Bobbi and Soul

by J. B. Marsden

  “I’ll let you go. We’ll be over around five. We can have a glass of wine—well, some of us can have a glass of wine—before dinner.”

  “I missed you last night, Elf.”

  “I missed you too, Doctor Take Charge.” Erin chuckled. “I hope you’ve been resting today.”

  “Yeah. Mom’s been like a busy bee, cleaning my condo. And she just left to get some stuff for the kitchen. And more towels. Evidently, she says I’m lacking in guest accommodations. I forgot I only have a couple of towels for the bathroom, and the kitchen doesn’t have much in the way of pots and pans. You may have noticed.”

  Erin shook her head. “Oh, I noticed. It’s like entering a third world country in your condo…Oh, damn. Wait. That sounded like a privileged American talking, sorry. Anyway, glad she’s getting you outfitted. I better let you go so you can go back to doing what you were doing, which I hope was reading or watching TV and resting.”

  “I’m watching baseball. It’s like watching paint dry and puts me to sleep in minutes,” Bobbi replied wryly.

  “I like that. Go Cubbies. See you soon, sweetie.”

  ****

  Fran opened the door to Erin and a lithe man and short woman in their sixties, waving them in with a “Welcome.”

  Bobbi called hello from her perch on the sofa, then slowly rose to greet them all.

  “Hello, Bobbi. It’s so nice to meet you. We’ve heard so much about you.” Meg took her in a gentle hug. “You look just as Erin described you. I’m Meg and this is her father, Scott.”

  Scott shook Bobbi’s hand with a warm smile.

  “How are you feeling, sweetie?” Meg asked kindly. She looked at Bobbi directly with the same dark eyes as her daughter, and at the same small height and build. Looking at Meg, Bobbi thought she was seeing the older Erin standing in front of her.

  “I’m doing better every day, Ms. O’Rourke.”

  “None of that. I’m Meg to you. And this must be your mother.”

  “May I introduce Fran Webster?”

  Meg and Scott shook hands with Fran, and they all sat down around the sofa with extra chairs from the kitchen table.

  Seating herself next to Bobbi on the sofa, Erin took Bobbi’s hand in hers. “Did you get any rest today? I still see dark circles.”

  Meg said, “Oh, Bobbi. We’re so sorry for your troubles. Are you sure us being here is okay? We don’t want to tax your energy.”

  Fran spoke up, “We Websters are tough. It’s good for Bobbi to move around, to help heal her wounds and get her energy level back to normal. We wouldn’t think of not having you come. I’m so glad to meet Erin and you all, too. It’s the first time I’ve been allowed to meet any of Bobbi’s girlfriends’ parents. A red-letter day, heh?”

  “Oh, Mom,” Bobbi said, turning hot with embarrassment.

  “We’re glad to make the connection with you, too,” Scott answered. “I understand you’re a teacher. I’ve always admired those who can teach. I would be the last person who could corral a classroom of children.”

  “Now, Scott. You know you’ve taken your share of confirmation class kids over many years. It’s no different. In fact, it may be worse. Some of those kids were being pushed by their parents to become confirmed.”

  “Not me,” Erin said with a grin.

  “Oh, I remember well,” Meg answered. “You skipped the whole thing. You were acting out, getting independent at age thirteen.”

  Bobbi smiled at the interplay between Erin and her mother. She raised her eyebrows when Erin caught her eye. “I’m glad to hear you weren’t a goody two-shoes.”

  “And you were?” Fran asked, laughing.

  Bobbi looked at her mother, surprised she would want to air their family secrets.

  Fran glanced at the O’Rourkes, then at Bobbi, while Bobbi groaned. “My dear daughter, at age fifteen, decided she’d try a few drugs.”

  “Oh,” Erin said, surprise in her voice. “What, exactly, did you experiment with, Doctor?”

  Bobbi felt all eyes on her. She could kill her mother for bringing this up. “Mom,” she said in her whiny tone. “I was very young, and, well…stupid. Besides, Chucky dared me and Jen—”

  “And here’s where I say, if Chucky dared you to fly the Columbia Gorge without a plane, would you do that?”

  Erin and her parents hid smiles behind their hands, watching the two go at it.

  Meg said, “This sounds way too familiar. Miss Erin pulled some stunts too, didn’t you, my little darling?”

