Page 54 of The River in Spring
“She still has an hour to go but fuck it. Yeah, bring it please. And a piece of cheese so I can get it down her throat.”
I return with the three items. The pill gets hidden in the cheese, but when he tries to get Maudie to swallow, it’s a no go. She will not take it. Nobel tries repeatedly and with each attempt he is getting more disturbed.
“Come on, baby. This will make you feel better. Please. Take it. Umm, cheese.”
I see a tear course down his cheek, which he quickly wipes away. Maudie rests her head on the cool floor and closes her eyes. I’m not sure she has the strength to walk to her bed. I try to come up with some positive spin on the disturbing scene.
“The pain seems to have stopped. Maybe she just wants to sleep right there.”
He grabs ahold of my delusion and joins me.
“You’re right. Let me get the bed and bring it to her here in case she wants to use it.”
Rising, he grabs the warm, cushy oval and lays it right against her, so she feels it. The dog stays where she is. So, he gently lifts her and transfers her thin body to the warmth of the bed.
When I look in his eyes, they are full of tears. Oh damn! Now mine. I let mine go, in hopes he will use them as permission to cry. It takes a moment, but he does. We hold each other closely and I can feel the sadness envelop his body as he cries. But I don’t look at Nobel’s face. I don’t want to do anything that will make him hold back the emotions that are begging to be let out. I say nothing until he does.
“God, what a baby I am.”
I take his face in my hands. He looks at me and I see despair. I feel the helplessness.
“No, you’re not a baby. You are a man who knows how to love another being. Dog or person. This is the appropriate response, Nobel. You’re losing someone you adore.”
Another fat tear streams down his face and he hangs his head.
“I think she’s okay right now. She isn’t showing any more pain and she’s resting. What say we spend the night down here with her?”
Now he locks watery eyes with me.
“Yes. I want to be close.”
“Me too. We can light a fire and put on some classical music like you said she likes. Does that sound right?”
“Yeah. Good idea.”
“Okay I’m going to get our pillows and change into my sweats. I’ll bring yours down.”
He kisses the top of my head and it’s so meaningful in its tenderness.
“Thank you.”
I untangle my arms from his, grab my purse and head for the stairs. On the way up I dig for the cell and check the messages. Deborah, Jimmy. I stop there. Jimmy never calls unless it is important, necessary or someone died. Not since our messy chapter. I listen to his voicemail.
“Hey. Arthur sent a group text. Did you get it? Where are you? Call me.”
There’s a bit of impatience in his tone. That’s weird. But as I reach the top of the stairs, I see why. I missed the bell, alerting me to all these texts. Oh, it was at seven. We were in the restaurant. I had turned the phone off to give my full attention to Nobel. It was the right move on one level, but I can’t do that after tonight. This is too important.
Arthur:Need to add another Zoom call. We will talk tomorrow as planned, but there’s another interested party. Archangel is going to be in the studio when you’re here. They want to sit in on the session. I said yes. He will be calling you at 1:30. It’s hard to pin this guy down, so make sure you’ve locked in the time. Confirm please. Arthur.
Archangel? The country band that is making waves with their first album likes our music? A flush of energy courses through my body. But it’s followed by the realization Saturday is
Scarlett and Parish’s wedding day. Ohhh shit. Shit. Fucking shit!! There’s no choice. If I take the call at that time, we should be finished by three at the latest. The ceremony is at three so I could probably make it to the reception before the first dance. Nobel will just have to understand. Oh yeah, that’s going to happen.
I catch myself. Wait. This is how it is going to be from now on. Grabbing the brass ring requires you to be on the carousel. I have an invitation that won’t be extended indefinitely. It’s now. We will have to roll with whatever comes our way, knowing that if we are solid things will work.Stop!
Tonight is not the time for relaying my news or debating the details of our relationship. No way. This is Maudie’s time. And Nobel’s.
“Dove! Bring my grey blanket that’s on the chair!”
