Marion stirred the sauce and inhaled the scent, her stomach grumbling at the delicious smell. She didn't cook much, but thankfully, Lisa had a few easy recipes she'd been trying while Lisa was off in France. She heard a car door and turned toward the window, grinning at the sight of her dad and his lovely wife, her dear friend. She was home. Home from France and home for the summer. Marion turned back to the stove, giving the sauce another stir before she covered the sauce and turned to greet the couple.
"Lisa! Oh, I'm so glad you are back. Welcome home!" As she prepared to step toward her, she laid eyes on Lisa and her expression changed. She turned fully toward the door, where before she'd been looking over her shoulder as she stirred the spaghetti sauce. "Oh gosh, Lisa, what's wrong?"
"Ahh, hi," Lisa called from the doorway with a small wave and a very tired smile. Jack followed her, carrying Lisa's bags from her long trip, giving Marion a tight smile and nod. Marion could see the concern on his face, and Lisa moved slowly into the kitchen and gripped the chair, looking to Marion with a sad, weak smile. "I feel awful. I have food poisoning and have been miserable the entire flight."
"Oh gosh!" Marion put her hand up to her mouth, and her eyes widened, glancing to Jack who nodded at her in confirmation. "Lisa, that's horrible. I'm so sorry. What in the word did you eat?"
Lisa shook her head as she pulled out the chair to collapse into it, and Jack moved through the kitchen with her bags giving Marion a nod that he'd be right back. Marion walked over to the table where Lisa now had her head in her hands and looked up at Marion who put her hand on the back of Lisa's chair.
"Whatever it was on the plane, maybe? I had breakfast before I left, eggs," she said, and the instant she said that, she made a face like she wanted to throw up at the mention of it. She shook her head again. "Shortly after we took off, they fed us chicken, and I have no idea-"
"Were others sick, I mean on the plane?"
She gave Marion a tired shrug, "I was in first class, the man closest to me slept most of the way, and the couple behind me had the vegetarian meal. I really don't know, but I feel horrible."
"Oh," Marion sprang into action as Jack rejoined them in the kitchen, "let me get you a glass of water, or does something else sound better?"
"Water," she nodded. "Thanks, Marion. Good to see you."
"So glad you are back, Lisa. I just wish you were feeling better. Dad," Marion nodded at him, "wow, what a good think you picked up Lisa today. She's in no condition to be driving like that."
Jack nodded in agreement at Marion as he stepped around the table, behind Lisa, where he put his hands on her shoulders and began to massage them gently. He'd been quiet, reserved, as they'd arrived, and he paused his motions to lean down and kiss Lisa's cheek before he addressed Marion again.
"I agree, Marion. Lise, I hate you feel so badly. We had a nice dinner planned for you. Marion's been trying some of your recipes-"
"I ruined it. I'm so sorry," Lisa looked up at Marion and frowned. "I wish I could say dinner smells great, but my stomach is so upset."
Marion nodded, going back to the stove to stir the sauce, "I made spaghetti sauce, your recipe, and the good thing about this is, as you know, it makes a ton, so maybe you can have some tomorrow if it sounds good."
"Lisa leaned her head back against the chair as Jack continued to work on her shoulders. He looked down and eyed her as she glanced up at him, "If this is not helping, I'll stop."
"No, that feels great. Thank you. My shoulders are a mess after sitting on that plane for so long. Gosh, I feel awful. I tried to sleep on the plane, but my head kept falling forward, even in the nice seats in first class. I reclined quite a bit, almost flat, but that was making me nauseous again. This is awful."
"How about a hot shower?" Jack asked, raising his eyebrows at her. "I know how much you normally enjoy that after a long day of travel."
"You know what, that sounds really good. I think I will do that."
"Please, Lisa, anything that might help. I'm so sorry. Can I get you anything? Cup of tea?"
Lisa stood and braced her hand on the table, taking a deep breath. Jack and Marion exchanged a glance, and Jack frowned, both unhappy to see Lisa so miserable. Lisa looked over at Marion.
"A cup of tea would be really nice after my shower. Thank you."
"Lise, what can I do? Do you want me to get your things, bring them to the bathroom?"
