Page 21 of Love's Home Run

“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 gaveher. 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.

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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.”

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