Michael, if....
.... another test was negative

•••

A brilliant scientist, Michael was without a doubt, but unfortunately it did not help him find a cure for his disease.

However, all this did not stop Michael from continuing to search. One day, he kept saying, be it ever so long, he would find something.

"Negative." you said weakly, after taking the paper out of the printer and skimming over all the readings.

"As you might expect," Michael countered, leaning forward and hanging his head, "That's the way it is."

It may be that Michael was saying that the negative test result was to be expected, however, you knew that inwardly, however deeply, he had hoped to hear positives, however small.