You More than Anything in the World (Arissa)

Arissa glanced at the clock and was startled to find that it was already very late.

She went over to Mary. “What would you like for dinner, Mary?”

“Let's just eat at the hospital. As I'm not a big eater, there's no need to trouble yourselves for me.”

Mary thought about the amount of food she had brought back at noon and felt it was a waste if she did not finish it.

“It's no trouble,” Arissa said as she tucked Mary's quilt in for her. “We want some dinner anyway. There's no trouble in having you join us. I'm just happy to be able to care for you. Are you hungry now? I'm about to head to the hospital cafeteria to get a snack myself.”

Mary shook her head. “I'm not hungry. I just had some breakfast food with you, remember? That hasn't even been digested yet!”

At that moment, Ethen entered with a big bag of food. “These are from Mr. Graham, Ms. York.”

Arissa did not expect Benjamin to follow through with his promise. “What is it?”

“It's a delicacy around these parts.” Ethen placed the box on the coffee table as he spoke. “These are for you and the children.”

Arissa came over. “Is there anything Mary can have?”

“I asked Mr. Bailey. He said she could have these saltine crackers.”

Ethen opened a packet and filled the whole ward with its fragrant aroma.

Though they looked like dessert crepes, these crackers were of the savory kind.

With a side of horseradish sauce and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds, it made for a very authentic and satiating snack.

Just looking at it made the children's mouths water.

Jesse swallowed. “Wow! It looks delicious!”

Ethen smiled. “There's more in there! Hurry up and have some, Ms. York. They taste their best while they're hot!”

Arissa nodded and gestured at Ethen. “Please, join us.”

“Would you like to try some, Mary?” she said after bringing some back to the hospital bed.

Mary waved her hand. “Enjoy it, my dear. Don't mind me! I'm not hungry.”

“Just a taste?” Arissa coaxed, aware that the older woman was simply being polite.

Mary gazed at the remaining crackers in the box. “Do you have enough for yourselves?”

“Plenty for all,” Ethen replied with a smile as he beckoned the children to eat. “I bought enough for everyone to each have their own packet!”

Arissa sat beside the bed and fed Mary.

“Set up the tray, will you, Issa?” Mary requested with a gesture. “I can manage on my own.”

“All right.” Arissa agreed it would be at Mary's convenience to have a table, so she obliged the latter before continuing to feed Mary.

“I can't finish the entire packet,” said Mary. “Leave me a few pieces, and you can have the rest. You can have some too, Tim!”

Mary told Arissa that as she spent most of her time lying on the bed, her digestion was so slow that she was still full from the snack she had had prior.

“All right, Mary.”

Noticing Mary's uncomfortable squirming, Arissa obliged the old lady by apportioning a few pieces for her.

“Hurry up and eat it while it's hot! I'll do the same.”

Mary picked one up and nibbled at it slowly.

Arissa watched her for a while. She only began to eat at Mary's second reminder.

She looked at the children and saw to her satisfaction that all six were seated and eating obediently.