Dorothy's daughter Kate met them at the airport. After the introductions she handed Robert the keys to the house in Ocean City and a page of directions. Dorothy reached down to pick Ella up to give her a hug and kiss goodbye. Dorothy gave Elizabeth a quick hug and turned to face Robert; she hesitated just a second and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He blushed slightly and dropped his head in a very "Un-Romano" like gesture. They waved goodbye to Dorothy and headed for the rental car counter.
Robert took Ella to get a snack while Elizabeth waited in the line. Forty minutes later they all piled into the rented minivan and headed towards New Jersey. The traffic was light and Ella was entertained by her toys so the drive was pleasant. Kate had arranged for the house to be stocked so they didn't need to stop along the way. As they went over the bridge into Ocean City Robert pushed the button to put down his window. The salty, marshy smell of the beach brought back memories of childhood vacations. He flashed a big smile at Elizabeth, the first one she'd seen in almost a week.
Ten minutes later the pulled into the driveway of the beach house. It sat right on the beach overlooking the water. Dorothy's daughter was a well respected attorney and her husband was a college professor, by the looks of the house it was obvious they did very well for themselves. The house was divided into upstairs and downstairs units. The downstairs was rented to another family and the upstairs was waiting for their arrival. Ella led the way up the stairs dragging her teddy bear behind her. Elizabeth opened the door and walked into the house. It was beautiful. It was an open floor plan, everything was light and airy. It was decorated in typical beach style, lots of blues and greens. It couldn't have been a more welcome sight. Elizabeth dropped the bags on the floor and went to investigate the rest of the house. There was a large master suite with a large bathroom, two smaller bedrooms, another bathroom, a large eat in kitchen, living room and a huge deck with a great view of the ocean. Robert carried up the bags and deposited them in the bedrooms. He put Ella's things in the bedroom next to the master bedroom and went to unpack his clothes. Elizabeth got her own things put away while Ella ran around checking things out.
When everything was put away Robert took Ella out to the deck and showed her the view. Elizabeth checked out the contents of the kitchen and was touched to see all of their favorite foods. Dorothy must have given Kate a list of what they liked. She quickly made some sandwiches for a late lunch, put everything on a tray and went out to the deck. After lunch Robert got Ella settled down for a nap while Elizabeth changed into her bathing suit, grabbed a paperback from the shelf, a chair from the storage shed and headed for the beach.
While Ella slept Robert went back out to the deck and read for a while. The newspaper didn't hold his attention and he tossed it aside after 10 minutes. From where he was sitting he had a perfect view of the ocean and of Elizabeth who was sitting and soaking up the sun. As usually happened when he allowed his mind to wander seeds of doubt popped into his thoughts. Doubts that he was doing any good at work, doubts that he even deserved the good things he did have in his life. For the last week he'd been contemplating a change, one that could completely alter this life. He'd told no one about it, not even Elizabeth. He was sure she knew he had something big on his mind but she hadn't really pushed him to share his idea with him. So he pushed his ideas aside and padded into the kitchen to find something to make for dinner. He pulled out hamburgers and set them on the counter to thaw. By the time he managed to make a salad Ella wandered out of bed and into the kitchen. She climbed onto a chair at the table and Robert got her a juice box and a few cookies. Elizabeth came back to check on them a few minutes later and found them pulling apart Oreos and licking off the cream. "Teaching my daughter nice habits I see," she teased as she watched Ella dunk a cookie into Robert's glass of milk.
"Well, it's seems a little early to teach her about medicine so I figured Oreo dunking was the next best thing," said Robert with a grin. Elizabeth reached out to wipe a bit of chocolate off the corner of his mouth. "So how was the beach?" Robert asked as Elizabeth grabbed a couple of cookies for herself.
"Delightful. Are the two of you ready to come down?"
