Article June 24, 2013 Issue

'An expected end'

Ann Van Tassel

I was washing my hands at the sink in the restroom when I heard the commotion behind me.

I turned around to see a woman, obviously ill, bending over the bathroom trash container. Several other women went to her aid, but she urged them to leave, saying she would be all right. The other women left the room as she bent over the trash again.

I stepped away from the sink and went over to stand by her. After a moment, she raised herself up and said that I should leave her, too, but I told her that I would stay. She bent down again, but this time no adverse sounds came from her. In another moment, she stood up and looked me straight in the eye. “You were praying for me, weren’t you?” she asked.