Chapter 8 - Page 98 - Talking Eyes

   Jim went to the next bed and kissed another young girl on the cheek. As he began talking to her, Rhasha found a chair and placed it next to the little girl in bed one. She leaned over and kissed the little girl on the cheek. Tears were in her eyes. She placed the little girl’s hand between both of hers. Rhasha didn’t have a brush so she stroked the little girl’s hair with her hand. “Sweetheart,” Rhasha said, “you’re such a pretty little girl. You have beautiful eyes.”

   Rhasha could see the little girl’s eyes watching her. She knew what the little girl was thinking. “Did you know,” Rhasha said, “when I first came to this hospital, I was sick, just like you? I was in this very same bed.”

   The little girl gave her a smile filled with love.

   “Sweetheart, I know you want to talk and walk and play. In a few months, you’ll be able to do anything you want to. Just wait and see, you’ll be very happy.” Then Rhasha leaned over and whispered in the little girl’s ear. She didn’t want Jim to hear what she said next. “I know what you would tell Jim, if you could talk. Would you like for me to tell Jim something for you?” Rhasha knew that the little girl couldn’t answer her, but she could blink her eyes. “If you want me to give Jim a message for you,” Rhasha whispered, “blink your eyes once.”

   The little girl blinked her eyes, but she looked like she wasn’t sure Rhasha would know what she wanted to say to Jim.

   “OK,” Rhasha said. “You want to kiss Jim on the cheek and you want to tell him he has pretty eyes . . . right?”

   The little girl’s eyes widened in amazement. She blinked her eyes quickly.

   “Oh, but I’m not finished,” Rhasha said. “You also want to tell him that you love him . . . right?”