Page 23 of Love's Home Run

“See? I told you I’ll be fine,” Ross said into the phone. “I’ve got helpful neighbors. I’ll be in touch. I promise.”

Ross ended the call and turned to Melissa. “Thanks for reassuring my father. His concern is appreciated, but he’s not able to come. He wouldn’t be much of a nurse anyway. That was always left up to my mom. And with four boys, she had a lot to handle.”

“Have you eaten since I’ve been gone?” she asked him.

“No, but now I am hungry.”

“Let me see if I can rustle up a snack for you,” said Melissa. She left him and went to the nurse’s station. A nurse handed her menus from the hospital’s cafés and cafeterias.

She borrowed them and took them back to Ross’s room. “I haven’t had lunch. I thought I’d get some for both of us. What sounds tasty to you?”

“It may sound crazy, but I want a hamburger with ketchup and nothing else,” he said. “And a chocolate milkshake.”

“That’s easy,” said Melissa. “I’ll go get it for you now. Anything else?”

He smiled at her. “Thanks. That’ll be great.”

They both turned as Mike arrived. He waved at her and said to Ross, “Hey, buddy. How’re you doing?”

“I’m not ready to go jogging yet, but the doctor told me that once this heals, I’ll be better than ever. No more constant pain. I wonder where I’d be if I’d never ridden that motorcycle.”

“Happy news. The people of Lilac Lake have spoken clearly with their donations. We’ll end up co-owning the center with the town and using some of the land we bought for an outdoor park, just as we envisioned.”

“Great to hear,” said Ross.

“I’m going to pick up some things from the cafeteria,” said Melissa. “Can I get you anything to eat, Mike?”

“No, thanks. I grabbed a bite before coming here.”

She left the men talking. She liked the idea of a sports center aligned with an outdoor park. It would work well for everyone.

###

Melissa returned to the room to find Mike and Ross deep in conversation. When they saw her, they stopped.

“Sorry to interrupt. Are you ready for lunch, Ross?”

“And how. I’m feeling better than I was this morning. I’ve dealt with pain before, and overall, this isn’t too bad with the drugs they give you. I hope to get off this motion machine and be on my feet tonight.”

Melissa handed him the hamburger and milkshake he’d wanted, made sure he had napkins, and sat in the chair Mike offered her so she could eat the chicken salad she’d ordered for herself.

“I’m going to hang around until tomorrow,” said Mike. “And then I can drive Ross back to his house if he gets out of the hospital as he’s hoping. That will give you a break, Melissa.”

“Oh, but …”

Ross held up his hand to stop her. “Let Mike do that for me. I’ll need you in the weeks ahead to come to help me at the house. I won’t be able to get back and forth from my house to the sports rehab center in Concord, and I’ll need you or someone else to drive me.”

Deflated, Melissa sighed. “Okay. That makes sense. I'll drive you if you make morning appointments at the rehab center. And what days I can’t do it, I’ll find a substitute.”

“Wow, thanks. That’s a huge relief. It should be a matter of six weeks or so before I’m able to drive. We’ll take it day by day because I don’t want to be a burden to you or anyone else.” He smiled at her. “You’re the best.”

“I’ll be your substitute driver,” said Mike.

“Crystal texted me that she’d take care of meals for the first week or so,” said Ross.

“It seems as if, between all of us, you won’t need to worry about a thing. That’s what neighbors are for.” She smiled at him though her emotions were in a whirl. She was disappointed that he didn’t seem to need her, yet she knew it was better this way. She was finding herself drawn to him, which was a bad idea.

After she finished her salad, she rose. “Guess I’ll go back to Nettie’s condo and get ready to go home. My parents will be pleased I’m coming back to work. But, Ross, I want you to know I’m sincere about helping you in any way I can.”

---