26- Starting over…. chapter twenty-six
Walking through the hall to room 205, the nurse at the floor nurse's station saw him and gave him a smile.
"You are a bit early, but go ahead she already got her morning medications so is awake. Her breakfast will be coming soon."
"Thank you."
Going into the room Sarah saw him and gave him a big smile. "Did Seth and Mary give the garage the A-OK…. even though there were no stuffed toys?"
"Yes, they deemed I will be able to escape your clutches if necessary, so think I should be safe." Walter chuckled. "I have a delivery of medical equipment coming this afternoon and will set everything up in the seating area downstairs. Adjustable bed, privacy screens. If there is anything else you can think of, let me know….. is a stuffed toy a requirement? If so what kind?"
"Wait a minute….. you're really going to park me downstairs with the cars?"
"What do you suggest? I tell your brother I am going to set you up in my bedroom?" Walter asked sitting back with a frown. "I am sure that will be just fine with them- Mary already asked me about being a hacker and it being a bad thing."
"Come on Walter, anyone can look at you and see you're a perfect gentleman, would never do anyone harm."
"That's what people said about Ted Bundy, you know," Seth said coming in. "I called mom and dad, they are getting neighbors over to take care of everyone and will be flying in tomorrow."
"Oh, great! Walter you get to meet our parents," Sarah said with a big grin. "If ever there is a person who can tell a man's character, it's dad."
"I thought I just had to pass muster with the horse," Walter mumbled causing Seth to snicker.
Seth leaned over to Walter, "you may find dad easier than Pilot."
Walter gave Seth a hard look, "Is it too late to rescind my offer? This is getting to be rather overwhelming."
Mary, sitting on the other side of Walter snickered, "I told you, fast, fun, and wonderful. You are getting the 'fast' done first, welcome to the world of the Clements." Mary cocked her head and looked at him, raised her eyebrows, "or did you already pass the fun and wonderful stage?"
Before he could react, Walter's phone buzzed. Pulling it out of his pocket he saw a text from Gina.
Walter, equipment has been delivered.
Walter rose, "Things have been delivered to the garage- I will take off to get it all set up….. by the cars. Make a list of things you may need and I will see to it." He went to Sarah laying in the bed to lean over and whisper in her ear, "remember what I said about not getting involved?" Sarah looked up at him with apprehension and nodded. "I did not take my own advice," he said in her ear and gave her a lingering, deep kiss. "I will stop in again later," he said and left ignoring the wide eyed stares of Seth and Mary and big, ear to ear grin of Sarah.
He pulled up to the office door and entered. Gina at her desk looked up from her computer screen.
"Hey, Walter. There is a massive pile of stuff in the seating area. You really going to set her up down here by the cars? What if she needs help in the night- going to give her a bell to ring?"
"Gods, you too? So what do you suggest- I park her in the den, the upstairs bathroom is big enough, or maybe my bedroom?" Walter grumbled going into the kitchen to get a cup from the cabinet and pour coffee before going through to see the pile of stuff. He took a drink of his coffee then putting the cup on a table opened the box with the bed- some assembly required so he looked it over and went into the back-bay to open his toolbox, pull a few tools out to get started.
Gina came into the seating area smiling, "Can I give you a hand?"
Walter looked up, "sure, those boxes have the frames for privacy screens- they just snap together and the cloth hung with hooks like a shower curtain. Got two sets of sheets one to use, one to wash, and two blankets, two pillows and cases. Think of anything else I should have gotten?"
"This is nice of you, Walter," Gina said while opening the boxes the rods for the privacy curtain frames were in. "Maybe an electric blanket if it gets chilly down here opening the doors to get the cars in and out- a radio with cd player. She will need lounging around wear- robes is easiest so ask her so they can be brought over here."
Walter stood up with a frown, pulled his wallet out, handing Gina a credit card, "Here, get all that stuff delivered."
"Walter what size is she?" Gina asked. "Have to have some information when it comes to buying clothes for someone I have never seen."
Walter looked at her, thinking, then stared into vacant distance…. "Sarah is five foot seven inches tall, measurements of thirty-six, twenty eight, thirty-six, shoe size eight, short auburn hair, and green eyes." Returning to Earth, "that enough for purchasing robes? Maybe four of different colors- so she does not get bored." He went back to putting the bed together and plugging its electric motor in for adjusting, testing it and setting the stops on the wheels so it stays in place. Opening the packages with the sheets and blankets, he looked to Gina. "Should these be washed first?" he asked, then answered himself, "yes." Opened all the sheets, blankets and pillow case packaging and went to the washer/dryer closet in the back-bay and started it up.
Gina watched him with her brows raised and a smile then went into the office to sit at her desk and ordered four styles of robes of different colors, four not overly frilly, but lacy negligees in matching colors of the robes a pair of fuzzy slippers and an electric blanket, all to be delivered ASAP.
"How about some flowers, Walter?" she called.
He came through the kitchen into the office with coffee in hand. "What flowers could survive there? No sun, and do not like cut flowers- they're dead."
"There are a lot of plants that thrive in deep shade- ferns for instance."
"Gods, this is going to put me in the poorhouse- you have the credit card, have at it." He said and returned to the seating area to continue setting things up.
Gina came back into the seating area to see Walter sitting in an easy chair, empty coffee cup in hand. He looked up, "Can you think of anything else she might need? Everyone remarked about putting her here with the cars- I was thinking of those sliding doors to close up this area from the actual garage where the cars are. Think that would work?"