"Beach, beach," yelled Ella as she slid off the chair and ran towards her room. Elizabeth caught her before she put chocolately handprints all over the pale blue walls. She got her daughter cleaned up, into her bathing suit and was in the process of putting on some sunscreen when Robert emerged from the bedroom in his swim trunks and a t-shirt. He managed to put some sunscreen on his face and legs. Elizabeth offered to do his back but he declined, knowing he wouldn't be taking off his shirt. She didn't make a big deal out of it and took him up on his offer to reapply some to her back.
The three spent the afternoon on the beach, having a great time. Robert and Ella splashed in the waves and dug in the sand. Elizabeth just watched them with a smile on her face. It had been a mere 24 hours earlier that Robert had dragged himself in the door looking as if the world was against him.
What a difference a day made.
By the time Elizabeth gave Ella a bath and put her in her pajamas the little girl was fading fast. The was no way she was going to be able to wait for the hamburgers to cook so Elizabeth made her a sandwich and cut up an apple for her dinner.
While Elizabeth got Ella settled for the night Robert went out and grilled the burgers on the deck. Elizabeth brought out a couple beers with her when she came out. Dinner was relaxing and quiet, a little too quiet for Elizabeth's taste. "Robert are you ok? You're very quiet tonight," commented Elizabeth as she got up to clear the table when they were finished eating.
"I'm fine. Just have some things running around in my mind, I guess," muttered Robert with a shrug of his shoulders. He got up to help clear the table but Elizabeth waved him off and he took a seat in the lounge chair.
"Anything you want to share?" Robert shook his head and drained the last of his beer. "OK, well, I'm here if you want to talk," said Elizabeth trying not to take his silence personally. She went back into the house for a few minutes to check on Ella and grab another couple of beers. "So did Dorothy decide when she was coming down?" asked Elizabeth as she pushed Robert over a little so she could perch on the edge of the lounger.
"Sunday night. Two more days of just the three of us. I could get quite used to this, just you, me and Ella," said Robert as he put down his beer and turned on his side to give Elizabeth a little more room on the chair.
"I think it might get a little boring, just the three of us all the time. No hospital, no surgery, no ER," teased Elizabeth. Her comment didn't bring the reaction she'd been expecting.
"I could live with that," Robert muttered under his breath.
She stretched out next to him and snaked her right hand under his t-shirt, fingering the scar on his side for a second before speaking again. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about something?" she asked again.
"Not yet."
Elizabeth nodded and leaned in for a kiss. They watched the stars come out until Robert starting yawning a little after 10.
Robert slept better that night than he had in months. He woke up early, refreshed and energetic. Elizabeth was still sound asleep as was Ella. He quickly wrote them a note and headed out for a walk on the beach. The morning was cool with a nice breeze coming off the water. Robert slipped off his shoes and walked along the water's edge. His mind wandered to the plans he'd been formulating for a few days, plans he'd taken great pains to keep to himself. The thought of sharing them with Elizabeth was terrifying. Not that he thought she'd be against them; she would just be shocked by them. Vowing to himself that he would share them with her before they went back to Chicago he turned back towards the house.
When he got back Elizabeth was just starting to make French toast. After breakfast the trio set out for the beach. Robert and Ella played in the sand and collected shells for a long time until she spotted a flock of gulls a few hundred feet away. She chased them until they took off out over the water. Ella and Robert walked a little while longer until Ella realized she'd left her mother behind. "Mommy, Mommy," she yelled as she looked around.
"Mommy's sitting under the umbrella," said Robert pointing in the general direction of their blanket. He took Ella by the hand and they started back.
"Shoulders," Ella said as she stopped short and held up her arms to be picked up.
"Sorry honey, I can't put you up on my shoulders, but I can carry you," offered Robert. Ella agreed and he picked her up. She wrapped her wet, sandy legs around his waist and rested her blond head on his shoulder. By the time they arrived back at the blanket Robert's shirt was pretty much covered in wet sand. He headed back to the house to get a clean one and to make some quick sandwiches for lunch.
