Chapter 16 - Page 230 - Flying To America

Rhasha and Shanha had never seen so many cars. Traffic was stop and go. After a while, the limousine merged with traffic on Interstate 20, and Raymond was able to drive the speed limit. Less than thirty minutes later, the limousine pulled up in front of Jim's apartment.

   His apartment was large enough to accommodate everyone. It had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a generous kitchen, and a spacious living room. As everyone carried their luggage into the apartment, Jim assigned them to their bedrooms. He gave the two smaller bedrooms to Jackie and Simbatu; Rhasha and Shanha would share the master bedroom with him.

   Both girls oohed and ahhed over the master bedroom furnishings. The dresser, chest of drawers, bed tables, and bed frame were elegant in design and workmanship and constructed from Jim's favorite material, solid wood. A plush comforter covered a firm mattress, and each pillow seem to be three times as big as their pillows in Angel Town.

   Rhasha and Shanha had never seen a king-size bed before. They were accustomed to sharing a smaller bed, where they could sleep close together. "Papa," Shanha said, "that bed is too big for us."

   "That's a king-size bed," Jim said. "I think you'll find it very comfortable."

   Shanha shook her head. "I don't think so, Papa. I like being able to touch you and Mama at the same time, while I'm asleep."

   Jim could tell Rhasha didn't care much for it either. He smiled and kissed each of them on the forehead. "We can still sleep close together, girls," he said as he ushered Rhasha and Shanha out of the bedroom and into the living room.

   It was getting late in the afternoon, so Jim decided to wait until the next day to go to the office. "It's after five, Raymond," he told the chauffeur. "You can go home now, but pick us up at eight o'clock in the morning." Raymond left amidst a flurry of good-byes.