“I will,” she said profoundly. “When?”
“You figure out what night works best for you and let me know.” He leaned over and kissed Gini on the cheek. “I’ve got to go, sweetheart. What do you want me to fix for dinner?”
Gini grinned. “Fis.”
Debbie contacted Lisa and a couple of other friends from the hospital, and they made a plan to go to dinner and a play on Saturday.
Friday was Ric’s day. “I want to take Gini up to Rockport.”
“What? Ah… why?”
“My friends Victor and Maria want to see her. It will just be the four of us for lunch. It will be quiet. Gini loves Rockport. Sweets, do you want to go see the Westcotts?”
“Ock… Poor…Pity.”
“Senator Victor Westcott? You know him?”
“Yes, they are my dear friends, and they have missed Gini. They know all about what has happened. Gini loves Rockport, don’t you, sweets?”
“Ock… pore… pity.”
Debbie was waiting to hear “and you’ll go with us.” But he was definitely indicating just he and Gini were going.
“Who will feed her?”
“I can do that.”
“And when she needs to use the bathroom?”
“Maria. They love her. They invited us for Sunday brunch. I’ll take the wheelchair, so she doesn’t have to worry about walking on uneven ground. Debbie, it will be fine. Please, think about it.” He could see there was a lot of concern on Debbie’s part.
Saturday Debbie asked Gini if she really wanted to go with Ric to Rockport.
Gini repeated over and over, “Rockport pretty.”
That afternoon she called Ric and told him she would let Gini go with him. Although she had concern, she knew he would never do anything that would put Gini in danger. And she needed to let go a little and give him a chance. Ric was thrilled.
Robert arrived about five o’clock with his arms full of groceries. Debbie went back to the bedroom and started to get ready. When she came out a little later, he had pulled a bar chair into the kitchen, and Gini was sitting on it. The room was full of great aromas.
He had a small piece of food under her nose. “What’s this?”
“Gar… ick.”
“Robert, it smells amazing in here. Maybe I’ll just stay.” She gave him a look.
“Only have enough for two,” he said without looking at her.
He cut a piece of tomato, then rubbed on Gini’s cheek and popped it in her mouth. “And this.”
“May… toe,” Gini said, chewing.
It was obvious they were in a world of their own. Debbie went back to the bedroom to finish getting ready.
She walked back out. “Okay, I think I’m off. Robert, you have my phone number?”
He looked at her and smiled. “Yes…”
“I laid her things for tonight on the lounge in the bedroom. You sure it’s okay if I leave? I can cancel.”
“You are not going to cancel.”
“But what if she has a problem?”
“Debbie, go. I’m a doctor, I can handle this.”
“I know, I know. It’s just… okay.” She walked over to Gini and gave her a hug. “You tell me all about this fabulous meal you are fixing.”
“Oh… yes… Dee… bee… lah… uff.”
Debbie walked to the door, then turned back to pick up her handbag from the kitchen counter.
“And this?” Robert asked Gini.
Debbie stopped and watched.
“Fis.”
“Ah, but what kind of fish?”
Gini wrinkled her nose. “No… know.”
Debbie smiled and left. She could have a good time without having to worry.
Later when she returned, the living room was dimly lit and quiet. “Robert,” she whispered. Then she saw the glow of a tablet screen in the bedroom.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked.
Gini was in the middle of the bed sleeping. He was sitting on the lounge and got up when he saw her. “You didn’t show me how to use the monitor,” he said as they both walked to the living room. “So I decided I could work on my tablet in there until you got home. Did you have a good time?”
“Oh, the play was amazing. And the four of us laughed and had so much fun at dinner. Thank you, it was a great treat. How was your evening?”
“Perfect. I think Gini liked the trout.” He paused and took in a deep breath, then gave a small laugh. “She wanted me to sleep in the bed with her.” He wiped down his mouth.
“It sure did smell good.” She saw his deep feelings for Gini.
“Robert, there’s a bottle of bourbon up there on the top shelf. I’ve been meaning to try it. Do you want to try it with me?”
He came out of his thoughts and smiled a half smile. “Sure. How do you want it?”
“Neat.”
“Debbie Pierce, you’re a bourbon gal?”
“If it’s good bourbon.”
The two sat and sipped while Debbie told him about the play.
Although Gini had never said she wanted to go to the Westcotts’, it was clear she loved Rockport. Ric was excited and nervous. He had to prove to himself and Debbie that he could take care of Gini. Once he could do that with confidence, maybe she would accept him again as part of Gini’s life.
Ric saw the packed bag sitting in the wheelchair next to the front door when he walked in.
“Sweets, look how beautiful you are today.” He wrapped his arms deep down around her body and hugged her.
She was dressed in a sundress with a cropped sweater over top and sandals. Debbie had pulled Gini’s hair back on the sides, with barrettes. She told Ric the bag had Gini’s handled mug, a change of clothes, disposable underwear, and a jacket. He could put the dark glasses on her if he didn’t want the near-skin-colored patches to be completely visible.
He assured Debbie everything
