Love On Call

She slowly made her way down a long gravel drive flanked by broad green fields to a magnificent brick and white-columned house with sweeping wings that looked in many ways like a miniature of the hospital, and of course it would, probably being as old or older. The multi-paned windows sparkled, urns of red and white flowers bedecked the formal front porch, and stately chimneys crowned each end gable. She parked and got out, hesitating as to whether to try the tall front door or wander around to a side entrance, when she smelled what could only be the aroma of fresh-baked bread. Ida, she guessed, was baking.

Following the delicious aroma, she walked around to the back of the house and up a few stairs to a wide, homey porch and an open doorway enclosed with just the screen. “Hello?”

Ida’s voice called back, “Thought I heard a car, but the rest of them usually pull all the way under the porte cochere. Come get some coffee.”

Mari entered a kitchen twice the size of her apartment, anchored by a huge table in the center with at least a dozen chairs, framed on two sides by wood-topped counters, glass-fronted cabinets, and a giant cast-iron stove where Ida dished food onto a platter. “Oh, I’m not sure I can eat—”

Ida turned and gestured to the table. “You’re hungry. Your stomach just hasn’t caught up yet.”

Mari sat dutifully and, when coffee appeared beside the food, realized she was ravenous. “Oh my God, these eggs are amazing.”

“Just laid this morning, that’s why.” Ida sat with a cup of coffee. “Edward’s gone on rounds, Margie is off to get Blake for their shift over in the ER, and Flann was just here checking on Glenn.”

“She’s doing all right?”

“She’s doing as she’s told. Sleeping and eating and taking the pills that Harper prescribed.”

“Thank you so much. All of you.”

Ida sipped her coffee. “How are you?”

“I’m wonderful,” Mari said and meant it with every fiber of her being.

Ida nodded. “Then everything is as it should be.”

“Not quite,” Glenn said from the doorway. “I don’t have any coffee.”

Mari dropped her fork, her heart leaping into her throat. “Glenn.”

Ida turned in her chair. “I thought we’d be seeing you this morning. Sit down. You’ll need food with the coffee.”

Mari devoured her with her eyes. She looked thinner by ten pounds and way too pale. The row of tiny perfect stitches along her forehead was starkly black against her skin. She wore a T-shirt with a faded logo of a sports team and sweatpants. She was the most beautiful woman Mari had ever seen.

“I need to water those begonias out back before the sun gets too high,” Ida said and disappeared out the back door.

Glenn’s gaze, riveted on Mari, was a beacon brightening a day Mari had thought perfect until now. Now she understood what it meant to be completely whole and unafraid. Glenn’s smile, whimsical and inviting, called to her and Mari rose. She went to her, caressed her uninjured cheek, and kissed her. “Come sit down.”

“Just give me a minute.” Glenn draped an arm around Mari’s shoulders, held her close. “I thought I heard your voice. Thought it was a dream at first. But it wasn’t, was it?”

“No,” Mari whispered against Glenn’s throat. “Not a dream. Real.” She tilted her head back, met Glenn’s calm, patient gaze. “Just like now. We’re real. I love you.”

“I thought I dreamed that too.”

“You didn’t.”

“That’s a dream I wouldn’t mind having every night.” Glenn sighed, leaned against her a little. “You’re all I’ve been thinking about. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Always,” Mari whispered.

“I love you. I never imagined how amazing that would feel.”

Mari closed her eyes, pressed her cheek to Glenn’s shoulder. “Neither did I. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you.” She looked up, found Glenn’s eyes. “I wish I could be sure about how long I can offer you.”

Glenn brushed her thumb over Mari’s lips. “You love me, don’t you?”

“Oh yes.”

“And that’s not going to change.”

“Never.”

“I feel the same. That’s all we need. The rest is just living.”

Mari kissed her. “Then I want to live with you by my side.”

“You will.” Glenn smiled. “And for starters, I think I need breakfast.”

A joyful peace settled deep in her heart as Mari looped an arm around her waist. “Sit and get started on this enormous plate of food. I’ll tell Ida it’s safe to come back in.”

When Ida returned, she said, “Flann and Harper said no work for you for a week. They didn’t say you can’t go home, which I imagine you want to do. You know the routine. Don’t overdo.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Glenn said and polished off her breakfast with heartening energy.

Ida nodded, apparently satisfied. “I’ll pack up a basket for you to take so you have something to eat for a couple of days. Don’t imagine either one of you will be doing much cooking.”

*

Mari pulled in behind Glenn’s building and turned to face Glenn. “Are you sure you can handle the stairs?”

“As long as I go slow, I’m doing okay. My head’s good, but the ribs are pretty sore.”

“Let’s get you upstairs and into bed, then.”

Glenn grinned. “I’ve always liked that you could read my mind.”