Chapter 6 - Page 68 - Rhasha's Bed

we’re going to feed you through your arm.” He wanted her to understand that her body was getting liquid food. “When you get stronger, we’ll put you on soft food.”

   He kissed Rhasha on the forehead, then placed his hand on her cheek. He could feel the warmth of her skin. “Angel, from this day on, you will get stronger and stronger. Soon you will be able to walk, and before you know it, you’ll be running all over this place.”

   Jim talked to Rhasha for an hour. She hung on his every word. Finally he stopped talking. He knew she wasn’t going to sleep. Jim had an idea. “Rhasha,” he said, “I’m going to leave for a few minutes, but I’ll come back. If you’re asleep, sweetheart, I won’t wake you up. I’ll let you sleep, but I’ll see you in the morning. OK?” He gently squeezed her hand, and kissed her on the cheek.

   Jim ran to his house, grabbed an old guitar that he’d been given, got a drink of water, and ran back to the hospital. When he got inside, Betty was checking Rhasha’s blood pressure. After she finished, she gave Rhasha some medication, placed Jim’s chair back where he’d had it, and turned to return to the office. As she passed Jim she whispered, “Rhasha’s doing real good, Jim.”

   Rhasha’s eyes lit up when she saw Jim. He sat in his chair and rested the guitar in his lap. “Rhasha,” he asked, “do you know any songs you want me to sing?” Jim knew she couldn’t answer him, but he wanted her to feel like she had a say in what he played. “Do you want me to pick one?” It seemed to Jim that Rhasha might have moved her head slowly up and down to say yes.