The old nurse looked at Melissa saying nothing as she backed away from her. Here Melissa felt terrible for yelling at the kind old woman so she sighed and apologized saying "Gertrude, I am sorry, it was wrong of me to be so disrespectful to you, I know you are only trying to help."
Gertrude reached out to touch Melissa's hand saying in a very comforting tone "I understand, it must be very difficult for you to talk about what has happened, but you, being a psychiatrist yourself, know the value of getting it all out, off your chest." the old nurse smiled sweetly "If you ever change your mind I can arrange for a visit. You just let me know, and I'll take care of it."
"Thank you, I appreciate your concern, but now I am very tired and would like to lie down now."
Now Melissa's bedroom was on the second floor so Oliver had one of the rooms downstairs prepared for her. It just so happened that the room he had made ready for her was the very same room Charles had wandered into, many years ago, the night he had come to see her after his bar room brawl with Mr.Pruce. Melissa had been ashamed and embarrassed by what Charles had found there, but now she had no ill feelings whatsoever as she went into the room where a hospital bed had been placed for her. With a bit of pain and discomfort Melissa was helped into the bed by her nurse and her cousin. She was given a mild sedative and soon she was fast asleep. Her son had crept into her room with Cairo, who laid down at the foot of the bed as little Charles left the picture he had drawn for his mother. It showed, crudely drawn by the three year old, a bright blue sky with a happy yellow sun shining down on him and his mother, both holding hands with giant smiles upon their faces. Oliver came in to find the boy on his knees in prayer by his mother's bed saying "Dear God thank you for bringing Mommy back home to me."
"Charlie." Oliver said in a whisper "Come, let your mother rest."
The little boy smiled up at his uncle who took him by the hand and gently closed the door. Melissa fell into a deep sleep and dreamed a peaceful dream. She found herself walking through a deep green jungle, all was cool and quiet, she felt no pain as she touched her naked body; which had been made whole again. She could hear the sweet gentle laughter of children off in the distance. Melissa felt safe as she walked on surrounded by bright colorful flowers and birds chirping above her head. So serene and blissful was this place she thought surely this is what Heaven must be like. Here she felt that no harm should ever come her way. Then as she knelt by a crystal clear stream she saw floating on the waters a sheet of paper that was as bright as a star. Reaching out she picked up the blank sheet of paper in her hands. No words were written on it and she could not understand what this could mean. Then she suddenly found herself back at her house where she saw herself sitting at the large desk in her study. She watched in amazement as she observed herself writing on the piece of paper. Here Melissa walked up behind herself and peered over her own shoulder as she watched her hand moving quickly writing out the words 'I am alive. I have survived. I am safe. No harm shall come my way.
THE END
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