Saving Fish from Drowning - Heal Burma

SAVING FISH FROM DROWNING
had to recover that sensation, give up the old routine that had grown
so comfortable, predictable, lucrative, and dull.
Harry took in a big breath of resolve. And then he sniffed. “Good
God, what’s that smell? It’s hideous.”
Walter turned around again. “Some of the others have taken ill,
I’m afraid. I suspect it’s a touch of traveler’s malady. We’ve done our
best to make them comfortable.”
“Who?” Harry asked. “Who’s ill?”
“Mr. Moff and his boy. Mr. Bennie as well, and Miss Marlena. But
her daughter is fine, not at all sick.”
Marlena! Poor girl, no wonder she snapped at him. She was feeling
dreadful. Well, then! The explanation cheered him. The situation be­
tween them was not as bad as he thought. So, what could he do to
make her feel better? All the usual methods—the florist, big cozy
hydrangeas, bubble bath ingredients—were clearly unavailable. A
cup of tea with honey, perhaps? Offers of a massage. Suddenly he
knew. The endorphins still surging through his brain allowed the
miraculous answer to come wafting over him.
Words. He knew the power of words. He merely had to select the
right ones that she needed to hear precisely this instant. If it suc­
ceeded with a bunch of bloodthirsty soldiers, it would be easy as pie
with Marlena.
“Marlena, darling,” he would say. “I’m back for you.” He pictured
her face, slightly feverish, damp with sensuality. Should he act doc­
torly, knowledgeable and assuring? Or should he take the role of
lover, pledging that love was the antidote to whatever ailed her?
Harry could be truly awful at romance when he tried.
Luckily, he lost all thought of Marlena as he gawked at the hotel.
“What’s a bloody menorah doing in a place like this?” Once shown
to his room, he could hear through the thin walls that Marlena was
in no condition whatsoever to have a visit from him, doctorly or
amorous. Poor girl, she sounded wretched. So did the person in the
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