by Beth Rinyu
I took out my phone and programmed her number into it. ”Hey, I got an idea. Are you off tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I'm off all weekend. Why?”
“I'll take you out to lunch as a thank you for you coming over and helping me with my dressing change in the morning.”
She ran her hand through hair and giggled. “Boy, you are awful presumptuous! I will gladly help you with your dressing change, but lunch is not necessary.”
“I insist, or I won't let you help me.”
“Oh, really?” She shook her head and smiled.
I grabbed a piece of paper, wrote down my address, and handed it to her. “Oh, Brooklyn. I may have to tack on travel expenses. Is ten o'clock good for you?”
“Perfect.”
I knew that I was staring at her a little longer than I should have been, but I couldn't help myself. She was absolutely adorable. “Mr. Will!” I was broken from my fixation when Rochelle walked through the door. “You know you're not getting out of here without giving me a big ol’ hug and kiss.”
I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. “Remember, anytime you're ready…” I whispered in her ear.
She laughed and lightly smacked me on the arm. “I sure am gonna miss you!” she smiled. “You are officially released.”
Those were the words I was waiting to hear for the past thirty-three days. Gabby's smile was a mile wide. If there was one thing that I was going to miss about this place, it was definitely her. I put my bag down for a second and bent down to give her a hug. “Thanks for everything, Gabby girl,” I said, inhaling the sweet smell of vanilla that was coming off of her.
“You are very welcome, but there's no need to thank me. It’s my job.” But I knew that she had gone above and beyond when it came to me. She helped me get through this whole ordeal without going completely insane.
“I don’t know why you were bitchin’ about being in this place. I wouldn’t mind having someone that looked like that Gabby chick taking care of me twenty-four/seven,” Peterson said as we stepped onto the elevator. I did my best to ignore him. “So what’s your plan of attack? Get her over to your place to help you with your bandage, then you’ll help her with everything else?” He raised his eyebrow and smirked.
“No, not at all,” I responded as we stepped out of the elevator and onto the street.
“Yeah, okay, Will. You are talking to me, Peterson, remember? You’re not telling me that you haven’t thought about fucking that sweet little thing every way imaginable while you were cooped up in that hospital.”
Just hearing him talk that way about Gabby pissed me off. “Gabby’s not like that!”
“What are you trying to say? She’s into chicks? Hell, that’s even better!”
“No, you fuckin’ dumb ass. She’s just a sweet girl. Not the fuck and forget about type.” “Okay, so if you’re not interested, does that mean -?”
“Don’t even fuckin’ think about it, Peterson!”
I was so glad to finally be walking through the door of my apartment. I still had a few more weeks until I could return to work, but at least I wasn’t stuck in that hospital anymore. Not to mention that it would be a little easier to lie to my mother from home. She still didn’t know what had happened and I didn’t have any intention of telling her. I was starving and hoping to find something edible as I opened up my refrigerator. Oh well. No such luck. I felt like I had struck gold when I opened up the cabinet to find one pack of Ramen Pride noodles. I wasted no time mixing them with water and popping those bad boys into the microwave.
I flicked on the TV and sat down with my noodles. I was getting a whole new appreciation for my apartment and my 62” flat screen, instead of the tiny little one in my hospital room. I was annoyed when I heard a knock on my door, forcing me to get up just as I was getting reunited with my Xbox and Call of Duty. My annoyance grew when I looked through the peep hole to find Janelle on the other side of the door. What the fuck? Do these chicks have some kind of LoJack on me or something?
“Hey,” I said as I opened the door. Normally, the sight of Janelle in her daisy dukes and her Double D tits hanging out a tank top that was two sizes too small would excite me but, right now, I just wanted to be left alone.
“Hey, baby!” she said, pulling me into her and sticking her tongue down my throat. I quickly pulled away. “Will, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just calm down, okay?”