After lunch Ella napped under the umbrella while Elizabeth and Robert talked about nothing in particular. Elizabeth tried a few times to steer to conversation towards what was going on in Robert's mind. But since she had no idea what that was it was hard to know which way to steer the conversation. Eventually she turned her attention back to her magazine and Robert put down the back of his chair and fell asleep himself. When he woke about an hour later he found Elizabeth and Ella were splashing in the shallow water. He pushed himself up out of the chair and joined them. By the time they were done all three were very wet but happy.
After they made their way back to the house Robert hunted through the take out menus for somewhere to order dinner. They decided on an early dinner of seafood and afterwards headed for the boardwalk. It was Ella's first trip to the boardwalk and excited didn't come close to describing her mood. She didn't know what to look at first. They'd decided against using the stroller so Ella pulled Robert in 3 different directions at once the instant they set food on the boardwalk.
"Horsies, horsies," cried Ella as they entered the amusement area. Robert bought some tickets and Elizabeth and Ella took a ride on the Merry-Go-Round. Robert waited by the fence, waving at Ella each time she came around. A few more rides, some window shopping and an ice cream cone later, Ella was ready to head back to the house. Robert scooped her up in his arm to carry her when she patted his shoulder. He motioned for Elizabeth to set Ella on his shoulders.
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked Robert as she took her daughter from his arms. Robert nodded. "Ella, you have to sit still," warned Elizabeth. Robert crossed his right arm over Ella's legs and held on to her left foot. She sat perfectly still and by the time they were back at the car she was almost asleep, her chin resting on the top of Robert's head.
Sunday morning dawned a little chilly with a light drizzle falling from the sky. Robert went out for donuts and the Sunday paper. While Elizabeth and Robert read the paper and worked on the crossword puzzle Ella played with the shells she'd collected the day before. When the sky cleared after lunch they walked up to the park for a while. Ella had the time of her life. Robert doted on her, pushing her in the swing, helping her walk across the balance beam and chasing her through the large wooden castle.
When they got back there was a message from Dorothy on Robert's cell phone. She would be by 6:00 and was bringing dinner for them. "I'm going to call and check in with the hospital," said Elizabeth. "Can you get Ella down for a nap?"
"Sure, no problem," replied Robert as he plugged his phone back into the charger and picked up Ella.
"Do you want to talk to anyone before I hang up?" Robert gave a very characteristic snort and bit back a few words he didn't want to use in front of Ella.
"I'll take that as a no," muttered Elizabeth as she took the phone out onto the deck. Robert settled down in the rocker in the corner of the living room. He sang quietly to Ella. She drifted off quickly and he set her in her bed. Elizabeth found him asleep on the couch half an hour later. He had a file folder filled with prosthetic information pamphlets across his chest and spilling onto the floor. She put the papers back in the folder and set it aside. She flipped through the channels once and then clicked the television back off. She grabbed the folder and took it into the kitchen. While she waited for the tea water to boil she took the pamphlets out and spread them on the counter. Robert had never shared his ideas or feelings about getting a prosthetic device with her and she hadn't pushed. Maybe he was getting closer to making a decision.
Maybe that's what had been on his mind.
Elizabeth reached for the kettle just as it started to whistle so it wouldn't disturb Robert's nap. She found the information rather interesting and didn't notice Robert had woken up a little while later. "Reading something interesting Lizzie?" he asked as he realized what was spread out in front of her. He headed for the fridge for something to drink. He opened the door with a little more force than needed and sent a few things flying off the door and onto the floor. Elizabeth started to get up to help him but reconsidered and let him clean up the mess himself. While he did that she wisely put the papers back in the folder and put it on his backpack. "Robert," Elizabeth started, unsure of what to say to him.
"Don't Lizzie," warned Robert as he paced the room. Elizabeth just stood and watched him, trying to figure out what exactly had just happened. She obviously had struck some sort of nerve with Robert. But she also knew the more she pushed him to take the more he would shut her out completely. So she gave him the space he obviously wanted. She went for a walk on the beach, leaving Robert with his thoughts.
