Gastrolyte, motion sickness bands, Tylenol, pregnancy vitamins.He re-read the list and then realised what she had been trying to tell him. He sat down on the bench outside the store. ‘Oh shit,’ he said to himself. ‘Shit, shit, shit.’
31
Violetta drove out to the rehabilitation centre. She felt guilty for not seeing Birdie earlier, although Spencer was with her most of the time. He said she was doing really well, although she still had no memory of Leon. Her doctor at the centre had told Spencer to keep up the pretence vaguely till she was better, but he could give no indication as to whether she would ever remember.
Violetta’s phone rang and she smiled when she saw it was Jeff.
‘Hello,’ she said.
‘Hello there. Where are you?’
‘I’m going to see Mom.’
‘Good for you,’ he said. ‘Say hi to her for me.’
‘I will.’ She smiled at his thoughtfulness.
‘Are you free tonight?’ he asked.
Violetta's heart sunk. ‘No, I have to shoot tonight. I hate this TV show now. Why? What did you have in mind?’
‘I have a fundraiser dinner to go to, I thought you might be my date,’ he said gallantly.
‘Well, I could go, if you don’t mind the TV crew being there,’ she laughed.
‘I don’t think that would be such a great idea. Quite conservative, these folks,’ said Jeff, trying to hide his disappointment.
‘I know, it’s shit,’ said Violetta, thinking. ‘Maybe I can see you afterwards?’
‘Sure, call me when you finish. Where are you going tonight?’ he asked lightly.
‘I am taking them to an experimental jazz session in The Village,’ laughed Violetta.
‘Wow, that will go over well with your audience.’
‘I know, there is so much to do in New York. I never realised till I started this show.’
‘Well, have fun and don’t forget your trumpet and pork pie hat. Happy be bop!’ said Jeff, as he rang off.
Violetta sighed and sat back in the car. She would have loved to see Jeff; it was so hard to coordinate times and the fact she was still shooting meant she had to keep their relationship quiet.
As the car pulled up to the centre where Birdie was staying Violetta felt nervous. Birdie, however, was thrilled to see her. She looked great. She had lost some weight from being in hospital but she was walking and talking freely.
‘The doctors said I can go home to Spencer soon,’ Birdie said as they sat in the privacy of her room.
‘That’s great, Mom. And how’s your memory?’ asked Violetta carefully.
‘It’s fine,’ said Birdie, bewildered. ‘I remember everything. Try me.’
Violetta thought for a moment. ‘Tell me about when you brought us home from hospital. Do you remember that?’
‘Of course I do. You and Grace were quiet but Carlotta screamed the whole way home,’ she laughed and Violetta smiled.
‘What did Dad think about that?’ she asked carefully.
‘Oh, your father was very patient with you all. Carlotta’s crying never bothered him. She was colicky, I think.’
Violetta nodded. ‘And do you remember when you told him you were pregnant?’
