Red Ink by Kathi Macias

Author:Kathi Macias
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Hope Publishers
Published: 2011-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Julia’s heart dropped like a stone, even as tears rushed to her eyes.

Chapter 22

JULIA AWOKE DURING THE NIGHT, SENSING THAT SOMETHING wasn’t right. But this time it was obvious that the problem wasn’t in some faraway land but rather right here among the residents of River View Manor.

The commotion in the hallway outside her door sprang her into action. As fast as her aging, stiff body would allow, Julia lowered her feet over the side of her bed and slid them into her waiting slippers. Then she lifted herself to a standing position, leaning slightly on her walker with one hand and reaching with the other for her robe at the foot of her bed. As soon as that was securely tied around her, she headed for the door.

The scene that greeted her when she peered into the hallway was not encouraging. Two emergency response firemen were heading into Laura’s room, with the manor’s two night attendants huddled at the doorway just behind them.

Julia’s heart dropped like a stone, even as tears rushed to her eyes. Laura! No, Lord, not Laura! Julia knew Laura’s heart was failing, but surely not this soon! Oh, if only they had entered someone else’s room …

Immediately ashamed, she realized she wouldn’t want it to be someone else, but … well, she certainly didn’t want it to be Laura.

Her best friend. Her prayer partner. The closest person she had in this life, next to her family, whom she saw only occasionally. What would she do if something happened to Laura?

Convicted of her selfishness, she closed her eyes and prayed silently. Forgive me, Lord. What a terrible reaction! But please, please let Laura be all right. Show me how to pray, Father.

Approaching sirens indicated the imminent arrival of an ambulance. By that time all the residents were up and standing in their opened doorways, silently watching and waiting … and, Julia hoped, praying.

The ambulance came to a stop in front of the manor, lights still flashing but siren now silenced. One of the manor’s caregivers was already at the front door, ushering the two attendants inside. In seconds they had entered Laura’s room, as Julia and the others continued to wait.

Pray for them.

The instruction had come silently, more of a whisper to her heart than actual words, but the direction was clear.

I’m already praying, Lord, Julia answered silently. But she realized God wasn’t calling her to pray for Laura, or even for those who were trying to help her, but rather for those who stood in their doorways, mouths and eyes agape, undoubtedly contemplating their own mortality and some with no assurance of where they would spend eternity.

Pray for them.

The loving command echoed once again in her heart, and Julia nodded, forcing herself from the doorway and back inside her room, where she settled into the chair beside her bed and began to beseech God for mercy toward those residents of River View Manor who had not yet received it.

At least, whatever happened to her beloved friend physically, Julia knew beyond question that it was well with Laura’s soul.

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