A Blessing for Miriam by Jerry S. Eicher Page B

paramedic placed gentle hands on both sides of Shirley’s head. “You must hold still.”
    Tears welled up in her eyes. Was there more to her injuries than she realized? What else would provoke such a vigilant reaction from the paramedic? What if the doctors couldn’t fix her up? What then?
    She felt the ambulance slow as the siren wail ceased. Shirley breathed a sigh of relief. The awful ride was ending. They must have arrived at the hospital. She’d have some answers soon. What if her face would heal but she’d be scarred for life? Could she survive if her beauty was gone? Would anyone like her? Would Jonas still be interested? If she was scarred up, what man would want to stay around?
    Shirley forced her mind to stop as the ambulance halted, the back doors opened, and paramedics rolled her gurney out of the ambulance. They went through some doors and bright lights assaulted her eyes. The rush of people talking and machines humming droned in her ears. Doors swished around her, and silence replaced the droning. The lights didn’t dim though. Soft voices spoke and kind faces peered down at her. Shirley began to tremble. Even Mamm and Daett would be a welcomed sight at the moment.
    The ambulance paramedic appeared again by Shirley’s side and squeezed her hand. “Good luck, girl. You’re going into surgery now.”
    Shirley could only nod her thanks, and the paramedic seemed to understand.
    The gurney moved again, and Shirley noticed ceiling lights passing by. She closed her eyes. Oh, please, God, let this end! Butshe realized this night was far from over. She was no longer in charge and might not be for a long time. Perhaps never again. Tears escaped her eyes, and then the gurney stopped, she felt pressure on her arms, and sleep came.

    Shirley awakened in what seemed like moments later. All was quiet. Where was she? What had happened? She tried to focus. There’d been an accident. She’d been taken to the hospital. An awful ambulance ride. The swish of doors. Bright lights. And then…nothing.
    Shirley shifted and realized she was on a bed. Mamm ’s face appeared in front of her. “Don’t move, Shirley. Don’t move unless you have to.”
    She was tired of being told to not move. “Tell me, Mamm . How bad is it?”
    Mamm didn’t answer right away. “You’re in what they call the recovery room. You’ve had surgery, and now you need to rest.”
    “Who’s here?” Shirley tried to sit up, but Mamm pushed down gently on her shoulder.
    Shirley had caught a brief glimpse of Daett seated on a chair beside her bed. He hadn’t said a word. His lecture would probably have to wait until they got home. But she wanted to get it over with right now, even though the world seemed to be swirling around dizzily.
    When no one said anything more, Shirley whispered. “I’d rather be chewed out now rather than later, Daett . Let’s get the lecture over with.”
    “No one’s chewing anyone out.” Mamm stroked her arm. “You need to sleep now.”
    “ Daett will have his say,” Shirley insisted. “I know you don’t approve of Jonas. But I couldn’t help myself.”
    In the silence that followed, she sensed Daett rising and coming closer.
    He spoke in hushed tones. “ Yah , this is what comes from following the world, Shirley. How many times have I warned you on how the Lord looks at these things? We sow to the flesh, and we reap to the flesh. The Lord will not be mocked. If we disobey, He will stand by His word. You can be thankful this wasn’t a serious injury. You could have been lamed or blinded or even killed in such an accident.”
    “Not serious?” Shirley whispered. Her hands reached up to touch her face and encountered bandages. “Unless I miss my guess, I’ll be scarred from this, won’t I?”
    There was a brief silence before Daett said, “Life is not about how a person appears. This is another lesson you will do well to learn.”
    Shirley ignored her daett and reached for Mamm ’s hand. “How bad