Life Is A Foreign Language (30 page)

The pharmacist recommended that Nina take the sit bath in a plastic basin, not to stain the tub. She ran warm water in the basin and added some of the cobalt blue liquid. For the required half-hour she crouched in the water feeling silly. The stuff smelled strongly of sulfur. Afterward she showered to wash away the medication and the stench.

Despite a thorough scrubbing with a rough sponge, her behind and thighs glowed a bright blue color. Nothing she tried would remove or diminish it. She was stuck with a blue butt until time wore it off.

The discomfort was undiminished, and she still couldn’t pee. She was overcome by fatigue—from lack of sleep and the infection, she guessed. The cool sheets and soft pillows welcomed her as she went to bed, groaning with pleasure to be lying down.

Then she giggled—
Michael will have a field day when he sees my blue behind.

The ringing of the phone woke Nina. She figured it must be Michael and made a mental check of her physical condition. She felt remarkably well and rested. The burning sensations were gone. In fact, she felt great. She’d slept long and deep. A dreamless sleep.

When she heard his voice, she remembered the production she had put on this morning because of the cystitis. A bit sheepish, she apologized.

“Sweetie, you’re forgiven. In fact, you were quite funny, so don’t worry. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“I do. I’m going to get up, have something to eat and work out or go for a walk. I need some exercise. The medication I took worked. I slept for almost two hours.”

“Good. It’s the infection that tired you, not the medication.”

“If you say so, Doctor. You know, the blue liquid …?”

“Yes.” After a pause he asked, “What about it?”

“I used it.”

“Obviously you were supposed to use it. It did the trick if you feel better, don’t you think?”

Thoughts tumbled around in her head like coins in a slot machine.
Why can’t he understand what I mean? He’s a doctor, he should know what this stuff does.
“Yes, I sat in that stinking bath for half an hour. Made me feel like a toad.”

He laughed quietly.

“It also turned my behind blue, and I can’t get the color to come off.”

“It does that, yes.” He still didn’t get it.

So she spelled it out. “I tried scrubbing it off. I used Mr. Clean with one of those pot scrubbers. I tried some washing powder on a brush. My butt is still blue. It’s also quite raw.”

She heard his roaring laughter long after she hung up.

After lunch Nina was restless. She’d been sedentary for a few days, now her body demanded energizing. She went for a long walk at a rapid pace and felt good about it, despite the heat.

Nina took roads that were familiar from before, walking past an empty lot on which a pair of burrowing owls nested, charmed by their touching faces. This time of year they made their homes in the ground, the parents on their perches anxiously shielding their offspring. The jacaranda had almost finished flowering. She loved the tree in spring and would have to wait a whole year for its generous profusion of blossoms, as blue as Michael’s eyes.

A shortcut home took Nina across Sophie’s back yard. When she was level with the lanai Sophie called. “Hey Nina. Have a good walk?”

“Hi. Yes, it was great.”

“Come on over.”

Nina closed the distance and entered the lanai. “How come you’re home in the middle of the afternoon?”

“I’m on phone duty. The calls are directed to my cell phone, so I don’t have to be in the office.” Sophie smiled. “Warm enough for you?”

Nina chuckled. “It sure is warm. I can’t wait to get in the pool to cool off.”

“Why don’t you sit for a minute, have something to drink.”

Nina sprawled against the cushions in a deep rattan chair and stretched her legs. “I wouldn’t mind a drink. Lots of water, no ice, please.”

While Sophie was inside, Nina unlaced and kicked off her running shoes and removed the socks. She wiped her face with a large handkerchief.

After returning, Sophie handed her a tall tumbler. “Did you enjoy your meeting with Oren Jones?”

Nina took small sips of the water, nodding while she drank. “Yes, I did. He gave me hope that I can leave all this ballast behind me. I liked him a lot.” After a pause she added, “We’ve made up, Michael and I.”

Smiling, Sophie leaned close. “Great news, Nina! I’m happy for you. Give it time, and everything works out.”

Nina glanced at her. “Michael’s asked me to be Godmother to his rose if it wins.”

