Chapter 9 - Page 111 - New Passion

    The sun was going down and Jim remembered that he and Rhasha had an appointment. “Rhasha, are you ready to sing at the hospital?”

    “Yes, dear,” she replied, “whenever you are.”

    Nobody at the table had known they were planning to entertain the patients. “Can we come and listen?” Jackie asked.

    “Sure Jackie, you’re all welcome to come.”

    Everyone at the table accepted his invitation. Jim and Rhasha led the way through the dining hall and across the street. When they got inside the hospital, Jim asked the fourteen guests to sit in the waiting area. There were just enough chairs.

    Jim looked around. Six beds were facing in the wrong direction. He asked the nurse to help him turn those patients toward the office so they could see the entertainment. As he walked by bed one, where the little girl lay, he asked, “Would you like to hear Rhasha and me sing tonight?”

    She blinked her eyes. Jim smiled and kissed her on the cheek. The little girl smiled, happy she could answer Jim now.

    Jim turned out all the lights above the beds except for the light between the office and the patients, the area Jim and Rhasha would use for a stage. He realized he’d left his guitar at Rhasha’s parents’ house, but Jackie volunteered to get it for him. While he was gone, Jim and Rhasha visited with patients.

    Thamish let him in when Jackie knocked on the door.

    “Jim needs his guitar,” Jackie said. “He and Rhasha are singing for the patients tonight.”