Thenightgrewcolder, andasIfloatedinandoutofconsciousness, , , asthefirstraysofdaybreakappeared, , , IwastreatedformildfrostbiteandaheadwoundbeforebeingtoldI’, Iproppedmyselfuponthebedpillowsandwaitedimpatiently.
Beforelong, thedooropenedandmymotherburstintotheroom.“Weweresoworriedaboutyou!”shecried, rushingovertohugme.“Iknewyouwereintrouble!Motherssensethesekindsofthings.”Hermaternalinstinctssurfacedassheappraisedthefoodtraynearby.“Yourteaiscold!I’llberightback.”
Seizingtheopportunitytohavemealltoherself, .“I’vemissedyousomuch.”Imurmuredsoftly, brushingasilkystrandofhairfromherface.“AndwhathaveyoubeendoingwhileI’vebeenaway?”
“Oh, Iforgot!”sheexclaimed, jumpingoutofmyarmstograbalargetubeofconstructionpapernearby.“Idrewthisforyoulastnightwhenwedidn’, andIwantedyoutofeelbetter.”
Asifitwereatreasuremap, Iunrolleditandoohedandaahedovertheimages.“Well, that’sourcar.”Isaid, pointingtotheredsquare.“Andthat’sme.”Ilaughed, touchingmyfingertipstoastickpersonwithlonghair.“ButwhatamIholding?”
Abigail’seyesbrightenedasshepushedherfingertiptothesmallobjectonthepaper.“That’sGod’sspirit.”shesaidexcitedly.“IdrewitasadovelikeIsawinSundayschool.”Shepressedhersoftlipsagainstmycheekandadded,“Ididn’twantyoutobealone, Mama, andsoIgaveyouthebestfriendIcouldthinkof.”
“Oh, darling,”Iexclaimed, recallingthewhitedovethathadgivenmecomfortinthedarkestofnights.“Yourdovewaswithme.”
Takingherhand, Imarveledattheheavenlybondbetweenmothersanddaughters.
