Perfect Match, page 17
Trevor spoke. “She’s probably going to win the English award at graduation this year. Some of her writing was printed in the high school newspaper. She’s really smart.”
“Selena’s been telling me about her novel she’s working on. I haven’t read that much, but she’s got me hooked.” Roscoe chuckled.
Trevor studied him a long moment. “You ever meet her mom?”
“No.
“You’d like her too. She’s—”
He grabbed for his phone, listening, gathering his books. “Emergency. Got to run. This is the kind of day I like. Hospital drama, intrigue, puzzles and problems to figure out, lives to save…” He spun around. “Tell Selena I’m thinking of her. Catch you later, Mr. Fallington.” He was gone in a flash, white lab coat flapping.
So much for that. Still don’t know a damn bit more about Selena’s condition, than I did a hundred years ago, he thought, as he rolled back to his room.
He watched the 6:30 news, and then clicked off the remote. He was restless but didn’t know what to do about it. He’d checked his email on his Tablet, throughout the day, but no messages from Selena. With her door closed, he didn’t feel comfortable phoning her. He sulked in his frustration. He was used to knowing stuff, when he wanted to know it. He thought, I’ve had to make a hell of a lot of adjustments since being in this damn hospital. Need a Starbucks ride for attitude adjustment.
A clatter of high heels sounded in the hall. He listened. They were approaching his room and slowing. He looked up at the smiling faces of Mindy, Roxy, and Jasmine. “Almost in unison they said, “Hi, how’re you feeling?”
Surprised by their visit and their business attire, he stammered, “Better…now that y’all are here.”
“Don’t get any ideas, D.R., you’re in no shape for monkey business,” said Jasmine.
There was laughter.
“The three of you look very…professional. How’s work?”
“Hard, but we’re learning lots, and enjoying every day, aren’t we?” Roxy looked at her two co-blondes.
Both nodded.
Mindy said, “We’re earning our way now, and feel good about it.”
“Good, good. Glad to hear that.” He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the conversation, not sure where it was headed, but he sure as hell couldn’t escape.
Jasmine looked at the other two, before saying, “We just wanted to stop by and wish you well and tell you that we don’t have any hard feelings toward you, but we think it’s best for us not to be intimate girlfriends and boyfriend with you in the future. We all agree that we had fun with you, but we are more career-minded now, and need to think about our future as grown-up women. We want to remain friends with you, but not…intimate.”
Roxy and Mindy nodded in approval.
He nodded and said, “I agree with you. And yes, I consider each of you a friend.” He took a deep breath, exhaling, “Since being in this plagued hospital, I’ve been forced to do a lot of thinking…about everything.” He paused. “I owe each of you an apology for being such a spoiled playboy. I know there were times I was surly and insulting…really sorry about that. I never meant it personally, because inside I’ve always had a respect for you. I…I…just never learned how to express that in a gentleman’s way. Each of you is a fine and decent woman.”
Mindy said, “But we didn’t come by to make you feel bad or ask for an apology…”
He smiled, “I know you didn’t, but I needed to say these things to you, and I’m happy you came by. When I get out of here, I have some other apologies to make.”
There was an awkward moment.
Roxy said, “Why didn’t you like Madison?”
He was afraid Madison would come up in conversation. May as well deal with it, he thought. “Just another example of my disrespectful way, not really meaning it, but not caring enough for another person, to show basic respect. This won’t make you or Madison feel any better, but my selfish focus was on each of you, not someone as old as she.”
Jasmine said, “But she’s only thirty-four. She’s younger than you.”
“I know. Doesn’t make sense, does it?”
“You should get to know her. She’s so smart…about everything.”
Mindy said, “Yeah, I’ve learned so much working with her, and she’s so patient, when teaching you something new. I’m learning about marketing.”
Roxy spoke up, “I’m learning about the “buying” end of the business.”
Jasmine said, “D.R., you should get to know Madison. Somehow I think the two of you would be a good match.”
He chuckled, “Maybe a mismatch. I doubt she’d let me empty her trash cans.”
“Well, I don’t know about that. Maybe she’ll hire you as her custodian.”
There was nervous laughter.
“Are you still mad at your grandmother?” asked Roxy.
He shook his head. “No. Grandmother did me a favor by firing me, and Madison deserves to be the CEO. I was not paying attention to the health of the company.” He thought a moment. “My grandmother is really a wonderful woman, a hard-working woman, who had a husband who was as unreliable as I’ve been.” He paused a moment. “We had a long talk when she came by a few days ago. I owed my grandmother many, many apologies.”
After a few minutes, the conversation wound down on a good note. All three women hugged him, before leaving.
They clattered back down the hall.
The door to room 400 was cracked and Selena watched the fashionably dressed women as they paraded by, wondering if they, too, are nieces of Roscoe?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Tuesday
It was mid-morning, when Roscoe rolled his chair into the sunroom, finding Selena with hands fluttering across the laptop keyboard. She smiled when he brought his chair to a stop, facing her.
“I thought the resident writer had gone on a book tour. I missed seeing you.”
