The plastic sheet under her fragile body crinkled as she rolled to her side. The intravenous tube held in place with hospital tape pulled at her already sagging skin. The creases in her skin had become deep ridges as the years had passed its time. The deathly odors of the poignant eighth floor rocked ones senses as they made their journey down what appeared to be a forbidden hallway towards death.
As the door opened and light flooded in from the brightly lit hallway she recognized the man whom had come to her. She smiled at the one man who had always held her heart. His fingers entwined in hers as he stroked her temples with his other hand. She felt his breath as he leaned to place his lips against her cheek. She could smell his sweet body perfume made up fresh air and what she had always imagined to be clouds.
Her pain slowly began to abet as she gathered strength from her companion. He whispered words of love and courage to her as he held her, telling her all would be well. She would make it. She smiled as she listened to encouragement. She steeled herself against the aftershock of the radiation therapy. Her lips quivered as she sucked the ice on her tongue.
As the hours passed and her body became limp with fatigue weakly she closed her eyes. Explaining to her companion that she must rest but she hoped that he would be there when she awoke. She finally slept, smiling he reassured her of his love and his devotion to her. Slowly she closed her eyes, sliding into a needed sleep.
As the sun peeked through the blinds, she opened her eyes. Seeing her open her eyes her husband immediately ran to her side.
" I'm sorry, my car broke down on the way here last night. I was so terrified of your being alone after your therapy, and you have hardly ever sleep so long afterwards I was so scared."
The man's wife smiled as she reached down to hold his hand.
"Don't worry I am going to be fine."
In his hand she placed a small locket. Slowly he opened the tiny picture frame, smiling he looked down at the picture of himself and Jesus and understood his wife's peace.
