Free Savage Love by Jodi Woody

days and he already had some color back in his cheeks. There was something comforting about standing two at the sink and setting things right.
         “You are looking better,” said Samantha.
         “I feel better. Usually the treatments knock me down for a week. It’s nice to be able to be up and moving around. Even sitting by the pool yesterday was a treat. I’ll probably have to take a nap before we go out to celebrate, but that is better than spending the whole day in bed.”
         “How often do you have to take the chemo?” she asked.
         “I have to go back in two weeks. They have decided to be more aggressive with it.”
         “How long have you been fighting this?”
         “It’s been over two years since I first got sick. At first I just thought it was the flu. I was run down and just couldn’t seem to get over it. Trish insisted I go to the doctor. They did a bunch of tests, and the rest is history.”
         “Is it curable?” asked Samantha.

     “If caught early enough. I was already stage three when the doctors found out. Now I am stage four. I did go into remission for a while, but it didn’t last.”
         “I am really sorry Daffyd. Have you ever been prayed for?”
         “Trish, Leal and Bryce say they pray for me daily. Much good it does,” Daffyd bit out.
         “Sometimes God allows us to go through some things that in the end will benefit us. We don’t see the big picture ,” she said.
         “Look, Samantha, I know we don’t really know each other, and you may have strong faith, but I just don’t buy all the crap. I was raised by Christian parents who loved us and were great parents. My brother was a Christian and even served God as a missionary, but God still took him and his wife and left Bryce without parents. He still gave me cancer despite all the time my parents spent on their knees praying for us boys. So just keep your beliefs to yourself.” Daffyd tossed the towel on the counter and left the kitchen.
         Samantha finished drying the dishes. She was close to tears. She had offended her host, now things would be uncomfortable the rest of the day. How sad that anyone could believe that God caused cancer, or ‘took’ people by a horrible accident. Lord, he just doesn’t know you. I pray that he comes around to you and that you would heal his body. Make a miracle Lord, so that there is no doubt that it was you. And God, help me to make things right so that the rest of our stay here will be as nice as it has been. Give me the words to say.
         Samantha finished up the kitchen and went to find Daffyd. He was in a big stuffed patio chair watching Trisha working down the hill in one of the flower beds.
         “Can I sit?” she asked.
         Daffyd motioned to one of the chairs, but didn’t answer.
         “I just wanted to say I am sorry. I disagree with you, but I shouldn’t have pushed. Seanna says that sometimes I can be pushy. And you’re right we don’t really know each other and I have no right to speak into your life. Can we agree to disagree on this and just not talk about it for the rest of the day? We should be leaving tomorrow and it would be nice if we can just enjoy ourselves. You can forget all about us after we are gone.” Samantha apologized.
         “Samantha, I shouldn’t have blown up at you. I am pretty touchy about that subject. In fact I have asked Trish and Leal not to discuss religious matters at all around me. Bryce is harder; I don’t pay him to stay. There’s no excuse for being rude. So I’ll forgive and forget it you can do the same,” said Daffyd.
       “Agreed. But I do have to say one thing more, it’s not religious,” she held up her hand to stop him from commenting. “I don’t think Trisha and Leal stay because you pay them. You guys seem like a family to me. Seanna even mentioned it.”
         “You’re probably right. I don’t think you