“I’m Jennifer.”
Gini made a quiet gasp. “Jen… nee… fur.”
The woman smiled at the cute way she pronounced her name.
“Hi, I’m Robert, and this is my wife, Gini. Thanks for the menu.”
“Owny… moo.”
“You’re on your honeymoon? Wow, what a great plan; when I get married, I can’t think of a better place to celebrate my wonderful day and new life.”
Gini leaned close to Robert. “Baff… oom.”
Robert turned to look around.
“There’s a family bathroom back behind where you get the towels.” Jennifer pointed.
Gini and Robert got up and walked to the restroom. When they got back, Jennifer was gone but her things were still on her chair.
She was cooling in the water. She watched as Robert was very attentive to Gini. It was obvious to her that Gini was handicapped, possibly with brain damage judging by her speech.
Robert ordered them drinks and a tray of food. Jennifer couldn’t help but look when he softly brushed on Gini’s cheek before he put food in her mouth. Gini carefully wrapped her hands around the mug and slowly took it to her mouth, obviously taking great concentration to complete the task.
After they ate, Robert lay back on the lounge and read his book. Gini lay next to him for a while and then rolled into a small ball with her legs and arms tucked close to her body, her head back. He laid a towel over her.
Jennifer pulled up on the side of the pool and squeezed the water out of her hair. “The water’s nice,” she said as she sat on her lounge. “Your wife is sweet.”
“She is.”
“Brain trauma, I’m thinking.”
He smiled, a little surprised at her boldness.
“I’m an occupational therapist at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. I’ve treated many patients like her.”
“DAI. She was hit by a motorcycle and thrown into a metal park bench.”
“Sad. She seems to be well adjusted to her injury.”
“I call her my miracle patient.”
Jennifer laughed a small laugh. “You’re her neurologist?”
“Was.” He smiled. “Now, I’m her husband.”
“Where are you from?”
“New Haven, just outside of Boston.”
“I’d say her therapist has done a fabulous job.”
“Debbie’s the best.”
“Jen, come on, it’s time to go,” a man called from outside the fence.
Jennifer looked at her phone for the time. “Gotta go. Nice to meet you.”
After an afternoon of enjoying the pool—sipping their drink through a straw at the round table—they spent the early evening on the balcony enjoying the coolness of the sea breeze. He read out loud about the different eateries on the resort grounds. There were several: snack bars, restaurants, and the cafe they had eaten at before. He read each menu. They decided on one of the restaurants.
“Ree… uff… moor.”
“More of what?”
She signed she wanted to hear about all the other amenities offered. The list included two pools, one for the many organized activities that went on all day, and the other lounging pool near their condo, all the rental equipment for ocean sports, and a spa.
“Oh… yes… spa.”
“You want to do the spa for a day of beauty?”
“Oh… yes… be… uff… rob… ber.”
“With me?”
She signed they could get their nails done, facials, and a massage.
“Well.” He made a face. “I… You know what? Let’s do it. A day of beauty together.”
Gini lunged toward him and hugged him tight. He loved to see her happy. Whatever it took, he’d do it.
They had a lovely time at dinner. On their way back, they ran into Jennifer walking back to her place.
“Beautiful evening. Have you guys been to the banana plantation?”
“No,” Robert answered. “I’ve been here a few times over the years, and they are always pushing the plantation tour.”
“You should go. A group of us went on Sunday. You get the tour and a nice lunch. Gini would love the singing of the birds in the gardens. And the flowers, so many beautiful ones.”
“Bur… fluor.”
“Yes, all so wonderful. We took the party tour boat out there, but they have smaller boats for just a few people if you don’t want to be with all the rowdies. It’s a great half-day trip.”
“I’ll check it out—sounds nice.”
“Oh… yes…
“Jen… nee… fer, where… fum?”
“I live in Washington, DC. Robert tells me you are from the Boston area. I love Boston.”
“Rob… ber…” Gini got all excited and couldn’t get the words out of her mouth, so started signing.
Jennifer stopped and looked at him.
He put his arm around Gini. “She says she used to work in Washington.”
“Really, where?”
“She was a lobbyist.”
“Cat… ter… rin.”
“With Catherine White’s firm.”
“Wow, Gini, a lobbyist. I know that’s really tedious and hard work. God bless you.”
“Er… Guiney… an… der… son.”
Jennifer smiled. “You’re so sweet. Well, here’s my turnoff. See you tomorrow.”
Robert pulled a short flowy nightgown from the top of the stack in the suitcase and slipped it over Gini’s head. She immediately lay down on the bed, pulling at him to come with her. He was shirtless in drawstring pants and willingly lay down next to her.
She rolled over next to him and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Are you having a good time, sweetheart?”
“Oh… yes… goo… teem.”
He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Good, that’s all I want is for you to have a good time.”
Her fingers were spread wide, and she started rubbing his chest. He pulled her face to his, and they kissed.
“I was thinking tomorrow I’d rent a cabana and we can spend some time on the beach.”
“Fa… lie… uff… bur.”
He chuckled. She kept saying fly of