“Missed talking to you too.” Her smile faded, as she looked at the bandage on his forehead. “Sorry you got hurt in the incident on Saturday night.”
“I don’t know anything—”
She cut him off, holding up her hand to him. “Roscoe, don’t try to deny anything. I’ve done my research with my hospital “inner circle” and I know you kept Gregory from getting to me.” She shivered at the thoughts. “You were right about him. I should’ve listened to you. But how did you know about him?”
He thought a moment. Anonymity isn’t going to happen in this damn hospital. “Having been a jerk, I can usually spot a man who is one.” He let Selena have a moment to think about that. “I pretended to be dozing in my wheelchair, when Gregory and his friend passed me in the hall. I overheard Gregory saying what he wanted to do to you after you were asleep. That’s when I decided to stay awake Saturday night and watch for him. I was concerned for your safety.”
Selena’s face softened. “I can’t believe you did that for me. Thank you again.” She shivered again, thinking how vulnerable she was.
Roscoe, wanting to change the subject, asked, “How’s your novel coming along?”
“Made real progress. While regaining my strength, over the weekend, I put everything in the computer, and I have something for you,” reaching into her canvas bag, “a flash drive with the first five chapters.” She handed the red flash drive to him. “I’m about eighty percent through with the complete manuscript.”
Roscoe gave a surprised smile. “You must be a genius.”
“I had hand-written lots of new material. The computer has really been a life-saver. Thank you again for the use of it. I can’t wait for you to tell me what you think of the first five chapters.” Happiness flooded her weakening body.
“Why can’t I have all chapters now?”
“I’m not ready for you to read the rest of it yet. I’m still undecided about a few sections, so I might make some changes, but I’ll let you read all of it, eventually. Anyway, you’ll get to know the main characters and a little bit of the setting of the story in the first five chapters.” She smiled.
“Tell me more about the main woman character.”
“Like what?”
“Umm…what’s a thirty-four year-old woman like? I mean…I’ve never…I’ve never—”
Selena decided to help him out. “Never had sex with a woman thirty-four?”
“Selena! Good grief. We shouldn’t be talking about—”
“We’re only talking about a woman in an unfinished novel.” She grinned.
“I know, but—”
“Okay, let me start over. You’ve never had lunch with a woman thirty-four?”
He nodded. “Correct.”
Selena rattled off, “Never walked, talked, ran, hiked, played, danced, swam, cried, joked, laughed, worked, hugged, kissed, slept with her?”
“No, to all of the above.”
“So you want to know what she’s like in all these areas.”
“Yes. How’s she different from…from—”
“The three blondes who came out of your room last night?”
“Good grief, Selena! Were you camped outside my door?” He raked his hand through his hair, shaking his head.
She watched him a moment.
“No, I was not camped outside your door. I was in my room, writing, when they walked past. I suppose you could say I am as concerned for your safety with the women you associate with, as you were concerned for me regarding my relationship with Gregory.” She paused. “You need to stay away from younger women like Roxy, Jasmine, and Mindy. They’re not your type.” She grinned.
His chuckle became laughter, before saying, “You’re a trip, Selena. Okay, from now on I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine. I don’t care what you hear or know about me. There are no secrets. But how’d you know their names?”
“I can’t tell you that. Gotta protect my sources, but as a writer I get paid big bucks for knowing all kinds of stuff.” She giggled. “Okay back to your question about the woman of thirty-four. Generally speaking she’s more mature, seasoned. She’s had more tough experiences, and is beginning to build her reservoir of wisdom. Therefore everything you do with her is more likely to have a deeper dimension.
“You’ll discover certain richness about her. Her conversations will be more engaging, her awareness deepened, she’ll likely have a greater appreciation for you, her friend. Sex with her will be more satisfying. Maturity can bring a level of comfort that youthful impulsiveness lacks.”
He nodded in understanding, and then looked at her point blank. “Selena, if you know all this about people, you need to forget about writing and become a therapist. But you’re only seventeen. How can you possibly be this smart?”
She sat up straighter and snapped, “I hope you’re not penalizing me because of my age. Being seventeen doesn’t mean I have to be shallow or ignorant.” She broke a smile and giggled. “I couldn’t do the job of a therapist, but I can write about one. I’m probably privileged in one sense.
“While all my friends were out participating in life, I’ve had to curtail my activities, so I’ve had lots of time to think, read, study, listen, and think some more, lots of thinking, most of it from a sitting position. I haven’t had some of those experiences that I write about, but I’ve listened to others, and done my research.” She looked down at her hands.
He sensed her sadness.
He hesitated but decided to ask, “Selena, what is the nature of your health issue?”
She looked up. “I was born with renal hypoplasia, kidneys that are too small to handle the demands of an adult body. They didn’t develop along with the rest of my body.
“I was active in all kinds of things, but since my sophomore year I’ve had to give up most of that.” She paused. “I miss that. I don’t get to do things with my friends like I used to. But I think most of all I’ll miss becoming a thirty-four year old woman someday. I’ll miss the future.” Her eyes were glistening. She tightened her mouth slightly, and slowly shook her head.