A little before 6 Dorothy's daughter and granddaughter dropped her off. They declined Robert's offer to stay for dinner and left before Elizabeth returned from her walk. Dorothy put her things in the third bedroom while Robert put dinner in the oven. Ella wandered out and launched herself at Dorothy. They sat and read a book while Robert set the table and opened a beer. He offered Dorothy one which she took with a smile. Ella slipped off Dorothy's lap and went to play with her toys. Dorothy watched as Robert paced around. "Robbie, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Don't call...never mind," he sighed as he collapsed on the couch.
"Is Elizabeth really out taking a walk?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes. She went out after..." Robert stopped and took a long drink of his beer.
"After what?"
"Nothing, it's stupid," mumbled Robert. Dorothy motioned for him to continue. He took a deep breath before speaking again. "I fell asleep here on the couch reading about some of my options," he said as he motioned towards his stump. "She picked up the papers and started to read them. I got annoyed at her. I don't know why. Guess she figured I wanted to be alone, so she went for a walk."
"Robbie, don't shut her out. What's really going on?" asked Dorothy, pressing him just a bit.
Weighing his options in his head Robert decided to come clean, fill Dorothy in on his plan. He talked without stopping for a good 20 minutes. Dorothy just listened, as usual she didn't judge. When Robert finally stopped talking she got up from where she was sitting in the chair and sat down next to him. "Tell her what you just told me," she said as she reached out to give his hand a squeeze. She glanced at her watch and got up to check on dinner. Robert went into the bathroom to pull himself together before Elizabeth got back. As he opened the bathroom door he heard her voice floating through the house as she greeted Dorothy and Ella.
Dinner was a bit awkward but Ella keep things lively as she told Dorothy about the horses on the boardwalk and the seagulls on the beach. Dorothy and Ella made some slice and bake cookies while Robert and Elizabeth cleaned up from dinner. After a few cookies and some milk Ella was fading fast so Elizabeth took her in to give her a quick bath and get her ready for bed. The tension in the house was getting to Robert so he took off for the beach.
Robert took Ella to get a snack while Elizabeth waited in the line. Forty minutes later they all piled into the rented minivan and headed towards New Jersey. The traffic was light and Ella was entertained by her toys so the drive was pleasant. Kate had arranged for the house to be stocked so they didn't need to stop along the way. As they went over the bridge into Ocean City Robert pushed the button to put down his window. The salty, marshy smell of the beach brought back memories of childhood vacations. He flashed a big smile at Elizabeth, the first one she'd seen in almost a week.
Ten minutes later the pulled into the driveway of the beach house. It sat right on the beach overlooking the water. Dorothy's daughter was a well respected attorney and her husband was a college professor, by the looks of the house it was obvious they did very well for themselves. The house was divided into upstairs and downstairs units. The downstairs was rented to another family and the upstairs was waiting for their arrival. Ella led the way up the stairs dragging her teddy bear behind her. Elizabeth opened the door and walked into the house. It was beautiful. It was an open floor plan, everything was light and airy. It was decorated in typical beach style, lots of blues and greens. It couldn't have been a more welcome sight. Elizabeth dropped the bags on the floor and went to investigate the rest of the house. There was a large master suite with a large bathroom, two smaller bedrooms, another bathroom, a large eat in kitchen, living room and a huge deck with a great view of the ocean. Robert carried up the bags and deposited them in the bedrooms. He put Ella's things in the bedroom next to the master bedroom and went to unpack his clothes. Elizabeth got her own things put away while Ella ran around checking things out.
When everything was put away Robert took Ella out to the deck and showed her the view. Elizabeth checked out the contents of the kitchen and was touched to see all of their favorite foods. Dorothy must have given Kate a list of what they liked. She quickly made some sandwiches for a late lunch, put everything on a tray and went out to the deck. After lunch Robert got Ella settled down for a nap while Elizabeth changed into her bathing suit, grabbed a paperback from the shelf, a chair from the storage shed and headed for the beach.
