At 4 pm, he vomits so hard and loud that Patrina’s friend Stephanie can hear him through the phone even though the phone is twenty yards from the bathroom. Every hour till midnight, he vomits. He doesn’t move from the couch except to go to the restroom. His parents ask Stephen to sleep on the floor next to him in case he needs help in the middle of the night. At 1 am, he nudges Stephen to ask for a drink. Disoriented, Stephen punches him in the face. He tells Stephen to turn on the tv for him and go back to his bed.
From 1 to 3 am, he writhes in agony and watches a golf tournament with the sound turned down. Finally, at 3, he staggers into his parents’ bedroom and flops at his father’s feet.
“Can you give me a blessing?”
His dad springs up and swings on a robe.
“Sure, son.”
He feels his father’s hands on his head.
“Gordon Derby Laws, Jr., by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you a blessing. I rebuke the destroyer on your behalf and call down the powers of heaven and the holy angels to bear you up. I bless you that your stomach will repair itself and you will shortly recover. I seal this blessing upon you and any others you may stand in need of in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The fierce pain in his stomach suddenly disappears.
“Thanks, Dad.”
He stands and walks upright back to the couch. He shuts off the tv, lies down, pulls a blanket over himself, and goes to sleep. He eats his first full meal at noon that afternoon.
The Living and the Dead, by Gordon Laws 