“Oh… yes…” She grinned.
“Thinking.”
“Rob… ber… be… uff… octor… uff… heed.”
He grabbed her up in his arms and hugged her. He didn’t know if she was talking about him being a neurologist or a psychologist. He looked at Debbie; she smiled.
Ric arranged to take Gini to Gloucester House. Debbie was still apprehensive but sent him off with a small bag with Gini’s things. This time he had Gini stand next to him when he put the chair in the trunk. He knew if they were there mid-afternoon and on a weekday—it was fall with few tourists—there wouldn’t be a lot of people at the restaurant.
When he took her inside, he told the hostess Gini needed to use the bathroom, and he needed to be with her. The lady stood outside the ladies’ restroom while they were in there so no one else would go in.
When they came out, they were led to the booth next to the big window that looked out over the docks. The boats were just arriving with their day’s catch, and the seagulls were flying and squawking, dipping down to the water for fish pieces.
Gini cuddled next to him with her back on his arm and shoulder so she faced the window.
“Bur… uff… fye.”
He put his hand on her and kissed the back of her head. He remembered how much she loved coming to the restaurant. It was always so peaceful.
He fed her lobster from their lobster roll and helped her drink her drink. When they left, they used the bathroom as they had before. Gini fell asleep soon after getting in the car.
Ric used the key he still had, from when he and Gini lived together, to get in the parking garage and park next to Debbie. He texted he was on his way up. She met him at the door. Gini was in his arms sleeping.
After he got everything in from the car, Debbie could see a strong confidence in him. He had accomplished his mission with no problems. He could take care of her.
Gini was still working on the computer. There were a few words here and there, but it mostly was strings of letters and numbers.
Debbie read her the email from Catherine, and Gini told her to write she was doing well in Boston. There were several other emails, mostly Catherine corresponding with Debbie, telling her how great a speaker Gini had once been and how everyone had great respect for her. She wondered what people would think if they knew what had happened. She told Debbie she was glad Franco had brushed it away so Gini could get better without any pressure from the public. When Catherine was asked, which didn’t happen so much now, as time had passed, she told people that Gini was doing her own thing and living her life privately.
Ric was off to the Bahamas for a week, and Robert had meetings that were going to keep him busy with bankers and other business people. He had called Debbie every day to check in, and Ric had called twice. On Thursday Robert called when they broke for lunch.
“Just have a minute. Hopefully, we’ll get done early today. Our last day. Is Gini sleeping?”
“No, she’s on the computer. I had a camera installed in the room so I could keep an eye on her. She’s working hard to figure it all out.”
“How’s she doing?”
“She’s good. Some of the frustration is gone, replaced with determination. A lot better than last night.”
“Why? What happened last night?”
“I guess she had a nightmare. Her leg had become entangled in the sheet and she kept calling out for you to help her until I got her leg free and was able to wake her.”
“She called my name?”
“Yes, ‘Robert, help,’ over and over.”
“And she’s okay now?”
“Yeah, it didn’t seem to affect her. I often wondered if she dreamed.”
“That’s good she’s okay. Deb, I’ve got to go. Hopefully, I can see her tonight. Is that okay?”
“Sure, Ric’s still gone.”
About fifteen minutes later, Robert called again. “Debbie, I want you to dress Gini up. I want to take her out to dinner tonight. I’m all gussied up in a suit, I might as well take advantage of it and go to a nice restaurant. I’ll be there about five.”
While Gini took a nap, Debbie went through her closet to pick out an outfit for the dinner date. She had moved all of Gini’s business suits and fancy dresses to one side of the closet to make room for the clothes she was wearing now. The long gowns were gorgeous and classy. The petite-sized suits were of many colors with silk blouses to match. She recognized several of the outfits she had seen Gini wearing on the online videos. Debbie picked a blue dress with long sleeves and rounded collar. It was fitted on top and had a pencil skirt.
Then she went to the shoe cabinet. There were several rows of spike and wedge-heeled shoes. None appeared less than three inches, most much higher. Gini would never wear any of those shoes again—sad. There was also a row of lower heels and flats. Debbie chose a navy-blue pair of flats and found a matching belt to put around her waist.
Once Gini was up, Debbie fixed her hair and dressed her.
“Leep… uff… steek.”
“You want to wear lipstick?”
“Oh… yes…”
Debbie dug through the makeup drawer and found a nice pink that went with the outfit. Gini’s curls were getting longer and flowed freely into soft ringlets.
Howard called to announce Robert while they were still in the bathroom.
“You wait here, baby, while I let Robert in.”
She was surprised when she opened the door and Robert was standing there looking quite dapper in his suit and tie. He had a bouquet of