While Ella slept Robert went back out to the deck and read for a while. The newspaper didn't hold his attention and he tossed it aside after 10 minutes. From where he was sitting he had a perfect view of the ocean and of Elizabeth who was sitting and soaking up the sun. As usually happened when he allowed his mind to wander seeds of doubt popped into his thoughts. Doubts that he was doing any good at work, doubts that he even deserved the good things he did have in his life. For the last week he'd been contemplating a change, one that could completely alter this life. He'd told no one about it, not even Elizabeth. He was sure she knew he had something big on his mind but she hadn't really pushed him to share his idea with him. So he pushed his ideas aside and padded into the kitchen to find something to make for dinner. He pulled out hamburgers and set them on the counter to thaw. By the time he managed to make a salad Ella wandered out of bed and into the kitchen. She climbed onto a chair at the table and Robert got her a juice box and a few cookies. Elizabeth came back to check on them a few minutes later and found them pulling apart Oreos and licking off the cream. "Teaching my daughter nice habits I see," she teased as she watched Ella dunk a cookie into Robert's glass of milk.
"Well, it's seems a little early to teach her about medicine so I figured Oreo dunking was the next best thing," said Robert with a grin. Elizabeth reached out to wipe a bit of chocolate off the corner of his mouth. "So how was the beach?" Robert asked as Elizabeth grabbed a couple of cookies for herself.
"Delightful. Are the two of you ready to come down?"
"Beach, beach," yelled Ella as she slid off the chair and ran towards her room. Elizabeth caught her before she put chocolately handprints all over the pale blue walls. She got her daughter cleaned up, into her bathing suit and was in the process of putting on some sunscreen when Robert emerged from the bedroom in his swim trunks and a t-shirt. He managed to put some sunscreen on his face and legs. Elizabeth offered to do his back but he declined, knowing he wouldn't be taking off his shirt. She didn't make a big deal out of it and took him up on his offer to reapply some to her back.
The three spent the afternoon on the beach, having a great time. Robert and Ella splashed in the waves and dug in the sand. Elizabeth just watched them with a smile on her face. It had been a mere 24 hours earlier that Robert had dragged himself in the door looking as if the world was against him.
What a difference a day made.
By the time Elizabeth gave Ella a bath and put her in her pajamas the little girl was fading fast. The was no way she was going to be able to wait for the hamburgers to cook so Elizabeth made her a sandwich and cut up an apple for her dinner.
While Elizabeth got Ella settled for the night Robert went out and grilled the burgers on the deck. Elizabeth brought out a couple beers with her when she came out. Dinner was relaxing and quiet, a little too quiet for Elizabeth's taste. "Robert are you ok? You're very quiet tonight," commented Elizabeth as she got up to clear the table when they were finished eating.
"I'm fine. Just have some things running around in my mind, I guess," muttered Robert with a shrug of his shoulders. He got up to help clear the table but Elizabeth waved him off and he took a seat in the lounge chair.
"Anything you want to share?" Robert shook his head and drained the last of his beer. "OK, well, I'm here if you want to talk," said Elizabeth trying not to take his silence personally. She went back into the house for a few minutes to check on Ella and grab another couple of beers. "So did Dorothy decide when she was coming down?" asked Elizabeth as she pushed Robert over a little so she could perch on the edge of the lounger.
"Sunday night. Two more days of just the three of us. I could get quite used to this, just you, me and Ella," said Robert as he put down his beer and turned on his side to give Elizabeth a little more room on the chair.
"I think it might get a little boring, just the three of us all the time. No hospital, no surgery, no ER," teased Elizabeth. Her comment didn't bring the reaction she'd been expecting.
"I could live with that," Robert muttered under his breath.
