"She really is. Some of her spunk is already returning," he said, chuckling softly.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"I stuck that shirt of yours in the middle of a stack of clothes I brought to her room. She couldn't take her eyes from it."
"You're a meddling old fool, but I love you for it," I said, grinning at him. I was grateful to Charles for trusting me, for believing that my feelings and intentions for Ashton were real. I had suggested fishing together as a way for us to get to know each other, and maybe relieve some of the stress. On one of our fishing trips, he had mentioned the shirt of mine that Ashton had kept. At the time, I'd been struggling with doubts that Ashton still had feelings for me and was beginning to feel like a fool for selling my condo and moving across the state so I could be closer to her. As October melted into November, her silence had begun to wear on me.
"So she stared at the shirt. That may not mean anything," I said.
"You telling me I don't know my own daughter? Don't be an idiot, boy. She's head over heels in love with you."
"Did you bring her the flowers I bought?" I asked, sitting back in my seat.
"Yes, though she thinks they're from me," he grumbled.
"That doesn't matter as long as she got them," I said as our waitress approached our table cautiously.
"I'll have the club sandwich with the fries," I said, placing my order before she could ask. I smiled broadly at her as I handed over my menu.
"And you?" she asked Charles after shooting me a look that pretty much indicated she thought I was crazy.
"When do they think she'll be released?" I asked, pumping him for information.
"Her doctor is going to wait until after her last chemo treatment. He wants to make sure her immune system doesn't decide to act up again. Once she's out of the woods, she'll start recovery."
"How does she look?" I asked, unable to shake the image of how she had looked hooked up to all the machines when I had last seen her.
"Rough. It's obvious she's in pain," he said, holding up his palm when I went to interrupt. "I talked to Dr. Davis before I left, and he said he had already put in the order to up her pain medicine," he finished before I could say anything.
"She shouldn't have to be in that much pain," I said through gritted teeth.
He sighed, used to my outbursts by now. "Agreed, and we're taking care of it. We care about her well-being too," he reminded me. "You have to remember, Ashton is very stubborn, and we're trying our best to read between the lines."
I slumped down in my seat as my sudden burst of anger dissipated. I knew he was right. I had seen firsthand just how stubborn Ashton could be. It just frustrated me beyond words that I couldn't be by her side when she needed me the most.
"How's the writing going?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Not bad. Turns out I kind of have a knack for writing stories. The News Journal just bought another one of my stories and optioned for the one I'm currently working on. I've also landed a couple online writing jobs. Who knew a lie about a fictional job would turn into something? Of course, I know you had a part in it. Thanks again, Charles."
"All I did was place a call to a friend of mine. The rest was all you."
"We sure have come a long way from you wanting to shove my nuts down my throat," I joked.
"You hurt my girl and you just better hope you can choke them down," he threatened.
I nodded, falling back on the crux of the whole thing. She had asked me to wait and I was trying my damnedest to be patient, but having her so close and not being able to be with her was killing me.
Charles and I finished our lunch in silence. "You'll call me if anything happens," I stated, dropping money on the table to cover the check.
"You know I will. Are we fishing Sunday?" he asked, pulling on his light jacket.
"Do you think it's wise to leave her for a day so you can go off fishing?"
"Boy, this fishing trip isn't for me. I guess you haven't looked in a mirror lately, but trust me when I say you look like hell."
"How's Wilma?" I asked, ignoring his observation as we exited the restaurant together.
"She misses Ashton, but otherwise she still acts like she owns the place."