Chapter 22 - Page 317 - Shanha Talks To Jesus

   The captain unhooked the rope from the pier. He started the motor and the boat slipped away from the dock. As it slowly made its way to Angel Town, Francis and Shanha talked about relatives that Shanha hadn't seen in over a year. So much had happened to Shanha that she'd forgotten about them. Shanha laughed as her mother told her stories about the crazy things her Uncle Jhami did. She showed Shanha pictures of her family. It wasn't long before Shanha realized how much she loved her mother.

   Jim and Rhasha watched Francis and Shanha hold each other. Jim remembered what God's messenger had said to him in his vision: Shanha and her mother would grow closer to each other on the boat ride back to Angel Town. He'd also said that Jim and Rhasha would get closer. Jim looked at Rhasha and smiled. She shyly smiled back. He kissed her on the lips and held his pinkie finger up in front of him, and Rhasha locked her pinkie through his.

   Shanha saw what they were doing and ran over to Jim and Rhasha. She hooked her pinkie finger with Jim and Rhasha's fingers and said, "Papa, Mama, I will always love both of you." Tears slipped from Jim's and Rhasha's eyes as Shanha unhooked her finger and returned to her mother.

   The boat slowly moved through the water. Soon Jim could see his jeep and the Reverend's car as they eased closer to shore and pulled up to the wooden pier. Soon everyone had returned to Angel Town, and the travelers finally unloaded their luggage.

   Shanha's bag remained packed because she and Francis planned to leave the next day after church. Francis had been staying in one of the Angel Town houses, but Jim asked her if she and Shanha could spend the night with them. Rhasha and Shanha were excited when Francis said they would.