  “Hey, who invited these parents anyway, Bobbi? I think it’s time to get dinner on the table.” Erin tugged Bobbi gently to stand from the sofa.

  Laughing, Bobbi stood gingerly, holding her stomach. “Don’t make me giggle like this, please.”

  Erin and Bobbi worked on setting the table and getting pot roast sliced and onto the table. “Don’t you even think about carrying that heavy plate of meat,” Erin chided Bobbi.

  “Who, me?” Bobbi smirked. She loved when Erin fussed over her, but not too much. A woman could only take so much maternal fussing around her.

  Erin grabbed the platter and called “Dinner” into the living area. The three parents came and sat. Erin asked, “Would you say grace tonight, Dad?”

  Scott said a short prayer and they dug into their meal. Conversation swirled easily among the group. Bobbi described her rural fellowship. Erin told stories about her issues with her parish.

  “See, that’s why I never went back to church,” Fran said adamantly. “People who profess Christianity can sometimes be the biggest bigots going, then claim it is their faith. I never heard of such hypocrisy.”

  “I don’t know, Mom. I’ve been to Erin’s church a few times. Only a small minority pushed the archaic celibacy clause. And even they backed down when confronted. Her biggest enemy came back to church after threatening to quit and take his pledge with him.”

  “I’ve seen it before,” Scott added between bites of potato. “I’m proud of you, lassie.” He winked at Erin.

  “I am too,” Meg added. “It happens with medical staff too. Those ignorant types who refused to see gay people during the AIDS crisis. They made my blood boil. One physician quit when my hospital made their policy clear about treating all people without prejudice. None of us were sad to see him out the door.”

  “Yes, and then there are the teachers who gossip about the students who seem a little too sissy for their cowboy philosophies. When this one came out to us, we just ate dinner and asked that she be careful and bring her girlfriends home so we knew who they were. Didn’t we, Roberta Francene?”

  Bobbi shook her head at her mother and continued to eat.

  When they had finished dinner, the O’Rourkes demurred to stay longer, citing Bobbi’s need for rest.

  Erin took Bobbi’s hand and led her to the bedroom, as her parents said good-bye to Fran. “I miss you, sweetheart.” She kissed Bobbi tenderly.

  Bobbi moaned into the kiss. “Wow, do I ever miss you.” She stroked Erin’s cheek, and kissed her deeper.

  “Hey, lassies, time to stop the sparking,” Erin’s dad yelled from the living area.

  They both chuckled. Bobbi ducked her head, nuzzling into Erin’s hair, and sighed.

  Erin drew away slowly, pecked Bobbi’s lips once again, and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, probably around dinner time. My dad’s preaching tomorrow.”

  “Good. I wish I could stand sitting for the duration of your service to hear him.”

  “You’re fine. I understand.” Erin smoothed Bobbi’s top over her chest. “Take care, Doctor.”

  ****

  “I like Bobbi very much,” Meg stated, while Erin drove home to the vicarage. “She’s very intelligent, naturally, but also self-deprecating and sweet in a way I don’t see in physicians I’m friends with. She takes her job very seriously, I can tell. You say she wants to start rural practice in her home town in Oregon?”

  “Yes,” Erin answered, pulling into the left lane to pass a sl
ow pickup truck.

  “And her goals would take her out of Colorado, I take it. Where does that leave your relationship?”

  Erin glanced at her mother. She didn’t want to get into her and Bobbi’s private affairs. “She is a great doctor. But, we haven’t gotten that far, Mom. We barely started a more intimate relationship at Easter, so I don’t know what the future holds, if anything.”

  “She looks at you with so much love, I can’t believe that. You love her too, don’t you.” Meg’s statement came out as a fact.

  “I think I do.”

  Meg nodded her head in her wise fashion. “Your dad’s asleep back there,” she indicated the back seat. “I think the trip took it out of him.” She looked tenderly at him.

