Chapter Fifteen

 

JaNay Johnson lay in bed, eyes closed, tubes running from both nose and mouth. Her parents and brothers and sisters huddled together on one side of the bed. Medora sat unobtrusively in the corner while Country and Western singer Shena Mandrake strummed her guitar and sang her number one hit. “Make it Rain on Me Tonight”. JaNay’s parents let the tears fall freely while Shena’s sultry voice crooned her hit for the unplugged version.

Medora closed her eyes and let the music wash over her. The lyrics penetrated her heart; she had to work to stifle sobs. While her job was heartbreaking, she could usually keep it together until she got home. Not tonight.

My thundering heart

Pounds in my ears and my chest

But you always did know best

How to do your part

How to light up my life

How to make me your wife

But tonight the winds blew

For the first time I knew

What it could be like

That first lightning strike

Make it rain on me tonight

Pound on the roof of tin

Baby let me in

The light’s so bright

Make it rain on me tonight

Shena strummed the final chord, and the Johnson family clapped and smiled and hugged one another. The grandmother holding JaNay’s hand told everyone to hush.

“She squeezed my hand. She heard it, Ms. Mandrake,” her voice broke. “She heard you singin’ and pickin’ that guitar.”

Shena bowed her head a second. “Y’all have honored me tonight. Thank you so much.”

Shena put her guitar back in her case, and then went around to each family member, hugging them and kissing their cheeks.

“God bless you,” she said over and over again. Medora watched as Shena went to JaNay’s bedside and leaned down. While JaNay never opened her eyes, she seemed to hear everything. “And you little darlin’, are an angel on the earth.” Shena kissed JaNay on the head.

She turned and saw Medora standing by the door. They walked out together.

“Ariella, that was one of the most blessed moments of my life,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough for making this happen.”

Medora smiled through her tears. “I’m just the messenger. JaNay has wanted to meet you since she was five. You made her dreams come true tonight.”

Shena bobbed her head, curls bouncing. “God bless you, sweetheart. The work you do makes the world a better place. Never forget it.”

Medora watched Shena walk out, holding her case and waving to nurses and visitors in the hall. The elevator slid open and Jerik stepped out. He held the door for Shena, but only had eyes for Medora. She held her breath as he approached. So tall. So handsome. So deadly to her heart. She shouldn’t have been surprised he would try to find a workaround to his “dilemma”. He wanted to bed her. His intentions had never changed. At least he was honest. She sighed. And couldn’t help but smile a little at his evident discomfort in the hospital setting.

He stood in front of her, looking down.

“Are you all right?”

Medora’s breath halted a moment. He wasn’t just asking about the engagement. His eyes told the story; he wanted to know if the hospital visit had gone okay, if she was okay with the Board, if she was okay.

She nodded. Cleared her throat. “It was a special night.”

Right then, Mrs. Johnson came out of the room and placed her wide black hand on Medora’s sleeve. “Honey chile you blessed us tonight. Thank you so much.” Medora turned into the woman’s hug. “That Shena can sing the Lord down from heaven. God bless you, Ms. Rothchild.”

Medora whispered thank you and they hugged a while longer. Then Mrs. Johnson went back to the room and Medora held her arm for Jerik to take.

“I’ve had time to think, Jerik.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve been unfair to you,” she said. “Now, don’t get your hopes up. My wishes have not changed. But I can’t really be mad at you for being true to who you are.”

“Very well. Our engagement is still on?”

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

“Very good. The press is waiting for us just outside the hospital.”

“Oh dear.” Medora tucked her head into Jerik’s shoulder when they entered the elevator. She felt so comfortable there. She didn’t want to move. When his hand came up to hold her head to his chest, she sighed. May as well put on a show for everyone, right?