Chapter 6 - Page 64 - Rhasha's Bed

   Jim wished he could put his arms around her and make all her fears go away. “Rhasha is doing good,” he said, “and soon she will be a very beautiful girl.”

   Jim drove past the hospital and stopped in front of the dining hall. “Rhasha is in that building over there,” he said, and pointed across the road to the hospital. “She’s sleeping right now, so let’s all go in here and get some food.” Jim helped everyone out of the jeep. He picked up the baby and started walking to the dining hall.

   Thasha wasn’t walking very fast. She continued looking toward the hospital.

   “I promise you,” Jim said, “Rhasha is doing fine. Come in and let’s get something to eat.”

   Jim finally got all four people inside and asked the cook to get them some food. He then ran across the road to the hospital and convinced Thamish and Rantutu that Rhasha was getting good care. He walked slowly with them to the dining hall. All six people ate, but only small amounts. Jim knew that once they were eating three meals a day, they would have more energy and bigger appetites.

   “Is everybody full?” Jim asked once everyone finished eating and the cook had cleared off all the dishes. They all nodded. “OK,” Jim said, “you will all probably be sick tonight. The food will throw your bodies into shock.” Jim knew they wouldn’t understand this, but he wanted to warn them. When they woke up sick in the middle of the night, he wanted them to know why. “The food will go through places in your body that are shut down right now. Food will open up these places, and it will be very traumatic for you on the inside. You probably will feel very sick.