13

Changes

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Chapter 10

"Since you'll be home first, just pop the pan into the oven," instructed Sue. "I'll write down the temperature and time so you won't forget. I'll finish the salad when I come home. The dessert is all set."

"I can do the salad," offered Lucy. "You've done everything else."

"Thanks but I'll be home in plenty of time. Bobby and I should be done about five thirty, give or take a few minutes for me to write in the log, and then we'll head here."

"Dimitrius is dying to meet him," Lucy confided. "He's wondering if Bobby will give him an interview."

"No interviews," warned Sue. "This is his first time out in public that doesn't involve a medical appointment. I really want this dinner to be a relaxing experience. He's making such good progress it would be a shame to have him regress."

"Okay, okay. I get your point,' said Lucy. "I'll let D know this is strictly a social evening."

"Good." A glance at the clock, she stood up. "Gotta go! See you tonight if not sooner."

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"Keep this up, Mr. Manning," began Sue, "and I think you can get rid of those crutches and move onto a cane sooner than later."

"Mr. Manning? I thought we're friends," he reminded her.

"I forgot," she said.

Immediately, disappointment colored his eyes.

"No, no!" she added hurriedly. "Not the part about being friends but calling you by your first name. You can't expect me to suddenly start calling you Bobby when it's been Mr. Manning for three weeks."

"It's a very easy name to remember," he pointed out relieved she still wanted to be friends. "Bob-by. Try saying it a few times. It might grow on you."

"You horrible man," she scolded mockingly. "Are you teasing me?"

"Never," he assured her solemnly but with a twinkle in his eye.

"Now I know you're teasing me," she declared. "Just for that, you need to do that last exercise again."

Bobby groaned. "Again? What if I apologized—even though I wasn't teasing?"

"Too late, Eight more repetitions, Mr. Manning—now," she ordered sternly.

With a glare, Bobby proceeded to pull the weights with his leg.

"One," she counted, "two, three…try to keep it steady…four…five…six…come on, Bobby…only two more…seven…eight! You did it!" she announced triumphantly.

Exhausted, he lay back on the table.

"Very good," she praised him as she leaned over. "You a great job today."

Looking up at her smiling face, Bobby suddenly had the urge to kiss her. What was the matter with him? He was still in love with Darcy and this was not Darcy, he reminded himself. This was his therapist.

Sue saw his eyes cloud over in confusion and wondered what he was thinking. "Is something wrong?" she asked in concern. "Did you pull a muscle?"

"Uh…no," he replied. "Just a bit tired." He struggled to sit up. Sue dropped her clipboard on the table and slipped her arms around him.

"Here…let me help you," she offered. Their faces were so close he could see the golden flecks in her dark green eyes. It took all his willpower not to move closer.

Sue glanced up to reassure him when her heart began to race at the intensity of Bobby's gaze. What was…did he…did she…what…? Unconsciously her body began responding when a little voice in her head shouted, No!Abruptly, Sue pulled back confused at her reaction.

"How does your leg feel?" she asked a trifle curtly as she tried to sort out her conflicting emotions.

"A little tired. Do you think I'll cramp up?" he answered strangely disquieted at the unexpected change in mood.

"I'll bring you a sports drink and massage your leg for a few minutes so it won't happen," she promised glad to get away from him for a few seconds. She needed to regain her equilibrium. "You rest. I'll be back in a minute."

"Thanks." For a moment, his mind relived the moment when Sue had her arms around him. They felt good—very good. What was happening here? wondered Bobby.

"Here you go," announced Sue, breaking into his thoughts. "Drink some of that then I'll massage your leg. In fact, I think from next week, we should include it as part of your therapy since you're ready for the next level of exercises." She waited for him to take a few sips before she took the bottle from him. "Lie down," she ordered.

"There you go, being bossy again," he pretended to grumble.

"You love it," she retorted.

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"You can take a shower while I get the salad ready," Sue told Bobby as they headed towards the front door. "Dinner should be on the table by the time you get out."

"I could help," he offered.

"You can help with the dishes."

"Deal."

The two entered the front door. "We're home!" called out Sue unaware of how cozy it sounded. Lucy and D came out of the kitchen.

"Hey," greeted Lucy. "I was just wondering if I should do the salad."

Sue glanced at Bobby. "Someone owed me a few more before we could leave."

Bobby sighed. "She's a terrible taskmaster." Sue glared at him.

"That's why her patients get better," Lucy declared, noting the interaction between the pair. She stuck out her hand. "Hi, I'm Lucy. We've met at the clinic."

"Uh…we have, haven't we?" said an embarrassed Bobby. He remembered his behavior was not the most pleasant during those visits.

Lucy watched his expression in amusement. Oh ho! The Tin Man does have a heart! "This is my fiancée, Dimitrius," she said out loud.

"Call me D. Everyone does," D smiled holding out his hand. "I've been wanting to meet you."

Bobby eyed D warily as he returned the handshake.

I can see what Sue meant, thought D as he noted the other man's body language. The 'Don't Ask' signs are loud and clear. "I've heard a lot about you from these two ladies."

