Page 92 of Delayed Intention
“He didn’t want to fall in love. That’s not the same thing as lacking the ability to. He fought it, I know. He was afraid because of what happened between Ralph and I. That kind of thing… it leaves wounds.”
She is quiet for a little while, and I nearly doze off in my chair when she asks, “Have you ever treated a bad animal bite or a similar contaminated wound?”
Well, that is a non-sequitur.“Um, sure. Of course.”
She continues, “Okay so you know, sometimes the wound has to be left open and closed later—secondary or delayed intention, I believe they call it.”
“That’s right. The wound needs to heal from the inside out.”
“Mm.” She sighs. “Some emotional wounds are like that too. They take longer to heal, but as long as you are patient, allowing a natural process, it can heal correctly over time. If you simply closed the wound, it would fester from the inside.”
“Georgette, you need to know, I’m not the woman that can really win over your son’s heart, if anyone can. No offense.”
“My dear, let me be equally direct. You both have issues with commitment and it’s no wonder. These challenges take real work and time to begin to heal well. I may not know all the details, nor am I asking, but you’ve changed this year. You both have.”
Leaning forward, I stare down at her. “I literally drank my weight in wine last night—a bottle which was meant to be a gift by the way. I did that because I was nervous about having a coffee with Josh. That’s hardly a ringing endorsement for a stable and loving partner, wouldn’t you say?”
“And I didn’t say either of you are perfect or even all the way healed.” Her nails are finished, and she stands to move to the drying station. She pauses to kiss the top of my head. “You’re a good woman, Lily Shoshana.”
Healing by delayed intention.I shake my head to myself. That may be the most accurate description of my life I’ve heard. Not sure if it applies to Josh but it sure does me. Why did I turn him down? Again I picture him walking into the wedding venue with Jenny and my stomach drops.
When we’re seated for lunch, Molly mixes up our groups but, per my instructions, keeps Ellen well away from me. I’m still so hungover; I can barely eat a thing. After lunch, we move on to facials followed by massages. By the end of our day, I feel my limbs are longer, and my face is fixed with a small smile with all the tension they removed today.
By the time I come back to my room to get ready for the hen-night, I feel ten years younger than I had in the morning. Pushing Georgette’s words aside, I shower and put a ton of product in my curls which I’m leaving natural again tonight. For the night out, I wear a bright red silk slip dress and my brown cowboy boots paired with a light brown cropped cashmere sweater. I walk into town to meet the ladies rather than drive. I don’t want a repeat of today’s hangover from hell, but I’m still planning on a few drinks tonight.
Abbie and Dana are there with my sisters when I arrive. Tamar and Roselyn beeline for me, drinks in hand.
“Here’s the cocktail of the night.” Roselyn hands me what looks suspiciously like a whiskey sour with a peach slice.
“Am I allowed to ask what it is?”
“A peach whiskey sour.”
I make a face at her, and Roselyn shrugs.
“She’s from Georgia so…”
“That’s not what we want to talk about,” Tamar interrupts.
“Right,” Roselyn nods. “What were you and Georgette Cohen talking about at the spa today?”
I don’t hesitate. “Healing contaminated wounds with delayed secondary intention.”
They both look confused.
“Come on.” Tamar starts and I throw my hands up.
“Honest to God.”
“Is she injured?” Roselyn asks.
“No, you nosy bitches.” I take a healthy swallow of my drink. It’s not as horrible as I’d expected. “She’s comparing mine and Josh’s emotional wounds to those inflicted by a vicious animal or a chain saw.”
“Okay…” Tamar looks at me thoughtfully. “You know that makes sense actually.”
I roll my eyes and point to my drink. “This isn’t terrible.”
Roselyn smiles at me. “I know right?”