  Erin drove the rest of the way wondering whether Bobbi and she had garnered enough forward momentum together to keep what they had alive. She thought maybe they did, but they hadn’t broached anything long-term yet. She thought they probably were monogamous, although that hadn’t come up either. She knew she certainly wasn’t seeing anyone else. Maybe Bobbi still dated Amanda. Amanda certainly made herself known the day Bobbi came into the ER. But now that Erin thought about her, Amanda hadn’t pushed herself on Bobbi that day. She’d been kind to Erin, too, as if she knew they were seeing each other. So, perhaps Bobbi no longer dated Amanda. Erin wouldn’t blame her if she were still dating her. Amanda had a lot going for her—smart, a good nurse, from what Erin had witnessed. And other, ahem, assets.

  When they got to the vicarage, Erin’s parents said their good nights. Erin got ready for Sunday by laying out her clericals. It felt good to be on vacation, with her dad taking over the service tomorrow. She’d originally had the congregation doing a stripped-down service, but when her dad offered to take over, she thought her parish would like it.

  ****

  Sunday flew by for them. The service went well. Parishioners liked her dad’s sermon. Walter especially made positive comments after the service, while in line to greet Scott. Erin sighed when she heard him sucking up to Scott. What a jerk that guy could be. Her dad took it in stride, not taking the bait of being complimented on anything he did as a priest. He was her role model in his reaction to these kinds of parishioners who clearly wanted to butter up the priest.

  After lunch, they all settled into naptime. Erin had a difficult time dropping off to sleep. Her stomach started to ache, thinking about her mom’s questions about Bobbi’s moving to Oregon after her fellowship ended. She and Bobbi needed to address these issues some time, but when would they be ready?

  Then, Wes Myers’ behavior. Frightening. She hoped, like Bobbi, that he would be sentenced to some kind of drug rehabilitation, although he would have to go to Denver, the nearest facility, from what Roxie had told her. She saw some folks with addiction in her practice with Roxie, and some who’d come from the Denver drug treatment programs. Rehab never really ended for the poor souls with addictions. Would Wes be able to sustain his program if he did get sentenced to rehab? Would it take care of his anger issues or were other deeper problems driving his dysfunctional behavior? For Bobbi’s sake, Erin prayed it did. Erin had been praying for healing for both Wes and Bobbi.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  “Dr. Webster?”

  “Yes.”

  “Come in. I’m Lynn Sanderson. It’s good to meet you. I’m sorry about the attack you sustained. Are you doing all right? I hope this meeting will not be too taxing for you.”

  Bobbi shook hands with a woman about her age wearing a dark skirt suit that fit her as if it had been tailored. Ms. Sanderson stood slightly shorter than her, her dark hair pulled back into a neat bun, giving her a professional air. Her legs were muscular, her hips and bust curvy. Not fat, but not slim either. Probably works out, Bobbi thought. Bobbi noted a large diamond on her left hand, with a gold band. “I’m doing much better, Ms. Sanderson. I went to work yesterday and lived to tell about it.” Bobbi smiled.

  Ms. Sanderson only nodded. “Let’s get your statement and then you can go.”

  All business, this woman, just like Deputy Rick said, Bobbi thought. Bobbi went over her statement, then Ms. Sanderson’s assistant produced it for signing in minutes, Bobbi signed it, and that was it.

  “Before I go, can I ask about sentencing Mr. Myers to rehabilitation for his addiction?”

  “Yes.” Ms. Sanderson rifled through materials on her messy desk and handed Bobbi a pamphlet. “Please take a good look at these victims’ rights. You have the right to be present during any court proceedings, including sentencing hearings.” Ms. Sanderson gazed directly at Bobbi. “The case looks to be open and shut. The defendant’s attorney will most likely advise him to plead guilty, given the weight of the evidence against him and his prior contact with you. We’ll then move to the sentencing phase. A probation officer will prepare a document in support of the sentencing for the judge’s use, detailing Mr. Myers’ history of convictions and other pertinent background that would affect sentencing. During the sentencing hearing, I can either read your victim impact statement, or you can deliver it in person. You also have a right to no contact from the convicted person.”

  Bobbi took the pamphlet and eyed it briefly. “My main goal is to be assured Mr. Myers receives appropriate treatment.”

