“You shouldn’t have to help me. I was here to help you and Gini. And…. and all I did was make a big mess of everything. I criticized Franco for being weak, but at least he owned up to it. Please forgive me, Debbie. Let me make it up to you and Gini. I want to be with her. I did then, too, but didn’t know how. I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I know I can do it now. Teach me.”
“Like I told you when you called, it’s up to Gini. If she wants to see you, then I will allow it.”
“Fair enough.” He got up and hugged her tight. “Thank you for all you have done for Gini. I’m so glad she has you.”
He picked up his jacket and left.
Debbie had to admit, no matter the circumstance, Ric always looked impeccable—hair perfect, clean-shaven, and dressed in an expensive suit, nice shirt and stylish tie. Each time, the pretty boy stigma stuck in her mind.
Ric called and wanted to bring dinner to Gini and Debbie. He wanted to feed Gini if she needed help. Gini was happy to have her friend come to dinner. Debbie was reluctant, but he had changed. He was willing to learn how to help Gini. He was awkward at feeding her, but he got the job done without seeming to be too disgusted with the situation. When Gini asked him to play braille cards, he declined but promised her he would learn how to play soon. The rest of the evening he read her poetry and told her about Florida and the Bahamas.
After Gini was in bed, Ric sat on the couch pleased with himself.
“Okay, Debbie, how’d I do?”
“She seemed okay with you feeding her if that’s what you’re asking.”
The pleasant look on his face lessened. Debbie was still as tough as ever. But he didn’t blame her. He had done her just as wrong as he had Gini. It had taken him a long time to get her to trust him, and he had betrayed that trust. He was just glad she was letting him see Gini.
Debbie sat in the chair next to the couch, facing him. “Okay! I see that Gini had a good time with you. And as before, as long as she wants to see you, she may. But there are going to be some rules set.”
“Oh… okay.” He felt like a schoolboy in the principal’s office. “What kind of rules?”
“Gini has been seeing Robert for a month or so.”
“Robert? Dr. Robert Young? Interesting.”
“He had no idea you hadn’t been here this whole time. He found out when he brought the new glasses to show me. She enjoys being with him as well. So as long as she wants to be with the two of you, I will allow it. But the minute I see that it’s getting too much for her, we’re done. And, I don’t want you to ask me anything about Robert, and I don’t want him to ask me anything about you. Understood?”
“Yes… yes, of course.”
“No just showing up. You must call me and make arrangements before you come here. I’ll instruct Robert to do the same.”
“I accept your terms. I love her and will do anything for her.”
The next night Robert came by after a meeting in Boston. Debbie seemed distant and non-talkative.
After dinner, Robert reached to the coffee table and picked up the large medical book.
“Looks like some pretty heavy reading.”
“Dee… bee… re… uff… bain.”
“Deb, you’re reading this book to Gini?”
“Yes, when she has a question.” Again she was short in the conversation.
“Debbie.” He walked to the kitchen. “What is it?”
“Robert, I want you to help me put the drops in Gini’s eyes tonight.”
Debbie had noticed the last couple of days that the color of Gini’s eyes had changed. After further examination by Robert, he agreed. He said he would contact Dr. Adams for consultation.
He was sitting in the chair looking through the medical book when Debbie came out of the bedroom.
“Debbie, I don’t want you to worry. I suspect the medication is affecting the color. After the treatment is over, they’ll change back. I will make sure it’s not an issue, though.”
“Thanks. Robert, Ric was in the hospital the other day when we were there for Gini’s treatment.”
“I saw him.”
“You did? Anyway, he wants to see Gini. He’s been here twice, and she seems happy to see him.”
He nodded.
She looked at him. He seemed okay with what she had just said. “That’s okay with you?”
“They’re friends. Sure, it’s okay with me if she wants to visit with him.”
“Well, I’m forced to set some rules then.”
She told Robert what she had told Ric. Robert agreed.
And so, the dating game began.
Chapter 12—Dating
Dr. Adams confirmed Robert’s diagnosis of the medication changing the color of her eyes. He too thought the blue would deepen back to normal once the drops were stopped.
Thursday night Robert was just about to leave. “Debbie, I want to take Gini in.”
Debbie looked up from her book. “What? Take her in?”
“I don’t think she’s ready to go to a restaurant yet, so I want to fix her dinner here.”
“Be… uff… een.” Gini giggled. “Dee… bee… rob… ber… be… uff… een.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.” Debbie put her reader down and went and sat by Gini.
“I want you to call your friends and plan an evening out. Gini will be fine here with me.”
Gini hugged into Debbie. “You want me to go out?”
“Yes. You need to have a life, Nurse Pierce.” He gave her a mock glare and then smiled. How many times had she said that to him over the eight years they