“I can’t see any reason for this,” Louise said. “But oh, well. As the saying goes, it is what it is.”
“Yeah, it is,” Gilda agreed. “You want to freshen up before breakfast?”
“I can’t shower yet,” Louise reminded her. Which was a good thing. She’d met this woman all of once. The idea of getting so personal with her did not appeal. Even taking a sponge bath held a certain ick factor.
“Good, because I never shower on a first date,” Gilda quipped. She pulled out a pack of body wipes from her bag and set them on the bed. “This will probably be enough for today. I’ll be back to help you get your pants on,” she said and left.
Louise smiled and got busy.
Later, as they sat at the kitchen table, eating the egg casserole Zona had made the night before and chatting, Louise quickly realized that Gilda could become more than a part-time nurse. They could become friends.
Gilda proved it when, after Louise finally settled on the couch and they got talking about favorite novels, she pulled out her favorite mystery novel by an author Louise hadn’t yet discovered. “I brought this in case you want some bedtime reading.”
“That was so sweet of you,” said Louise, her fingers itching to get her hands on it.
“This has so many twists and turns in it you won’t know which way you’re going. And some of the people seem so nice, but oh, my, they are anything but.”
Louise nodded knowingly. “Just like in real life.”
“Absolutely,” Gilda agreed. “We had a neighbor when I was growing up. Everyone thought he was the kindest man. He was single. Always had treats for the kids.”
Louise knew exactly where she was going. “Oh, no.”
Gilda nodded. “Oh, yes. My mother, God rest her soul, caught on to him, thank God. He’d lured the little boy across the street over to his house and was talking him into skinny-dipping in his pool. Mom heard them out there and went marching right over and that was the end of him. You can’t trust single men,” she finished with a shake of her head.
“Some you can,” said Louise, thinking of Martin. “Not every man is a pervert.”
Gilda shook her head. “A man living alone? It’s not natural. At least for men our age.”
“Unless the man’s a widower,” Louise argued.
“Ha! Those are usually the ones rushing to get married. Heaven knows I’ve had a couple propose to me. After a certain point in life, they either want a nurse or a purse. I already get paid to be a nurse and I’m not going to be anyone’s purse.”
“Well, my neighbor Martin is the nicest man you’d ever want to meet,” Louise said.
Gilda looked speculatively at her. “Oh?”
“There’s nothing between us,” Louise hurried to say. “We’re just good friends.”
Gilda gave a knowing nod. “That’s how it starts.”
The doorbell rang. “Company. You are popular,” Gilda said.
“It’s probably Martin, checking on me,” Louise said as Gilda went to answer the door.
Sure enough, like an actor who’d been waiting in the wings for his cue, Martin entered the room.
“I came by to see how you’re feeling,” he said to Louise. He held up a box of doughnuts. “Thought you might like a treat.”
“Thank you. I’d love a treat,” Louise said, and made the introductions. “Would you like some iced tea?” she offered after she’d finished, then felt foolish. She wouldn’t be fetching the tea. She was turning Gilda into a servant. “Oh, Gilda, sorry to ask you.”
“No problem,” Gilda said, and disappeared, Darling following her, probably hoping for a dog treat.
While she was gone, Martin set the box of doughnuts on the coffee table. “How’s your leg today?”
“It’s still attached,” Louise said. “I guess that’s something to be thankful for.”
Gilda returned with two glasses and then left. And didn’t return.
