When Things Slow Down
The unbearable heat of the week just past had eased. The hospital administration had allowed the courtyard be refurnished. Numbers were dropping for admissions to the hospital. There were still positive cases, but slowly, slowly Intensive Care beds were not full of only Covid19 patients. The Covid 19 ward had been closed and was being thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. The trees in the courtyard beautifully shaded the widely spaced tables. Wooden planters frothing with flowers circled the trees and lined the raised flower beds welcomed Dr. Jeremy and Emelina.
“This is so lovely, Jeremy! Are you sure you can be down here? How long do you have for your break? It still must be so busy.”
“We discharged our last patient from the ICU this morning. I’ve got a long break right now.” He looked at the pager clipped to his coat. “If they need me, they’ll page me. Where’s Dez? I thought she’d come along with you.”
Emelina looked troubled. “I’m not sure she’ll come Jeremy. I told her that you had invited her, but in her words - “I don’t see what the big deal is, Em. Why does he want me there?”
It was Jeremy’s turn to look troubled. “She’s actually key to my whole plan. If she doesn’t agree, then I’ll have to figure something else out.” He stood and walked towards the parking lot, searching for any sign of her.
“All right Jeremy. What’s up? You’ve got something planned. I have no idea what it could be that you absolutely need Dez here.” She got up and, meeting him as he was returning to the table, she took his hand. “Jeremy, is something wrong? Do you want Dez here because you have something to tell me?”
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. “No, everything is right. I just may need more time to tell you all the details. But you’re right, I do have something planned.” Just as they sat down, they heard Dez call to them. “Em! Jeremy! There you are. What’s going on?”
~~~~~
When Jeremy had returned to work after his weekend off with Em, things had changed. The patients remaining in the Intensive Care Unit were off the ventilators. When he received a report from the physicians going off duty, he was told that everyone was stable. Still critical but out of danger and on the mend. At a physician’s staff meeting later that day, the duty rosters had been revised. The previous 10 days off that he was expecting had been extended. Three weeks! He couldn’t believe it. As the meeting came to a close, an idea had begun to form. He would need Dez’ help. If she could stay out at the Estate while they were away………….Cruise ships were still too dangerous, but he didn’t know about train travel. He wasn’t comfortable with flying anywhere just yet. Or maybe they would just drive. He had to make sure that Dez was fully vaccinated. He knew that Em was - they had gone together for theirs.
~~~~~
“……..so that’s my plan. A second honeymoon, Em. What do you think? Dez can stay out at the Estate - that’s if it’s all right Dez. I don’t even know if that’s necessary but…….”
“Jeremy, slow down. What are you talking about? You can’t get anymore time off work. I’ve got some things I’m working on right now that I have to finalize. Those ones with my accountant that I told you about.” Em was concerned. Pleased that her husband was excited, but concerned that he was just a little too excited. Making plans without talking to her about it. “Have you really thought about it all? Stepped back a bit and looked at it realistically?”
“Why do I need to stay out at the Estate? I don’t think anyone needs baby-sitting out there.” Dez sat back and smiled in amusement. “I suppose I could use the time to really get involved with my - I mean, your - orchard. It sound’s like fun, Em. You’re worrying too much. Jeremy hasn’t even told us when this second honeymoon is going to start.” To herself, she thought about Martha. ‘I’ll have to call here and let her know that her plans may get kiboshed again.' She’ll have to get everything in motion again. Would it be a send off or a return? To her sister and brother-in-law she said “I’ll do whatever you need. Just let me know when you’re taking off.”
Dr. Jeremy’s pager beeped at him. He called on his cell phone to the unit. Silence while he was listening. “Be right there.”……“Well ladies, now you know why I called this little board meeting. I have to get back to work, and I’ll keep you posted about the details.” He stood, leaned over, brushed Em’s hair back, and kissed her on the forehead. “Get your suitcases out, Em. ‘Bye Dez and thanks. You may find that being out at the Estate will be good for you and your orchard.” With that, he turned and jogged in to the hospital, disappearing behind the heavy glass doors.
Em looked rather stunned “Well that’s a surprise. He’s been so busy and tired lately that I just about didn’t know this guy!”
Dez grinned at her sister. “Well, he looked like Jeremy, almost sounded like him. But I think we need to talk about this over lunch. You know that little restaurant by the bank that has been closed. Take Out only. They have sidewalk tables and are open for lunch. Come on. We can talk about it over Brioche sandwiches. Remember the desserts?”
“You’re right. Sitting here trying to make sense out of what all I need to do is not helpful. I am hungry. They’ve also got a delicious ginger carrot gazpacho. I’ll ride with you. I had Giles bring me in. I’ll call him and tell him to go on home.”
“The surprise is that you continue to be surprised.”
~ Jill A. Davis, Ask Again Later
