Debbie had witnessed the finger counting and then went back to the bedroom to get things ready for the night.
“Okay, baby,” she said, entering the room. “It’s time for bed.”
Gini, still facing Robert, held up her index finger. “Wan… feenger. Way… wan… mean… net.”
Debbie laughed at her cuteness, and Robert smiled, then looked at Debbie.
“You look tired, Robert,” Debbie said after getting Gini to sleep.
“It’s been a long week. But Gini always makes everything better. How long has she been working on the finger counting?”
“Only a week.” Debbie made a huff, still standing. “Robert, I have to talk to you about Ric. He wants to take Gini to the Gloucester House restaurant on Saturday. I can’t say yes. I mean, he couldn’t handle taking her to Rockport to see some friends, what makes him think he can do it now?” She paced.
Robert got up. “Deb—”
“No really, Robert, he isn’t ready. He’s just not ready.” She pulled a barstool out and sat down. He did the same.
“Aren’t you breaking the rules here?”
She abruptly looked up at him. “Rules?”
“You don’t talk about Ric to me, or about me to him.”
“Robert, they’re my rules. If I want to break them, I can! Aren’t you a doctor of psychology?”
“Yes…” He reached over and rubbed her arm briefly.
“Aren’t you supposed to let me talk until I come to a solution?”
“You’re right; so let’s talk.”
“He’s trying to prove himself.” She glared at Robert. “Trying way too hard. If he would just relax and let things fall into place. He’s frustrating the hell out of me. Ahh.” She raised her hands. “And then I think about how much he loves her and how good he was with her in the hospital. I mean, I don’t think she would have made it without him. Do you think? He was always there for her. She knew someone cared.” She put her head down.
“I think you need a bit of bourbon.”
“I do!”
Robert walked behind the bar to get them a drink.
“So, I guess I’m going to let him take her. I have to, right? It wouldn’t be fair for me not to help him get through this.”
Robert handed her a glass.
“He wants her to love him back. He kisses her, but she doesn’t know what a kiss means. She just doesn’t.” Debbie took a sip.
Robert opened his mouth to respond about how Gini’s kisses were getting more and more passionate. But that was just for him to know. That was their tender, private moment.
“I don’t want to diminish him. He’s a decent man, a good man. And Gini is a grown woman; I don’t want to belittle her either. She may someday want to be intimate. She and…” Debbie stopped and took another sip. He didn’t need to know that Gini sucked Debbie’s breasts and lay by her side while Debbie satisfied herself. That was their moment together; no one but the two of them needed to know.
“And now with Lisa… Sometimes I feel like a pressure cooker about to explode.”
“Well, that’s not good. What about Lisa?”
Debbie looked at him and forced a smile. “I’m just blowing off steam. I appreciate you listening. It’s Lisa’s story to tell.” She forced another smile.
“I take it the trip to Rockport didn’t turn out well.” Robert walked back around and sat on the stool.
Of course, he wouldn’t know about Gini getting upset with Ric. “No, it ended up not happening. He wasn’t ready. That’s just what I’m talking about.”
“Okay, okay.” Robert rubbed her arm again.
“I’m going to let him take her. I’ll show him how to help her in the bathroom. He has been feeding her, so unless she gets frightened again I think they will be fine. Actually, I can see Gini having patience with him so he feels accomplished. She’s such an amazing person…” She paused.
“I’m done.” Her voice dropped, and she gave him a quick smile.
There was quiet for a moment.
“How’s the eye therapy going? She did open them more tonight.”
“It’s slow. The first day, after the first couple of times of commanding her to open them, she got real confused. She will open them if you ask her to, but keeping them open is another thing. We’ll keep working on it.”
Robert looked at his watch and set his glass on the bar after he took the last sip. “Better go.”
“Thanks for hearing my rage. I want you to know being a parent must be hell. I constantly question if I’m doing the right thing for Gini. Sometimes the decisions are really hard. I do think of her as my child, but she’s a woman and that all has to come into play.” She smiled. “Hard.”
“You are and have been doing a great job. I know Gini is grateful for you and your help. You gave Ric the credit for bringing her through this, but it’s you, Debbie; you’re the one.”
“And you.”
“Somewhat, but you have been there coaxing her, teaching her, and loving her.” He reached over and hugged her.
She hugged him back. She enjoyed his company. Someone she could truly talk to, knowing he understood and would help her at a moment’s notice. A real friend.
Chapter 13—Questions
Dear Ms. Pierce,
Thank you so much for the email. I will have to say, I read the email and the attachment with conflicting emotions.
You may not know this, but Gini not only worked for me, she was one of my best friends. And Ric, such a great guy, became a friend as well. I was so thrilled when I found out they were going to have a family together.
When I visited Gini in the hospital a few months back, I thought for sure
