Page 28 of Every Rose

“Can’t remember.”

She nodded. “Busy day, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. I don’t know why, but as soon as you get one jammer needing a pacemaker or bypass surgery, you get half a dozen. Why is that?”

She shook her head. “It’s the same with me. Why do all my female patients get pregnant the same month, which means they all give birth in a clump? Couldn’t they space it out a little?”

“Where’s the consideration for the medical professionals?” He stabbed a tomato and studied it on the end of his plastic fork. “You know, I used to like his salad. Now I will always wonder how far the tomato traveled and how good it would taste if your little sister had grown it with her own hands.”

“She’s normally quiet and easygoing, but get my sister on the subject of local, organic produce and she’s like those people who stand on the sidewalk pushing their magazines at you.”

His eyes crinkled in amusement and she felt again that pull of intimacy that she didn’t want to feel. She dropped her gaze to her plate and stabbed a cucumber.

A group of young people who looked like college students hung around in a ragged circle in front of Alexei’s truck talking in low voices. When a consensus had clearly been reached, they all shambled up to place their orders. Alexei got to his feet. “Gotta go. Great meeting you.”

“You too.”

He turned back suddenly and said to Marguerite, “You have an email or something? I’ll see what I can do about the produce.”

She beamed so bright her happiness was blinding. “Of course I do.” She dug in her bag, a patchwork quilt affair made from recycled blue jeans. Like it wasn’t retro enough, someone had embroidered a peace sign on the thing. She pulled out one of her business cards, printed on recycled paper stock, and handed it to Alexei.

“Cool, thanks,” he said, then waved and jumped back into his truck.

“And I should go too,” Matt said. “I’m playing basketball tonight.”

“Well, I’m sorry I didn’t get to buy you dinner,” Daphne said, “But thanks again for taking such good care of Jack.”

“My pleasure. He’s an easy man to like.” Matt shook her hand, waved to Marguerite, said “See you soon,” to Rose, and strode off down the street.

“Well, wasn’t that nice?” Daphne said. “Now, let’s go find some coffee and dessert. And I’ll bet somewhere in this town is a folk singer. It’s our last night together and your father’s getting out of hospital tomorrow. We should celebrate. Too bad Matt couldn’t stay.”

“Mom, he’s a busy guy.”

“He’s single you know, and I definitely think he likes you.”

She hadn’t believed her mother could embarrass her any more today. “Oh, God, Mom! Tell me you didn’t ask him if he’s single.” If she had there was no choice. Rose was going to have to pack her belongings, say goodbye to all her patients, and relocate.

“Of course I didn’t ask him if he’s single. I would never embarrass you.” She put an arm around each of her daughters. “I asked the nurse who’s been mostly looking after Jack. She said that as far as she knows he’s single. And nurses always know everything.”

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