Perfect Match (22 page)

Roxy and Mindy nodded in approval.

He nodded and said, “I agree with you. And yes, I consider
each of you a friend.” He took a deep breath, exhaling, “Since being in this
plagued hospital, I’ve been forced to do a lot of thinking…about everything.”
He paused. “I owe each of you an apology for being such a spoiled playboy. I
know there were times I was surly and insulting…really sorry about that. I
never meant it personally, because inside I’ve always had a respect for you.
I…I…just never learned how to express that in a gentleman’s way. Each of you is
a fine and decent woman.”

Mindy said, “But we didn’t come by to make you feel bad or
ask for an apology…”

He smiled, “I know you didn’t, but I needed to say these
things to you, and I’m happy you came by. When I get out of here, I have some
other apologies to make.”

There was an awkward moment.

Roxy said, “Why didn’t you like Madison?”

He was afraid Madison would come up in conversation. May as
well deal with it, he thought. “Just another example of my disrespectful way,
not really meaning it, but not caring enough for another person, to show basic
respect. This won’t make you or Madison feel any better, but my selfish focus
was on each of you, not someone as old as she.”

Jasmine said, “But she’s only thirty-four. She’s younger
than you.”

“I know. Doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“You should get to know her. She’s so smart…about
everything.”

Mindy said, “Yeah, I’ve learned so much working with her,
and she’s so patient, when teaching you something new. I’m learning about
marketing.”

Roxy spoke up, “I’m learning about the “buying” end of the
business.”

Jasmine said, “D.R., you should get to know Madison. Somehow
I think the two of you would be a good match.”

He chuckled, “Maybe a mismatch. I doubt she’d let me empty
her trash cans.”

“Well, I don’t know about that. Maybe she’ll hire you as her
custodian.”

There was nervous laughter.

“Are you still mad at your grandmother?” asked Roxy.

He shook his head. “No. Grandmother did me a favor by firing
me, and Madison deserves to be the CEO. I was not paying attention to the
health of the company.” He thought a moment. “My grandmother is really a
wonderful woman, a hard-working woman, who had a husband who was as unreliable
as I’ve been.” He paused a moment. “We had a long talk when she came by a few
days ago. I owed my grandmother many, many apologies.”

After a few minutes, the conversation wound down on a good
note. All three women hugged him, before leaving.

They clattered back down the hall.

The door to room 400 was cracked and Selena watched the
fashionably dressed women as they paraded by, wondering if they, too, are
nieces of Roscoe?

Tuesday

It was mid-morning, when Roscoe rolled his chair into the
sunroom, finding Selena with hands fluttering across the laptop keyboard. She
smiled when he brought his chair to a stop, facing her.

“I thought the resident writer had gone on a book tour. I
missed seeing you.”

“Missed talking to you too.” Her smile faded, as she looked
at the bandage on his forehead. “Sorry you got hurt in the incident on Saturday
night.”

“I don’t know anything—”

She cut him off, holding up her hand to him. “Roscoe, don’t
try to deny anything. I’ve done my research with my hospital “inner circle” and
I know you kept Gregory from getting to me.” She shivered at the thoughts. “You
were right about him. I should’ve listened to you. But how did you know about
him?”

He thought a moment. Anonymity isn’t going to happen in this
damn hospital. “Having been a jerk, I can usually spot a man who is one.” He
let Selena have a moment to think about that. “I pretended to be dozing in my
wheelchair, when Gregory and his friend passed me in the hall. I overheard
Gregory saying what he wanted to do to you after you were asleep. That’s when I
decided to stay awake Saturday night and watch for him. I was concerned for
your safety.”

Selena’s face softened. “I can’t believe you did that for
me. Thank you again.” She shivered again, thinking how vulnerable she was.

Roscoe, wanting to change the subject, asked, “How’s your
novel coming along?”

“Made real progress. While regaining my strength, over the
weekend, I put everything in the computer, and I have something for you,”
reaching into her canvas bag, “a flash drive with the first five chapters.” She
handed the red flash drive to him. “I’m about eighty percent through with the
complete manuscript.”

