Gini cried out, “No… uff.”
“Okay,” Aaron said, releasing her from the harness and gently sitting her in the chair.
“No… uff,” she repeated over and over.
“Baby, it’s okay.” Debbie immediately went to Gini when she heard the cry. “You’re working too hard. It’s time to rest.” She took both of Gini’s hands in hers and rubbed them to get her to calm down. Aaron rubbed her shoulders and neck. Finally, she stopped crying out and slumped, exhausted.
A few days later, Lisa and Debbie were standing by Gini’s bed, and Debbie worked Gini’s legs. It was hard work and took great concentration on Gini’s part.
Suddenly, Gini became agitated, saying, “No… uff, no… uff” over and over. Neither Lisa nor Debbie could calm her, so Debbie put a call in to Robert, who came and ordered a mild sedative.
“Tell me exactly what you were doing when she started acting that way,” Robert asked Lisa while Debbie administered the medication.
“We were just talking. Deb was pushing on her legs to help strengthen them.”
“Franco!” Debbie turned around sharply, holding the syringe with the needle up. “We were talking about Franco,” she whispered.
Gini made a small whimper and then fell into a deep sleep. The three made their way into the living area.
“So what does Franco have to do with this?” Robert asked.
Debbie told him what Franco had told her about Gini’s reaction the last time he visited when she was in the hospital room.
“They had a bad parting. Franco went home to Boston ready to reconcile their marriage after Gini served him divorce papers. He had no idea she was pregnant, or that she and Ric were living together. He was in shock, and Gini just wanted him to leave. He said she collapsed to her knees she was so upset. Of course, he was also angry and said and demanded many things.”
After he told her the story in the hospital room, Debbie recalled two other times when Gini went into a frenzy. When Debbie checked the records, she saw that Franco had signed in on the floor. Debbie remembered seeing Gini have the same reaction when Ric and Franco were walking down the hall away from Gini’s room.
“And again the other day when Franco was here. I never put the two together, his presence and her reactions.”
“Oh, she has issues with Franco,” Lisa said.
“She has a bad memory; yes, she’s upset with him.” Debbie put her hand on her heart; her baby was suffering.
“Franco was here?” Robert asked.
“Yes, he came to the gym the other day when she was in the harness. When he saw me, he walked away, and she started crying out. I thought she was just tired from the therapy.”
Robert made a point of seeing Gini on his way home that evening, to make sure she was okay.
“Ock… tor… rob… ber… un… gee,” she said as he walked in the door. Then she smiled a big smile.
He knelt next to her chair. “There’s the smile I love.” He looked up at Debbie.
“She’s back to her old self.”
Debbie and Gini’s day routine never changed. Debbie was up at seven, Gini at nine. After breakfast, bathing, and dressing, Debbie worked with Gini on different therapies. Right before lunch, they’d have quiet time. Debbie watched the DVDs on sign language, with Gini sitting at her side. Once she learned enough to be comfortable, she’d teach Gini.
Robert often stopped on his way back to his place, mostly for social rather than professional reasons. He was pleased with Gini’s progress and was glad Franco had talked him into letting her rehab in the hospital units.
Saturday afternoon Dr. Young went to the unit.
“Robert! You’re working on a weekend?” She laughed. Of course he’s working.
“Just checking on one of my patients and going over some of the financials. Thought I smelled coffee.”
“Sure, go ahead and pour yourself some. I was just going to call Lisa and see if she could watch Gini while I do some shopping.”
“I can stay with her.”
“No, that’s okay, you’re busy. Lisa likes being with her.”
“Really, I can just sit here and work on my computer. Go on; she’ll be fine.”
“She just went down for a nap. I’ll be back before she’s awake.”
“Take your time.”
About an hour later, Tracy walked Lisa to the door and let her in.
“Dr. Young.” She looked in and saw Gini sleeping. Then looked around for Debbie.
“Where’s Deb? Everything okay?”
“She’s shopping. I’m staying with Gini till she gets back. Nothing’s wrong.”
“Oh, okay. Can I stay and wait for her?”
“Sure.”
The door swished, and Ric walked in. “Tracy let me in.”
Robert smiled. “Gini’s sleeping.”
“Why are you here? Is there something wrong?”
“No, Debbie just needed to do some shopping.”
It was curious how often he had seen Robert in the unit without any medical reason. All three sat in the living area and worked on their electronic devices.
When Debbie went out the front door of the hospital, the town center looked like a winter wonderland. It had snowed overnight, and the whole town was decorated for Christmas. Holiday music played over the speakers in the shop areas. The sun glistened off the snow, filling Debbie with Christmas spirit. She returned to the unit to find it full of people once again. When the two men saw her with arms full, they both got up to help her. She had a small, decorated Christmas tree she had bought at the florist and three large shopping bags with handles.
“Are we having a party?” she asked, then peeked in to see Gini still sleeping.
“Where do you want the tree?” Lisa asked.
“How about right in front of the window so they can see if
