Chapter 14 - Page 190 - New Addition To The Family

When Jim finished saying his evening prayer, he told Shanha it was time for bed and carried her to her bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. He pulled the sheet up to her waist and he and Rhasha kissed her good night. They stayed with her until she fell asleep, then sneaked back to their bedroom.

   Jim poured two glasses of water. He placed one glass on Rhasha’s night stand and one glass on his. Rhasha got into bed. Jim turned out the lights and crawled into bed beside her and kissed her good night, but though he closed his eyes, he couldn’t sleep. He tossed and turned. What happened at the waterfalls? he thought over and over. Why were he and Rhasha on the lower rock? It didn’t make any sense. They had never been on that rock before. Jim couldn’t understand. Why couldn’t anyone remember what happened before that?

   Jim heard a noise at the bathroom door. It sounded like someone had come into the room. The noise was loud enough to wake Rhasha. “Shanha,” Jim said, “is that you?”

   After a short pause, Jim heard a timid voice. “Papa, I couldn’t sleep. Could I sleep in here with you and Mama?”

   Jim couldn’t see Rhasha in the darkness, but he could feel her hand press against his cheek. “Please, Jim,” Rhasha whispered.

   The bed was small, but Jim didn’t want Shanha to be alone if she couldn’t sleep. He reached over and turned on the lamp. “Sure, sweetheart, come on to bed.”

   Shanha climbed over Rhasha so she could sleep between the two people she loved the most.