Chapter 45.

We spent most of Saturday at the apartment, watching movies and a baseball game. It turned out that Jess was a Yankees fan, if you can believe that. But I didn't hold it against her.

We ordered a pizza for lunch, a large one, and still it wasn't enough for both of us. "I think we'll have to go to the market for some food," Jess said.

"You're not going to fill my refrigerator with salad stuff are you?" I pouted.

"No, I mean bread and sandwich meats, cheese, maybe one of those frozen lasagnas, and chips and salsa."

"And beer. Can't forget the beer."

"Or the donuts."

At least my eating habits wouldn't suffer with her around.

By dinner time, we'd decided to go out, and not just because there wasn't anything in the apartment worth eating. I liked being out with Jess, seeing the looks on people's faces when they saw me with this hot young woman. What man wouldn't?

We decided on Indian food this time. Jess liked hers hot and so did I. There were some things we totally agreed on. We ordered a lamb curry and chicken tikka masala, and shared. When she ate as much as I did, I decided we needed even more food, so we had some biryani. And dessert, of course, some yummy rice pudding.

"That should hold you for a few hours," she said with a grin.

"What about you? You're the only woman I know who can eat me under the table."

"Do you mean that literally?" she asked with a straight face, but couldn't keep it up, bursting into hysterical laughter.

"You're not supposed to laugh at your own jokes," I reprimanded. It didn't stop her and I had to join in. I don't think I ever laughed as much as I do with Jess.

She finally regained control of herself and asked, "So what do we get first? Food or something for me to keep my things in?"

"Well, if you don't mind living out of a suitcase and some boxes for a while, maybe we should hold off on the furniture," I said, without really thinking about it. Or maybe I had. It had such a permanent feel to it, more of a commitment than I was willing to make.

She studied me, suddenly sobered. "OK." She forced herself to be upbeat and say, "Food it is, then. Where's the nearest market?"

Uh-oh. I realized I'd said the wrong thing there, but how could I make it right? I thought about it all the way to the supermarket, following her around as she bought hamburger and pork chops, pasta, some crusty bread, butter, cheese, salami, a humongous bag of corn chips, hot salsa, and a giant chocolate bar. A smile was creeping back across my face. "What kind should we get?" she asked when we reached the beer.

By the time I'd paid for the groceries, I'd decided what we had to do next. "Let's get this food home and into the refrigerator. There's something else we have to do today."

Jess brow furrowed. "OK."

We took the bags out to the car and drove back to the apartment. It didn't take long to put everything away. The refrigerator looked only half empty when we were done, but that was better than completely empty.

"So what now?" she asked.

"Just come along," I told her, heading back out the door. She seemed willing to go with me without even knowing where.

We drove in the opposite direction from the motel. I knew exactly where we were going. It wasn't until I pulled into the parking lot that Jess did too.

"It's a closet store, one of those places with shelving and boxy things," she said in surprise.

"Just what we need for all your belongings," I said, smiling at her. So maybe it wasn't what she had in mind, but it would do with the little space we had.

"I guess it'll work," she said, shrugging. "Let's go look at some shelving." We entered the store and were surprised by some of the things that were on display. "Actually, this stuff is kind of neat!"

It was, too. Units with shelves, drawers and even a place for shoes. Bookcases that doubled as end tables and low chests that doubled as seats. Units of every height and width imaginable.

"This will fit neatly where my suitcase is now!" Jess exclaimed. It was a corner unit with open and closed shelves. "And this one won't take up too much space either." She pulled open the doors of a narrow piece to reveal a rod for hanging clothes, and above and below it, drawers. "I think I can get by with just these two."

"Are you sure all of your stuff will fit?" I asked.

"Positive! Now we have to find out if we can get them in a finish that won't clash with the furniture you already have."

I hadn't even thought about that. Furniture was furniture. Why did it have to match? It just had to be functional.

But Jess was already telling a salesman what she wanted, describing the furniture in my bedroom. She'd remembered details that I'd never even noticed.

The man went off and came back with a book of brochures to show her and Jess quickly found exactly what she thought would be best. It was all happening faster than I'd imagined, but I'd been the one to bring her here, and it felt good somehow to make her so happy her eyes shone.

The units Jess wanted could be delivered on Tuesday. We arranged a time in the evening, knowing we'd be busy at the hospital until then. Jess had a big smile on her face when we left the store while I was still trying to convince myself it would work out. She wasn't invading my space or remaking the apartment with her own taste.

We drove home with Jess chatting away, oblivious at first to my reservations. When she finally noticed that I wasn't even trying to smile, she said, "You are OK with this aren't you?"

What could I say? "We needed a place to put your stuff and I thought of the store, so, yeah, of course, I'm fine. Really fine."

"It's not as if I was getting some kind of ornate furniture or changing your drapes or anything."

"I said it was fine."

"Your lips, those wonderful lips, formed the words, but your eyes and tone said otherwise," she said. "I can cancel the order."

"And then you might just find that ornate furniture that will demand that you change the drapes. You know what? I think maybe we should get another piece once we see how well these fit in. One for the living room."

Jess' grin was back, brighter than ever. I knew I just had to continue to make those kinds of adjustments if I wanted to see it all the time.

It had been a busy evening and it was good to get back to the apartment, settle down together on the couch and watch some more TV. But after a while I could see her eyelids drooping. "Let's get you to bed," I said, standing and pulling her to her feet. "Tomorrow's another day. Let's see what new mischief we can get into after a good night's sleep."