On Friday morning Dr. Beemish signed me out. One of the
nurses presented me with a packet of discharge papers including one on cast
care. When Ruth arrived to drive me home I was dressed and waiting to make an
escape.
The sight of my house brought tears to my eyes. The
“Painted Lady” is ivory with shades of coral trim. I’d read about the colorful
Victorian houses. Six years ago I’d decided on the color scheme. The house went
from gray and drab to beautiful. People often stop to admire.
Paul hurried down the walk. “Welcome home.” He lifted me
from the car.
“Put me down. I can walk.”
“Like a snail. There are a lot of stairs. Lunch break’s
just an hour.”
“You win.”
Robespierre crouched at the top of the steps. The usually
silent cat chirruped. When Paul lowered me to the window seat Robespierre
jumped up and rubbed against my face and arms. His fur tickled my nose. “I
missed you, too.” I turned to Paul. “Did he eat?”
“Twice a day.” Paul kissed my cheek. “Got to hustle to
Sarah’s. The rug rats are mine.”
“Brave man. Thanks for the cat care.”
“No prob. Robes and I are buddies.” He paused at the door.
“I’m out of here. The ladies want to plan your life.”
Maria arrived and pushed him to the stairs. “Hurry. I have
the lunch ready. Mrs. Sarah need to try the dish. My madre gave me the
receipt.”
Over lunch Maria, Sarah and Ruth set up a schedule of
visits and meals. After the dishes were in the washer, Ruth and Maria left. Maria
had Paul’s lunch and she would stay with the children while Sarah and I
visited.
Maria adores children. She draws them the way a siren
entices sailors, but to fun, not disaster. She’s had several miscarriages. Though
she seldom talks about those losses I know she was disappointed not to have a
child.
Tiredness crept over me. I used the crutches and walked to
the bedroom. Sarah followed. Her dishwater blonde hair had been permed into
tight curls. “Wash and wear hair,” she always said. “Bed?”
Though I hated to admit to a weakness, exhaustion
threatened to turn my bones to jelly. I halted in the doorway. “What happened
here?”
“Andrew. Ruth said your single request multiplied.”
“I can see that.”
When the house had been converted I sold the large antique
bed my husband and I had shared. I kept a pair of sleigh beds from the guest
room. One had been dismantled and an electric hospital bed stood in its place. Though
I understood Andrew’s reasoning I wished there had been no exchange. My body
knows every contour of my mattress. For six days I’d dreamed of a good night’s
rest. The sight of the commode drew a chuckle. Ruth had found the courage I
lacked.
“The boys will bring your dinner. Give them a list of what
you need from the store.” Sarah supported my leg while I got into bed. “One of
them will be on duty every evening until you graduate to a cane.”
“Tell Jamal I’ll bake him a chocolate cake. Larry will
have a pan of fudge brownies.”
“They’ll love that.” The grin on her face said she would
claim her share of the sweets, something she didn’t need. “When do your new
tenants move in? I told a friend’s daughter to call but the realtor said the
apartment had been rented.”
“At the end of the month.”
“What’s she like?”
“I haven’t met her. She’s Ted’s friend.”
Sarah arched an eyebrow. “A close one?”
“Don’t know. She’s divorced and has two children. Andrew
said she’s lovely.”
“She must be gorgeous. He tends to see the world in shades
of brown.” She put on her coat. “I’ll let you rest.”
When the door closed I drifted to sleep. After a short nap
I planned to practice walking. Being dependent on others is a drag.
MY PLACES
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BUY MARK
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