Chapter EIGHT
The next morning, Melissa rose quietly, dressed, and left the condo, allowing Nettie and Jason a chance to sleep in. Working night shifts at the restaurant was exhausting, and she knew they appreciated every opportunity they had to sleep in.
She tried Ross’s phone, and when he didn’t answer, she decided to go ahead and go to the hospital to see what was happening.
She checked in at the information desk, asked for Ross’s room number, and discovered he’d been moved to a surgical floor. She took the elevator and went to his room to find it empty. Concerned, she checked at the nurse’s station and was told he was in the recovery room and would be sent to his room within an hour or so.
She thanked them and told them she’d be in the cafeteria.
“Are you a friend of his?”
a pretty nurse asked, appraising her.
She forced a smile, though she was suddenly struck by how it must look—a famous baseball star with someone like her. “Yes,”
she answered. “He’s a neighbor.”
“Lucky girl,”
said another nurse. “He’s a hottie.”
As she turned to leave, Melissa couldn’t think of what to say.
###
Sitting in the cafeteria, Melissa looked up Ross’s biography online. She studied photos of Ross, his father, and his brothers, all handsome men. After he was awake and able to talk, she’d suggest again that he call his family. Even though he’d told her they were busy, she thought they’d want to know.
She ate a healthy breakfast, uncertain when she’d get the chance to eat again, and hung out in the cafeteria until she thought Ross would be back in his room.
###
When she entered the floor where Ross’s room was, one of the nurses waved her over. “Is your name Melissa?”
Melissa nodded.
The nurse gave her a friendly smile. “Ross is asking for you. I said you were here and would be up to see him soon. He seemed relieved when I told him. He’s awake and lucid. Better go in and see him.”
“Thanks,”
said Melissa.
She walked to Ross’s private room, tapped lightly on the door, and stepped inside.
“Hello,”
she said, studying him lying in bed with tubes and monitors in and on his body. She observed his bare chest and noticed the light hairs across it. She’d read up on procedures and watched as the continuous passive motion machine caused Ross’s leg to straighten and bend repeatedly.
Melissa went over to him and took hold of the hand that didn’t have a tube attached to it. “How are you? Are you relieved it’s over?”
“Yeah, I am. I guess it was time to stop trying to repair the knee and get new parts. I’m glad to see you. Where did you stay?”
“I’m a guest of a friend in the North End. She’s a dear friend from culinary school and told me I could stay as long as I wanted. What can I do for you?”
“How about helping me drink some water? They’re supposed to be bringing me breakfast soon. Orange juice, scrambled eggs, and toast.”
“Let me get you something to drink, and then I’ll check to see where your food is,”
she said. She poured water into a glass from the insulated pitcher on his bedside table, and, holding the straw between two fingers, she lifted it to his lips. He gazed up at her as he sipped, his features softened.
She felt a little thrill go through her at the look he gave her. When he was through drinking, she set the cup down. “I’ll go see where breakfast is.”
Still feeling a sense of warmth from the look of appreciation he’d given her, she headed to the nurse’s station. The elevator opened, and a food cart rumbled onto the floor. “Are you going to deliver to Room 417?”
She asked the man wheeling the cart.
He checked the list attached to the side of the cart. “Yes. I’ve got it here.”
“Good. He’s waiting for breakfast after surgery.”
She returned to Ross’s room and said, “Food is on the way.”
“Thanks. I’m starving.”
She stepped aside as the man with the cart knocked on the door. “Ready for breakfast?”
Ross gave him a thumbs-up.
Melissa helped put the tray table in place and the meal on it. “It smells good,”
she said, giving Ross an encouraging smile.
He picked up a fork, poked at the scrambled egg, took a bite, and then picked up a piece of buttered toast. “Maybe I’m not as hungry as I thought.”
“Here, I’ll add a little salt to the egg. Maybe it’ll taste better then.”
She looked at the food and wondered if she could bring in a homemade meal for him. “Tomorrow, I’ll bring you breakfast.”
