Amen,he thought when he forgot to say it at the end of his prayer.
He had prayed that type of prayer a few times before—the kind where he said, 'Please let this happen, and I will give You the credit and glory for it'. Honestly, there had never been any kind of big moment or miracle when he knew a prayer worked. Looking back on his life, he could see God's hand and the fact that big sweeping miracles had happened. But he had never directly prayed for something and seen a miracle.
That made him wonder if it was okay to even ask.Only if it's Your will… he added, inwardly.
His hands worked. He felt the full weight of her head as she relaxed into his grasp. He tried to remember different moves and manipulations that had happened to him by various physical therapists.
The truth was he had no idea what he was doing, other than he cared about her and wanted to help. He did his best for what must've been six or seven minutes before she cracked her eyes open and spoke.
"Thank you." Her voice was quiet, and EJ stopped moving and pulled his hands out from under her. She sat up and swiveled, turning to face him. She took a deep breath, smiling absentmindedly as she slowly stretched her neck to one side and then the other.
"Oh, my goodness, EJ. This feels…" She trailed off as she continued to slowly stretch her neck, tilting her head one way and then the other. "Hang on…this is… EJ… wait. Maybe it's just because you got some blood flowing, but… " She paused, closing her eyes and concentrating on the feeling as she moved. She did it slowly, and then she opened her eyes and tilted her head more quickly from one way to the other, making an intense expression. "EJ, it's normal." She stared at him. "What'd you do?" she said, looking so serious that he had to hold in a smile.
"I’m… I… honestly, I prayed. I wasn't sure if it would work… I hate to say that, but… I did pray. Is it seriously better?"
"I think so." She stood up to test it out. They had been sitting on the floor, and she sprang up, taking a deep breath and adjusting her shoulders.
EJ stood with her so that he could take in the results. Savannah tried several different positions, moving her shoulders and neck, looking all around, and stretching various parts of her upper body.
"It's gone, just like that."
"You're kidding," he said.
"No. I don't feel a thing. I don't even remember what side it was on. What side was it on?" She stared straight at him, her expression serious. "I can't feel it," she said. "I was on day six, and I just… that's crazy. I think it was on this side because I just want to brace myself every time I go that way, but… I can't feel it," she said. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Thank you," she said sincerely. Her hand on his felt like it would be a quick gesture of thanks, but he held onto it anyway.
"You're welcome," he said, turning her hand in his, lacing his fingers through hers.
She went with it, easily adjusting and holding his hand. She didn't break eye contact. They were holding hands, and he could hardly breathe. The television was playing in the background, and EJ couldn't even hear it for the sound of his own heartbeat.
"I don't know how you did it." She slowly tilted her head again, both ways, and her expression was stunned. "It's fixed. I can't even believe it. What is it that can I do for you?" she asked in a joking but businesslike tone. "I am seriously at your service for this amazing feat that you have accomplished, Mr. Decker."
"I promise, I didn't… I promised God that if He did it I would tell you it was Him, and that's all. I've had a lot of physical therapy over the years, but, no… as far as my expertise goes… that was just a regular old neck rub."
"Well, it worked, and I really am at your service. Can I return the favor?"
"How about you come back to Chicago with me? I know you work on Monday, but you said it wasn't a full day, and I figure maybe there are worse things in life than calling in sick."
"I was asking you about a neck rub," she said, half smiling at him.
"I know." He shrugged. "It was worth a shot."
"I could see if I could rearrange Monday, but tomorrow's a long day. We're not going to be able to drive to Chicago after I get off."
"It was a long shot," he said. He didn't want to put pressure on her. He knew she was talking about a neck rub. It was just that he never wanted to be apart from her. He was not looking forward to turning around and heading back to Chicago this weekend.
She squeezed his hand. "No, I… I want to," They were standing in her living room, a chair on one side and stacks of ceramic tiles on the other. "I’m trying to think of a way we can make it happen. If we could get tickets, I could fly. If I could get a flight Sunday morning to Chicago, I could make it there in time for lunch with you guys."
"Yes!" he said. It was obvious that he was excited, and she smiled.
"Wait, there's still a lot that has to happen. I have to check on the flights to see if that option even exists."
"I know. I am happy that it might work out, but mostly I'm excited that you want to come at all. That's big for you."
"I know it's big," she said.
Her voice was soft and timid, and EJ had to control his desire to scoop her off her feet and… his heart was pounding at the thoughts he was having. He took a deep breath, staring at Savannah.
"Do you know why it's big?" he asked.
