She often heard her daughter’s little voice in her head, helping her to think. “Mama, keep trying,” she heard. “Don’t give up.”
It didn’t take too much imagination to figure out Robert and Gini were intimate again. They often walked out of the bedroom arm in arm, his hair tousled, and Gini lovingly clinging to him. Debbie often teased that Gini was styling his hair.
As the months passed, the family became more and more social. Robert started taking Jessica and Gini to the family functions at the country club and strongly encouraged Debbie to get involved in some out-of-the-house activity. But she was okay with her life as it was.
Debbie had gone to Micky’s graduation ceremony and then to Rhode Island to see Micky’s new hospital and apartment. Her living room window had a view of a marina. They walked along the water’s edge, holding hands, talking for some of the time, and spending some in silence. Micky was excited about being head of the ICU nursing staff. Debbie was disappointed she wouldn’t be closer, but they both agreed they’d try to be together more when Micky was off duty, and Robert could be with Gini. Micky visited several times and spent the night when she could.
Micky would go and come through the private entrance from the front porch into Debbie’s quarters, so Robert didn’t know whether she was there or not. It was Debbie’s business. He constantly told Debbie to bring her into the main house. But for some reason, it didn’t seem appropriate to Debbie.
The only two kids Jessica played with near her age were Timmy and Jason, when they were around. Lisa had gone back to work, and Timmy was in daycare most weekdays. Other than that, Jessica was not involved with other children. All their neighbors’ children were older. The girls adored Jessica, but that wasn’t the same as playing with kids her age.
Robert was surprised how shy and quiet she was around the other kids at the club. He tried to encourage her to participate in the games, but she either clung to him or sat on Gini’s lap, hugging close and sucking her thumb.
Gini was confused at first with all the commotion of the many different sounds and movements of the people. But she wanted to be with Robert and knew he would keep her and Jessica safe. She felt Jessica’s uncertainty and tried to push away her own fears to comfort her child.
As more and more people made a point of greeting Robert and Gini, they started becoming familiar to her, and she became more at ease, but Jessica was still shy and stubborn about doing anything new.
Jessica’s third birthday was approaching. She had the vocabulary of a much older child. For as much as she was shy and quiet when they were out, she was active, playful, and fully engaged at home.
Robert worked regular hours, usually getting home around five o’clock. He was always greeted by his daughter and then his loving wife.
It was a warm June Thursday. Gini signed she’d wait for Robert in their bedroom. She needed to talk to him. Debbie had her sign it a couple of times so she could figure out what Gini was saying.
“You need to talk to Robert about something?”
“Oh… yes.” Gini smiled broadly.
Debbie didn’t ask what she wanted to talk about, but her curiosity was certainly piqued. She wandered around the kitchen getting things ready for dinner.
“Debbie, you seem preoccupied. What’s up?” Aly asked.
“Gini wants to have a private talk with Robert in their room.”
“Okay—”
“I’m just wondering what is so important to her, that’s all.”
“So, what do you think it could be?”
“Even though I hope I’m wrong, I’m afraid she’s going to tell him she’s pregnant.”
“Really? Pregnant. Do you think they have sex?”
“Alyssa! You’re kidding, right?”
“Well… I just thought since she’s, you know, she’s…” She paused and thought a moment.
“You don’t see when his hair’s messed up, and she’s starry-eyed when they come out of the bedroom?”
“Nope, guess not. I guess you don’t want her to have another baby?”
Alyssa never really saw Robert and Gini as a romantic couple, more an older man taking care of a mentally challenged woman. He was very loving to her, but the thought of them having sex was something she couldn’t picture.
Debbie took a deep breath and decided to let the subject drop. “Just curious, that’s all.”
When Robert arrived home, he went to the bedroom. Gini sat straight-backed on a chair with her hands folded in her lap. He picked her up and sat her facing him on the bed. “Debbie said you wanted to talk to me.”
“Oh… yes,” she said, smiling broadly.
He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips. “Okay, what do you want to talk about?”
Gini bowed her head and thrust her tongue, then looked up and opened her eyes wide. “Rob… ber.”
He sat silent for a second, then brushed the side of her face when he could see her struggling to speak.
“Yes, sweetheart, I’m listening.”
Gini tried as hard as she could to get the words out. She had gone over again and again in her head what she wanted to say, but the words were wedged behind a wall of some kind before they got to her tongue. She thrust again. “Rob… ber.” Again, a pause. “Rob… ber, I…”
She blew out some air with frustration and laid her head on his chest.
“It’s okay, Gini. Do you want to sign to me?”
She vigorously shook her head next to his body.
He lifted her head up. “I’m here for as long as you need.” He kissed her on the forehead.
The thrusting started again, and again she opened her