“Well, I missed you and I’m sure you missed me, too,” she said as she slowly moved her hand down to my dick. The truth was I didn’t miss her. Sex, yes, but since I never attached sex to one girl in particular, there was no way that I could miss them. I removed her hand from my crotch and led her over to the couch. “Geez, Will. Did they do a lobotomy while you were in the hospital?” she asked.
This was way out of character for me. Normally, I would have already had her pinned up against the wall with my dick inside of her. But, right now, I just wasn’t feeling it. I laughed it off. “I just got home, Janelle. Give me a few. How did you even know I was home?” I asked.
“Brian came into Clancy’s last night.” Clancy’s was the bar that we frequented and the place that Janelle bartended while she pursued her career in “acting”. Damn it, big mouth fuckin Peterson!
I switched off the game and put on the TV. I felt a little weird hanging out with her. The only time Janelle and I spent any time together was for sex. I flicked through the channels, remembering all the nights that Gabby would stay way past her shift to watch TV with me. I found myself strangely wishing that she were here sitting beside me instead of Janelle.
“Oh, leave this on!” Janelle screeched. I rolled my eyes at the sight of Olivia Newton John and John Travolta on my TV screen as Janelle started singing along to Summer Lovin’. I threw my head back on the couch. All I fuckin’ wanted was one night alone in my place after being gone for so long. I wanted to watch what I wanted on my TV, and I sure as hell didn’t feel like listening to what she considered singing, but what others would mistake as a wild dog call. Oh, what the fuck? If it will shut her the fuck up, I’ll take one for the team. I moved in closer and stuck my tongue in her mouth, putting myself and all of the dogs within a ten mile radius out of misery.
I took the taxi over the bridge into Brooklyn, stopping at Emerson Place. Will’s apartment complex was in the Clinton Hill neighborhood, right across the street from Pratt Institute. I stepped into the building and did a double take at the familiar blonde stepping out of the elevator, looking all disheveled. Boy, Will didn’t waste any time, I giggled to myself as I hit the number two button on the elevator. I reached his apartment and rang the buzzer. It was taking him awfully long to answer and if I hadn’t seen the busty blonde exiting the elevator, I would have thought that maybe I was interrupting something, unless he was making up for lost time and had another one in there.
I was just about to text him when the door flung open. He was standing in front of me with a towel wrapped around his waist and water beading from his short dark hair. My eyes instantly gravitated to his perfect pecs. Stop it, Gabby. This isn’t the first time that you’ve seen a guy without a shirt. Hell, this isn’t even the first time that you’ve seen Will without a shirt, or even naked. But I was in nurse mode then, not really paying attention to his body, or at least trying not to. I did gravitate to that one particular area that day, studying it for a little longer than I should have when he wasn’t paying attention. The only thought going through my mind when I did was that maybe he wasn’t kidding when he said that it had super human powers.
“Step into my web, little fly,” he said. His grin widened as he opened the door further.
“More like love shack. Hot blonde coming off the elevator as I got on,” I smirked.
He rolled his eyes. “Ugh, yeah. She’s a fuckin’ pain in my ass!”
“Oh, Will, you kill me with your women.”
His smile deepened, revealing the slightest little dimple in his left cheek. “Sit down. I just gotta
get dressed really quick.”
He started to walk away when I noticed the two black and white tattoos on each of his shoulders. “Hey, what are your tats?” I asked.
He quickly turned around. “An angel on my left shoulder and a devil on my right.”
“And something tells me that you listen more to the guy on the right,” I teased.
He shrugged his shoulders and smirked. “Depends on the day.”
I eyed up his apartment while he went into his bedroom and dressed. It was nice and roomy, and not half bad for a bachelor’s pad. I picked up the picture on his end table of him and the cutest little boy standing in front of a fire truck. They both had mile wide smiles plastered across their faces. Will had his arms wrapped around him and even with the oversized firefighter helmet that the little boy was wearing, I could still see his bright blue eyes that mirrored Will’s. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had a kid that he didn’t tell me about. I was still staring at the picture when he walked out, pulling his t-shirt over his head.
