I heard the opening of the door and footsteps as Raquel wheeled me toward the bed. Though the footsteps sounded similar, they were different, letting me know that more than one person had entered my room. When my chair stopped, another set of hands helped me stand. I turned my covered eyes in that person’s direction.
“Sara, I’ve missed you,” the person said. It wasn’t Sister Lilith, which meant it must be Sister Elizabeth. “I’m so glad Brother Jacob called so I could come to see you.” From the location of her voice, she was taller than me, and by the way she held my hand and referred to me without the awkward title Sister, I got the feeling we were friends.
“I’ll inform the Commission that she’s doing better.”
Our reunion stilled at the sound of Sister Lilith’s voice coming from near the door. The way she referred to me made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
“Thank you, Sister Lilith, for staying until I could arrive.” Though it was polite, ice rolled from Elizabeth’s response. It seemed we all felt the same about Sister Lilith.
Sister Lilith didn’t respond, but I heard the door open and, eventually, the click-clack of her heels disappeared into the distance.
My nausea calmed a bit as I exhaled and settled on the clean sheets. Elizabeth adjusted my cast, putting pillows under my leg, while Raquel, on my right, reconnected my IV. The way they chatted felt familiar and safe. For the first time since I’d awoken from my accident, the atmosphere didn’t feel wrong.
Was Elizabeth my friend or, perhaps, a sister? Do I have family, other than a husband? Do I have children? Are Jacob and I parents? How old are we? My hand flew to my lips to stop me from speaking. I had so many questions.
As I rested against the pillow, their soft voices filled the once-frightening room with a feeling of friendship. My earlier bout of nausea had passed but the perspiration left me chilled. As if reading my thoughts, Elizabeth pulled the blankets over my shivering body. I managed a tired smile as the warmth enveloped me. Though I wanted to hear everything they said, in no time at all, their voices drifted away and sleep stole my first real chance for answers.
CHAPTER 4
Sara
A heated conversation infiltrated my dream, harsh words seeping unwontedly into the blissful scene before me. I tuned out the voices and inhaled the sweet scent of lavender. Step by step, I traveled across a purple-dotted meadow as tall grass brushed my bare legs. As I paused under the sun’s rays, my toes sank into the soft, cool ground and my skin radiated warmth. On the horizon, pink and purple clouds swirled together like paint upon a canvas. The brilliant sky was like a pair of blue eyes, shining with happiness.
The voice’s clatter wafted in ripples, small at first and only a word or two. But then it crashed like waves upon a beach destined to bear a hurricane’s wrath, each burst larger and louder than the one before.
I scanned the horizon in search of peace. The colorful clouds turned dark and ominous, bubbling and swirling above, changing the crystal-clear hues to varying shades of gray. I stood in awe of the building storm, while the wind howled and long hair whipped violently about my face.
The louder the wind roared, the more acutely aware I became of my impending doom. Panic swelled as strands of blonde tingled with electricity. Scanning in all directions, I sought shelter from the storm and then the harsh voices awoke me.
“I’ll need confirmation,” an unfamiliar voice boomed.
“You have it, from me,” Jacob growled. “Have you forgotten that I’m a member of the Assembly?”
“The Assembly is under the Commission. The decree came from the Commission.”
“Then call them. Ask! I stood before them and talked for nearly an hour. Father Gabriel himself gave the approval. I want food in here before she wakes. She hasn’t eaten anything in nearly a week. I’m not waiting any longer.”
“Calm down. You’re going to wake her.”
“I’m past calm. Tell me what she can eat.”
“If—”
“Not if,” Jacob interjected. “What can her body tolerate?”
“When I receive word that the decree has been lifted, we’ll need to start her with a bland diet: Jell-O, soup, rice. She could have some bread, but not too much.”
“Then go. Have it prepared. I told you the decree’s been removed. If you don’t believe me, call them.”
“I can’t question the Commission. It’s up to them to notify me.” The unfamiliar voice gasped, then pleaded, “No, don’t call . . .”
“This has gone on long enough,” Jacob said. His voice remained fierce but sounded more in control. “Hello, Brother Daniel. I’m with Dr. Newton. Apparently he hasn’t received the message regarding my wife . . . Yes, he’s here . . . I told him . . . Yes, let me hand him the phone.”