The smile starts to grow, and I watch it with anticipation.

“Those sound a little harsh.”

“Well, you did wound me deeply.” I dramatically clutch my chest.

Holly grins. “That’s true. What if I give you the gift I brought? Do you think you could forgive me then?”

Joking aside, I’m suddenly curious. She picks up her bag and rummages inside.

“You got me something?”

“Kind of. I got us something.”

I like the way she says us, like we’re a unit.

“Okay. What did you get us?”

Holly holds the mystery item up, and I see a heavy black hardcover book with pages edged in gold. The format stirs memories of my grandmother trying to make sure I didn’t grow up to be a heathen. Not sure if her efforts were in vain or not. Jury is still out.

“You brought a Bible?”

Her eyes hold mine for a moment before she nods solemnly. “Ben, I’m here to educate you on the good book.”

“Uh …”

Luckily, I don’t have to figure out a response because her serious expression drops away.

“Oh my—oh my—oh my God! You should have seen your face!” she stutters out her words as she gasps with laughter. There’s actually a tear leaking out of her eye.

My whole body tingles as the sound washes over me. This is how she should always be.

Still chuckling, Holly turns the book around, and I read the worn cover.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” There’s a picture of a goofy green ball giving the thumbs-up under the title. “Okay, so not the Bible.”

She shakes her head, and her silky hair brushes against her flushed cheeks.

“Have you read it?”

“No. I’ve been meaning to though.”

“Seen the movie?”

“Nope.”

“Perfect!” She gives a little excited bounce and shimmy in her chair. “So, I was thinking about how you said you have trouble amusing yourself during dialysis. Then, there’s this list of books I want to read, but I always feel guilty, sitting down for long stretches to actually read them. So, my solution …” She pauses, and I get the sense her confidence has dimmed a bit. “I was wondering if you’d be interested in me reading to you?”

Holly’s words seep into my chest and wrap me in a comforting embrace. She wants to read to me.

In the past, I tried to distract myself with a book, but the drum of the machine and the ache in my arm always pulled me out of the stories.

However, when Holly launched herself into the room, all of that faded so far to the background; it’s barely registering in my mind. I could listen to her husky, sweet voice for days if she let me.

Apparently, she takes my silence the wrong way.

“It was just a suggestion. You can politely decline. We could do something else. Watch a movie or whatever you want.”

“Hell no! Please read to me.” To emphasize my point, I shut the TV off and shift so that I’m facing her better. “This is one of the best things you could’ve suggested.”