“Cute kid!” I said, placing it back down on the table. His smile slowly faded and I immediately saw pain shooting through his eyes.
He nodded as he moved closer and picked up the picture, staring at it closely. “Yeah. That’s my Charlie.”
“Your son?”
“My nephew. Jamie and Hope’s son.”
I was a little confused. He had told me all about Jamie and Hope’s daughter, but never said anything about their son. He must have seen the confusion on my face and I could see the emotion building in his eyes. He whispered, “He drowned a few years ago.”
I covered my mouth with my hand. “Oh, my god, Will. I am so sorry!”
He stared at the photo a little longer. “He was such a great kid. He wanted to be a fireman when he grew up just like his silly uncle Willy.” His eyes shifted back to mine and he smiled. “That’s what he would call me. After listening to years of my dad’s constant put downs, it was nice to have someone that looked up to me.” He placed the picture back down on the table and tried his best to snap out of it, but I could tell it was still weighing heavy on his mind.
“So, do you have all of your goodies that you were sent home with yesterday?” I asked, trying to shift the topic.
“Right here,” he replied, holding up the bag containing everything we would need to change his dressing. We took a seat at his kitchen table and I handed him the scissors. “What are you doing?”
“You’re going to do it and I’m going to supervise.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t roll your eyes. You have to do this yourself and there’s no reason why you can’t. It’s your right arm and you’re a lefty.”
“You’re tough, you know that?”
“And don’t you forget it.” I smirked. I watched as he began to remove the bandage, helping him out every now and then.
“I just thought of something.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“I don’t even know your last name.”
I began to giggle. “Will, how many last names do you know of the girl’s that you encounter?”
He raised his eyebrows and nodded. “True. But you’re not like all of those other girls.”
I wasn’t quite sure if I should take that as a compliment or not. “It’s Spencer.” His eyes widened as if he were surprised. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I was just expecting it to be Lopez or De Angelo or something like that.”
I laughed. “Actually, my dad’s mother was a ‘Garcia’. She was Spanish, his dad was Irish. And my mom -.” I paused for a brief moment, hating to admit that I was even part of her. “She’s one hundred percent Italian.”
“So do you and your mom get along?” he asked. I began to take over wrapping his arm, trying to distract myself from the mere thought of my mother.
“No, not really…at all,” I finally admitted. “All she cares about is money, and her wonderful husband, and reminding me any chance she can that I was just a mistake.”
He looked at me sadly. “Wow. I’m really sorry.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Don’t be. I’m used to it.”
“Well, if it makes you feel better, my dad is no better. I’m the fucked up son. I totally get where you’re coming from when you say you get used to it.”
“Good. We can commiserate together.”
Will began to tell me all about his dad and how he never got over the fact that he didn’t go to law school like his brother. “Well, that’s just silly. Doesn’t he realize that your job is very important? I mean, you risk your life to save people. It takes a special kind of person to do that.”
“My old man is all about education. You can have the most honorable job in the world and be making millions of dollars a year, but if you don’t have an education that’s up to his standards, then it don’t mean nothin’ to him.”
“Well, at least he’s not consumed by money like my mother. She married her current husband less than two months after my dad died.”
Will’s eyes widened. “Wow! She doesn’t waste any time.”
“Yeah, well, I think they were together a long time before that, if you know what I mean. I think my dad knew all about it, but he never said anything. I was his main priority.”
“How did he die?”
I began to wrap his arm quicker, trying to fight the tears that still came to my eyes just thinking about my dad. “He, umm…he had a heart attack.”
Before I knew it his bandage was replaced - by me. “Hey, did you try and keep me talking to get out of doing this?”
He lifted his arm and looked at the bandage. “Not at all, Gabby girl. You hungry?” he asked, flashing me that panty-dropping smile.
