A NEW JOB?
Chapter2
8:45pm.
Curtis noticed that Deborah was about to fall asleep in the easy chair. He switched off the TV and lightly touched her shoulder asking, "Ready to go to bed?"
She shook herself awake and nodded. "Yes."
"Okay." He put his arms around her shoulders, helping her to stand up. She moved with careful steps as they slowly made their way to the bathroom. "Not feeling so good?" he asked quietly.
"I'm just not adjusted to this new medication," she replied as he helped her to take a seat on the edge of the tub. Her fingers shook as she undid the snaps on her blouse.
"It's only a couple of weeks," Curtis reminded her. He began running water into the tub and rubbed soap into a cloth. As soon as she was sitting in the tub, he handed it to her. "Need me to help you?"
"I think I can manage by myself, Rey. Why don't you go get my medicine?" Deborah suggested.
"Okay. I'll be right back in a couple of minutes." He headed for the kitchen to fix the herbal tea that she insisted on taking her pills with. He was hoping that this latest medication would at least lessen the severity of some of her MS symptoms so that she wouldn't feel so helpless all the time.
By the time Curtis returned to the bathroom, Deborah was sitting on the edge of the tub, wrapped in a fluffy towel. He set the pills and tea on the nightstand and went to help her get dressed and into bed. "I'm gonna make sure that everybody's in their rooms and then take a shower," he told her.
"Are you certain that you're not going to the kitchen to eat the leftovers?" Deborah teased.
"No, I'll have that for lunch," Curtis replied. He quickly checked to see that each daughter was at least in her room and told them goodnight before going back to Deborah.
She had taken her pills and was finishing the tea. Looking up at Curtis, she said, "You're really looking forward to going back to the 2-7."
He took her empty mug and set it aside. "Yeah. I've been thinking it over all evening and I'm definitely gonna tell Corelli that I'll take the offer. It'll be nice to see Lennie and LT". He rummaged in the dresser drawer for a T-shirt and a clean pair of boxers.
Deborah looked at him tenderly. "I'm glad that you're getting this opportunity, Rey," she said softly.
"So am I." He kissed her on the cheek and went to take a shower.
"Love you, Rey," Deborah said sleepily, snuggling under the light blanket.
By the time Curtis returned, he found her sound asleep. Carefully, as not to disturb her, he climbed into bed. "Love you too, Deborah," he whispered, gently kissing her and drawing her close.