniel concentrated hard, scrunching his brow.
“I.. just don’t really know.”
“Come on, think about it.”
The boy nodded, “It’s like…” he paused, concentrating, “It’s like I’m split in half, but not broken.”
The doctor frowned, “What do you mean?”
“Well, I can feel something new inside of me that pulling me up, but there’s still bleakness that fights it…”
The doctor nodded as he pulled into the parking lot of a Steak N’ Shake.