Free Miracles and Mischief by Mary Manners

here?”
    “Yes. He’s sleeping over there.” She pointed, and Zac craned his head for a look.
    “He’s awful big for that chair, Mama.” Zac blinked hard once, twice, and then yawned hugely.
    “I know, honey, but he didn’t want to leave.”
    “’Cause of tomorrow?”
    “Partly.” She offered him another sip of water. “And because he likes spending time with you.”
    “He loves me, doesn’t he, Mama?”
    “Yes, honey, he does.”
    Zac smiled, though his dry lips cracked with the effort. “Guess what, Mama.”
    “Hmmm?”
    Zac lowered his voice to a whisper. He pressed a tiny palm to Shayna’s cheek. “I think Nate loves you, too.”
    The words brought a smile to Shayna’s lips. From the mouths of babes…
    She set the cup on the side table. “Go back to sleep now, Zac.”
    “OK, Mama.” He sipped once more and then let his head drop back against the pillow, and just as quickly as he woke, he was asleep again.
    Shayna stepped over to Nate and smiled at the way his bulk was curled into a chair two sizes too small. She covered him with a blanket and kissed her index finger before pressing it to his cheek. Her heart fluttered with the thought that one day soon they might share a real kiss.
     
     
     
     
     

12
     
    Nate woke to the sound of sobs. He sat up, and a sharp stab of pain coursed through his hips, racing up his back. His skull cried out, and for a moment all the world went black.
    Slowly, the room came into focus. Shayna stood over him, her tears splashing onto the sheet. He reached for her hand and struggled to find his voice.
    “Shayna, honey…” The sound was gravel in his throat, but he fought through to add, “Zac?”
    “He’s fine, Nate. Dr. Garrison said the transfer was perfect. He’s recovering just as planned. He’s sleeping now.” She smiled through her tears. “How are you feeling?”
    “Like I was just tackled by the full line.” He grunted, trying to shift pressure from the sore areas. “But, Doc said it would smart for a few days.”
    Shayna smoothed his hair. “I’ll call the nurse to bring you something for the pain.”
    “No.” Nate squeezed her hand. “Just help me up. I want to go see Zac.”
     
    ****
     
    Shayna marveled at how well Zac fought back against the disease that tried so hard to break him. She knew Nate played a big part, helping to boost his spirits. The two did anything and everything to pass the time. Nate even brought football film, and they dissected each play like expert commentators. Shayna laughed when Zac came up with the idea to use a tissue roll as a microphone, decorating it with markers, construction paper that the nurses brought by, and a touch of glue.
    Nate sat in the bed beside Zac, both decked out in Titans gear, and together they offered up game highlights that would make ESPN proud. Quickly, the nurses figured they ought to enter the room with caution—they never knew what kind of sidesplitting pranks they might encounter.
    Now Zac slept, and Nate had gone for coffee. Shayna gazed out the hospital window, beyond the parking lot to the landing. Bradford pears were in full bloom, and the water danced clear and blue beneath a brilliant sun. Wisps of high clouds were ribbons floating in the sky, and she could almost hear the song of blue jays. Soon, she and Zac would leave the confines of the hospital room and head home to enjoy the late-spring air. Shayna could hardly wait for sunlight to kiss her cheeks once again. The very prospect filled her with renewed hope.
    Nate shuffled into the room holding two cups of coffee and a white pastry bag. The sweet aroma of chocolate mingled with vanilla, masking stuffy hospital odors. For a moment, Shayna almost forgot where she was.
    “Your feast, ma’am.” Nate’s smile chased away a chill. His boots whispered over tile, and she was glad to see the limp he’d suffered for several days following the harvest was completely gone. He slipped into a chair beside her. “I’ll let you