Chapter 6 - Page 71 - Rhasha's Bed

and private parts. Pepper completed Rhasha’s bath by washing her legs and feet. She put a clean gown on her and partially covered her with a sheet.

   “I’m finished, Jim,” Pepper said. “You can turn around now.”

   Jim turned around. “Sweetheart,” he said, “you have such pretty eyes.” Rhasha’s face seemed to glow.

   Pepper was filling out Rhasha’s medical chart. When she finished, she looked up at Jim and said, “She’s getting stronger.” Then she went back to the doctor’s office to do some paperwork.

   Jim moved his chair to the other side of the bed. He leaned over to kiss Rhasha on the forehead. Rhasha watched every move Jim made. Jim clasped Rhasha’s hand between both of his and started talking to her again. “Rhasha, I feel so lucky. I’m holding a very pretty girl’s hand.”

   As Jim talked to Rhasha, he remembered a calendar hanging in the doctor’s office. The calendar contained twelve large pictures of cowboys sitting on horses. Below the pictures, in large, black, italicized letters, were captions describing what the cowboys were saying. “Sweetheart,” he said, “would you like to look at some pictures?”

   Jim released her hand and walked into the doctor’s office. He returned a moment later with the calendar and flipped it open to January. Holding it where Rhasha could see it, he pointed to a cowboy riding a bucking horse. “See this, Rhasha?” he said. “This cowboy is waving his hat wildly through the air. He’s yelling, ‘I’m breaking him in.’” Jim watched Rhasha’s eyes move up and down as she looked at the picture. “See how the horse’s back is humped? He’s trying to buck the cowboy off.”