by BL Miller
"No, she's fine, really. I mean, she can't help it if I'm in pain. She said I'm getting the most pain medicine she feels comfortable giving me."
"If you need more…"
"No. I don't think they make anything strong enough to touch the pain. It just hurts so much all the time. Even when I'm sleeping, I'll move and the pain is just so strong it wakes me up." She looked down dejectedly at her smashed legs and ankle. "It feels like the pain will never end," she said sadly.
"Rose, it may not seem like it now, but you will get better. It's just going to take time." Veronica tried to keep her voice as reassuring as possible. "Tabitha is quite the character," she said, hoping that the change in subject would help take Rose's mind off her injuries.
"She's the best thing that ever happened to me," the young woman said honestly. "Whenever I need her, she's right there. All she ever asks for is food and attention."
"And I'm sure you give her plenty of both," Veronica replied.
"Well, the love and attention I can always give her." The green eyes took on a sad look. "Food isn't always as easy." She looked up at the sculptured features of her generous benefactor. "I'm sure she's very happy with you."
"Rose, I haven't taken Tabitha away from you, believe me. I'm only watching her while you're here. Once you're back on your feet, I'll bring her right back to you, I promise."
"I don't know what I'm going to do," she said softly, tears from both the constant pain and the fear of losing her beloved pet clouding her eyes and threatening to spill over. "I can't even take care of myself anymore much less her. I don't even have a place to live."
"That place wasn't fit for a rat to live in. When you get out of here…"
"When I get out of here I won't be able to walk, I'll have no money, and I won't even have a place to live," Rose snapped. "You should have left me there on the street."
"NO!" Veronica stood up and leaned over until she was only inches from Rose's face and looking into deep green eyes. "Listen to me. You will walk again and you don't have to worry about finding a place to live. Rose, I'm not going to give up on you so don't you go giving up on yourself. I know you are a survivor. Don't let this take that away."
"What am I supposed to do when they release me? It's the fifth already. Cecil would certainly have changed the locks by now. He warned me to never be late with the rent."
"That overgrown bully wouldn't bother changing the locks."
"He did kick me out, didn't he?"
"Yes," Veronica admitted. "But I wouldn't have let you continue to live there anyway. It's not fit for a human to live in and certainly not you. When they release you from here they'll probably send you to a rehabilitation center until you can walk again. After that I'll make sure you get a decent place to live." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Rose, we both know that you need help and that I want to help. I know you've been taking care of yourself for a long time but right now you need someone else to look out for you. Please let me be that someone."
The room was quiet for a minute while Rose looked down at her lap, chewing her lower lip. "I haven't had to rely on anyone to take care of me for a long time. I guess I don't have much choice now." Her face betrayed her feelings of failure and the hopelessness of her situation. "This is hard for me. I'd rather go without than take charity."
Veronica found it hard to believe that it was so difficult for Rose to accept the help being offered when the alternatives were so clear, but when she paused to consider the story that the checkbook told, it made perfect sense. There was a depth to the young woman's character that she would not have believed still existed in the modern age where so many people seemed more than ready to accept anything the state or government offered, whether they deserved it or not.
"Don't think of it as charity, Rose. I don't."
"What do you think of it as?" she asked curiously. Before Veronica could answer, another blast of intense pain shot through the young woman, causing her face to screw up with agony. "Oh God, it hurts," she hissed. "It hurts so much." Tears began to stream down her face and she reached for the offending limbs. "Make it stop, please make it stop hurting," she begged.
Unable to take the pain away, Veronica did the only thing she could think of. She sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Rose into a tight embrace, unmindful of the tears that soaked her silk blouse. It did not matter. Nothing mattered except trying to help the incredibly brave young woman get through this. "It's okay, Rose. I've got you," she murmured into the golden hair while her hand gently rubbed up and down the bare back exposed by the hospital gown.
"It hurts…it won't stop hurting…oh God, please make it stop, make it stop hurting so much," Rose sobbed, her grip around Veronica's neck tightening. The strong arms wrapped around her offered comfort, something which had almost never been offered to the young woman before, and Rose accepted it gratefully.
"I'm sorry, Rose, I'm so sorry," Veronica whispered over and over, feeling her own emotions threatening to come forth in empathy for the young woman's pain, pain caused by her actions on that fateful night. "It's gonna be all right. Shhh…okay now, it's all right." She continued to make shushing noises and hold Rose as the sobbing continued. Mercifully the nurse arrived a few minutes later and gave the injured woman a shot that brought on an uneasy sleep. Veronica remained for quite a while, watching Rose sleep and wishing that there was something, anything that she could do to remove the damage she had done to the courageous young woman.
*****************
Rose awoke several hours later to find herself alone. She pressed the call button for the nurse.
"What do you need, deary?" The dark skinned woman said as she entered.