Almost imperceptibly, Bobby relaxed and his streak of impishness surfaced.

"Glowing epithets?" he asked innocently as he recalled his prickly manner of the past few weeks.

D understood what he meant. "A long list of adjectives was used," he assured Bobby noncommittally.

"Really?" remarked Bobby as he glanced at the two women. "Should I ask what they were?"

"No," Sue said firmly. "Otherwise we'd be here all night. Here." She handed him his duffle. "The bathroom is at the end of the hall with clean towels on the cabinet."

"Down the hall, towels in the cabinet," he nodded.

"We'll eat as soon as you come out," she called out after him. His head bobbed in acknowledgment that he heard.

Lucy looked at Sue, surprise written all over her face. "That's the same guy that came to our clinic a month ago?" she asked in disbelief. "You sure his body hasn't been taken over by some alien pod person?"

"I told you his attitude changed," Sue said as she headed towards the refrigerator. "Could you feed Levi while I get the salad ready?"

"I'll do it," offered D. "You know, I could like this guy," he commented as he reached for Levi's food dish. "I think he's got a sense of humor."

"Which he kept extremely well hidden the past few weeks he's been here," said Lucy tartly. She was gathering the dishes and flatware for dinner.

"I don't think he's had a lot to be happy about," D said.

"Well, whatever the reason, he's been more motivated, more upbeat since Tuesday," shared Sue. "I still don't know what happened, but I'm glad for him."

"I am, too," responded Lucy. "I won't have to dread his appointments any more. An icicle would've been warmer. Myles will be pleased."

"And you have no idea what caused this change?" D asked curiously.

"Nope." Sue tossed some grated cheese on top along with the croutons and bacon bits. "Does it really matter? He seems more at peace with himself and that's a good thing."

"Yeah, it is," agreed D. "Are you sure I can't ask him for an interview?" he asked wistfully. "The headline could read—noted photographer, Bobby Manning, grants exclusive interview," he said as though reading a paper. "It would be a great feature."

"I repeat…no!" Sue said firmly. "He's here as my guest. It's obvious he still feels uncomfortable going out in social situations. I don't want him to think you're watching his every move and planning on reporting it."

"Okay, I hear you. I'll leave him alone—for now."

"What does that mean?"

"I'm still a reporter and he's still news. When he is fully recovered and back on his own two feet, then and only then will I ask for an interview," stated D. "Fair enough?"

"I guess," said a reluctant Sue. "But I don't want him to think that's the reason why I invited him over to dinner."

"Why did you invite him over?" asked Lucy.

"For one thing, it can't be good for him to be alone so much, said Sue. "Secondly, I promised Jack I would have him over for dinner one night."

"Who's Jack?" asked D.

"The friend that owns the house Bobby's staying in."

"Got it."

"And?" prodded Lucy.

"What do you mean and?" asked Sue.

"I can hear an 'and' in your voice," replied Lucy.

"And I like him," she said simply. "We had such a good time on Tuesday we decided we could be friends."

"Those are three very good reasons to have him over," agreed Lucy.

Unbeknownst to the trio, Bobby had taken a quick shower and was heading back to the kitchen when he heard his name mentioned. He stopped to listen. He became angry when D mentioned the possibility of an interview…an anger which rapidly dissipated when Sue firmly vetoed the idea. It was replaced by a feeling of warmth when she revealed she liked him and considered him a friend. It was a good time to make an appearance.

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"You seem to be having a good time," commented Sue. "Are you?" she asked as she washed the dishes. Lucy and Dimitrius were having coffee and dessert while she and Bobby did clean up duty.

"Yes, I am," admitted Bobby. "It hasn't been as painful as I thought it would be. Your friends are very nice."

""I hope they become your friends, too."

He smiled at her. "And I want to tell you thanks."

She looked at him. "For what?"

"For refusing to let D interview me. I prefer keeping a low profile and I don't think it's anyone's business how I'm doing."

"No, it's not. Guests in our home are just that—guests," she stated adamantly, "not potential interviewees. Although," she said as she rinsed a dish, "you're the first person here that Dimitrius has wanted to interview aside from Levi."

"Levi?" he remarked as he grabbed another dish to wipe.

"Uh-huh," nodded Sue. "He wanted to get the dog's point of view working with a deaf person. It would've been a fascinating interview but I put my foot down for that one, too. I'm an equal opportunity denier."

Bobby stopped at looked at her. "Are you insinuating that Levi would be the better choice for an interview?"

"You said it…I didn't," she said self-righteously.

His eyes narrowed as he reached for another dish. He stared at it then slipped it back into the dishwater. "Spot," he said briefly.

Sue halted her washing and turned to him. "Bobby Manning, that's the third plate you've put back! I think you're doing that on purpose!" she accused him.

"There was a spot," he insisted. "You can check the plate if you don't believe me."

Frowning, she picked up the dish, rinsed it off and held it up in front of his face, dripping wet. "See? No spot."

"You're dripping on my shoes," he commented.

"Oh? I am?" she said in feigned innocence. "I'm sorry." She placed the dish in the rack. "Just for that, you can finish the rest of the dishes. See you in the dining room for dessert. Come on, Levi."

