Page 44 of Lorna's Savior
Chapter 18
“Monk balls,” Lorna yelled as she entered her apartment, and heard her phone ringing. She had just come up from the laundry room in the basement, and had forgotten to take the phone with her. When she’d rented the apartment, the landlord had told her she could have her own washer and dryer, or use the ones in the basement. For the time being, she’d opted to use those facilities, until she could find the time to go look for a set of her own, then figuring out if they would deliver them to the eighteenth floor of a building. She tripped over something, stubbed her toe, and made a lunge for the phone. Laughing and crying at the same time, she barked out, “Hello!”
“Lorna? This is Ronnie, did I catch you at a bad time?”
“Not really,” Lorna fell back on the sofa in a dramatic sweep. She held up her toe and winced at the blood on the little one. “Just ran to get the phone, and stubbed my toe. Crap, I was supposed to call you when I got a minute.”
“Yeah, that’s okay. Finn said you were busy with the aquarium fundraiser.”
“I am, but that’s no reason to neglect my friends. So, what’s up?”
“Finn also told me your mother was on a three-month cruise. I get out of work at three, instead of you coming out to the farm, can I come to you? I’d really like to see you.”
“Absolutely, but, you got a pen and paper?”
“I do.”
“Write this address down.” Lorna gave the information, and wouldn’t answer Ronnie’s questions. She deflected them with one of her own. “Will this be a wine visit?”
“Oh, god, please.”
“Say no more. What time do you think you’ll be here?”
“By four, maybe closer to four thirty. We stop seeing patients at three, but I still have to clean and lock up after everyone leaves.”
“Okay, then I’ll cook dinner for us.”
“You? Cook?”
“Hey, I’ve been practicing, and I’ve been doing pretty good lately. At least I don’t order out every night, and I’m not starving.”
“Well, I guess there is that.” Ronnie laughed. “God, it’s good hearing your voice. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. We have such a lot to catch up on. I’ll see you at four thirty.” They rang off, laughing. Lorna jumped to her feet, and cried out in pain when her toe stubbed the coffee table in front of the couch. Hobbling to the bathroom, she gritted her teeth, while she poured peroxide over the wound, then made sure she had plenty of antibiotic ointment, before covering it with a bandage. It might have been overkill, but it worked for her. Once back out in the living room area, she glanced at the clock and saw she had over four hours before Ronnie arrived. Deciding to continue what she’d been doing, she grabbed her laundry basket and headed toward the bedroom. In under half an hour, she had her clothes ironed and put away. She gave herself a mental pat on the back when she realized she’d been paying attention, when Annie had taught her how to iron her work blouses and skirts, so she could save money on dry cleaning by doing it herself. With a giggle, she realized her mother would have a cow if she found out that Lorna had done everything by herself.
Next on her agenda was vacuuming and dusting. In no time her apartment was put to rights. Looking at the clock again, she grinned as she took her shower. When she’d woken this morning, and found that Andy had left her this time, it dawned on her how much she had missed waking up to see him there. It made her realize what he must have thought about her not being there. So, she’d decided to do her housework before taking her daily shower. She had no plans to go anywhere, so it hadn’t hurt anyone. As she showered, she recalled the wonderful sex she’d had the night before, and how she’d woken late this morning, and found the other side of her bed empty. With a smile on her face, Lorna remembered going out into the kitchen, and finding a note from Andy propped against the coffee pot. He had made a pot, and told her to turn it on when she was ready. Then, he had explained that he had a break in his current case, and had to get back to it.
Back in her bedroom, Lorna threw on a pair of shorts, and a tank top. She knew that Ronnie wouldn’t expect her to be all decked out. As she thought about it, she realized that Ronnie would probably arrive in her scrubs. With two hours still to go before her guest was due to arrive, Lorna went to the kitchen and began looking at her limited recipes. Deciding on tackling a meatloaf and mashed potatoes, she got to work.
“Monk balls,” Lorna said as she jerked and touched the side of her hand on the inside of the oven as she pulled the dish out. She had jerked, because there was loud banging on the door. Putting the dish on the counter, she hurried over, and whipped it open without seeing who was there.
“Ronnie!” Lorna practically screamed as she saw the woman who stood on the other side of the door.
“What the hell is going on, Lorna?” Ronnie asked as she came in, and did a complete three sixty, before facing her friend again. “What is this place?”
“My new apartment!” Lorna laughed.
“Oh my god, you moved out of the witch’s castle? When did this happen?”
“Six weeks ago. The day after Mother left on her cruise.”
“How much of this did you take from her house?” Ronnie asked as she walked around, inspecting everything.
“Nothing but my clothes. After you’d given me that homework, before your accident, I settled on what I wanted. Once a month I went out and purchased one piece of furniture. I didn’t buy another one until that one was paid off. I only received the call that this place was available the day before Mother left. I couldn’t pass it up.”
“Why didn’t you have Finn or me help you move?”
“Because you were busy, and Mother’s staff helped me.” Lorna giggled, then grinned at her best friend. Ronnie told her what she had done with the money Kristen had left for her to pay the staff with, then concluded with a laugh. “I haven’t been back since, and I doubt I ever will.”
