Oliver sighed. “I’m better today than yesterday.”
“But youcannotgo out!” This from Anabelle who stood before him, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Who’s that?”
“My girlfriend. I’m staying at her house but I still can’t do much. And she’s right. I can’t go out yet.”
“Could we meet there?”
“Hold on a second.” He pressed mute. “He wants to meet here.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“Everybody will know about us.”
“I guess it can’t be helped.”
“We can meet here, Captain Marshall.”
“Good. I’ll call everybody else. Let’s give them some time. How about one o’clock?”
“Yes, that works for us. See you then.”
“Do you think everybody will be free?”
“I think they’ll make themselves free.”
When he disconnected he asked, “Do you want to talk about being the chief of cardiology.”
“No. I pretty much decided it’s not what’s best for me. And in truth, I don’t want it.”
* * *
Anabelle left the house once again, this time to get Oliver some clothes. As she walked into his condo, she sighed. The last time she was here, they’d made love. She hadn’t noticed much then. The walls were painted a stark white, but color was everywhere else. Teal blue pillows on the fabric couches. Urns of green plants spaced throughout. She took the hallway down to his bedroom. A blue duvet with beige windowpane covered the bed. One wall was filled with shelving and a big TV. Huge windows.
She found a suitcase in the closet. Nice clothes hung there, but he’d prefer more casual ones if he was lying around. So she chose some knit shorts, sweatsuits, T-shirts and underwear. She liked the tight navy ones he wore the night they made love. Smiling, she grabbed some toiletries and headed back home.
Again, she heard the TV coming from the bedroom. She brought the suitcase there. “Hey, I thought you might go back to sleep.”
“No, I decided no more oxy. I took the Advil I found in your medicine cabinet when I went to the john.”
“So you got up?”
“Yeah, but truthfully, I was a little dizzy. I think I have to lean on you when I get out of bed. And maybe you’ll have to dress me.”
She caught the teasing and how his blue eyes danced. “And give me a sponge bath, I’d guess.”
“Oh, yeah, of course.”
A smile teased the corner of his lips. “Or you could just climb in bed and staddle me.”
“No, way. That’s too much for you right now.”
“Honey, that can’t ever be too much for a guy.”
* * *
Finn was early to the meeting with Marshall. He wanted to see how his friend was doing. Since he married Elise, he hadn’t been available as much as before and felt bad for that. He rang the bell. A beautiful woman answered the door. “Hi. I’m Finn McKenna, Oliver’s best friend.”