A Face to Love

te the heartbeats of the tiny crew milling around. Suzan Turner lay on the operating table, her heart beating along with the constant

inely interested."Mostly landscapes, but she had a knack for capturing emotions in her work," he added, his voice softening. "It was as if she could see into people's souls. She once painted a sunset that seemed so alive that you could walk right into it.Suzan saw how his eyes moved as he talked, as if he were engrossed in the memory-a lovely, short moment that hinted at a gentler side below his veneer. She could see the fire in his eyes, and his demeanor softened as he recalled those moments with his sister. It was a glimpse of the guy behind the surgeon-a man capable of truly feeling and appreciating the world's beauty."I'd love to see it," Suzan remarked with a loving voice. "Art has a way of connecting people, doesn't it? It's like a language that communicates straight with the heart."Dave nodded, and for a brief time, the tension in the room appeared to ease. "It does," he said, a trace of a grin emerging at the corners of his eyes, even though they were serious. "I think it's important to find moments of beauty, especially in a field like ours where we often deal with pain and suffering."Just as the nurse inserted the anesthesia into her IV, Suzan felt a flood of serenity sweep over her, blending with the vestiges of her anxiousness. She allowed herself to unwind, to let go of the anxieties that had held her back. Perhaps this guy, with his hidden depths and love of art, was someone she could trust."Can you tell me more about your sister?" She inquired, hoping to keep this relationship alive. "What was she like?""She was fearless," Dave said, full of respect. "She approached life straight on and was never hesitant to take chances. I appreciated her for that. "She taught me a lot about courage."At that time, Suzan felt a connection to him, an understanding that went beyond the antiseptic surroundings of the operation room. Courage. She felt a strong connection to the term. She had faced her own challenges, battled against the tides of despair and self-doubt, and now she was about to take another leap of faith.As the anesthesia started to take effect, her eyesight clouded, and the world around her dissolved into a gentle haze. "Thank you for sharing that with me," she said softly, her voice becoming weak. "I think..." "I think I want to be like your sister-fearless."For a brief time, she believed she saw a glint of pride in Dave's eyes, a spark that bonded them in unexpected ways. "You already are," he said, his voice warm and steady as the darkness drew her in.And then, just like that, the world around her vanished, leaving behind a cocoon of warmth and safety, a moment of connection that she would keep with her into the darkness of doubt.---In the realm of anesthesia, time no longer existed. Suz