“Starving.” I smiled back.
“Then let’s go eat!”
Gabby picked the place for lunch and I was finding that she was very easy to please. She decided on Jimmy’s diner, which was a short walk from my apartment. “Hey, Will, welcome home!” Ralph shouted from behind the counter. We took one of the empty tables as Gabby looked over the menu before quickly closing it.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t see anything you like?”
“Oh no. I already know what I want. A double cowgirl burger, fries, and a black-and-white shake.”
I looked at her and laughed, wondering how a little girl like her was going to put all that away.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Nothing, but the burgers here are huge.”
“And what are you trying to say, Will? You don’t think I could handle it? The bigger the better.” She raised her eyebrow and smirked.
“You are too much, you know that?” She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. She was so different than any other chick that I knew. I actually enjoyed her company and was having a great time hanging out with her.
Ralph came over to take our order, making small talk with me while staring at Gabby like she didn’t have any clothes on. He didn’t care that she was sitting right there as he proceeded to tell me, in great detail, about his supposed sexual romp with a twenty-something last night. Ralph was a good guy, but a total pervert. He thought that, even at sixty, he could still have any girl that he wanted. His dark hair looked like it had been slicked back with the bacon grease from the grill. He had more gold chains around his neck than Mr. T, and always made sure that his clump of grey chest hair hung out of his V-neck tee’s that he would always wear. He made no attempt to hide that he was flirting and could sometimes be downright vulgar. I could tell Gabby picked up on it right away.
“Well, Will, I see that you are putting out fires off the job, as well,” he said, winking at Gabby. I smiled and intertwined my fingers behind my head, leaning back in my chair, just waiting for Gabby’s response.
“Really, Will? You put out fires even when you’re not working?” Gabby tried her best to feign naiveté. Ralph gave an uncomfortable laugh and looked at me. “Oh, wait… Now I get it! You’re talking about me! Well…Ralph? Is tha
t your name?”
“Yes, it is, baby cakes. But it can be anything you want, if you know what I mean.” He winked at her again.
“Well, Will won’t be putting out any fires here.”
“Oh, why is that, doll face?”
“Because I’m a nun.”
I bit the inside of my lip to halt my laughter. The panicked look on Ralph’s face was priceless. “Is she shittin’ me?” He looked at me with a nervous laugh.
I shook my head, unable to speak because I knew I would bust with laughter if I did.
“Yes. I’m an old friend of Will’s from school. I’m in town for the weekend. Sister Gabby, of the Franciscan Order.” Gabby extended her hand to him. I was amazed by her ability to keep a straight face and sound so serious.
Ralph was speechless as he gently shook her hand. “Oh, well, I’m…um…I didn’t mean any disrespect. I’m really -.”
“No harm done. I will say an extra Hail Mary for you.”
“Yeah…okay.”
Ralph quickly took our order, trying his best to escape his embarrassment. “Bless you, Ralph,” Gabby said, making the sign of the cross.
“Thank you, Sister,” Ralph said, making the sign of the cross back. I quickly looked out the window and covered my mouth to hold in the laughter.
We both busted out with laugher once Ralph walked away. “Did you see the look on his face?”
Gabby nodded. “The only twenty-something he was with last night was a twenty-something blow up doll. He’s just -.” She cringed and shook her head. “Just gross! Yuk!”
“Oh, come on, Gabby. You know you want to run your fingers through the mass of chest hair.”
“Oh god, please stop! I’m seriously going to lose my appetite.” Gabby rambled on until our food came, only stopping when her eyes lit up at the size of her burger.
“Told ya!” I teased.
“Told me what?” she asked, taking a bite of her fry.
“I saw the look on your face when you saw the size of that burger.”
“This little thing?” she asked, looking down at her plate. I nodded. “Oh please, Will. I’ve had bigger ones than this in my mouth.” I almost spit my ice tea all over the place. “I meant burgers, pervert!”