Together Time (September 2024)

 

Do you remember the vacation we took along the Atlantic Coast on our way back from my parents?

 

Yes, I do. But tell me what you remember. My throat is still sore.

 

Well, we drove across Georgia to Savannah and spent the day there. Had a terrific seafood dinner. I think I had swordfish and you had—

 

No, you had swordfish in Washington. You had shrimp and grits in Savannah. I'll never forget that. You loved your grits, Georgia boy.

 

Oh, was that when you got so sick?

 

Yeah, that's when I found out I was allergic to shellfish.

 

Was it bad . . . your reaction I mean?

 

It was unpleasant but I was alright the next day.

 

That's when we drove up to Myrtle Beach. The beaches were empty.

 

Well, it was just after Labour Day, and it was cold and windy.

 

But I still went swimming.

 

Yes, you did. You were like a little boy diving into the waves coming ashore.

 

Did you come in?

 

No, my stomach was still uneasy.

 

After that was it Washington or Delaware that we went to next?

 

Washington.

 

Were you feeling better by then?

 

Yes, but we did a lot of walking.

 

Did we ever find that Thai restaurant I told you about? The one from when I went to the Peace Corps orientation.

 

No, but we did get lost. We ended up getting something at a burger place. Some cowboy name.

 

Roy Rogers?

 

Could be.

 

Was it good?

 

Better than the shrimp and mussels.

 

Was that the time we stayed in an old downtown hotel and next door they were knocking down a high-rise?

 

Yeah. The all-night wrecking ball. Quit trying to sleep around 5 a.m.

 

And then we drove across to one of the beach towns in Delaware. It was dead there, remember? I forget the name, but we stayed at a place with an oceanfront view. Remember?

 

I can’t think of the name of the town either. We weren’t quite on the water, but we were close . . . maybe just a block or two away. It was a quaint older place, not as fancy as those hotel condos. The waitress told us about it. And it was blessedly quiet.

 

I think I had salmon there and it was the best I'd ever had.

 

Actually, you had tuna.

 

Tuna, really? Like Starkist?

 

No, silly. This was fresh tuna and you said it made you rethink how you felt about tuna.

 

Oh, I remember now. . . . It looks like you have another 30 minutes.

 

Could you ask the nurse for some more ice?

 

To eat?

 

No, silly, I don't have horse teeth like you. I need more ice for my fingers and toes.

 

OK. Actually, I'll go to that little refreshment cubbyhole they have for patients. There's an ice dispenser.

 

Better to have the ice that comes in these little sealed bags, but thank you.

 

You sure? I don't mind.

 

Serena'll be back soon.

 

Serena? I thought she said Sabrina.

No, I'm pretty sure it's Serena.

 

That's funny. I'd thought she was the first Sabrina I'd ever met. Remember Bewitched?

 

You probably liked her. She wasn't the blonde Elizabeth Montgomery.

 

I always preferred the colour of your hair.

 

There's not much left anymore . . . but I could get a wig.

 

If you want, but it's ok if it's—

 

Gray?

 

Yeah.

 

So, where do you want to visit once I'm better?

 

Well, you know how I feel about traveling.

 

But you said I should go back to Rügen.

 

You should.

 

I would love to. I remember feeling so at home there. The language, the sea air, the villages, and the people . . . not so petite as here. Not fat, mind you. Large-boned.

 

What about Minnie? You'd enjoy her company. Forget Gabi; she'd talk your ears off. Maybe Giseli?

 

No! I don't think they'd enjoy it so much, besides I'm not sure we'd get along that well for two weeks.

 

I can't think of anyone else, can you?

 

Just you, you big dope!

 

I don't speak German. For goodness sake, I don't even have a passport anymore.

 

Get one. It's not a big deal. Get a Canadian one. There’s no need to make a stopover in the U.S.

 

Serena steps in.

 

So, how are you feeling?

 

Pretty good, thanks.

 

Did the extra saline infusion help?

 

Yes, yes it did. It was much better than last week.

 

Good. I'll put that in the notes for the doctor. Looks like you have . . . let's see, another 15 minutes and you'll be done for today.

 

Thank you, Serena.

 

We were just talking about you.

 

Ah! That's why my ears were burning.

 

It's all good, Sabrina.

 

Serena! (to Serena) He misheard your name.

 

No problem. Sabrina might have been my first choice if I'd been there.

 

Everyone laughs. Serena steps away.

 

That REALLY was funny!

 

Don't be silly.

 

He fumbles in his pockets for his cell phone.

 

First published in Down in the Dirt, February 2025, vol. 228.