She stretched out next to him and snaked her right hand under his t-shirt, fingering the scar on his side for a second before speaking again. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about something?" she asked again.
"Not yet."
Elizabeth nodded and leaned in for a kiss. They watched the stars come out until Robert starting yawning a little after 10.
Robert slept better that night than he had in months. He woke up early, refreshed and energetic. Elizabeth was still sound asleep as was Ella. He quickly wrote them a note and headed out for a walk on the beach. The morning was cool with a nice breeze coming off the water. Robert slipped off his shoes and walked along the water's edge. His mind wandered to the plans he'd been formulating for a few days, plans he'd taken great pains to keep to himself. The thought of sharing them with Elizabeth was terrifying. Not that he thought she'd be against them; she would just be shocked by them. Vowing to himself that he would share them with her before they went back to Chicago he turned back towards the house.
When he got back Elizabeth was just starting to make French toast. After breakfast the trio set out for the beach. Robert and Ella played in the sand and collected shells for a long time until she spotted a flock of gulls a few hundred feet away. She chased them until they took off out over the water. Ella and Robert walked a little while longer until Ella realized she'd left her mother behind. "Mommy, Mommy," she yelled as she looked around.
"Mommy's sitting under the umbrella," said Robert pointing in the general direction of their blanket. He took Ella by the hand and they started back.
"Shoulders," Ella said as she stopped short and held up her arms to be picked up.
"Sorry honey, I can't put you up on my shoulders, but I can carry you," offered Robert. Ella agreed and he picked her up. She wrapped her wet, sandy legs around his waist and rested her blond head on his shoulder. By the time they arrived back at the blanket Robert's shirt was pretty much covered in wet sand. He headed back to the house to get a clean one and to make some quick sandwiches for lunch.
After lunch Ella napped under the umbrella while Elizabeth and Robert talked about nothing in particular. Elizabeth tried a few times to steer to conversation towards what was going on in Robert's mind. But since she had no idea what that was it was hard to know which way to steer the conversation. Eventually she turned her attention back to her magazine and Robert put down the back of his chair and fell asleep himself. When he woke about an hour later he found Elizabeth and Ella were splashing in the shallow water. He pushed himself up out of the chair and joined them. By the time they were done all three were very wet but happy.
After they made their way back to the house Robert hunted through the take out menus for somewhere to order dinner. They decided on an early dinner of seafood and afterwards headed for the boardwalk. It was Ella's first trip to the boardwalk and excited didn't come close to describing her mood. She didn't know what to look at first. They'd decided against using the stroller so Ella pulled Robert in 3 different directions at once the instant they set food on the boardwalk.
"Horsies, horsies," cried Ella as they entered the amusement area. Robert bought some tickets and Elizabeth and Ella took a ride on the Merry-Go-Round. Robert waited by the fence, waving at Ella each time she came around. A few more rides, some window shopping and an ice cream cone later, Ella was ready to head back to the house. Robert scooped her up in his arm to carry her when she patted his shoulder. He motioned for Elizabeth to set Ella on his shoulders.
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth asked Robert as she took her daughter from his arms. Robert nodded. "Ella, you have to sit still," warned Elizabeth. Robert crossed his right arm over Ella's legs and held on to her left foot. She sat perfectly still and by the time they were back at the car she was almost asleep, her chin resting on the top of Robert's head.
Sunday morning dawned a little chilly with a light drizzle falling from the sky. Robert went out for donuts and the Sunday paper. While Elizabeth and Robert read the paper and worked on the crossword puzzle Ella played with the shells she'd collected the day before. When the sky cleared after lunch they walked up to the park for a while. Ella had the time of her life. Robert doted on her, pushing her in the swing, helping her walk across the balance beam and chasing her through the large wooden castle.
When they got back there was a message from Dorothy on Robert's cell phone. She would be by 6:00 and was bringing dinner for them. "I'm going to call and check in with the hospital," said Elizabeth. "Can you get Ella down for a nap?"
