Chapter SEVEN
After eating part of her pasta and shrimp dish with a lemony sauce and Caesar salad, Melissa stored the remainder in the refrigerator. She’d eat the cannoli later after visiting Ross. She’d need a sweet treat by then. It had been an emotional day.
She got her things settled in the den and, knowing how it worked, pulled out the couch to make it into a bed. Then, she added sheets and a blanket so it would be ready for her without bothering Nettie to help. It was the least she could do for a last-minute stay.
Glancing around to make sure she wasn’t being too intrusive, Melissa picked up her purse and headed to the parking garage to get her car. She’d paid an overnight fee so she could come and go.
Walking along the street, she was amused when an apartment window opened, and a woman stuck her head out and hollered, “Anthony! Time to come home.”
Down the block, she could see a group of boys on skateboards. Anthony, no doubt, was one of them.
###
When she walked into Ross’s room, he looked up and smiled, sending heat through her. She told herself her reaction was merely because he was more alert.
“I’m happy to see you more aware. How are you doing?”
she asked, standing by him. His injured knee was supported by a series of pillows on either side, helping to keep his leg straight and immobile.
His lips curved again, and she was reminded of seeing him on television with the same crooked smile. He really was adorable.
“Is there anything I can do to help you? Does your family know about this?”
she asked.
“No, they don’t know, and I don’t want to bother them. I’ll call when the surgery is complete, and we have all the facts.”
“Dr. Rusko said they’d be doing a lot of tests. Have you had any?”
“I’m scheduled for an MRI later this evening. They have my records from New York to do some comparisons.”
“Have they helped with your pain?”
she asked Ross.
“I’m feeling foggy, but the pain is something I can handle. Have a seat. I like your company.”
She pulled a chair closer and sat down. “I intend to do everything I can to help you. There’s no need to get a nurse. Once you’re home, I’ll see you have meals and everything you need.”
“Aw, thanks. I know why you’re saying that, but you don’t have to do this. The accident was just that, an accident. I can hire someone to come in and help.”
“No, I wouldn’t feel right about that,”
said Melissa. “You’ve promised to be my friend, and I’ll reciprocate. Subject closed.”
He grinned. “I like it when you go all tough woman.”
She chuckled. “I mean what I say.”
“I like that too,”
he said. “Okay, deal. You come to my house to help following surgery and give up the idea of feeling guilty about the accident.”
“Deal,”
she quickly said, eager to resolve the issue. “Now, have you had anything to eat?”
He shrugged. “They don’t want me to have more than liquids because they’ll operate as soon as they’re ready. I suspect first thing in the morning.”
“Okay. What are some of your favorite foods? I can bring some to you after the surgery, and then when you get home, I’ll take care of it.”
“Thanks,”
Ross said, studying her. “You are a nice person, Melissa. I’m glad we’re friends.”
“Me, too,”
she said quietly, realizing how much it meant to her.
“You’re a decent ball player, you know?”
Ross said. “I can’t believe you held onto that ball. Our team won by one run. That run belongs to you.”
Feeling her cheeks grow hot, she waved away the compliment. “We were a team. Everyone tried their best.”
“True,”
said Ross. He shifted in his bed and let out a soft groan.
She jumped to her feet.
He waved her back down. “I’m okay. I’d just as soon get the show on the road and get this surgery over with.”
“How about something to distract you? Should I change channels on the TV?”
At his nod, she clicked through several channels until she came to a country music show.”
“There, that’s it,”
said Ross. “I’m a fan of country western music.”
Melissa gazed at him wide-eyed. “How about classical music?”
He shook his head. “It’s not my thing.”
After Ross showed signs of falling asleep, Melissa rose. “I’m going to leave. I’ll check in with the hospital tomorrow morning.”
She took hold of his hand. “If they decide to operate before I see you again, I’ve asked them to call me. I wish you the best. I like your doctor, and I’m sure it’ll turn out fine.”
He squeezed her hand. “Thanks, Melissa, for being here. It means a lot.”
He tugged on her hand to bring her closer.
She leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. When she stood, Ross’s eyes were closed.
###
Melissa was leafing through one of Nettie’s cookbooks when Nettie walked into her condo.