Bobby opened his mouth to call after her but closed it when he remembered she wouldn't be able to hear him. He slowly wiped the last dish with a grin on his face. She caught him pulling the same prank he'd been doing for years. He knew it was childish but he couldn't help himself. Everyone reacted in a different way. His mother would just keep right on washing while Jack would make a face but not say anything. His brother refused to do dishes with him after a while and as for Darcy, they rarely ate at home.

Bobby stacked the last dish on the counter and hung up the dishcloth. Grabbing his crutches, he headed towards the dining area to join the others. "I'm d…" the words died in his throat. At the dining table was the man in the photograph.

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"Done already?" asked Lucy when Sue walked through the door.

"I am," she said cheerfully. "Bobby's not."

Lucy was about to ask why when the doorbell rang.

"Doorbell," announced D to Sue. "I'll get it."

"I like your friend," Lucy confided. "He is nice. Didn't I tell you he'd be attractive if he smiled?" She was pleasantly surprised when Bobby had smiled several times during dinner. He seemed very comfortable with Sue.

"Yes, you did," agreed Sue. D appeared bringing someone with him.

She looked up in surprise. "Jonathan! What are you doing here? I thought you went to New York to get that deposition."

"Someone neglected to inform me that it wasn't necessary any more so I went up there for nothing," he explained in exasperation. "I decided to come back." He handed Sue a box of candy and kissed her on the cheek. "However, I was able to pick this up for you."

"Thank you," smiled Sue. "Would you like to join us for coffee and dessert?"

"Sure." He was just about to pull out a chair when a man came out of the kitchen.

"I'm d…" The man stopped and stared at Jonathan.

Sue's eyes darted from Jonathan to Bobby. "Um…Jonathan, this is Bobby Manning," she introduced. "Bobby, this is Jonathan Hammond."

Jonathan's eyes slid to Sue and back to Bobby. Slowly he walked over and extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you," he said. "I didn't know this was a dinner party. I'm sorry I interrupted."

"You didn't interrupt anything," declared Lucy.

"Lucy's right," said Sue. "You know you're always welcome here." She gestured to the table. "Come and sit down—both of you," she urged them.

Warily, the two men sat at opposite ends of the table.

"I'll go grab another plate and cup," Sue stated motioning to the kitchen. "I'll be right back." Her eyes widened as she turned around. This was an unexpected turn of events.

"Here," said Lucy as she placed a plate in front of Bobby. "Try some of Sue's blueberry cheesecake. It's delicious."

"I agree," chipped in D. "She's a good cook."

Lucy frowned at him while she served Jonathan a piece. "And what about me?"

"Every meal is getting better and better," he assured her. "Coffee, anyone?"

The lively conversation that accompanied dinner was absent during dessert. Bobby was quiet contributing a few scattered words. Sue noticed.

"Tired?" she asked solicitously. "I can take you home now if you want."

"I am feeling a bit tired," he admitted. "I'd like to go if you don't mind."

"I can take you home," Jonathan suddenly volunteered. He wanted to check out this guy who was having dinner with Sue.

"No, I can do it," said Sue. She could see Bobby felt uncomfortable with Jonathan's suggestion.

Lucy elbowed D and discreetly jerked her head in Bobby's direction.

"Say," spoke up D, "I gotta go myself. I'll take you home, Bobby." He leaned over to kiss Lucy. "Great dinner. My compliments to the chef and her assistant," he said smiling at Sue. "See you, Jonathan. Come on, Bobby, I'll help you with your bag."

Bobby stood in front of Sue, self-conscious with Jonathan's eyes upon him. "Thanks for dinner. I had a wonderful time," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome," smiled Sue. "See you on Tuesday."

In a few minutes, both men were gone. Lucy stood up to collect the plates and cups. Sue moved to help when Lucy waved her down. "I'll get it. You made dinner tonight and washed up. You stay and visit with Jonathan."

An awkward silence descended upon the couple.

"That's the guy who had the accident?" asked Jonathan breaking the quiet.

"Yes."

"Not very talkative."

"This was his first social outing in a while."

"You have him over for dinner often?"

"No, but I might. He doesn't know anyone here and the friend that owns the place went back to work so he's all alone."

"So you've made him your business?"

Her eyes narrowed at his questions. "What are you saying?" she asked coolly.

Instantly, he realized he had overstepped his boundaries.

"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to question you. I just wondered why the interest in the guy."

"He's my client and my friend."

A friend was he? thought Jonathan. Or competition? Well, he needed to do something about that! Damn the work! He'd make time for Sue.

"How 'bout dinner tomorrow night?" he suggested.

"A date?"

"A date," he confirmed.

"Wow…okay." It had been a while since they'd last gone out.

"Good! I'll call you tomorrow with the details."

"All right."

"Thanks for the dessert and coffee."

"Any time."

She walked him to the front door.

"See you tomorrow," he told her as he leaned forward to kiss her. Her lips felt cool beneath his. "Good night, Sue."

"Good night, Jonathan."

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