Chapter 16 - Page 233 - Flying To America

   Jim looked at Rhasha and saw tears well up in her eyes. He knew this song reminded her of when she'd been sick, and how happy she was now. Jim went to her and put his arms around her. The minute he put his arms around her, Rhasha lost control and burst into tears. With her hands covering her face, Rhasha sank against Jim's chest, her black hair falling over his shirt like strands of silk. Tears dripped from her face onto his shirt.

   "I'll turn it off, if you want me to," he said.

   Rhasha raised her head. "Please don't, Jim. I want to hear it again."

   "But it makes you so sad."

   "I'm not sad," Rhasha said. "I'm crying because I am the happiest girl in the whole USA."

   Jim smiled. "Sweetheart, happy people are supposed to laugh, not cry."

   The song ended. Jim quickly pushed the repeat button so Rhasha could hear it again.

   As the song began to play, Rhasha said, "I want to learn the words to this song." She listened to it three times before she let the CD player continue to play the rest of the songs.

   Jim called in an order for pizza. After they ate, Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha went to the bedroom for their nightly ritual. Jim said his evening prayer as Rhasha and Shanha listened. They sang three songs together, then climbed into bed.

End of chapter sixteen