"No, thank you," she turned slightly and leaned up to peck his lips, the first she'd tried to have some semblance of normalcy at the house. "I'll be okay. I'm hoping that moving around, well with food poisoning, I have to feel better eventually."
"Listen, if you get dizzy or feel like you are going to fall, you call for me. Don't close that door all the way. Amy's still out?" Jack looked to Marion, and she nodded.
"Amy will be home by 7:00 for dinner, so yes, no one is here. I won't bother you in the bathroom."
Jack gave Lisa a stern look as he nodded, "I mean it. You call for me if you need anything. You really don't look good."
"I will," she patted his hand. "Hopefully, a hot shower, a cup of tea, and some sleep will have me feeling like a new person in the morning."
Jack and Marion watched as Lisa walked toward the bedroom, and when she was out of sight of the kitchen, Marion stepped toward Jack, waving her hand toward the bedroom. Jack's eyes were still on it, not that he could see Lisa anymore.
"Dad, she looks terrible!" Marion gestured wildly with her hand. "Poor Lisa! She looks exhausted. Is that just the food poisoning? The exhaustion doesn't fit-"
Jack nodded, "I know. I agree. She's been telling me she's tired when we talk, but she's also been chalking that up to the travel, time change, not sleeping well, just," he frowned, "all of it. I agree, though, that the level of exhaustion looks more than just travel. Lise travels a lot, and while that isn't new for her, she's not usually like this. She said she had a cold at the front part of her trip, and I remember she was coughing and all from that. I just," he paused and shook his head. The two stopped talking when they heard Lisa emerge from the bedroom and start across the living room toward the bathroom.
"Lise, you need anything?"
"I'm fine," she called. "Don't worry about me. Just really regretting eating whatever I did. Won't be eating on a plane again for some time."
Marion listened for the bathroom door, and when she heard Lisa start the shower, she gestured again, "A cold at the beginning of her trip-Dad, it's the end of June, what, she's been gone for just over a month. That's not a cold, and the exhaustion I guess, travel," she shrugged. "Poor Lisa, though. She looks so rough. Has she eaten since this started this morning? I'm guessing not."
"No," Jack shook his head, "which would also explain some of her tiredness. She's been traveling for almost 24 hours."
"Let me start that tea for her," and Marion turned back to the stove while she talked to Jack. He finally sat down, and Marion looked over her shoulder at him.
"Dad, you look worn out now yourself. Let me get you a cup of coffee." With no objection from Jack, she first prepared his coffee, and Jack nodded his thanks at her when she brought it to him. He nodded as he sipped.
"Hits the spot. I was so excited to see Lisa, and then, she's had me worried from the moment I put eyes on her. She practically fell into my arms," he said, and he caught Marion's eye as he was speaking, giving her a nod and small smile, "and not in some great, romantic gesture."
Marion let a chuckle escape as she nodded, "No, I can see she really looks rough. Hopefully that shower and a good sleep will help. Do you think she'd eat anything else? Oh, what about a slice of toast?"
"You know," Jack nodded at her, "that's probably a good idea. She needs something."
Marion made a face, "Ahh, did she throw up the whole way home?"
"Some," he frowned, nodding at her, "which is all the more reason to try something else on her stomach. She said she has not thrown up in the last couple hours."
"I'll make tea and toast. We'll send her off to bed, and hopefully, tomorrow, she's back to herself."
The morning brought a familiar scene in the kitchen, Marion at work and Amy already off to ride her horse with Sorayah. Jack had checked on Lisa a couple of times, and she was still sleeping, telling Marion she'd been awake an hour or so overnight where he'd made her another cup of tea. Jack had to ride out to the fence line near the road to fix it. A few of the cows had already gotten through it this morning, and while he hoped to make quick work of it, Marion promised to stay nearby and check on Lisa. Marion had sent a client horse home the day before, and she didn't have one coming in for two days, so it was a good time for her to be around the house.
"Well, hi," Marion smiled sympathetically at Lisa as she shuffled into the kitchen. Marion tried to hold back a chuckle, but Lisa's hair was a mess. She jumped up from her chair to see if she could help her friend, waving at the coffee pot.