Sophie’s face broke into a broad grin. “Really? That’s great. I remember Michael once telling me he always attends the Festival alone. Naturally, his sons and daughters-in-law are present, but as far as I know he’s never invited a female friend.” Sophie patted Nina’s hand. “Wow. And you get to be Godmother. That’s such an honor. I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“I guess. I feel a bit out of my depth because I’ve never been to this kind of to-do. What’s it like, do you know?”

“Well, I’ve never been to one either, so I can’t tell you very much. Read the local pages in the newspaper. The Festival is an important event in town, so it gets good coverage in the press. Michael should tell you what to expect. Didn’t he?”

“He’s told me certain practical things and explained about the program. He wouldn’t know about the feminine side, like what to wear?”

Sophie opened eyes wide. “Of course! That’s important, particularly for you if you’re going to name the rose. All eyes will be on you at that moment.” She quieted, lost in thought. “Something elegant but understated, cool but not too bare. I think you’ll hit on exactly the right thing.”

“I’m unprepared for this kind of event. Any suggestions where I should go shopping for a dress?”

“I’d start with Saks Fifth Avenue at Tower Mall. Once you’re on the mall, there are a few department stores and several good boutiques.” Sophie looked at her pointedly. “You haven’t left much time for finding something suitable; the Festival is the day after tomorrow.”

Nina sighed. “I couldn’t have done it earlier—until yesterday I didn’t know for sure whether I was going to attend. I dislike shopping when it’s a must.”

“You hardly have a choice. It wouldn’t be seemly to show up in one of your denim dresses.”

Nina grinned. After putting on her shoes she stood. “Surely not. I’ll go dress hunting first thing tomorrow. Thanks for the water and the advice.” She was perspiring and wiped her brow. “See you soon.” She patted Sophie’s shoulder, and let herself out through the lanai door, crossing the short distance to her own yard. On her lanai she stripped and dived into the pool, groaning with pleasure as the water washed over her, cooling her hot skin. The afternoon sunrays turned the water into molten gold. Nina felt strong and healthy.

Life had never been this good.

Chapter 35
 

Although she doubted the closet held anything she could wear to the Rose Festival, the next morning Nina spent a few minutes inspecting the unlikely collection of casual clothing. There was nothing remotely suitable there.

It was true what she’d said to Sophie—Nina disliked shopping when it was a must, but this time she had no choice.

The phone rang as she stood by the door between the den and the garage, making sure she had credit cards and checkbook. Glancing at the instrument, she decided to let the machine pick up.

“Nina, if you’re home, please answer.” Michael’s voice was tense. She crossed the room and picked up the handset from the kitchen counter. “Yes, darling. You caught me just as I was going out the door. What’s up?”

“It’s Marley. He’s had words with his foster mother, and now he wants to leave the family. He’s very upset. Could you spare some time to talk to him today?”

She glanced at her watch—it was still early. “Yes. I’ll see him. He’ll be at the clinic, I suppose.”

“I could bring him to your house.”

“Michael, you know better than that. I’ll be working with Marley as a therapist. I never see clients in my own home. Protects my privacy and prevents any ambiguity as to the purpose of our appointments.”

“You’re right. Sorry, sweetie, I wasn’t thinking.”

“What time will he be there?”

“He’s at the clinic now. Wilma is looking after him until you get there.” After a short pause he added, “You were on your way out. Where are you going?”

She hesitated. “I hadn’t planned on telling you, but I’m going to buy an outfit for the Festival.”

“That’s nice. Wish I could come with you, but I have to see patients. Care to have lunch with me?”

Her heart made a little jump of joy, but she was concerned. “What about Marley?”

“This isn’t an emergency. He’ll be all right at the clinic till you get there.”

“In that case, yes, I’d love to have lunch.”

They agreed to meet at “Via Veneto,” an Italian restaurant at the mall, familiar to them both.

Nina hung up and left the house before something else detained her. Whistling along with the radio, she made good time through the slack traffic.

In the large downtown mall, she sauntered along the wide aisles, peering in windows. Tucked away between a Gap and a souvenir shop Nina chanced upon a small boutique. The selection wasn’t large, but the reception was professional and kind. The saleslady showed her an off-white Thai silk dress with a canary yellow braided belt. When the clerk held out a pair of sling-back high heeled sandals, echoing the yellow of the belt, Nina’s heart lifted.
Maybe shopping isn’t going to be such an ordeal.
She took the outfit into the dressing room to try it on.

