The Messenger Read Online Free PDF Page B

name.”
    â€œThat’s our nation’s capital, dear.” Clarice looked more closely at the young woman seated across from her. “Where was it that you said you were from?”
    â€œI have a friend there. I think I do. I think she said she needed to stay longer. Miss . . .” Ariel scrunched up her forehead in concentration, then remembered. “Simpkins! Yes, I’m sure that’s right. And she was working at a hospital just like me.” The pretty forehead scrunched up again. “But what was the hospital’s name?”
    â€œAnd can she help you with your problem?”
    â€œOh yes,” Ariel said, more certain than she had been all morning. “I’m sure she can.”
    â€œWell, that settles it then.” Clarice set one firm hand on the tabletop. “You’ll just have to come with me.”
    â€œOh, could I?”
    â€œI don’t suppose you have any money, do you? No, it would all have been taken by the pickpocket.” Clarice did some swift calculations. “I think I have enough for two tickets. I’m afraid we’ll be traveling rather rough, though. I don’t have much extra to my name.” She looked at her watch and rose from the table. “If we’re going, we’ll have to start now. The bus leaves in less than an hour. Come along, my dear. Let us see if you can fit into any of my clothes.”
    ****
    â€œI tell you, I have been visited by an angel!”
    Manny froze at the words. He had been searching the hospital corridors for some sign of the young woman, not sure what he was going to do if he found her, but knowing he had to look just the same. He had found nothing at all and was heading back down toward the entrance, wondering at his next step, when he heard the old lady’s proclamation.
    â€œI’m sure she was, mother,” said a younger woman, her tone oozing false comfort. “Now, why don’t you just lie back and let’s wait for the doctor.”
    Manny hung back around the corner, pretending to read down a list of doctors’ names and office numbers, his attention remaining focused on the conversation in the next room. Actually, it was more like an argument, except that the couple in the old lady’s room were too polite to actually say in words what they thought, so they said it with the tone of their voices. And what they thought was that the old lady was making about as much sense as a loon.
    Only Manny was beginning to think differently.
    â€œI tell you, I don’t want to lie back down.” The old lady was beginning to grow angry. “Has this visitation robbed me of my ability to speak clear English? Listen to what I am saying, daughter. I am healed .”
    â€œNow, mother—”
    â€œOh, let her get out of bed if she wants to,” said an impatient male voice, one filled with the weight of his own importance. “Then we can help her up off the floor and maybe have some peace around here for a change.”
    â€œYou’re a fat lot of help,” the young woman snapped.
    â€œAll I said was—”
    â€œOh, go see what’s holding up that blasted doctor, why don’t you?” And then back to the wheedling tone: “Now, Mom, let me just—”
    â€œKeep your distance, daughter. I’m in no mood for any of your mollycoddling.”
    A starched figure strode impatiently past Manny, scarcely noticing him as he swept around the corner and into the room. “Oh, good. You’re all together. Right. Well. I honestly don’t know how to put this to you folks, but there appears to be a complete and total remission.”
    There was a stunned silence, followed by the young man’s demanding, “Just exactly what are you saying, doctor?”
    â€œWhat I am saying,” the physician replied, “is that I can find no indication of your mother’s illness. Not a trace. Not anywhere.”
    â€œThen do some