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The Power of Testimony

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SHAWN THORNTON || 21<br />

Each time, the family stood around the bed as Bev slept<br />

as if nothing could wake her.<br />

A somber feeling pervaded the house as days blurred into<br />

weeks and weeks blurred into months. <strong>The</strong> girls saw little <strong>of</strong><br />

their mother, who stayed at the hospital all day. <strong>The</strong> family<br />

summoned their financial resources to pay for a registered<br />

nurse to stay all night with Bev. Betty and Russell’s conversations<br />

bled through the bedroom walls, full <strong>of</strong> sadness, self-​<br />

recrimination, and occasional blame.<br />

“Why did he have to turn in front <strong>of</strong> that pickup?” came<br />

Russell’s voice, exasperated.<br />

“I don’t know, Russell. It breaks my heart.”<br />

“Ah! We should never have let her go. I can’t believe that<br />

boy did this to her.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> sisters were never part <strong>of</strong> these conversations, but one<br />

night, Connie began crying in her bed.<br />

“Why are you crying, Connie?” Gail asked in the darkness.<br />

“’Cause Bevie’s going to die.”<br />

“No, she’s not. Don’t say that.”<br />

“<strong>The</strong>n why isn’t she awake yet?”<br />

“I don’t know. She needs rest. Sleep is good. She was in<br />

an accident.” Gail paused, then added, “Everybody at church<br />

prayed for her this Sunday. And three people called the house<br />

today to ask how she was.”<br />

“But she’s unconscious.”<br />

“I know that. She’s sleeping,” Gail countered.<br />

“Shush! It’ll be all right,” Sue said. “Whatever happens,<br />

it’ll be all right.”

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