5) Miraculous

The door creaked open, and April's eyes lifted from her cup of coffee, her eyes searching and questioning.

"She's beginning to wake," he declared, his tone cracking with his uncontainable joy.

April immediately jumped to her feet.  "May I see her?"

"Certainly," he replied, opening the door wide enough for her to enter, "but," he added quickly, "not long.  She will need her rest."

April nodded her assent, and moved further into the room, her steps soft and tentative.

She detected the slight movement, and Lillian's eyes suddenly fluttered open.  Her eyes gazed up into space for a moment in uncertainty, then they rested upon April.  Her brow furrowed in further confusion.  April could merely hold her breath, unsure of how to fill the silence, how to voice her identity.  Then a light seemed to cast a ray of understanding upon the woman as she started to gasp, then whispered incredulously, "April?"

April could hold back no longer, and nodded through the tears.  "It's me, Lillian," her friend whispered.

Lillian's eyes were still unbelieving.  "You--  you came?" she whispered huskily, her sentence following a string of raucous coughing.  After regaining a measure of composure, she whispered in a voice April could barely hear, "You're here?  Why?"

She could not speak.  She simply reached for the woman's hand, and, blinking back the tears, whispered, "Because, Lillian, you need me."

Lillian did not reply.  A renewed friendship was somehow borne between them, and April felt the bridge of guilt shatter and fall away.

~*~

During the next few weeks, Jenny came to assist April and Dr. Walton.  April felt more relaxed and secure with her best friend close by, and they all enjoyed the extra company, their conversations sprinkled with laughter and smiles.  It seemed as though the past had become present, and they were mere schoolgirls again.  And that dark cloud that surrounded them seemed to lift-- just for a second-- and then reality once again faced them, only making the future look more bleak than ever.  There was still no change-- still not any hint of progress.  As the days wore on, Lillian became aloof and withdrawn, silent as she lay, staring out at her only window, seeming to only discover emptiness.

Why? often came the deep cry within April's soul.  Why aren't you healing her?  I've prayed to You.  I've trusted You.  Why aren't you answering?  Why do I feel like You are so far away?  Hear us, Lord, her silent prayer would well up within her.  I just don't understand anymore.  I feel like You don't care.  Don't You see the children's tears that fall every night for their mother they cannot help?  Why don't you give us any hope?  Just a trace?  Please, Lord, she begged.  Give me a sign.  Something.  So, that I know You are still here with me-- so that I know You're still listening.

She continued to fight the impossible.

April then realized the ultimate reason why the Lord had sent her to Lillian.  She had not yet received the gift of Jesus-- the gift of life that He had placed in her hands, patiently waiting for her response.  His indescribable love wasn't comprehended in her mind, and seemed to be pushed aside in her thoughts.  April grasped for any opportunity to present that gift to her, and often prayed well into the night for God to shed some light on that subject-- and that her words would bring some hope and meaning in her life.

That prayer was miraculously answered.

Author's Note

I hope you're enjoying this book, as I continue to write it, and I do hope it hasn't been boring you. These are the slow-moving chapters, as of now.

Your thoughts? :D

Reviews

[Jack Isaac]

This chapter is easier to follow and the message in it is very clear. Well written. It might help more however to give details about the relationship between April and Lillian. Subtle indicators, for example, this: "It's me, Lillian," she whispered. ...
could be cahnged to "It's me, Lillian," her friend whispered.

I can tell this book is well thought out and placed into credible storyline. Writing is very good.

[Missy Moooooo]

This book is amazing and this chapter was amazing.

[Erinne S.]

Trust me this book is in no way boring! I can feel the anticipation building up as I read :) Another great chapter Kelly!

~Erinne

[kaylynnmelody♥]

i really loved this chapter.. sorry i'm doing these reveiws out of order.. ha i read all the chapters but never did reveiws.. sorry ha but i love this book and i gave you an 100! keep writing.. i would love to see more of your writing!

[Seanne Tholltree]

i like the last part...April then realized the ultimate reason why the Lord had sent her to Lillian. She had not yet received the gift of Jesus-- the gift of life that He had placed in her hands, patiently waiting for her response. His indescribable love wasn't comprehended in her mind, and seemed to be pushed aside in her thoughts. April grasped for any opportunity to present that gift to her, and often prayed well into the night for God to shed some light on that subject for her-- and that her words would bring some hope and meaning.


That prayer was miraculously answered.

[❤ Maggie ❤..]

It's so good, Kelly! :)

[~Lizzy♬]

I love the book so far, but I'm still sketchy about Michael and Lillian. I read the chapters, but still are confused... I don't know why... Other than that, the book is fantastic!!

~Lizzy~

[Courtney]

Love it =)

[Krystal Nicole]

great chapter!!!