by Ava D. Dohn
“Thank you for visiting with me while I’ve been ill. I didn’t expect to see you again, you know, with your selling your place and moving away and all.”
Ishtar dug into the bowl of fresh fruit Hanna had delivered to her.
“It’s so good to be feeling better, though…”
Finally, after finding an especially delightful morsel and popping it into her mouth, she looked up at Hanna, musing. “I don’t really recall having been sick.”
Hanna placed her hand over Ishtar’s fingers as the girl reached to grasp another handful of fruit, cautioning, “Do be careful, my dear. It has been a long time since you have eaten and your system needs to once again become accustomed to food.”
Ishtar ignored Hanna’s counsel, digging in and filling her hand, then stuffing her mouth with the juicy delights. Mumbling as she ate, Ishtar asked, “Hoo lon hav I ben sic anawa?”
Hanna smiled, resting her right hand on Ishtar’s upper arm, gently massaging it. After some moments, and Ishtar’s gobbling of a few more mouthfuls of food, Hanna explained, “My child, I don’t think I would really call what you have had as being sick. It’s true, you have been sleeping a long time, and you need to reacquaint yourself with your surroundings. Things have changed a little since you took your rest.”
She patted Ishtar’s arm, quickly adding, “Yet you will still need lots of rest because what went on with you does have the tendency to knock the stuffing out a person. It may take a while to get your legs back under you.” Standing to leave, she admonished, “Do be careful with your food. Your stomach may not like what you’re doing. There’s water on the table next to the bed and I would recommend you remain here a little while longer. Tomorrow you will have much greater strength.” Hanna turned and headed for the door.
Just as she grasped the handle, Ishtar called out after her, “When will mother visit? I have so much to tell her.”
Hanna pretended to not hear what the girl asked, answering, “No worry, I’ll return soon.” She slowly lifted the latch and slipped from the room.
“Old people!” Ishtar huffed, “I’ll never understand them!” A sleepy, tired feeling grew in her arms that slowly crept through the rest of her body. The child put her now empty bowl on the nearby stand as her head fell back on the pillow. She made a frown. “I wish I never had to grow old…” She shrugged. “But what other choice is there?”
She snuggled back in her bed and drifted off to sleep.