Chapter 17 - Page 235 - Trouble In Chicago

   "Is everyone ready to order?" she asked when she returned. Jim, Jackie, Simbatu, and Raymond were still looking at menus. Rhasha and Shanha didn't have their menus open. "Honey," the waitress said as she looked at Rhasha, "did you already look through the menu and decide what you want?"

   "No ma'am," Rhasha replied, "Shanha and I don't know how to read."

   The waitress looked incredulously at Rhasha.

   "Kathy," Jim said, "they come from an area in Africa where very few people ever get an education."

   Rhasha and Shanha both looked surprised. "Sweetheart," Rhasha whispered, "did you know you called her Kathy?"

   "Yes I did, angel," Jim replied. "That's her name. It's on her name tag."

   Everyone at the table snickered; Kathy smiled uncertainly.

   "I'm sorry, Kathy," Jim said. "Your name was part of a joke we had on the plane coming from Africa."

   "Lady," Shanha said, "I go to school and I'm learning how to read." She paused. "Papa's teaching Mama how to read. He reads the Bible to us all the time."

   Suddenly realizing these people had an interesting story to tell, the waitress put her hand on Rhasha's shoulder. "You have a beautiful daughter. I'm sure you're very proud of her."

   "I love Shanha with all my heart," Rhasha replied, "but I'm not her real mother. Jim, Shanha, and I live together, and I think of her as being our daughter."

   "Yes," Shanha added, "Mama and I almost died and Papa saved us."

   Kathy looked very curious now. "How did you almost die?"

   "I didn't have any food," she replied. "Papa built a hospital and he helps lots of people. He gives everyone food and clothes and houses."

   Kathy looked at Jim in admiration.

   "Shanha," Jim said, "let's don't tell everyone about Angel Town while we're in America, okay?"

   "Okay, Papa," Shanha replied, "but she did ask."

   "I'm so happy he did save you, sweetheart," the waitress said, "and I can see why Mama loves you so much." She kissed Shanha on the forehead.