Chapter 4
897 Words
4
Naomi was out of bed and sitting in a chair. Esther kissed her forehead. “I’ve already heard you’re a star.”
“The physiotherapist was pleased. My frame and I didn’t break any speed records, but we managed to get to the door and back.”
“It’ll get easier every day. They won’t let you go home until you can walk up the three steps into the house.” Esther pulled her chair close. “How are you coping with the pain?”
“Nothing like childbirth, dear.”
Esther stifled a grin. If only all the patients were of her grandmother’s generation. “Do you think you can cope with two extra visitors?”
“It depends what kind.”
“Joy and Gina.”
Naomi beamed. “They’re not visitors, they’re family but I’ll need a catnap before they arrive.”
Esther draped a light blanket over Naomi’s knees. She’d made it through surgery, but she looked old and frail. Lord, I can’t bear to lose any more family.
She had a meal every week with her mum, and their relationship was better than ever, but she missed the easy relationship she used to have with her dad. She’d been such a daddy’s girl. She’d adored him. Strikingly handsome and full of enthusiasm. Sure, he was rarely at home, but when he was, he’d swing her round and say, ‘How’s my darling today?’
What daughter didn’t love to feel treasured by the most important man in her world? Last year had ripped them apart, and her monthly visits home were a strain, but she wasn’t giving up. He was still upset at her decision to leave Victory Church.
A spot of saliva dribbled out the corner of Naomi’s mouth. Esther’s chest tightened. Such a precious woman. How had she lived without her? There’d been no extended family in Esther’s life. No grandparents, no cousins, no uncles and aunts. The Macdonalds were a small clan, and Mum was an only child whose parents were long dead.
Maybe the loneliness of her childhood was why Esther had such a longing for an older sister. She’d never longed for a brother or even a younger sister. Only an older sister would do. She hadn’t known her hope was futile until she was eight and learned older sisters couldn’t be bought at the supermarket.
Naomi snuffled in her sleep. Perhaps she too dreamed of reconciliation. Lord, bring our family together before it is too late. Give Gran the desires of her heart.
Joy entered the room, followed by Gina with a bunch of flowers.
“My, what beautiful flowers,” Naomi said. “Esther, could you put them in the vase?”
Esther sprang into action.
“Now, I don’t want to talk about myself,” Naomi said. “I’ll live. What have you been up to?”
Esther, Joy, and Gina had been meeting up regularly since the beginning of the year to encourage each other and pray.
Esther turned to Joy. “Have you had any opportunities to talk about Jesus at the cancer clinic?”
“A few words here and there, but nothing like what I had with you.”
Gina laughed. “Well, it’s not often that someone lashes out at God right in front of you.”
Esther grinned. She’d been furious at God for not healing her. Joy’s persistent questions had driven her crazy, but she’d learned she couldn’t escape God when he gets to work.
“You know we’ve been praying I’d have opportunities to tell Bible stories,” Gina said. “Well, I’ve had three. Now Esther won't be the only one sharing her experiences.”
“Well done,” Joy said. “What did God teach you?”
Gina pursed her lips. “Like you said, when we pray for opportunities, we keep seeing them. I was terrified before I opened my mouth, but the fear was gone once I started.”
“You’ve reminded me that I’ve stopped praying for opportunities,” Esther said. “I miss having my faith stretched.”
“Have either of you considered leading a story group at church?” Joy asked.
Esther looked across at Gina. “What do you reckon? Could we do a group with the young workers?”
“I don’t see why not. Stuart would be delighted to have someone volunteer to lead the group but what about your energy levels?”
“I think I can manage it if I pace myself. The only issue is that Gran is going to need me in the evenings for the next few months.”
“Don’t use me as an excuse,” Naomi said. “Besides which, why can’t our place be the venue?”
“Are you sure?”
“You’re not going to host wild parties in my living room.”
Esther chuckled. “That’s true.”
There was a drawn-out pause. Not an awkward pause, but the comfortable pause that happens between good friends.
“I’m blessed,” Esther said. “You and Joy have been like sisters to me.” Her face heated a little. “When I was younger, I dreamed about having an older sister.”
“That’s not unusual when someone is an only child,” Gina said. “Sort of like an imaginary friend.”
“I had a sister,” Joy said. “Sometimes I would have preferred the imaginary sort.”
Naomi had closed her eyes.
“My sister was completely real to me,” Esther said. “I even had a nickname for her. Tickles.”
Naomi licked her lips.
Joy held out her hands to them. “Ladies, why don’t we pray and leave Naomi to rest?”
Maybe that was why gran wasn’t participating much in the conversation. The anaesthetic must have knocked Gran around more than she was letting on.
“Gran, do you want to pray with us, or should we leave you and go outside?”
“I’ll survive if you’re quick. Then you and the nurse can help get me back into bed.”
They all held hands. Each prayed first on their own, and then Joy said, “Loving Lord. Thank you for bringing Mrs Mac ... Naomi safely through her surgery.”
Coming from China, Joy still struggled with the informality of calling someone older than herself by their first name, but Gran had insisted.
“Help her pain to be manageable tonight so she sleeps well. May she be a light in this hospital for the few days she’s here. Amen.”
How typical of Joy to focus on the essentials. Not just getting through each day, but taking Jesus wherever they went.
- Writer
