Oh, and that attachment. I cried, really cried reading she’s disabled. I already knew she was, of course, but her recognizing that about herself was amazing and sad at the same time. And typing. If she can type, then she can think, right?
Again, thank you so much for contacting me. And thanks for taking care of her. I look forward to more emails.
Sincerely,
Catherine
Gini and Debbie were just finishing up their three-month appointment with Dr. Meyer when Robert walked in.
“How about lunch in the cafeteria?”
“Oh, yes,” Gini said. They’d had lunch there the last time she was in the hospital for an appointment.
John said he’d meet them down there in a few minutes.
Robert sat with Gini while Debbie got a tray of food and then got his.
When he walked back, an older woman came up to him and walked him back to the table.
“Dr. Young, I haven’t seen you in here much.”
“Hello, Mrs. Whitaker.”
“Did you notice I’m not using a walker or a cane?”
“That’s terrific.”
“Debbie.”
“Mrs. Whitaker.” Debbie got up and hugged her. “So good to see you.”
“I’m living in the assisted living down the way. Everyone told me I’d never walk again, everyone but you and Dr. Young. You both gave me such encouragement and hope. Bless you.”
“Are you one of Dr. Young’s patients?” she asked Gini.
“Oh… yes… Pay… see… ant.”
“Bless you, child. You are in good hands.”
A man walked up, and the two walked away.
John sat back in his chair. “I miss you guys.”
“Miss us?” Robert asked.
“You and Debbie worked well together. I miss that team.”
Debbie continued to work with Gini’s eyes. If she asked Gini to open them, she did. But the eyelids always slid back down. The continual commands didn’t seem to confuse her as much as time went on. Then Debbie started noticing that when Gini’s eyes were open, Debbie could see her trying to focus. It usually started with her eyes crossing and then looking directly at something. And the day Gini kept her eyes open for a longer period—watching the Patriots play on the TV—Gini blinked. Debbie immediately called Robert. He smiled to himself as Debbie’s jubilant report sent her into an ecstatic state.
Each time he visited, he tried some discreet testing, like putting his finger to her nose. Most of the time there was no reaction, but then she started closing her eyes abruptly with the finger movement after he had asked her to open her eyes.
“Guiney, open your eyes and watch my finger!”
She opened them, and as he moved his finger closer, her eyes crossed and then focused on his finger for a few seconds, and then her eyelids closed.
“Rob… ber… feenger.”
Ric made a point to learn how to read the braille cards and started playing with Gini. Like everyone else, he seldom won. The trip to Gloucester was pushed back due to his travel schedule to Florida. Debbie saw a change slowly emerging. He was calmer and more relaxed, more the Ric she had known before. And Gini was more relaxed in his company.
Lenny insisted Lisa cut back on her work schedule. His hours, however, were still long, so Lisa spent a lot of time in Boston. It was an easy commute. The train station in New Haven was three blocks away from their house, and the one at Long Wharf only two blocks from the condo.
Although Debbie knew she’d never be Lisa’s lover again, she enjoyed her visits. Watching her waist expand, seeing the joy on Lisa’s face when she showed Debbie baby items on the computer, gave Debbie a feeling of real happiness for both her and Lenny. All their lives were as they should be, she was convinced.
Howard became familiar with Ms. Anderson’s guests. He was especially fond of Dr. Maggie Kramer. She made a special attempt to talk with him a few minutes before he took her to the elevator.
He assumed Dr. Young was there for doctor’s calls, but when he saw him taking Gini out for walks, he realized it was more personal. Mr. Santini came through the lobby on occasion.
All the visitors were of great interest to him. And, of course, Ms. Pierce was a constant companion of Gini’s and devoted to her.
As the months passed, the residents of the building realized Gini had been injured and was living a different life. All kept her secret since there was no indication on the news of her condition.
When Debbie took Gini out of the building, she always had Gini in sunglasses and a brimmed hat. It would be difficult for anyone to recognize her.
On Lisa’s frequent visits, she and Howard had conversations while they walked to the elevator. She had told him about her and Debbie working together at the hospital in New Haven. Lisa was very friendly and easy to talk to. He could see her being a very good nurse—comforting her patients.
“Debbie and I owned a house together. We lived there…” Lisa looked a bit shy and bowed her head. “Until she became Gini’s nurse.”
Lisa always spoke very highly of Debbie, and Howard sensed there was more than a friendship there until Lisa told him about Lenny.
“So you live with Lenny?” Howard asked, surprised.
“Yes, we’ve kind of lived with each other over the years. He travels a lot with his plumbing jobs all over New England. I get lonely when he’s gone. But I always know