“Melissa! Such a pleasure to see you! I’m sorry it’s under less-than-perfect conditions, but I’m happy you’re here.”
Melissa felt like a giant as she hugged Nettie, who was five feet four inches tall compared to her five feet nine inches.
Nettie stepped back and gave Melissa an approving look. “You look lovely as usual, even though I know you won’t agree with me. Seriously, there’s something different about you. Is it a man?”
Melissa couldn’t stop a huge smile from spreading across her face. “I’ve met someone I’m excited about, someone I could see myself with in the future. He’s a new dentist in town. Very caring. He even likes classical music.”
“Well, well. Let’s pour a glass of wine, and you can tell me all about him,”
said Nettie. Goodness radiated from her as she beamed at Melissa. She made up for her short, curvy stature by seeming larger than most people around her with her natural energy and excitement about life. She usually wore her curly black hair tucked into a Red Sox baseball cap whose visor almost met her big blue eyes. She’d taken her cap off tonight, and her curls bounced as she walked into the kitchen to get their wine.
Melissa followed eagerly. Nettie always made her feel good about herself, and she couldn’t wait to tell her about Dirk and learn more about her friend’s upcoming wedding.
“I’m settled in the den and have already made up the bed, so you don’t have to worry about it,”
said Melissa.
“I knew you’d make yourself at home. Tell me more about your neighbor and the accident.”
Nettie poured them each a glass from the bottle of red wine that Melissa had picked up on her walk. She handed a glass to Melissa and raised hers. “Here’s to friends. We may not see each other that often, but I know I can always count on you to be there for me.”
“True,”
said Melissa. “And you for me. That’s what friends do for one another.”
She thought of her friendship with Ross. Theirs was shaping up that way.
They walked into the living room and sat down facing each other on the couch. “Okay, spill, girlfriend,”
said Nettie, sipping her wine. She held up the glass and inspected it. “Nice legs on this one, and the taste is fruity and lovely. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. It’s one of my favorites. A Chandler Hill Inn pinot noir.”
“I must remember to tell Jason about it,”
said Nettie. “We’re always looking for something special.”
“How is Jason?”
Melissa asked. She’d always thought he was perfect for Nettie. He offset Nettie's darker looks with his sandy hair, hazel eyes, and height. A native of New Hampshire who’d attended the Hotel and Hospitality Management program at UNH, he was ambitious and hardworking at the small restaurant he partly owned.
“Jason is great, but I wish I could encourage him to slow down. Getting him away from the restaurant for our honeymoon will be hard. That’s why I chose Tahiti. He won’t be able to hop on a plane and return to Boston whenever he thinks of something. That, and the sexy little nothings I’ve bought, will, I hope, keep him busy.”
Melissa laughed with her. Jason adored Nettie. She couldn’t imagine him not enjoying their honeymoon trip. “You know I’ll come to work at the restaurant while you’re gone if you need me.”
“Thanks, hon, but by the time we leave, his brother will have graduated from Cornell and should be able to handle the restaurant, while my sister will handle the kitchen. It turns out she’s as talented a cook as the rest of the family.”
“And the rest of your families?”
asked Melissa.
“Still living in the Boston suburbs and loving it,”
said Nettie.
‘You’re lucky to have so much family around you. I guess that’s why I’m so happy to have long-time friends return to Lilac Lake. They’re like family, in a way.”
“That makes you lucky, too. Right?”
Melissa looked at Nettie’s bright expression and agreed.
They were still chatting when Jason walked through the door. “Hi, Melissa. Nice to see you.”
Melissa stood, wobbling a bit after sharing the bottle of wine with Nettie. “You look great. I’m excited about the wedding plans. It’s going to be lovely.”
Jason kissed her hello on the cheek and went over to Nettie. “Anything more I should know about?”
he teased before he kissed her.
“Nothing new,”
said Nettie, smiling.
“Let’s keep it that way,”
he said, tweaking her nose affectionately. “Now, let me get a beer, and I’ll unwind with you two.”
Observing the easy way they conversed and the sweet way they interacted, Melissa wondered if that’s how she and Dirk would be once they got to know one another.