Debbie put another card down in front of her. “Ock… tor… rob… ber…
un… gee… feenger.”
He put her hand on top of his, and she pushed at it. He could feel the bumps on his fingertip.
“So what’s the card?”
“Say… feeve… har. Be… uff… goo… No… be… uff… heet. Say… feeve… har.”
Robert moved his finger again over the raised spots. “Five of hearts.”
“Oh… yes… Be… uff… goo… No… be… uff… heet. Say… no… uff… heet.”
He smiled at her sweetness. “No hit, Debbie.”
Debbie rubbed on her cards. “King of spades and nine of clubs. Hold.”
“Ween…” Gini said, raising her voice at the end of the word. She pushed her and Robert’s card toward Debbie. “Ock… tor… rob… ber… un… gee… Er… guiney… ween.”
“So what are your cards?” he asked Gini.
Debbie got up, after Tracy’s alert, to let Ric in when she saw him walking toward the door.
“Ta… wenty… one. Qoon… diamon… awss… har.”
Robert rubbed her arm. “Yes, you’re the winner all the way around.”
Ric stood and watched the two obviously enjoying each other’s company. He leaned down and kissed Gini on the cheek. “Hello, sweets.”
“Reek… pa… lay… uff… bray… car.”
“No, thanks. I brought a new poetry book.” He held the book up and then took her hand to go to the couch.
“So, Deb, how do you know what the cards are?”
She picked up the pile Gini had pushed to her and flipped them over. Up in the left-hand corner in small print was the card name. Gini had read each of them correctly.
“I can pretty much guarantee that you will never beat her. She always wins.”
“Dee… bee… baf.”
Debbie took Gini into the bathroom.
“You have to know, I love Gini with all my heart,” Ric said.
Robert was closely examining the cards. “Yes, I know.”
“And I’m pretty sure she loves me.”
“Yes, I agree with that as well.”
“Hopefully, there isn’t going to be anything that interferes with our relationship.”
Robert stacked the cards together. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
“Are you sure? I try to see her as often as I can, but it’s not as easy for me as it is for everyone here just dropping in to see her.”
“Listen, Ric, as long as you and Gini are in a relationship, I’ll do whatever is in my power to not let anything interfere with you two. She depends on you. You have been a big part of her recovery. No one is going to step between the two of you, I promise.”
Ric smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. He trusted Dr. Young. Maybe he was being paranoid thinking the doctor had a special affection for her. “Thanks, Robert. I do appreciate what you and Debbie, and the hospital in general, have done for her.”
Chapter 6—Two Men
It was New Year’s Eve. Debbie had a Christmas program playing on the TV; Ric and Gini were sitting on the couch. The door opened, and Robert walked in.
“Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year.” He held out a bottle of champagne to Ric and one to Debbie.
“Hey, thanks. Looks like good stuff.” Ric took one of the bottles.
Debbie took the other. “You are aware I can’t drink while I’m on duty.”
He laughed. “Well, Ms. Pierce, just when is it you’re not on duty?”
“Robert.” She swatted at his arm. “Thank you, very much. And Happy New Year to you. Are you going out?”
“Over to the country club; they’re having a big party.”
“Good.”
“How are you celebrating?”
“Lisa’s on her way over. After Gini goes to bed, we’ll watch a movie. Maybe open the bottle.” She smiled at the thought of being with Lisa. She had missed their intimate time together, but they both knew it would be that way as long as Debbie was in the unit. But really, except for times like that night, Debbie rarely thought about Lisa and her as a couple. She guessed it was because she was so consumed with taking care of Gini, who was always challenging Debbie to learn something new. She loved both of them. And this was definitely good practice for being a parent.
“And you, Ric?”
“With my girl here.” He reached over and turned Gini’s head by her chin and kissed her. She never kissed him back, but he still loved her plump, soft lips.
Just then the volume on the TV blared out a commercial for a motorcycle; it was revving its engine.
Gini nearly leaped off the couch. “Nooo!” She instantly became frantic, showing traits of a seizure.
Robert ran to the couch and picked her up. “Turn off the TV,” he demanded. “Gini, it’s okay.”
“Motorcycle,” Debbie quietly said under her breath.
Robert sat with her in the chair holding her tight. She kept saying “no” over and over. Ric sat and watched, his heart pounding. She must be experiencing the fear she’d had when she was hit.
“Gini, sweetheart, just breathe. Take deep breaths.” Robert’s voice was steady and calm.
“No… uff… bee… bee.”
Ric’s eyes filled with tears.
“Dr. Young,” Debbie said, “tell me what to do.”
“Get the sedative.”
Debbie ran out of the room to the medication cabinet at the nurses station.
Robert kept talking to Gini in a quiet voice, reassuring her she was okay, that they were all there to help her. He rubbed her temples and repeated that she should breathe deep.
Debbie came back with the syringe and leaned down.
“Wait,” Robert said. “Hold on a minute.”
“Ock… tor… rob… ber… un… gee,” she whimpered.
“I’m right here.” He smoothed her hair.
“Dee… bee.”
“Here, baby.”
“No… uff… bee… bee. Bee… bee… die.”
Ric put his face in his hands. It all came back—the moment he heard about the accident, the hospital, seeing the babies. God, life
