Angels Watching Over Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

talked.”
    “Sure, it’s fine.” Leah forced herself not to sound disappointed.
    “But don’t you worry. We’re flying into Indianapolis December twenty-third, just like we planned. We’ll come straight to the hospital and spring you. Then it’s home to the farm for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We’ll put up a tree and put out all our presents. Why, I’m even planning to cook a turkey with all the trimmings.”
    “But what if they still don’t know what’s wrong with me?”
    “Then we’ll find another doctor after Christmas. But I’m sure that won’t be necessary. Now, is there anything else we need to discuss?”
    Leah could think of a hundred things. She wanted to say “I’m scared” but couldn’t get the words out. She wanted to say “I love you.”
    “Um, Mom, I—”
    “Whoops! Sorry, dear, I’ve got to run. Someone’s at the door. I’ll call you before Monday.
Ciao
.”
    Leah held the receiver for a long time, listening to the dial tone that only moments before had been the voice of her mother. With tears welling in her eyes, she hung up.
    She decided to take a belated morning shower and put on her makeup, hoping it would make her feel better. She was just adding the finishing touches—not easy with her broken finger—when Molly came in to take blood pressures and temps. By now Rebekah was awake, but she lay in the bed listlessly. She looked feverish. Charity tried to soothe her while Molly worked.
    “Did you find the missing tree?” Leahasked, coming out of the bathroom as she spritzed on an expensive perfume.
    “Still missing,” Molly said.
    Leah told Charity what had happened.
    “Stealing is wrong,” Charity said, sighing. “This outsider world of yours is not a very nice place, Leah.”
    Was she asking Leah to defend the world at large? “There are good people too,” Leah said. “Aren’t there, Molly?”
    “A few saints. An angel or two.”
    “Where’s the angel?” Rebekah asked.
    “The angels are watching over you, little sister. You just can’t see them,” said Charity, smoothing Rebekah’s damp forehead.
    “Can you see any angels, Leah?” Rebekah asked.
    “Not really.” Believing in angels was a little like believing in fairies and elves, Leah thought. Interesting mythology, but not scientifically valid.
    Molly said, “I think
you’re
an angel, Rebekah. Now, why don’t you close your eyes and let this good medicine do its work.” She adjusted the drip on Rebekah’s IV.
    Rebekah sighed. Molly turned to Leah. “You look pretty. Got a date?”
    Leah ran her fingers through her thick hair. “Actually, I think I missed my date with the lunch tray. I’m starved.”
    “My fault,” Molly said. “I didn’t get you back up here in time. But don’t worry, there’s plenty to eat in the rec room. Pizza, sandwiches, fresh fruit—go help yourself.”
    “Do you want me to bring you something?” Leah asked Charity.
    “No, thank you. We ate already.” Charity smiled at Leah.
    The rec room was more crowded than before. The giant-screen TV was now showing
The Little Mermaid
for a group of engrossed kids, as toddlers climbed on the plastic play equipment. Some of the children were hooked to IV lines that hung from poles standing next to them. Some were bald from chemotherapy treatments. Some had broken limbs in casts. A candy striper aide sat in a corner, overseeing the group and running interference when two toddlers had a confrontation.
    Leah ventured into the kitchen and stopped short. Ethan stood in front of a vending machine, contemplating the selections.
    “You have to put money in. You can’t justwish the stuff out,” Leah said, hoping to make him smile.
    Startled, he jumped back. “You surprised me.” His cheeks reddened, and he dropped his gaze. He didn’t offer her the hoped-for smile.
    “Sorry,” she said irritably. Why did he always look away from her? Did his religion forbid him to look her in the eye? “Do you want me to help?” she