"Nothing really, " Rose replied, embarrassed about having pressed the button just to see another face. It had been four days since she was brought in and the only people she ever saw were hospital personnel and Ronnie.
"Well, I'm glad you're awake," the nurse replied. "It's time to check your vitals."
"Do you know what time Miss Cartwright left?" the blonde woman asked just before the thermometer found its way into her mouth.
"Would that be your friend that was here earlier?" Rose nodded. "She left shortly after I went on duty so I'd say about an hour or so ago. She left you a note."
It was only then that Rose saw the cream colored paper folded in half sitting on her bed tray. She reached for it but her arms were not long enough. The nurse handed it to her before wrapping the black blood pressure cuff around her upper arm. Rose let the note lay on her chest until the nurse was done, preferring to read it in private. She grimaced as the cuff constricted more and more around her small arm. When she thought it could not possibly get any tighter she heard the hiss of the air being released. "Fine. Your pressure is good and your temperature is normal. At this rate you'll be out of here in no time." The nurse removed the Velcro fastened cuff and made a notation on the chart. "Your dinner will be here shortly and I'll be back later to check on you."
"Thank you." Rose smiled, she had been put back on solid food the day before and her appetite had returned stronger than ever.
Once the nurse was gone Rose picked up the note and unfolded it. There on Cartwright letterhead was a note from Veronica.
Rose,
I had to return to the office to take care of a few things. I'll be back in time for Jeopardy. Try to rest and don't be afraid to ask for more painkillers if you need them. Leave some room after dinner. I hope you like Chinese food.
Ronnie
The young woman's fingers slid over the textured paper. Where her own handwriting was small and neat, Veronica's was full of flourish and style. She grinned at the comment about leaving room after dinner. When it came to food, Rose knew she could always eat everything in front of her and then some. She pressed the remote for the television, once again silently grateful to her benefactor, and noted that the local news was on. That meant less than an hour before Veronica would return. Rose took the plastic comb off of the table a
nd ran it through her thick golden hair, trying to make herself look a little more presentable to her new friend.
"My friend," she said aloud, smiling at the thought. She thought about the way she had cried so hard earlier and how good it felt to be held by Veronica. In her arms, she felt safe, cared for, comforted. Strangely, Rose found herself wishing for that feeling again, to be held in those strong arms, to smell the light scent of perfume on the tall woman's tanned neck, to feel the compassion and tenderness within her touch and voice. Rose still did not understand why Veronica had chosen to befriend her but she was grateful that she had.
Wheel of Fortune was half over when Rose was treated to the sight of Veronica entering the room, a small bag full of delightfully smelling food in one hand, the ever present attaché in the other. "Hi there."
"Hi," the young woman replied, happily sniffing the air as Veronica set the bag on the bed tray and, after tossing her leather bomber jacket across the back of the chair and setting the attaché on the floor, took her usual seat next to the bed. "Smells wonderful."
"Did you save room? I've got shrimp chow mein and boneless barbecued spare ribs," Ronnie said while pulling the white boxes out of the bag along with two sets of plastic utensils.
"When it comes to food, I always have room," Rose replied, taking the plastic fork offered to her. Her legs were throbbing but somehow the pain seemed to be diminished by the presence of her new friend.
"They didn't give me any bowls or plates so we'll just have to share," Veronica said as she opened the boxes to reveal steaming hot food. "I didn't know what you liked but I figured I couldn't go wrong with the ribs."
"I've never had shrimp chow mein but yeah, the ribs won't last long." Her fork was already headed for the box.
"Oh, you'll have to try it. It's really good." She pulled out a forkful of the chow mein and put it into her mouth, drawing air in at the same time to try and counteract the burning hot temperature of the food. Rose was making quick work of the barbecued pork ribs, pushing several small pieces of meat into her mouth and humming with delight.
"Oh, this is sooo good," she mumbled around the mouthful of pork. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. We've even got fortune cookies for dessert." Since Rose did not think anything of talking with food in her mouth, Veronica relaxed and did the same. "I didn't have time to stop anywhere for dinner so I figured I'd pick some up and have it here."
"Oh, I'm glad you did. This is delicious," Rose said. "Thank you." She pulled the box of chow mein close to her mouth and pulled out a forkful of vegetables and shrimp. "Oh, this is good."
"Told you," Veronica smiled, pleased that her choices were so well received. "So did you rest well? I'm sorry I had to leave but I had some matters to take care of at the office."
"Is everything all right? You're helping me isn't causing any problems, is it?" Rose asked with concern, not wanting to do anything to add stress to her new friend.
"No Rose, my problems are with one of the divisions." She set her fork down and gave a polite burp. "Oh, that was good. I've forgotten how tasty Chinese food was." The theme music for Jeopardy began on the television followed by the host introducing the contestants. "So you didn't answer me. Did you have a good rest?"
"Yes, I slept very well, thanks." She turned to catch the deep blue eyes of the older woman.
"Thanks for staying until I fell asleep."
