The Forsaken by Patricia Bell

Author:Patricia Bell [Bell, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Patricia Bell
Published: 2020-01-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19 ― Rachel

“Wanna watch cartoons with me?” Shelly’s son, Lenny asked from the bedroom door.

“I would love to, but I am not allowed to get out of bed,” Rachel answered.

“Why not?” He waltzed in and bounced down beside her.

“The doctor says so.” She really didn’t care about watching television anyway. “Your mom gave me a book to read, though.”

“Books are boring.” Lenny bounced off her bed, making her body shift, and walked out of the room. “I’m going to watch tv.”

“How are you feeling?” a voice said from the doorway. It was Dr. Paine.

Rachel smiled. “I am sorry I have missed our sessions.” She raised her hands to her tummy. “This little person is not wanting to cooperate.”

Dr. Paine came into the room and pulled up the kitchen chair that Shelly had placed by her bed. “It’s okay. And I had some extra time to fill, so I decided to come to you.”

“Thanks.” Rachel could use the company. She’d been feeling down on herself ever since she’d been to the doctor. She stared at the woman, wanting to ask the question but not wanting to hear the answer. Before she could change her mind, she spoke. “Dr. Paine?”

“Yes?” The woman looked up from where she was pulling a pad and paper from her bag. As if noticing Rachel’s distress, she sat fully upright. “Are you okay? Should I call Shelly in?”

“No. I am okay. I just wanted to ask you a question about―” Her courage faltered. “I guess it does not matter.”

“Sure, it does. I didn’t come all the way out here to watch you sleep, now did I?”

She was tired, but sleep seemed to be the only thing she did lately. “Does God punish us for our sins?” she asked hastily.

“Well, now I wouldn’t say that.” The woman stared at her for a moment. “Do you think God is punishing you?”

Rachel nodded.

“The Bible says we reap what we sow, do you understand what that means?”

Rachel nodded, but she wasn’t so sure. “No. I guess, not really.”

“Well,” she placed the pad and pen on her lap. “Sowing refers to planting. Whatever kind of seed you plant, will be what kind of crop you receive.”

Rachel stared at her, uncomprehending.

“I thought, as cotton farmers, you would understand the analogy.” Dr. Paine shifted. “So, if you planted an acre of cotton, how much will you receive come harvest?”

“An acre’s worth?”

“Right. And if you plant a foot of it, how much will you receive?”

“Very little.”

“So, do you see now?”

Rachel shook her head. What did cotton have to do with the wrath of God?

“Okay, let’s approach this differently.” Dr. Paine looked thoughtful for a moment and then spoke again. “When you do things that are not pleasing to God, he does not punish you for them, but He allows you to face the consequences of your actions. You are going to have a child at a very young age, and it will not be easy. God does not wish this for you, and He can certainly still bless you in it, but you will likely struggle.

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