"Coffee is hot. Would you like a cup?"
"That sounds great," Lisa sighed, wiping hair from her face and trying to smooth it down. Marion had heard Lisa head toward the bathroom and turned to Lisa who was now sitting down at the table.
"Dare I ask how you are feeling today?"
"Lisa closed her eyes and waved her hands in front of her, "Feels like the room is spinning. My stomach is still rolling, but I kept down that toast from last night."
"Oh, how about another piece then?" Marion offered, gesturing to the toaster, and Lisa nodded as she hummed in appreciation.
"Thanks, Marion," she said, putting the cup of coffee down on the table after sipping at it. "I'm hoping I feel much better today. I might get another hot shower."
Marion listened and nodded, "How did you sleep, I mean, aside from Dad telling me you woke up, and he made you some tea."
"Ahh, actually I slept well, proof that I just needed to be home and in my own bed. I really love that bed, perfect firmness."
"You have been traveling a lot, Lisa. I mean, all that time in Florida, and even when you were home in May, you weren't really home resting. You were at the cabin and then on the cattle drive. You've got to take care of yourself, not that you need me going on and on about that."
"I know," Lisa nodded, sipping at her coffee again. "I keep reminding myself that what I could do even 10 years ago, it's just a little more tiresome, but," she narrowed her gaze and pointed at Marion, "don't tell your father that. He is constantly trying to prove to me he's younger than he is, and I keep telling him it's okay to rest, to admit we are all getting older."
Marion chuckled and when the toast was ready, she sat down across from Lisa for the two to chat some. Lisa ate it, gingerly, sitting back as the two just enjoyed their time getting reacquainted.
"How are things with Tim? Wait, Jack's-"
"Out fixing the fence. He wanted to be here. He's really worried about you, but a few cows got out and onto the road."
"Oh," Lisa grimaced. "I'm fine, really. You don't need to babysit me. I'm already feeling much better today, so I'm very glad we have a moment to catch up, but really, I'll be okay. So," she waved her hand at Marion, "back to Tim."
Marion dropped her head as she bit her lip and tried to hide her smile.
"That good, eeh?"
Marion laughed and raised her head, her eyes meeting Lisa's, "Things are going very well. I never fell out of love for him, and I am taking things very slowly-"
"Sure," Lisa winked, "and catching Tim here in the middle of the night sneaking out is slowly. Okay."
"Stop!" Marion laughed, her face reddening. "You are one to talk about sneaking out of here."
"I never claimed we were taking things that slowly or had some caution as to why we should. You do. I didn't have some long history of a mess with Jack, Dan, yes, but I think waiting over a decade to date is taking things slowly for me, Jack the same, not dating anyone since your mom died, what 12 years ago. We," she dropped her eyes to meet Marion's gaze with a grin, "were the definition of slow."
"Not slow, just picky until you knew it was the right person. I think Tim is might right person if he can continue to prove he's got his act together."
"And does he?"
She nodded, "I believe he does. He's been standup with me. Things are going very well. I've really missed him in all ways, and it's been good to have him around. We talk a lot, spend a lot of time together doing simple things. Our chemistry has been great-"
Lisa raised an eyebrow, "I'm guessing he has dated some since your divorce?"
Marion frowned but nodded, "He's told me about a few relationships he had."
"Serious ones?" Lisa asked, sipping at her coffee.
Marion sighed and let out a long breath before looking over at her friend, "A couple, some one-night things," she shook her head. "That's where I struggle. I know we were divorced, but I hate hearing that because for me, it's only been Tim. He's been the only man I've wanted. He told me he lived with a woman for about a year," she shrugged. "They weren't good for each other, both a mess, so maybe I'm trying to come to grips with the idea that the Tim I have back had to go through a mess to get to where he is now."
"That is true," Lisa nodded. "We all have a past, baggage, and well, a big part of moving forward is being okay with leaving the past where it is. If it keeps haunting you, that's not good. I have to admit I was worried about that with your dad, I mean, that he loved your mom so much that he'd struggle with moving forward with me, that it would feel like he was not being loyal to your mom."