  “I understand. Because you’re a physician, your statement might carry more weight than normal. But ultimately, the judge will decide herself. Our judge takes these types of cases very seriously. She doesn’t normally use mandatory sentences for drug charges. She likes to take each case on its merits.” Ms. Sanderson took Bobbi’s signed affidavit and handed it to her assistant. “While we can only register our thoughts on sentencing, the judge will take it from there. I’ve worked with Judge Latimore on several cases since I became a prosecutor. I have a good record with her, and she listens to me. I’ll take this under advisement and talk to Mr. Myers’ attorney. But I can’t promise anything.” She stood from her desk chair and held out her hand to shake Bobbi’s. “Thank you for coming by today, Doctor.”

  Bobbi shook hands. Evidently, the meeting had ended. Bobbi felt slightly rushed. Ms. Sanderson was already busying herself with paperwork on her desk. “Thank you. When might I hear about all this?”

  Ms. Sanderson looked up from the desk. “Mr. Myers will enter his plea today at three, so it depends on how crowded the judge’s docket is. I’ll be in touch.”

  ****

  Erin entered Bobbi’s condo on Wednesday evening. Bobbi stood at the stove, stirring something. “Hey, Doc, what’s cookin’?”

  Bobbi turned and kissed Erin gently on the lips. “You’re a welcome sight. I missed you this week. I assume your folks got back to Chicago all right? Mom left yesterday morning for the airport. She made a bunch of food that she froze for me. She was a cooking fool yesterday. I’m warming mac and cheese in the oven. Thought we’d have frozen peas.” Bobbi smiled.

  “Good. See, she did coddle you. And you had me believing she was a hands-off mother.”

  “Yeah. She surprised me a little too. It felt nice having her rushing around doing things. Of course, she made me a little crazy, ‘cause she wouldn’t let me help.”

  “You went to work Monday, right? Did you stay all day, or were you careful?” Erin still harbored fears of Bobbi doing too much too soon.

  Bobbi grinned. “You’re a little mother yourself, Elf. And yes, I only stayed for four hours. I saw patients for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. And yes, I tired pretty quickly and felt sore when I got home. I took something for the pain, laid down, and Mom fed me. Are you satisfied?”

  Erin stroked Bobbi’s cheek. “I only worry because I care. You know that, don’t you?”

  Bobbi kissed Erin deeply, holding her close around the waist and pushing her body into her. Erin’s heart rate spiked. She loved the feel of Bobbi’s taller form, toned from working in the gym, but still definitely feminine.

  Bobbi whispered, “And I care about you, too, Mother Erin.”

/>   They ate their mac and cheese, Erin commenting on Fran’s yummy, cheesy concoction.

  “Mom never has a lot of time to cook because of her job, so I think she enjoyed the down time here with me. She laughed and joked with me, which we haven’t done for a few years. School can really wear her down, you know?”

  “Like my mom. Nursing takes a toll.” Erin finished her plate and grabbed Bobbi’s to take to the sink. “By the way, you went to the attorney’s today. What happened?”

  “Piece of cake. I made my statement and had it notarized there. Then she sent me home with a victims’ rights pamphlet. I’m to write a victim impact statement for the sentencing phase. The attorney called to tell me that Wes pled guilty today. Next Wednesday is the sentencing hearing, which gives the court enough time to prepare background information for the judge. And my impact statement can be given in person or via written communication. I’m writing it and having the prosecutor enter it into the proceedings. I don’t really want to see Wes’s beady eyes ever again.”

  “Wow. Things are moving fast.” Erin stroked Bobbi’s hand. Bobbi looked less anxious. “I’m glad to see you looking more relaxed. Are you ready to put this episode behind you?”

  Bobbi sighed. “Boy, yeah. I’ve got an appointment in Denver on Friday. Yancy gave me a name of a good therapist.”

  “Oh, sweetie, that’s great. I’m so proud of you, taking your life back. Getting help.” Erin kissed her chastely. “Oh, and another thing. I’ve helped victims with impact statements before in my pastoral counseling role. I could help if you want. No pressure.”

  Bobbi took Erin’s face in her hands and stroked her cheek gently. “You’re a keeper, Elf. Thanks, yes. I thought I’d draft something tomorrow and then I’ll have you look at it.”

  After dinner, Bobbi and Erin cuddled on the couch, reading. Then at nine, Erin took her leave. They kissed at the door, Erin’s heart doing a happy dance at how everything seemed to be calming down in their lives: Wes had been convicted, Bobbi was recovering, and her parish had a more welcome stance toward her.