Miracle Woman by Marita Conlon-Mckenna Page B

been distracted trying to get organized for her mother’s party. Taking a breath, she slowlyrecounted what she had seen and what she had done. She was slightly put off by the small tape recorder that the journalist placed on the coffee table and though she tried not to dwell on it was over-aware of her words and thought she probably came across as being slightly nervous and jumpy.
    â€˜I interviewed the store security guard and Mrs Lucas. Both of them mentioned to me about your laying of hands on the boy and how somehow your action seemed to have saved him,’ offered Lara.
    â€˜No, no!’ Martha protested. ‘It was just that I was there, that’s all.’
    â€˜A Good Samaritan.’
    â€˜I was hardly going to walk on by and let a small child die,’ Martha replied edgily. ‘Maybe Timmy heard my voice or felt my hands touching him. He just needed to hang on till help came and I just happened to be there. All the while I had my hands on him it felt almost like there was a narrow connection between us, but that was enough to keep him here on this good earth.’
    â€˜Are you a religious person?’
    â€˜I was born and raised Catholic and go to church every Sunday, if that’s what you mean.’
    Lara didn’t reply.
    Martha could feel a stirring sense of annoyance. What exactly did this journalist want from her? What angle was she trying to exploit or use for her purpose? She just couldn’t figure it out.
    â€˜You are a good person, by all accounts.’
    Martha felt embarrassed. The street was full of good people – the world was, for that matter – what in heaven’s name was this journalist woman trying to get at?
    â€˜The people I spoke to all said that you had healed Timmy Lucas, that you had saved his life when you laid your hands on him.’
    Martha sat stock still.
    â€˜Are you a trained healer of some sort?’ Lara persisted, pushing for some sort of a response.
    Martha just shook her head. She didn’t understand it herself so how could she possibly rationalize what was happening?
    â€˜There are many witnesses who say the same thing,’ murmured Lara, staring intently at her. ‘That you healed the boy.’
    These accusations: Martha did not know what to do to refute them. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ she admitted honestly. ‘I just happened to be there when Timmy needed me.’
    â€˜Thankfully,’ said Lara softly. ‘And Martha, have you ever helped or healed anyone else?’
    â€˜Just one or two kids down at the school, I . . .’ Martha replied without thinking, suddenly remembering the tape recorder and immediately regretting her own stupid honesty.
    The journalist wrote something on her pad. The two women’s eyes met, the information hanging between them.
    â€˜Look, I’m really glad that Timmy’s improvingand recovering but there’s no story here,’ insisted Martha. ‘I simply did what any other parent coming along would try to do. I helped an injured child – nothing more.’
    â€˜People said it was a miracle!’ interjected Lara. ‘That’s what they actually called it.’
    â€˜Listen, Miss Chadwick, I’m just a stay-home mom with three kids, who helps at the school, helps at the animal shelter and gets to do all the things moms get to do. It’s no big deal! I’m ordinary. Just plain old ordinary!’
    Lara stood up and switched off the recorder. She didn’t intend antagonizing Martha McGill, not at all, but she knew in her heart that she had stumbled onto something and that even if the woman across from her was unaware of it, the gift she had was one she would not be able to keep secret much longer.
    â€˜If you’ll excuse me, Miss Chadwick, I have to go pick up my mother.’ Martha didn’t have to leave for another half-hour but she wanted this young woman out of her home.
    Lara, sensing her change in