Sweetie's Diamonds Read Free Page B

first brought your sister in here, we at Saint Mary’s like to think of ourselves as progressive.   That’s why we’re privately funded and that’s why we’re located here in the middle of nowhere.”
    Even though Diane smiled at the nun’s attempt at humor, she knew that Sister Jarrett was also speaking the truth.   Saint Mary’s was located off the beaten path, in a remote site nearly three hours away from Chicago.   The woman had chosen the facility because these particular nuns were liberal-minded, and most importantly, discreet.
    Sister Jarrett looked at her papers.   “I see that you did enact the Health Surrogate Act three years ago.”
    â€œYes.   Just to give me the right to make the legal decisions regarding her care.”
    â€œSince that act was passed in Illinois, it’s made the process so much easier.”   The nun looked at Diane and said, “You know, you could make the decision terminate life support and end this ordeal for you—and her.   It is an ordeal, isn’t it?   Our Savior suffered enough for us.   There is no reason for you to go on suffering.”
    â€œShe’s my sister.   And I’m not suffering.”
    â€œVery well.   I’m only saying that it’s an option.   We will gladly care for your sister as long as her body is alive if that is your wish.   I’m sure that Christ admires your strength.   There are not many people who would have held on to hope for so long.”  
    Diane nodded but then turned away so that the nun would not see the tears well up in her eyes.   “Can I see her?” she asked.
    The nun answered, “Of course.”  
    Diane allowed Sister Jarrett to escort her out of the office and down the hall to the room where the patient lay.  
    Sister Jarrett stopped at the door and said, “I’ll let you visit with her alone.”
    â€œThank you,” Diane said.
    The patient was another woman the same age as Diane.   She appeared to be asleep, but dozens of wires and tubes were hooked up to her body.   A heart monitor by the bed beeped rhythmically.   The patient breathed slowly and deeply.   Her blonde hair had grown out over the side of her skull where they had operated long ago.  
    Diane stepped to the bed and put her hand on the patient’s arm.   She squeezed it and said, “I promised I wouldn’t let you die, Sweetie, isn’t that right?”
    The patient gave no sign that she had heard.  
    Diane stood by the bed for several more minutes and then, without saying another word, turned around and left the building.

2
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    T he final bell rang and the students bolted from their desks.  
    â€œDon’t forget to read chapter seventeen and be ready for a quiz!” Diane shouted above the chaos.  
    The eleventh graders hustled out of the room and were gone within seconds.   One student remained and Diane knew what to expect from him.   Carl Dunaway was a timid but good-looking kid whose crush on his teacher was terribly apparent.   Diane had noticed him looking at her longingly in class and once found her name scribbled on his notes.  
    â€œYes, Carl?”
    â€œUhm, I just wanted to ask you about making up my grade on that last quiz?” he asked, swallowing hard.  
    â€œYou know the policy, Carl.   What are you willing to do to raise your grade?”
    â€œWell, I’ll be happy to come over and mow your lawn, or help you clean out your garage, or something.   You got any weeds to pull?”
    Diane almost laughed.   “Carl, I appreciate the offer, but that’s not what I meant.   Students are supposed to do some kind of extra work related to American History —an essay on something we’ve discussed, a book report on one of our topics—that sort of thing.”  
    â€œYeah, I know.   I just thought I’d