The nurse returning interrupted their picnic. She took one look at the two empty boxes and the guilty looks on the women's faces and frowned. "You really shouldn't be bringing food into the hospital," she chastised. "Miss Grayson, you're not on any special diets, are you?"
"No. I'm sorry. I asked her to bring it," Rose said, trying to take the blame.
"In the future you really should stick to the food we serve. Our nutritionists work hard to design a meal…"
"Who is Abraham Lincoln," Rose blurted, her attention on the show and not on the lecture she was receiving.
"Naw, it was Johnson."
"No. He didn't take office in February, he took it in April." The host verified that Rose's answer was correct complete with the dates that the presidential succession took place. The nurse looked at the two women focused on the television and gave up her attempt to explain why the Chinese food was not as good for a patient as hospital food. She left the room knowing full well where she was going to go on her dinner break.
Just as the theme music was ending the announcement came over the loudspeakers that visiting hours were over. "I guess that's my cue to leave," Veronica said reluctantly. "I'll see you tomorrow." She stood up and picked up her jacket. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached into the pocket and pulled out a business card and pen. "Let me leave you my number in case you want to call or if you want me to bring you anything." She scribbled her private phone number down on the back of the card and set it down on the bed tray before picking up the empty food boxes and bag. "Really, if you want or need anything, just give me a call. I'm usually up until eleven." She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle on the blanket before donning her bomber jacket. "Rest well, Rose. I'll see you tomorrow."
"I don't want to keep you from your work."
"Trust me, I'd much rather be here than there. I'll be by sometime after breakfast. Remember what I said. Call me whenever you want to, even if it's just to talk." Just to be sure, Veronica pushed the phone a bit closer on the side table.
"Thanks. Good night, Veronica."
"Hey, call me Ronnie. All my friends do," she said with a smile.
"Ronnie. Good night, drive carefully." Rose did not notice the look that flashed across the older woman's face before being covered with a fake smile.
"Good night, Rose."
********************
Ronnie was curled up in bed with Tabitha laying next to her, when the phone rang. A quick glance at the clock told her that it was almost eleven. "Hello?"
"Um…hi, it's Rose. I hope I'm not calling too late."
"No, no you're not calling too late at all." She sat up, much to Tabitha's displeasure. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I um…I guess I just wanted to…see how Tabitha was," came the lame excuse. Ronnie smiled, propping a pillow behind her back and leaning against the oak headboard.
"The purr machine is fine. You want to say hi to her? She seems to think that wherever I am is a good place for her to be." Without waiting for an answer she put the phone near the cat. "Say hi to Mommy, Tabitha." She held it there for a few seconds before putting the receiver back to her ear. "Did you hear her purring?"
"Yeah." Ronnie could feel the smile through the phone and in turn smiled herself. "Is there anything you want me to bring tomorrow? I'll probably be there around ten or so."
"Um…if it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you think you could check my mail for me?"
"Damn, I completely forgot about that. I'll have to stop at the post office and put a forwarding address in for you before that jerk Cecil starts going through your mail."
"Oh…I don't know where you could have it forwarded to."
"I'll take care of it, don't worry. But yeah, I'll swing by there tomorrow and see if you've gotten anything."
"I'd really appreciate it." There was a momentary silence before Rose continued. "Ronnie?"
"Yeah?"
"Um…sleep well, okay?" That caused the executive to smile again.
"You too, Rose. I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night."
"Night." She waited a few seconds before pushing the off button on the phone and putting it back in the charger on her night stand. Tabitha crawled onto her chest and began trying to imprint her paw marks on Ronnie's internal organs. "Oof, I don't think so, Missy," she said, gently pushing the cat back onto the bed and receiving a dejected meow in response. "Come on, I've got a lot of things to take care of tomorrow. It's a huge bed. There's plenty of room without you having to be right on top of me." Nonetheless, the black-haired beauty ended up falling asleep with the purring feline curled u
p against her.
The alarm went off at six as usual, announcing the start to Ronnie's day. "Mrrow?"
"In a minute," she replied sleepily, throwing the blankets off and sticking her feet into the soft blue slippers waiting next to the bed. With eyes half closed, she trudged into her bathroom. Returning a few minutes later, teeth brushed and bladder emptied, she stripped off her sweats and donned her light gray spandex workout suit before heading for the basement.
Ronnie's private gym was the envy of any fitness junkie. With the exception of the room that held the furnace and water heater, the rest of the basement was devoted to her myriad of benches, machines, and mats. Growing up in the house that was now hers and hers alone, Ronnie had often dreamed of renovating the once musty basement into a place where she could just be herself, pumping iron and working up a healthy sweat. Her goal was accomplished with the private gym. The room was brightly lit with overhead fluorescent fixtures and enhanced by the walls of mirrors. She grabbed a fresh towel from the shelf, turned on the stereo, and headed for the stair climber to get warmed up.