Chapter 25 - Page 355 - Jim And Rhasha's Big Event

   Rhasha drove past the hospital and turned right. Tears blurred her vision, and she didn't see her friends waving as she passed. She didn't know where she was going, but it didn't matter. All she wanted to do was tell Jim she loved him and talk to God.

   As she drove past the park, her head was full of memories. She recalled her first encounter with Jim as though it had happened only yesterday. She could see him leaning over to kiss her on the forehead as she lay sick in the hospital, and she heard him saying, "Sweetheart, you have such beautiful eyes" as he held her hand between both of his. She remembered gazing into his eyes as he brushed her hair, and she thought of how Jim had pleaded with God for her life.

   He'd been so kind to her. She smiled, and then she remembered he was gone. Tears filled her eyes and she couldn't see to drive. The jeep swerved off the road, but she quickly steered it back on.

   The memories kept coming. She remembered how much fun she'd had, pretending Jim was a horse. She'd sat on his shoulders and yelled "howdy partner" to all their neighbors. She smiled as she recalled Jim threatening to buck her off. Tears again. Rhasha ran off the road and into the ditch. She regained control of the jeep, but the memories kept coming.

   She thought about Jim pretending to be a stewardess, and how he'd jokingly said he was going to get her fired. And she remembered asking him if she'd ever told him she loved him, and how he'd looked at his watch, so she thought he would say, "Not in the last five minutes." But instead he'd said, "No, I don't think you ever have." Rhasha realized she would never have those moments with Jim again. The jeep swerved and veered all over the road as she wept.