Roscoe’s throat choked with helpless emotions. He reached for her soft hand. “I’m so sorry. Isn’t there some kind of medicine or something…”
“I’ve been on the transplant waiting list for over two years, but so far there’s been no compatible match, so…in the meantime I’ll keep waiting and writing the next steamy romance.” She smiled with watering eyes.
Roscoe’s heart was melting.
When Selena went to her room for her medications, supper, and settling down for the rest of the day, Roscoe wheeled slowly back to his room. He felt blank, like never before.
He ignored supper. After the tray was removed from his room he wheeled back and forth in his room from one side to the other for a solid hour. He grew angry. He wanted to bash the electronic monitors beside his bed. He wanted to turn the ugly bed upside down. He thought about bashing the mirror over the sink, and flooding the bathroom. Maybe stop up the commode with towels and bed sheets, call up the mayor and his silly wife and wish them a miserable night. Every thought ricocheted with anger.
He finally concluded, I’ve got to get out of this hospital. It’s driving me crazy. There’s nothing in here but dreariness. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve tried it their way and it’s not working, for me or Selena. Hell, she’s dying. If the damn doctors and hospital can’t save her, I sure as hell can’t. What do I know? I’m no scientific guru. Jack Daniels and a woman is the only cure I know that works for me. Well, okay, a Starbucks might be a good substitute.
He slumped in his chair, emotionally drained, feeling totally empty. He stared at the blank wall. After an hour, one of the nurses came for a routine patient check. She was in a cheerful mood. “Good evening, Mr. Fallington.” She took a second look at him. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Oh, yes. I feel wonderful. Best day I’ve ever had.”
She eyed him closely. “You sure?”
“Couldn’t be more certain. Why?”
“Well, we like to know how our patients are feeling.”
“I’m happy to hear that. You can record that Roscoe is having an excellent day, and will have a better one tomorrow.”
She straightened a couple of things, as she eyed him, and then headed for the door. “I’ll leave you now and let you rest.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
After she left, he reached for his phone. He located an entry he’d put in the other day and pushed call. The phone rang five times. The clock was pushing 11:15 p.m. Probably shouldn’t call this late, he thought.
“Hello, this is Pastor Ramona speaking. How may I help you?”
“This is Roscoe Fallington. I came by to see you a few days ago. Hope I’m not calling too late.”
Her voice was happy, when she answered, “Never too late. I remember our visit very well. How are you? Are you out of the hospital?”
“Not yet, but almost, so everything’s fine with all that.” He paused. “I need you to tell me again about this prayer…thing. How do I do it? Explain it simple, so I can understand.”
Her sultry chuckle came through the phone. “Simple is what you’re going to get. She paused a moment. “Prayer is talking to the Creator of the universe. Think of it this way. You’re going to be talking to the very being that created Roscoe Fallington many years ago. Right away that is special…to talk to the Divine being that made you. God wants simple direct honesty. God does not require us to be complicated when talking with Him and Her. So when you pray, let it be the most honest moments in your life.”
Roscoe thought a few seconds. “And that’s it. Do I get what I want?”
Ramona said, “You might, you might not.”
“Then why pray?”
“First to strengthen your relationship with God, and second to learn about God’s will.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Roscoe, if you had a…let’s say a teenage daughter, would you give her everything she asks for?”
“Probably not, or at least not right away.”
“God works with us in a similar way. Many times when we ask for something specific we get it, other times we don’t. And then we get upset with God. We have to remember that God is not an ordinary customer service rep. When we ask God for something, we are often surprised. We usually get much more than we asked for. Our Bible teaches us that God has always sought a partnership with humanity. God wants to do things with us.
“As a parent you might be able to give a car to that teenage daughter or you might enter a partnership with her and expect her to work, save, and help pay for the cost of her car. We often ask God to help the poor, feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, heal the sick, and a zillion other things. God has given us the means to help with all of the above, and we stubbornly refuse to do our part, wanting God to do it all.
“Even you, as the father of that teenage daughter, wouldn’t allow her to get away with saying, ‘I’m not doing my homework tonight, I’m going to let God do all of it,’ now would you?”
“You make it sound so simple, Ramona.”
“It is simple, Roscoe. Talk to God. Trust God to answer. Search for His and Her will. In the meantime do your homework in those matters that speak to your heart.” A brief pause. “God isn’t trying to make things complicated for any of us.”
He exhaled deeply.
“You’re still concerned about Selena, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am, greatly.”
“I had a dream about you on Sunday night. We had a full congregation except for the seat where Selena usually sits. It was empty. You were sitting in the middle of the congregation. One of the ushers interrupted the service saying, ‘Selena is outside. She has lost something. Do we have a volunteer who will help her?’ At that point in my dream you, Roscoe, stood up and said, ‘I will.’ In the next segment of my dream, you, Selena, and her mother were seated on the front row. Selena was smiling as she turned to the congregation and said, ‘Roscoe helped me find it.’ And that was the end of my dream. When I awoke, I had the most peaceful feeling.”
“So…what am I supposed to get from that?”
