"You can call me Rain," I said. She ignored it
and went to the bed to pull back the blanket. "I'm not
getting into bed just yet," I said more firmly. She stopped and looked at me that twitch
flashing once again.
"If you cooperate, things will be much easier
for you and you'll be much more comfortable. Believe
me."
"Why do you keep saying. believe me?" I
asked.
She stared and then nodded. Her eyes blinked
once with her conclusions about me.
"Very well, I'll see to your things. You can do
as you want and call me when you're ready to get into
bed."
She rolled the blanket back toward the pillow.
"I can do that myself anyway," I said,
She straightened up. Her lips seemed to go back
and back, cutting deeper and deeper into her bloated
cheeks until I could see the white of her teeth in
dramatic contrast to her coal black complexion. "Ms. Randolph hired me to assist you because
I've spent the last twenty years taking care of the
handicapped in hospitals and homes. I've worked
closely with therapists and doctors and nurses. I've
had a half-dozen patients like you.
"You've got some high mountains to climb,
girl," she continued her eyes blazing with indignation
at my audacity in challenging her suggestions and
orders. "Mountains you don't even know are out there
yet. Up to now, you've been in a hospital with roundthe-clock attention, people pawing over you, making
you feel like you're the center of the world.