"Sure, no problem," replied Robert as he plugged his phone back into the charger and picked up Ella.
"Do you want to talk to anyone before I hang up?" Robert gave a very characteristic snort and bit back a few words he didn't want to use in front of Ella.
"I'll take that as a no," muttered Elizabeth as she took the phone out onto the deck. Robert settled down in the rocker in the corner of the living room. He sang quietly to Ella. She drifted off quickly and he set her in her bed. Elizabeth found him asleep on the couch half an hour later. He had a file folder filled with prosthetic information pamphlets across his chest and spilling onto the floor. She put the papers back in the folder and set it aside. She flipped through the channels once and then clicked the television back off. She grabbed the folder and took it into the kitchen. While she waited for the tea water to boil she took the pamphlets out and spread them on the counter. Robert had never shared his ideas or feelings about getting a prosthetic device with her and she hadn't pushed. Maybe he was getting closer to making a decision.
Maybe that's what had been on his mind.
Elizabeth reached for the kettle just as it started to whistle so it wouldn't disturb Robert's nap. She found the information rather interesting and didn't notice Robert had woken up a little while later. "Reading something interesting Lizzie?" he asked as he realized what was spread out in front of her. He headed for the fridge for something to drink. He opened the door with a little more force than needed and sent a few things flying off the door and onto the floor. Elizabeth started to get up to help him but reconsidered and let him clean up the mess himself. While he did that she wisely put the papers back in the folder and put it on his backpack. "Robert," Elizabeth started, unsure of what to say to him.
"Don't Lizzie," warned Robert as he paced the room. Elizabeth just stood and watched him, trying to figure out what exactly had just happened. She obviously had struck some sort of nerve with Robert. But she also knew the more she pushed him to take the more he would shut her out completely. So she gave him the space he obviously wanted. She went for a walk on the beach, leaving Robert with his thoughts.
A little before 6 Dorothy's daughter and granddaughter dropped her off. They declined Robert's offer to stay for dinner and left before Elizabeth returned from her walk. Dorothy put her things in the third bedroom while Robert put dinner in the oven. Ella wandered out and launched herself at Dorothy. They sat and read a book while Robert set the table and opened a beer. He offered Dorothy one which she took with a smile. Ella slipped off Dorothy's lap and went to play with her toys. Dorothy watched as Robert paced around. "Robbie, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Don't call...never mind," he sighed as he collapsed on the couch.
"Is Elizabeth really out taking a walk?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes. She went out after..." Robert stopped and took a long drink of his beer.
"After what?"
"Nothing, it's stupid," mumbled Robert. Dorothy motioned for him to continue. He took a deep breath before speaking again. "I fell asleep here on the couch reading about some of my options," he said as he motioned towards his stump. "She picked up the papers and started to read them. I got annoyed at her. I don't know why. Guess she figured I wanted to be alone, so she went for a walk."
"Robbie, don't shut her out. What's really going on?" asked Dorothy, pressing him just a bit.
Weighing his options in his head Robert decided to come clean, fill Dorothy in on his plan. He talked without stopping for a good 20 minutes. Dorothy just listened, as usual she didn't judge. When Robert finally stopped talking she got up from where she was sitting in the chair and sat down next to him. "Tell her what you just told me," she said as she reached out to give his hand a squeeze. She glanced at her watch and got up to check on dinner. Robert went into the bathroom to pull himself together before Elizabeth got back. As he opened the bathroom door he heard her voice floating through the house as she greeted Dorothy and Ella.
Dinner was a bit awkward but Ella keep things lively as she told Dorothy about the horses on the boardwalk and the seagulls on the beach. Dorothy and Ella made some slice and bake cookies while Robert and Elizabeth cleaned up from dinner. After a few cookies and some milk Ella was fading fast so Elizabeth took her in to give her a quick bath and get her ready for bed. The tension in the house was getting to Robert so he took off for the beach.