Page 38 of Sweet Escape at Bayside
“Field work isn’t for everyone, but if you ever change your mind, the door is always open for you.” David knew the score with field work. Depending on the location, volunteers might stay in huts or in tents, or if the clinic was near a major city, they could get lucky enough to stay in the homes of host families.
“I spoke to my father this morning,” Andre said. “I’m heading into Boston next weekend to have lunch with them. I’ll tell him to stop bugging you about it. Or,” he said with a teasing lilt to his voice, “I could ask him to give you some field tips.”
“Yeah, you do that.” David laughed.
“How’s Mary doing? Is she still quilting?”
“My wife will be quilting until the day she dies. She’s well. Thanks for asking. You know, my youngest daughter, Alicia, is still single.” He waggled his brows.
Andre held up his hands and said, “I’m officially off the market.”
“Son, you’ve never beenonthe market. So, you have a special little lady?”
“If she heard you call her that she might end your life,” he said with a smile, thinking of the death glare Violet would probably give David.
“Good for her. She’s got to be strong to put up with a mongrel like you.” He chuckled and said, “I’m glad to hear you’re happy. Maybe you can give your parents some grandbabies so they’ll stop spoiling mine.”
“I’m in no rush for babies, but I’ll keep that in mind.”
They had a nice visit, and David was pleased that Andre was volunteering at Outer Cape Health Services while he was in town. Andre promised to give his father grief about losing to David in their last golf match.
“Let me walk you out,” David said as he came around the desk. “I almost forgot to tell you, we’ve instituted a new addition to our therapy program for our long-term peds patients. We’re using art therapy to help reduce anxiety, and we’re seeing remarkable results.” He pointed to a child’s drawing framed on his bookshelf. “A little boy gave me this when he left the hospital. That’s me.” He pointed to a stick figure with an oversized head. “Gotta love kids.”
“That’s wonderful.” Andre’s gaze drifted to the shelf below, where a little clay giraffe was peering out from between a book and a larger clay elephant. The giraffe was painted yellow with purple spots, and the elephant was made of green Play-Doh. He thought of Violet making animals for the children when they’d been together. He was tempted to ask if they were hers, but he imagined every art therapist had Play-Doh and clay in their bag of tricks. “Are those from the program, too?”
“Yes,” he said as a knock sounded at his door.
He opened the door and his assistant, Shelley, said, “I’m sorry to bother you. I just wanted to remind you that you have a meeting with oncology in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll be there right after I walk Andre out. Thank you, Shelley.”
They followed her out of the office, and Andre said, “I can walk myself out.”
David put a hand on his shoulder and said, “I only see you once or twice a year. I can make time to walk you to the door.”
They took the elevator down to the lobby, and Andre was surprised to see Violet coming down the hall. She looked up just as David said, “There’s one of our art-therapy volunteers now.” A flash of surprise crossed Violet’s face as they stepped into her path.
“Hello, Violet,” David said.
“Dr. Posillico, hi.” She glanced at Andre with a curious expression.
“I was just telling my friend Andre about you and the art therapy you’re doing with our patients. Violet helps the children decorate their gowns, and she worked with the little girl who made the animals you saw in my office. The children adore her. Andre is an old family friend. He’s a pediatrician and he studied art under some very talented artists.”
Andre held out his hand and said, “Andre Shaw, nice to meet you.”
“Dr. Shaw, it’s a pleasure,” she said, playing right along with his ruse.
“I was just on my way out,” Andre said. “Maybe we can grab some coffee and you can show me where all that ink peeking out of your sleeve leads.”
David’s face blanched. “Andre…Um…” he stammered. “My goodness, you can’t…I’msorry, Violet—”
Andre chuckled and patted David’s back. “David, Violet is my girlfriend. I’m sorry. I had to get you back for the prank you played on me with Mr. Patterson when I was an intern.”
David exhaled loudly. “I think you might have just taken ten years off my life, you little bugger.”
“I’m truly sorry.” Andre extended his hand.
David bypassed his hand and pulled him into an embrace, smacking him hard on the back. “You’re a jackass, but I love you.” He turned a playful expression to Violet and said, “I should tell you what a great guy Andre is, but if dating him means we’re going to lose you as a volunteer to chase him overseas, then for the first time in my adult life I’ll lie like a rug.”
