“Emily, Peggy, and Ann are focused like that,” Josh said. “They’re more about understanding than about what treatment we pick.”
“Yeah,” she said.
He continued, “Yankton’s never into discussing or considering alternatives. Disease A is treated with B, disease C is treated with D. A computer — or a monkey — could do that.”
The mention of Brian made bile rise in her throat. Upending the marriage had upended her, and she knew that sooner or later she would have to confide in Josh. If she didn’t, it would spill out at an awkward moment or from an awkward mouth, like Haley’s.
She said, “I kicked my husband out.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Josh’s jaw drop open for just a second. “He had an affair. He promised he had ended it, but while we were sitting on the couch watching television and eating popcorn, she called to remind him of their upcoming encounter. I flew off the handle and told him to get out.”
“Wow!”
“He has been talking about re-uniting,” she said. “He seems to want reconciliation.”
“Are you OK with that? I don’t know that I could get over that.”
“I’ve been suckered into that twice already,” she said. “I don’t know how this heals. What keeps him from doing it again?”
“Good points. What do your parents say?”
“Mom’s convinced it’s over. I’m afraid she’s right. My father, who never really accepted Brian, just bad-mouths him.”
Josh said, “My parents wouldn’t be my go-to source of advice. My sister is better.”
“My little sister, Natalie, is only fourteen. She is surprisingly good at things like this, but also opinionated.” She took a breath. “I don’t know what to do. He promised he ended it, and that he wouldn’t do it again. But then came the phone call on the couch.”
“What did fourteen-year-old Natalie say?”
“Get rid of him. She said that a long time ago. Those weren’t the words she used, either.”
“You deserve better than that, much better than that.”
“Natalie said that, too,” Faith said. “I think I know where this is heading, I just don’t like the destination.” Her brain was about to spew a large amount of material on Josh, but the phone summoned her to an urgent patient issue, ripping her away from him.
Chapter 11
“Surprise!” Faith entered the conference room in the office building to noisemakers, whistles, clapping, and camera flashes.
A table, adorned with bright stripes, held a cake on which was piped a stethoscope, a pair of gloves, and a syringe. Gifts and cards were arranged to either side of the cake. Happy Birthday banners hung from the ceiling, and there were balloons all around the room. The setting was cheery, matched by the mood of the gang. They sang “Happy Birthday.” There were high fives, congratulations, cheers, and laughter.
After settling down, Ann served cake and Ricky served ice cream. An uncanny number of people was there, including several of the staff from Labor and Delivery and the office. Josh’s heart was warm, tickled he had pulled off a surprise birthday party no one leaked, and pleased with the ambiance.
Ann guided Faith to the gifts and cards, where she began opening them. The first gift was a short tube of “peanuts,” from which a cloth snake sprang eliciting a squeal — typical Ricky. One of the cards had a little envelope labeled “rattlesnake eggs,” which buzzed obnoxiously when opened, producing, “You guys!” from Faith and a blush from Haley. There were serious gifts, like an avocado slicer, ceramic beer mugs, and a Fitbit watch. The cards held classy poetry and silly jokes, gentle sayings and ridiculous thoughts, sacred words, and off-key suggestions. She thanked the individual for each item.
As the group adjourned, Josh helped Ann and Haley clean up the room. Ricky, with no ice cream left, ate the last piece of cake. Faith found a cardboard box in which to put her gifts and cards, then sat next to Peggy and Ricky as Josh wiped off and put up vacant folding chairs.
“You know Josh organized this, right?” Peggy whispered.
“Seriously?”
“I guess everybody loves you,” Peggy said in a bolder voice. “I’ve never seen a birthday party with such attendance and such nice, thoughtful gifts. You should be proud.”
“I don’t know whether to be proud or embarrassed,” she answered.
“Proud.” Peggy waited for her complete attention. “This is a loud message to you from your coworkers. Sure, you should be thankful, but more than that you should be flattered and proud. For me, this speaks volumes.”
“It’s nice,” she said. “I haven’t felt this way for a long time.”
Peggy held doors as Faith led and Josh lugged her box out of the conference room and toward her car.
“See you tomorrow,” Peggy said. “Happy Birthday!”
On the way to the car, Josh said, “Would you like to go to dinner with me? There is a great Chinese place near my house. And I like Mexican food. Actually, I like all food.”
“You bet,” her soft, velvety voice answered, melting his bones like candle wax in a hot room. “I like Mexican. What’s more, I haven’t had Mexican for a while. If you are talking about Padilla’s, that’s a really good place, and I can walk home from there.”
Josh put her box in the trunk, and the two enjoyed whack-a-mole with balloons resisting confinement in the car, popping a few in the process. Departing, she opened the driver’s window and, stuffing balloons back in, said, “I’ll drop my car at home, take a nap, and meet you at Padilla’s. Is six OK?”
“Perfect. I have a mountain of work to take care of before I can leave. I’ll call if I’m going to be late.”
Six o’clock couldn’t come soon enough for Josh. The loose ends took him less time than he predicted. On his way out, he bought a yellow rose in the gift shop, then headed for his car. Padilla’s came right up on Waze, and offered generous parking, although on gravel complete with potholes. Inside, there were several tables available, from which he selected an uncrowded area of the restaurant. When she entered, he noted she had changed into a running outfit. Of all the presentations. The Spandex top showed a hint of a sports bra and tic-tacs. The leggings were tantalizing. A buzzing hit his mind — or something.
She sat down across from him, and said, “Thanks for thinking of this. I needed it.”
Electricity sparked through his soul like lightning in Ben Franklin’s jar. He handed her the rose.
“Thank you,” she said. “I don’t know what to say.” She propped the rose in the menu holder.
“‘Thank you’ was good,” he said. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you. Now I need beer.”
The waiter asked Josh for a drink order. Faith neither ordered a drink nor looked at the menu. Two large mugs of Negra Modelo appeared.
“Thanks, Julio,” she said.
“This is your go-to beverage?” Josh asked.
“Yes. Has been for a long time.”
“Me too!”
The waiter returned for Josh’s order. “Blue enchiladas,” he said.
“What do you want in your enchiladas, sir?” Julio asked, turning the page of the menu to show Josh the options offered.
Josh made a quick decision, “Mexican flag.”
“Good choice,” Julio said, “but those come with yellow corn tortillas. The blue doesn’t work out so well for those.”
“I catch your drift,” Josh answered. “I’m fine with that. Mexican flag.”
“Cute,” Faith said.
“Why didn’t they ask you?”
“Because I always get the same thing.” A look came on her face he was learning indicated a change of subject. “Tell me about your family.”