Roscoe gave a surprised smile. “You must be a genius.”

“I had hand-written lots of new material. The computer has
really been a life-saver. Thank you again for the use of it. I can’t wait for
you to tell me what you think of the first five chapters.” Happiness flooded
her weakening body.

“Why can’t I have all chapters now?”

“I’m not ready for you to read the rest of it yet. I’m still
undecided about a few sections, so I might make some changes, but I’ll let you
read all of it, eventually. Anyway, you’ll get to know the main characters and
a little bit of the setting of the story in the first five chapters.” She
smiled.

“Tell me more about the main woman character.”

“Like what?”

“Umm…what’s a thirty-four year-old woman like? I mean…I’ve
never…I’ve never—”

Selena decided to help him out. “Never had sex with a woman
thirty-four?”

“Selena! Good grief. We shouldn’t be talking about—”

“We’re only talking about a woman in an unfinished novel.”
She grinned.

“I know, but—”

“Okay, let me start over. You’ve never had lunch with a
woman thirty-four?”

He nodded. “Correct.”

Selena rattled off, “Never walked, talked, ran, hiked,
played, danced, swam, cried, joked, laughed, worked, hugged, kissed, slept with
her?”

“No, to all of the above.”

“So you want to know what she’s like in all these areas.”

“Yes. How’s she different from…from—”

“The three blondes who came out of your room last night?”

“Good grief, Selena! Were you camped outside my door?” He
raked his hand through his hair, shaking his head.

She watched him a moment.

“No, I was not camped outside your door. I was in my room,
writing, when they walked past. I suppose you could say I am as concerned for
your safety with the women you associate with, as you were concerned for me
regarding my relationship with Gregory.” She paused. “You need to stay away
from younger women like Roxy, Jasmine, and Mindy. They’re not your type.” She
grinned.

His chuckle became laughter, before saying, “You’re a trip,
Selena. Okay, from now on I’ve got your back and you’ve got mine. I don’t care
what you hear or know about me. There are no secrets. But how’d you know their
names?”

“I can’t tell you that. Gotta protect my sources, but as a
writer I get paid big bucks for knowing all kinds of stuff.” She giggled. “Okay
back to your question about the woman of thirty-four. Generally speaking she’s
more mature, seasoned. She’s had more tough experiences, and is beginning to build
her reservoir of wisdom. Therefore everything you do with her is more likely to
have a deeper dimension.

“You’ll discover certain richness about her. Her
conversations will be more engaging, her awareness deepened, she’ll likely have
a greater appreciation for you, her friend. Sex with her will be more
satisfying. Maturity can bring a level of comfort that youthful impulsiveness
lacks.”

He nodded in understanding, and then looked at her point
blank. “Selena, if you know all this about people, you need to forget about
writing and become a therapist. But you’re only seventeen. How can you possibly
be this smart?”

She sat up straighter and snapped, “I hope you’re not
penalizing me because of my age. Being seventeen doesn’t mean I have to be
shallow or ignorant.” She broke a smile and giggled. “I couldn’t do the job of
a therapist, but I can write about one. I’m probably privileged in one sense.

“While all my friends were out participating in life, I’ve
had to curtail my activities, so I’ve had lots of time to think, read, study,
listen, and think some more, lots of thinking, most of it from a sitting
position. I haven’t had some of those experiences that I write about, but I’ve
listened to others, and done my research.” She looked down at her hands.

He sensed her sadness.

He hesitated but decided to ask, “Selena, what is the nature
of your health issue?”

She looked up. “I was born with renal hypoplasia, kidneys
that are too small to handle the demands of an adult body. They didn’t develop
along with the rest of my body.

“I was active in all kinds of things, but since my sophomore
year I’ve had to give up most of that.” She paused. “I miss that. I don’t get
to do things with my friends like I used to. But I think most of all I’ll miss
becoming a thirty-four year old woman someday. I’ll miss the future.” Her eyes
were glistening. She tightened her mouth slightly, and slowly shook her head.