He looked up at her and grinned. “Would you do that for me?”
“Sure,”
she said. “You know how important food is to me. I want the best for you.”
“Thanks for being here for me.”
He leaned back against his pillow and closed his eyes.
While he was napping, Melissa returned to Nettie’s condo for a break, grateful that her place wasn’t far and she had another day of parking.
###
Nettie was alone in the kitchen when Melissa returned to the condo.
“Morning!”
Nettie said cheerfully. “Jason has already gone to the restaurant, but I don’t have to work until later. I’m happy you came back. I wanted to spend some time with you.”
“Me, too. You wanted to show me some pictures of brides’ gowns. Do you want to look at them now?”
“Yes,”
said Nettie. She clapped her hands and jumped up from her chair. “Grab a cup of coffee and a piece of toast, and I’ll bring the magazines to you. I’m dying to hear what you think.”
Chuckling at Nettie’s usual enthusiasm, Melissa fixed herself a cup of coffee, spread strawberry jam on top of Italian bread toast, and took a bite, relishing the flavor.
Nettie reappeared lugging several magazines. She spread them out on the table. “I’ll show you my favorite so far, but I want you to look at several others for comparison.”
Melissa finished her toast and coffee and sat beside Nettie, who showed her a picture of a V-neck lacy gown with capped sleeves and a full skirt.
“What do you think?”
asked Nettie.
“I want to see all the ones you like before making a decision,”
said Melissa. She loved the excitement on Nettie’s face but couldn’t help wondering if the day would ever come when she’d be looking for her own wedding gown.
After looking through the other six magazines, Melissa knew she didn’t love the dress Nettie had chosen for herself. She didn’t know what to say.
“Okay,”
said Nettie. “I want the truth. I get the distinct impression that you don’t like my choice. Fess up, girl.”
“Okay, I will. Nettie, you’re a beautiful woman, so I don’t understand why you’re leaning toward full-skirted, lacy choices that I don’t think suit you as well as some others.”
Nettie nodded thoughtfully. “Thanks. I don’t have a tall, lean body like yours, and with my job, I won’t be thinner for the wedding. I see what you mean, though. I need to go with simpler designs.”
Melissa let out a breath of relief. “Yes. You don’t need to hide behind some big, fancy gown. Choose one that shows your body. Jason loves you as you are.”
Nettie threw her arms around Melissa. “Thank God, you’re being honest with me. That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do. Hide.”
Melissa gave Nettie a squeeze and smiled at her. “You’re beautiful, Nettie. Let’s look for something different. I saw a dress earlier that I think would look lovely on you.”
They went through the magazines more slowly, discussing different dresses.
“Found it!”
said Melissa. She showed Nettie a simple, A-line, short-sleeve dress with a V-neck, whose skirt fit at the hips and fell softly to the floor in lovely, silken folds.
Nettie studied it and turned to Melissa with tears in her eyes. “It’s perfect. I see what you mean about letting it be simple. I’m so glad I asked for your opinion. When your time comes, I hope you’ll ask me for mine, though I must tell you that you'll look fabulous no matter what you choose.”
“Don’t hold your breath about helping me. At this point, I’m trying to get Dirk McArthur interested in me. I have a feeling it’s going to take time. But it’ll be worth it. On paper, he seems perfect.”
“Melissa,”
said Nettie. “It’s more than about looking good on paper. The chemistry has to be there.”
Melissa waved away Nettie’s concern. “Oh, I know. But it’s a smart place to start.”
Nettie looked up at the kitchen clock. “I had no idea it was so late. I’ve got to head to the restaurant. Make yourself at home here. I’ll try to get back early. Sunday nights are slow.”
“Okay. See you then,”
said Melissa. “I’ll go back to the hospital and see how Ross is doing. I feel bad seeing him in bed with monitors and his knee a mess.”
“You’re doing everything you can for him.”
As they said goodbye, Melissa hoped Nettie was right. It was the least she could do after the accident.