The color of the dress enhanced her tan, and the belt accentuated her slim waist. With the skirt to mid knee her legs looked taller, her feet slender in the elegant sandals. She could never resist pretty shoes; this pair was a jewel. She had found her outfit, elegant and understated.

As she was about to drape the dress on a hanger, her cell phone rang. Wearing only bra and panties, she rummaged in her handbag and found the phone in a side pocket. Before pressing the “answer” button she glanced at the display window. Michael again; it must be important or he wouldn’t call on her cell phone. By now he knew she intensely disliked the gadget. She carried it with her only as a safety measure in case she had car trouble or the children needed to reach her.

“Yes, darling. What is it?”

“Hi. I hate to break our lunch date. Something’s come up, and I can’t make it.” He was breathless and talked fast. “I have to drive Cindy to the dentist, she broke a tooth this morning. The only opening he had is at one, and nobody else is free to take her. Please …”

“I understand. We’ll have lunch another time. I’ll have a salad before I go to the clinic.”

“Thanks for understanding, sweetie. I may not be at the clinic when you get here. Wanda knows you’re coming to see Marley. By the way, how’s the shopping going? Found anything nice?”

“Nice, yes. Talk to you later.” She poked her finger at the “off” button, dropped the phone in the bag. Then she pulled on her cotton dress, trying to swallow the disappointment, trying to be adult about the missed lunch. She caught her image in the mirror. Her eyes were large, her face flushed.

Nina paid, thanked the saleslady for her help and took a shortcut to her car in the parking lot. After Michael cancelled, she had planned on having a light lunch on her own, but wasn’t hungry. Instead, she bought a hot dog and a Diet Coke from the vendor in the food court.

The flowers bordering the walkway had lost some of their freshness, and the day wasn’t so glorious. The heat was intense, her sandals stuck to the soft asphalt.

With care, she placed the clothes bag in the trunk of the car.

Before starting the engine, Nina sat in the driver’s seat, drank in thirsty gulps and ate half of the dog. She berated herself for letting anybody—anybody at all—influence her moods. Michael had broken their lunch date, and she felt frustrated. The problem about his change of focus resurfaced. Determined not to obsess about his behavior again, she knew nobody could upset her if she didn’t leave herself open to hurt. She could see the cancelled date as an incident, not a rejection of her. Because she loved Michael, she would accept him as he was.

As she drove to the clinic heavy clouds obscured the sky. It was so dark she turned on the headlights. To better concentrate on her encounter with Marley, she switched off the radio.

When Nina arrived at the clinic, the waiting room held only a few patients. Some were reading, others watched a quiz show on TV. It was pleasantly cool inside after the heat in the parking lot. Nina stood at the reception counter waiting for Wanda to finish talking on the phone.

Wanda hung up and studied Nina’s face. “You look like you could use a tall cool drink. Is it hot out there?”

“Muggy, and it feels like a storm; the clouds are dark and menacing.”

“Gosh, I sure hope not. Imagine what a storm would do to the roses, only a day before the event.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. Let’s hope the storm won’t come our way.”

From the table next to the TV, Wanda handed her a tumbler of ice water. Nina sipped, sloshing the cold water around in her mouth, enjoying its freshness. Crunching on a piece of ice, she followed Wanda through the door to the inner hall.

By the door to Michael’s office, Wanda halted. “Marley’s in there. He’s really bent out of shape. Hope you can straighten him out.” Then her choice of words struck her and she laughed, a sound like the tinkle of a bell, high and clear.

Nina knocked and opened the door. At first glance the room seemed empty. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her and looked around. Then she saw Marley—in a corner by the window, legs pulled up to his chest, arms around them, forehead pressed against his knees.

Collecting her thoughts, she stood a moment with her back against the door. How could she best approach him? Not wanting to alienate him, she wanted to draw him out while respecting his need of emotional space. He looked so vulnerable. She thought that nobody so young should know hurt.

Setting her handbag on a chair, she crossed the room and sat on the floor at an angle to him. If he was aware of her presence he didn’t let on, but she knew hurt children were usually attentive to their surroundings. His position could be a show of deep distress or a cry for help; at this stage she didn’t know which.