The Hand That Holds Mine Read Free

one.” Sighing, I smile watching the dog happily walk to the next person wanting to give her attention.
    “You deserve to be happy, Adeline, I know you don’t believe that but you do.”
    “Not much I can do about that now.” I whisper away from her.

~
    Struggling to get into my medication I drop the bottle on the ground and fall back crying. “Oh please.” Closing my eyes shut I try to reopen them and stretch for my medicine but I can do no more than clench my jaw and fist the bed underneath me. “Please …” My body nearly passes out from the pain but I am suddenly rescued by a warm hand. “You again?” I try to open my eyes but the darkness around me does me no favors, so still I see nothing. “You’re not real, I have simply passed out and am dreaming now.”
    The soft laugh, rumbles against me. “Dreaming? Then what are you to me?”
    “Nothing, because you are not here.” I say simply.
    “If I’m not here Adeline, then why is it you continue to hold my hand?”
    “I am not here to make sense of my own dream for you.” I say smartly. His laughter jars the whole bed.
    “Fair enough. So do you mind if I stay here with you?” He says softly, rubbing circles on my hand with his thumb.
    “I don’t know what I can do about it, you seem to come and go without me , having any say. But if you are going to stay … then try to be quiet and not shake the bed. I am sick you know and I need my rest. If I don’t get enough I get very irritable.”
    “Oh, well you must not have slept for days then.”
    “You’re insulting me? In my own dream, you are insulting me? I will wish you away, dream man, if you’re not careful.”
    “So do it then, banish me from your bed, from your dream.” He says sliding in closer to my body and allowing me to pull his arm around me.
    “I’m too tired to bother,” I say curling even further under his arm and holding tighter to his hand. “Lucky you.” I smile.
    “Yes, I am.” He whispers against my ear.

Chapter 3
    ~Adeline ~
     
      The morning sun lights up my room and my soul. I have an overwhelming feeling of strength this morning and I want nothing more than to take advantage of it while I can. Getting dressed, I walk outside and wander my gardens. The beauty of all the flowers, the birds singing high above me is so heartwarming. It is all so peaceful until the sudden sound of barking dogs comes running at me. With an abrupt bump into my legs two German Shepherds force me to acknowledge their presence.
    “Where did you guys come from?” I ask laughing as they wag their tails and allow me to run my fingers through their thick, rich fur. I wonder what they are wanting from their obvious persistence, when one drops a bright blue ball at my feet, anxiously anticipating me understanding the subtle hint. Taking the ball in my hand, I take a deep breath and with a rush of excitement, I throw it and they run, barking and playing the entire way, and returning to me much the same. Again I throw and again they run. The playful routine causes me to laugh, and I soon feel the need to join them. I steady my legs and run to my new friends and fall to the ground between them, laughing and enjoying their instant affections. Lying in the vibrant green grass, I have no more energy to get up but I do not care to. The most fun I have had in awhile and because of two dogs. My new friends lie down close to my side and take a protective position. I watch them both as my eyes begin to heavy. With their fur blowing in the wind, their regal stature displays fearlessly beside me. A soft whimper begins to float around me as I fall to sleep.

~
    “Adeline!” Deb yells, taking hold of my arm and trying to wake me, “Jeneba I found her! I found her!” I search around me for the two dogs but they seem to be nowhere in sight. Deb and Jeneba help me back to my bed and do their best to warm up my shivering body. “What were you doing outside? It is freezing out there, and with no coat,