I brought Loretta’s clothes up to the apartment. She was going through them deciding what she would leave. I cleaned out one of my drawers so she had a place to start. When she got to the little stack of undies, she took a pair hugged them, and smiled. She gently put them in the drawer.
“Michael, I need to take my leg off. I need to rest it and give it some attention,” she had a sad expression on her face.
“That’s fine, Baby. What do you do and what can I do?” held her close to me.
“I usually lay on the couch and prop it up on a pillow. I have some cream in my purse that I rub on it and read my book,” She was feeling bad about the situation.
“Okay, let’s get you on the couch, your purse is out there. I bring a pillow for you and you can rest. I have some books, maybe one will strike your fancy. At least for now. Do you want a towel?” I was trying to be positive.
“Honey, you are trying so hard, thank you. But I don’t have my sticks. I need them to get around, you know. Like the table, the bathroom, and the shower.” Loretta was getting depressed.
“Can I be your “sticks” for tonight and forever?” I smiled at Loretta, she held me tight.
Loretta made herself comfortable on the couch. I got the extra pillow and towel for her. When she got the lotion from her purse, I held my hand out for the lotion.
“May I?” Loretta handed the lotion to me. She started to tear up. I gently massaged the cream to her leg. Loretta lay back on the couch and watched me. I have never seen such a look of love in my life.
“Michael. No one has ever, I mean I have never let anyone, a, um be this close. “You are so gentle, your hands are so warm so tender to me,” Loretta sighed.
“Hey, Baby! How about if I order in for us? I know the delivery guy from Pizza at your Door very well. He even stops by the Grab and Go to get beer for me when he delivers,” I was still massaging her leg.
“Sure, can we get a meat lovers pizza with extra cheese?” Loretta brightens up.
“Sure can! Let me get my phone. Do you want to order it? He might as well get used to you calling as well,” I teased her.
“Ah, not this time, maybe next,” she was blushing.
I punched the speed dial, “Hey, Frankie! How about an extra-large meat lover’s pizza with extra cheese? And would you pick up a twelve-pack, please?” There was no answer from Frankie.
“Frankie, are you there?” I raised my voice a little.
“Mike, you ain’t never ordered a meat lover’s pizza. You ain’t never ordered an extra-large. AND, you ain’t never asked for a twelve. What’s her name? Ya ain’t getting’ da stuff until you fess up.” Frankie was a great friend.
“Okay, ya nosey old wash woman. Her name is Loretta, and you might just as well get used to having her call sometimes. And none of your sweet talkin’ to her or I’ll come down there.” I was ragging back on him.
“Okay, Mike! See ya in an hour.” Frankie ended the call.
When I turned to Loretta, she was bright red and giggling.
“Michael O’Shaughnessy, I have never met a man the likes of you. You are crazy,” Loretta was still giggling.
“I happen to be very proud of my lady and I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW IT!” I announced and hugged Loretta the best way I could with her lying on the couch.
“Michael?”
“Yes, Baby.”
“I need to go to the little girl’s room.” Loretta was shy.
“We haven’t practiced this, but here we go,” I was afraid we would get out of step and I would drop her.
I helped her from the couch and she put her arm around my shoulders. It took a few steps, but we found a rhythm that she could walk somewhat comfortably. I got her into the bathroom and she got herself ready to sit down. That done, I left the room.
After a couple of minutes, Loretta called to me, “Michael, I can’t get up. I’m not used to getting up without my sticks.” I wasn’t sure, but I thought I heard her trying not to laugh.
I opened the door and backed into the bathroom. I held my hand out for Loretta to grab and direct me. She didn’t. She just started laughing. I turned around, my face was beet red. I have never helped a woman from a toilet.
“Michael, my Love. You saw me naked last night so you can help me stand up now.” She was laughing. “I have dried my little coochie and I just need to wash my hands, but I have to stand up.
I helped her stand up, she washed and dried her hands and then we headed for the couch. Loretta got comfortable again. I went to the fridge for our beer, I poured hers into a glass. I sat on the cocktail table and just smiled at her. We started planning the move and what we needed for her to move in.
She wanted to keep her chest of drawers, so we planned to pack the contents of each drawer in a separate tub so things would be easy for her to find. I told Loretta I had a friend with a large truck, and would get Jack and some buddies for the move. All she would have to do was direct where she wanted things placed.
Most of her things were going to be put into storage until she decided what to keep, and what to donate. Loretta has very nice clothes. She would since she works as an administrative assistant to a financial advisor.
The doorbell rang, it was our beer and pizza. I didn’t invite Frankie to meet Loretta. I thought she would be self-conscious. When I didn’t invite him in, she looked relieved.
I had some quiet instrumentals playing in the background. We dined on the pizza and beer as though we didn’t have a care in the world. Loretta looked at the laundry by the door. She looked a little sad.
“Why the sad face, Honey?”
“I wish I didn’t have to take those back to my apartment. I want to be here with you. I like my apartment and it felt so warm with you there in bed next to me. But here, everything has been marked by you. Your cologne, your scent, and your touch. I feel safe and protected here. Mostly I feel loved here.
“Loretta, I believe we will have a very good life together. You make me feel complete. I know we were married before, but I felt empty in mine. You give me so much, and we have just met. But it seems as though we have known each other a long time ago. Maybe I’m just nuts.”
Loretta reached out to me. I went to sit on the cocktail table, but she moved so I could sit next to her on the couch. I bent down to kiss her, she held my face and had a loving smile in her eyes. She sat up to kiss me but kept her soft hands on my face.
“Michael, I will do everything to make your life happy. I know you will look after me and protect me. I will do the same for you. Together we will make a wonderful life. What we will build together will be the envy of everyone. I do love you, Michael O’Shaughnessy and I KNOW you love me.” Loretta pulled me to her.