Page 51 of Truly, Madly, Deeply
He wore a Northside sweatshirt and dark jeans, but his handsome face was troubled. More than usual. “Hi.” He came to her. He hugged her despite the tubes and wires and machines. He held her longer this time. “You look good.” He whispered the words near her face. “I mean it. So good.”
He always said that and she always believed him. Because his words helped her get through another day. And today—the last day of this chemo round—had been especially tough.
Annalee’s mother was in a chair in the corner of the room. Often she left when Tommy came to visit. So they could have their privacy. But this time she stayed. She was too worried about Annalee to leave.
“I just left Raul’s waiting room.” He hovered over her, their faces inches apart. “He’s showing some improvement.”
“Good. I’m praying for a miracle.” Annalee lifted her thin arm and put her hand alongside his face. “God has him.”
No question the shooting had rocked Tommy. But it had done something else. It had shaken his faith. Something Annalee hadn’t thought possible. Yesterday before he left her hospital room he’d told her something that terrified her.
His expression had hardened. “If God isn’t going to help you… if He isn’t going to save Raul, then I’ll do what I can without Him.”
Annalee hadn’t known what to say. Tommy’s faith had never wavered before all this.
And so she had asked him something. “Bring your Bible tomorrow, Tommy? Please? I miss you reading it to me.”
Now—despite whatever battle Tommy was waging with God—at least Raul was a little better. Annalee watched Tommy pull his Bible from his backpack. He took the chair beside her bed. “I brought it. Like you asked.”
“Thank you.” Annalee settled into her pillow. A wave of nausea came over her, but she hid it. Whenever she was in the hospital, Tommy read to her. Some books were the perfect distractions. The Bible was perfect peace. And today, maybe reading it would help him, too.
Tommy opened the book. “Philippians, chapter four.”
“Perfect.” Annalee loved this section. “Go ahead.”
“Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Rejoice in the Lordalways. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
A physical peace warmed Annalee’s heart. These verses were truth and right now she needed them more than medicine.
Tommy’s voice was soft, soothing. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “I love you, Annalee.”
“I love you.” Her voice was a whisper, her nausea fading. She opened her eyes and watched Tommy find his place.
“Finally… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me—or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Tommy kept reading, and toward the end of the passage, Annalee closed her eyes. She knew the lines by heart, but they seemed more impactful coming from Tommy. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…”
She opened her eyes and looked at him. They saidthe last line together, their voices blending in a chorus of hope and faith, trust and belief. “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Tommy didn’t move. She didn’t, either. They only looked deep into the desperate places of their hearts. After a while, Tommy closed his Bible. “I needed that.”
“Me, too.”
Annalee’s mother came to Tommy and gave his shoulder a gentle touch. “That was beautiful.” She sighed. “Sometimes I forget that help is so close.”
“Yes.” Annalee loved her mother so much. The hours she had spent here, the support she had given. “You’re so strong, Mom. But you can’t be brave all the time.”
“I know.” She bent down and kissed Annalee’s cheek. “I’m glad I was here for this. And now”—a smile lifted her face—“I’m going to get coffee.”
When her mother was gone, Annalee looked at Tommy. “Okay… so how is he really? Officer Garcia? You said he’s a bit better?”
“He’s still in a coma. But… he’s breathing on his own.”
“What?” This was definitely a breakthrough. “His mother must be so happy. How is she?”
“You’d love her.” A single laugh came from Tommy, and he shook his head. “There are always four or five officers in the waiting room and today she brought chicken sandwiches for everyone.”
