Page 39 of A Noble Affair
A silence fell over them, and Chastity sighed. Here were somesignsof his old self surfacing, the things that made her more and more certain their relationship could not work.
They began to see billboardsfor the airport, and her spirits lifted atthe thoughtof seeing her mother again. That’s when Marc broached the subject in a kinder tone. “Do you think it might be possible at least for you to come and see my parents in Paris? Perhaps after your mom has been here for a while and is familiar with everything, she could stay with Thomas while you come with me. I think the whole reason my parents are interested in a reconciliation is because of you and Thomas.”
Chastity struggled internally, afraid he was trying to gain ground. If she said yes, it would move them closer to a relationship she wasn’t sure she wanted—even platonically—but she also suspected it would help heal some of the anger from the past and allow her to be free from those shackles. When he added, “I want to do anything I can to reconcile with them,” her compassion won over. “Of course, Marc. Anything I can do to help restore your relationship with your parents.”
They didn’t say much else before arriving at the circular airport where they drove down the ramps leading to the parking garage. At the Arrivals gate, she could see her mother yanking a heavy suitcase off the conveyor belt through the glass walls. Chastity tried to signal to her but wasn't ableto catch her attention. When her mom finally exited Customs, Chastity threw herself in her mother’s arms, and Marc hadthe decency to stay back against the wall.
If her mom felt any surprise at being picked up by Marc, she hid it. “Hello Marc,” she said, placidly. “You look well. I'm glad to see your life has taken a turn for the better.”
“Thank you, ma'am,” he replied. “May I push the cart?”
Marc remainedtrue to his word, and for the following week he held back from visiting the hospital so they could have their time together. Now Chastity, her mom, and Thomas had formed a ritual of playing, eating, and watching TV each day in his hospital room. Thiswas the picture they presented whenDr. de Brase finallycame to visit. Chastity was sitting on one side of Thomas's bed, and her mother on the other, with her back to him. Theywere playing Go Fish—a simple card game chosen so it wouldn’t tax Thomas.
“Grandma, give me your kings.”
“I have only one.” She laid it on the table that spun over his bed, and he reached for it but flinched in pain and lay back against the pillows.
“Are you all right, Tommy?” His grandmother pushed the table closer to him.
“Dr. de Brase,” Chastity exclaimed, jumping up when he entered the room. “We haven’t seen you in a while.” She walked over to him, her eyes alight.
“Charles,” he reminded her with a smile. “I’m sorry for it. I had to turn Thomas’s case back over to Dr. Toussaint while I took care of some personal things. Are he and Dr. Okonkwo taking good care of you?”
“They’re both great. And, here's my…I’d like to introduce my mother, Sherri Whitmore.” She turned towards her mom, who stood at Thomas’s bedside.
“It’s a pleasure.” Charles took two steps forward and shook Sherri’s hand. Her mother assessed him frankly, and Chastity smiled to herself. Surely, her mother would notice how handsome he was.
Charles moved over to the bedside. “Hi, Thomas. How are you feeling?”
Thomas had his arms crossed, but his expression was doubtful. “Sometimes I get mad.I’m not used to feeling mad a lot of the time.”
The doctor sat carefully on the bed next to him and took his hand. “That, I’m afraid, is normal after a head injury. Someof your anger is happening because the part of your brain that usually keeps you in a good moodwas hurt, and so you get mad more often. And you also feelfrustrated at not being able to do what you’re used to doing. Does that make sense?”
Thomas yawned. He didn't answer and just picked at the blanket with his fingers. “I’m tired.”
“Here, let’s lower the bed,” Charles said, quietly. When he finished, he gestured to Chastity to follow him out to the hallway. Her mother remained by the bedside.
“I’m getting the updates from Samuel—Dr. Okonkwo—so I’m following his progress from the medical end, but I’m curious. Does he act like himself when he’s awake?”
“In some ways, very much so.” Chastity was happy to share the progress with him after a few days’ absence. “He seems just as sharp as ever. He gets frustrated much more easily, though. He used to be such an easy-going kid, so this is a pretty big change for him.”
Charles nodded and leaned against the doorframe. He was wearing a cable-knit sweater with a V-neck under his winter coat, and Chastity was struck by how much she wanted to lean against him and have him put his arms around her. She mentally shook herself.
“… this can change, actually,” he was saying. “There’s no guarantee that this is his new personality. It could be part of the healing process. I have to say both Dr. Toussaint and I are encouraged by his cognitive progress. His is the best we could hope for.”
“That is so good to hear.” Chastity broke out into a smile, and Charles went still, holding her gaze a second longer than someone who was interested from merely a professional regard. At least that was what her wildly-beating heart told her.
Pulling his gaze off Chastity'sface, Charles stood upright, glancing at her mother. “I was, uh, wondering if you and your mother would like to come to an art gallery opening this Friday? It’s a painter from New York, actually, so your mother might have heard of him.”
“Mom?” She beckoned her mother over and indicated for Charles to continue. He addressed the tall, older woman in front of him.
“Have you heard of a New York painter called Randall Mooers?” Chastity'smom shook her head and he continued. “We’re having an opening at the art gallery featuring his work. I thought it might be fun for you to visit the museum if you’re ready for a night out.”
“That sounds nice.” She turned to her daughter. “We don’t leave the hospital ‘til about 7:30 or so, right?”
“That’s right,” her daughter confirmed, unsuccessfully trying to hide her eagerness. “So we could do that after Tommy goes to sleep, couldn't we?”
“It doesn't start until 8:00,” offered Charles. “And it goes on until 11. So whenever you get there will be fine.”