Marion nodded, "He and I talked about that, and I think, as you said, that 12 years of not dating anyone allowed things to heal, allowed him to grieve her even if he didn't know it. Trust me," she reached across the table and squeezed Lisa's hand, "he adores you, loves you like I really can't even believe."
"Well, I feel the same and am very glad to be here with all of you. I mean, take yesterday," she waved her hand. "Even getting myself home from the airport would have been a mess had I not had Jack there to pick me up. It's taken me time to rely on others and trust again, but I love him dearly and trust him with everything I have. I hope you can eventually say the same about Tim. Any plans with him today?'
Marion nodded, "We're going to one of those old drive-in movies. One is showing about an hour from here."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, "So, a late-night, drive-in movie, just the two of you, in his truck-yeah," she winked, "sounds incredibly innocent." Both women's gazes met, and they both burst out laughing. Marion blushed, and Lisa winked at her, adding, "We'll be glad to keep an eye on Amy here."
"Well, thank you. You went to bed, but she ended up bringing Sorayah home with her, and the two of them giggled half the night. I couldn't believe it they were up early for a ride, so I expect she may crash early tonight."
Lisa grew quiet and sat back, Marion watching her before she spoke, "Lisa, are you okay? You still don't look great."
Lisa put her hand to her mouth, "I'm okay, just deciding if this is all going to sit well. I shouldn't have had the coffee. Tea has been tasting better."
"Let me make you some tea," Marion said as she stood.
"No, don't make a fuss," Lisa shook her head, but then stopped and sat back, letting out a slow breath.
"It's not, and you're right. The coffee doesn't seem to be agreeing with you. They always say to take it easy after food poisoning. Whew, it's getting hot already. This is when I wish we had air conditioning."
"If it gets too hot, we can all go to Fairfield. It's air conditioned. I'm glad you said that," Lisa said with a slight chuckle as she fanned herself, looking to Marion. "I thought it was just me."
"Do you have a fever?" Marion stepped toward her and put her hand on Lisa's forehead, shaking it. "No fever. What in the world did you pick up?"
"I've been having a lot of hot flashes," Lisa made a face as Marion stepped to the tea. "I know you said you have them quite often, but I've really started to notice an increase."
"Yeah, well, my doctor said it's probably the start of menopause for me," Marion frowned, delivering the tea but shaking her head. "That's early for you. When did your mom go through that?"
Lisa shrugged, "She died in her 30's so she wasn't around, but it's not that early for me. I mean, maybe a little, but not crazy. I was reading about it the other day before I came home, and a lot of things line up. Joy," she rolled her eyes.
Marion sat down, frowning, "I know it can last a couple years, I mean, moving through all of that, but with not knowing where your mom would have been-I mean, Mom didn't talk about that and then got sick, so I really don't know for my mom," Marion explained.
"Back to this getting older business is not fun," Lisa frowned.
"Please," Marion rolled her eyes, "you're 41."
"Almost 42," Lisa pointed at Marion, and Marion rolled her eyes again.
"Hardly old. I'm old, turning 47 next, divorced, two daughters, living at home," she laughed.
"Hmm, well," Lisa nodded, "divorced, remarried," she winked at Marion and continued, "a stepdaughter older than me, two step granddaughters, and a old man," she laughed. Both women burst out laughing, enjoying their time together.
"Well," Marion nodded, "I'm sorry you were feeling poorly, but I'm really glad we had a chance to catch up this morning." Lisa stood, cleared her plate and coffee cup, and nodded in agreement.
"I am too," she told her. "I've missed this, sitting around drinking ahh," she made a face, "not coffee because it's upset my stomach again. If you excuse me," she hooked her hand. "I am going to see if I can keep it down and get a shower."
Lisa stepped toward the bedroom, and Marion started to wipe down the counters, her mind wandering. She paused her actions and called to Lisa.
"Lisa?" Marion stepped toward the bedroom as Lisa stepped back out, her head tilted.
"What's wrong? Your face has lost its coloring," Lisa looked at her.
"Umm," Marion dropped her head and waved her hand, looking back up at Lisa, "Despite what you've said and all," she paused searching Lisa's eyes, "ahh, could you be pregnant? That or have something seriously wrong like my mom did?"