Roscoe’s throat choked with helpless emotions. He reached
for her soft hand. “I’m so sorry. Isn’t there some kind of medicine or
something…”

“I’ve been on the transplant waiting list for over two
years, but so far there’s been no compatible match, so…in the meantime I’ll
keep waiting and writing the next steamy romance.” She smiled with watering
eyes.

Roscoe’s heart was melting.

When Selena went to her room for her medications, supper,
and settling down for the rest of the day, Roscoe wheeled slowly back to his
room. He felt blank, like never before.

He ignored supper. After the tray was removed from his room
he wheeled back and forth in his room from one side to the other for a solid
hour. He grew angry. He wanted to bash the electronic monitors beside his bed.
He wanted to turn the ugly bed upside down. He thought about bashing the mirror
over the sink, and flooding the bathroom. Maybe stop up the commode with towels
and bed sheets, call up the mayor and his silly wife and wish them a miserable
night. Every thought ricocheted with anger.

He finally concluded, I’ve got to get out of this hospital.
It’s driving me crazy. There’s nothing in here but dreariness. I can’t take it
anymore. I’ve tried it their way and it’s not working, for me or Selena. Hell,
she’s dying. If the damn doctors and hospital can’t save her, I sure as hell
can’t. What do I know? I’m no scientific guru. Jack Daniels and a woman is the
only cure I know that works for me. Well, okay, a Starbucks might be a good
substitute.

He slumped in his chair, emotionally drained, feeling
totally empty. He stared at the blank wall. After an hour, one of the nurses
came for a routine patient check. She was in a cheerful mood. “Good evening,
Mr. Fallington.” She took a second look at him. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Oh, yes. I feel wonderful. Best day I’ve ever had.”

She eyed him closely. “You sure?”

“Couldn’t be more certain. Why?”

“Well, we like to know how our patients are feeling.”

“I’m happy to hear that. You can record that Roscoe is
having an excellent day, and will have a better one tomorrow.”

She straightened a couple of things, as she eyed him, and
then headed for the door. “I’ll leave you now and let you rest.”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

After she left, he reached for his phone. He located an
entry he’d put in the other day and pushed call. The phone rang five times. The
clock was pushing 11:15 p.m. Probably shouldn’t call this late, he thought.

“
Hello, this is Pastor Ramona speaking. How may I help
you
?”

“This is Roscoe Fallington. I came by to see you a few days
ago. Hope I’m not calling too late.”

Her voice was happy, when she answered, “
Never too late.
I remember our visit very well. How are you? Are you out of the hospital
?”

“Not yet, but almost, so everything’s fine with all that.”
He paused. “I need you to tell me again about this prayer…thing. How do I do
it? Explain it simple, so I can understand.”

Her sultry chuckle came through the phone. “
Simple is
what you’re going to get
. She paused a moment. “
Prayer is talking to the
Creator of the universe. Think of it this way. You’re going to be talking to
the very being that created Roscoe Fallington many years ago. Right away that
is special…to talk to the Divine being that made you. God wants simple direct
honesty. God does not require us to be complicated when talking with Him and
Her. So when you pray, let it be the most honest moments in your life
.”

Roscoe thought a few seconds. “And that’s it. Do I get what
I want?”

Ramona said, “
You might, you might not
.”

“Then why pray?”

“
First to strengthen your relationship with God, and
second to learn about God’s will
.”

“I don’t get it.”

“
Roscoe, if you had a…let’s say a teenage daughter, would
you give her everything she asks for
?”

“Probably not, or at least not right away.”

“
God works with us in a similar way. Many times when we
ask for something specific we get it, other times we don’t. And then we get
upset with God. We have to remember that God is not an ordinary customer
service rep. When we ask God for something, we are often surprised. We usually
get much more than we asked for. Our Bible teaches us that God has always
sought a partnership with humanity. God wants to do things with us
.

“
As a parent you might be able to give a car to that
teenage daughter or you might enter a partnership with her and expect her to
work, save, and help pay for the cost of her car. We often ask God to help the
poor, feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, heal the sick, and a zillion other
things. God has given us the means to help with all of the above, and we
stubbornly refuse to do our part, wanting God to do it all
.