Chapter 6 - Page 70 - Rhasha's Bed

   Sleepiness pulled on Jim’s eyelids. He yawned and raised his arms in the air to stretch. Still seated in the chair, he laid his head on the bed beside Rhasha. Soon he was sound asleep. He slept that way until the next morning.

   As the bright sun broke through the early morning fog and birds began to echo cheer all around the village, Jim opened his eyes and lifted his head. His eyes met Rhasha’s. She had been awake for some time, looking at the top of Jim’s head. She cracked a smile when she saw Jim’s face.

   When Jim saw Rhasha looking at him, he smiled. “Good morning, sunshine,” he said.

   The nurses had changed shifts, and now Pepper sat in the doctor’s office, going over Rhasha’s chart. She walked into the patient section of the hospital when she saw Jim talking to Rhasha and checked the girl’s temperature and blood pressure. While Pepper took care of Rhasha, Jim picked up his guitar and leaned it against the wall. He asked Pepper if she would help him turn Rhasha over so she could lay on her other side.

   Rhasha was laying on her right side, with her feet pulled up. Pepper took her shoulders while Jim lifted Rhasha’s knees to try to roll her over, but her position made the maneuver complicated. “Wait, nurse,” Jim said. “I’ll put my arms under her body and as I turn her over, you turn her head.” Ever so gently, Jim turned Rhasha over as Pepper turned Rhasha’s head over at the same time.

   When the task was finished, Pepper filled a bucket with lukewarm water and washed Rhasha’s face, arms, and hands. Jim turned around so Pepper could wash her breast, stomach,