Free The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling

up cancer cells early enough, we are all in danger. She kept her hands from searching for lumps in her own breasts through a sheer act of her will. With no history of breast cancer in her family and with always doing manual examinations both lying flat and in the shower with soapy hands, she felt fairly safe. That was one good thing to say about George. He'd insisted she set up and follow her own schedule. “Is there any breast cancer in your family?”
    Juanita shrugged. “Don't know. My family in Guadalajara no have such machines. My sisters here, I tell them go and get squeezed, like you tell me.”
    “Did they?”
    Juanita shrugged. “I ask them.”
    “Good.” Elaine smiled her dismissal and picked up her pen to continue her list for the day. At her feet, Doodlebug sat staring at her, waiting for his bite of toast. When it was not forthcoming, he put his paws up on her leg, his big eyes pleading.
    “Sorry, Bug, my mind was elsewhere.” She slipped him a tiny morsel of buttered toast, and when he chewed that and asked for more, she shook her head. “You know better.” Brushing the crumbs off her robe, she stood and scooped him up for a hug. “Good dog. You go see Juanita.” Setting him down, she watched as he picked up a stuffed toy and scampered off to the kitchen. If only all the other pieces of her life obeyed as well as the little dog.
    When she left the house an hour later, she was armed for her research, including a handheld digital recorder to take notes. When finished she could snap it into the cradle, and her notes would appear on the computer screen. She also had the notes from her online research the night before, a list of topics she needed to look up, and a small tape recorder that fit right in her pocket. When she went before the hospital board, she would be well prepared.
    Since clouds hid the mountains and grayed the sky, she shrugged into a natural-toned linen blazer over matching pants and a silk tee with a hint of gold. Staring in the mirror, she inserted gold hoop earrings and hung a gold chain with a diamond to nestle just above the swell of her bosom. Gold bangles on her right wrist and a gold watch on her left finished the ensemble. She straightened the jacket and smoothed her eyebrows. A summer power suit, that's what she wore with every intention of influencing the board toward at least partially funding the new mammogram unit.
    Swinging down the hall of the hospital a short time later, briefcase in hand, she nearly groaned when she saw Winston Henry Jefferson IV coming toward her. Definitely not the man she wanted to see at the moment, but she donned her most charming smile and extended her hand. After all, shaking hands was only polite, in spite of her aversion to anyone with a limp handshake. And his really was, even though nicely manicured.
    “Good morning, Mr. Jefferson.”
    “Ah, Mrs. Giovanni, please call me Winston. What a pleasure to see you.”
    “Thank you. And how is your family?”
    They continued to exchange pleasantries until Elaine glanced at her watch. “I need to get some work done before our coming meeting, so please excuse me.”
    “Is everything all right for the booth on the Fourth?”
    “Of course. The guild members so appreciate your donating the tent. Your generosity will make it much nicer for our ladies, either rain or shine.”
    “Thank you. How do you like our new look?” He swept his arm in an arc to include the new carpets, paint, and artwork loaned by a local gallery.
    “Very nice.” / can't stand here and chitchat. My time is running out She eyed his square-cut chin and smiling blue eyes. If only his handshake had the same forcefulness. “I'll see you later, then.” She smiled but stepped out with purpose, forcing him to take a step back to get out of her way.
    “Is there anything I can help you with?”
    “No thank you.” She tossed the words over her shoulder and kept on walking. Did he not realize the primitive state of their diagnostic