"That would look neat. Tomorrow a lot of the stuff I ordered will be delivered throughout the day. When is she going to be released from the hospital?"
"Couple more days, I think. I will inquire when I visit this evening."
"I can make some calls and see about those sliding doors and installation- how soon it can be done if you want," Gina said sitting down. "Would make it more 'homey' than looking at cars and toolboxes twenty feet or so away from the bed."
"OK, OK, make the calls and get it done," Walter said getting up to refill his coffee not noticing Gina's big grin as she followed him into the kitchen then on through to the office to make the calls.
Walter put the sheets in the washer into the dryer then started the washer with the blankets to go sit back down in the seating area eyes roving over all the new equipment. He then rose to go up to the den, sit at the desk and opened the laptop to check mail. Messages from Cabe and Ralph.
Walter- Allie would like to stop over Saturday afternoon- made a new pie and wants an opinion. Cabe
He hit reply.
Cabe- Looking forward to it. Sarah was in an accident, setting up the seating area for when she gets out of the hospital- bring enough for an extra person. Walter
Walter- Had it out and my computer is no longer being monitored- I can contact whom I want- not a kid, anymore. The robotics class is going well, design and mechanical build is fun… still like the programming better. Next semester will be getting into more math- miss working with you, but when older may be able to again. Hope all is well with you. Ralph
Sitting back thinking of the change, he hit reply.
Ralph- As always so good to hear from you and to know you are well. I know you like and prefer the programming, but design expands your ideas, and the mechanical is necessary to know how the design is functional- working from initial idea through the steps to actual device is very much a learning experience. Causes you to think of all extraneous issues before getting through the design stage. Also miss working with you- in time, buddy. Walter
Getting up, he grabbed the empty coffee cup and went down to the office kitchen to put the cup in the dishwasher and went into the office to sit at Gina's desk.
"If you think of anything else that may be needed, go ahead and get it. I am heading off to the hospital. Text if anything comes up. Have a good evening."
"Tell your friend I wish her well. See you tomorrow, Walter."
Entering Sarah's room he found her alone and snoozing and, not wanting to disturb her, he sat and just gazed at her as she slept. Always in movement, her broken and slowed down as she is now was startling and alien to her normal self.
"You come here just to stare at me?" She said.
Walter blinked and focused on her. "Sorry, did not mean to stare, was thinking."
"I Like you staring at me. What were you thinking?"
"How unlike your normal self to be so still," Walter said quietly, then sitting up continued, "I am having some sliding doors hung to close off the actual garage area with the cars so you won't be looking at cars and toolboxes. So not 'parked with the cars' after all…. do you like ferns?"
"Ferns? What are you talking about?"
Walter chuckled, "Gina gave me a hand setting everything up and said flowers would be nice. I did not think plants would live in there- no sun. But she said there are plants such as ferns that live and thrive in deep shade. So, do you like ferns?"
"My goodness, Walter, just your making the offer for me to stay with you is enough, ferns and expensive doors are certainly not necessary. I mean, how many people could say they were sleeping next to a Ferrari? I would probably be one in a million, at least- you're the mathematician- what are the odds of running into someone who has slept next to a Ferrari?"
"Need data to compute such odds. You do realize this will be an extensive recovery time- I want to make it as pleasant as possible though I do not think the pleasantness will last very long."
"Walter, do you think I would be so ungrateful as to be difficult staying there with you?" Sarah asked. "You have no idea how much I will enjoy seeing you in day to day living- coding, doing your math, designing, plus I greatly enjoyed watching you clean, wax, and do maintenance on your cars already. I dare say it will be much more difficult on you than on me."
"How you figure? I can always retreat to the loft, even the roof if necessary. I can hibernate up there for months. That reminds me, any special foods, drinks you require or particularly like?"
"Orange juice- she can drink it by the gallons, lemon water til it is coming out her ears, and as far as foods go- grapes- eats them like candy especially the dark purple ones, and yellow delicious apples- Pilot has to fight her for them and usually loses," Seth came to lean on the door jamb while Mary took the second chair by Walter. "Steak, prime rib, the usual turkey, chicken, even indulges in a hotdog once in a while. In other words, she can and will eat just about anything. Make her fund the groceries or she will put you in the poorhouse."
"Sarah," Mary asked, "is there anything from the house you want? We can drop things off with Walter so it is there when you get out of hospital."
"My laptop, of course, I got a raggedy old robe as that would be easiest to get in and out of….."
Walter sat up, "um, well, I hope you don't mind but I have taken the liberty to have things delivered as Gina suggested robes- comfortable easily gotten into for sleep and lounging while stuck immobile. So, all should be there when Sarah arrives. Do you know when she will be getting out of here, and getting her to the garage with those casts is going to be a major undertaking- even the Malibu will be a problem. I can see about proper medical transport- wheelchair and van to accommodate." Walter got up to leave, "I will see about that now. I may not be back until morning. You can let me know then when she can leave here." He passed Seth in the doorway and headed for the elevator.
Seth, watching Walter walk down the hall then get in the elevator turned to Sarah, "he is more involved than late night drives and burgers, isn't he?"
"Don't look at me," Sarah said. "He told me more than once to not get attached, not get involved, so this is as big a surprise to me as to you. I admit, I got involved some time ago, but he is very different- hard to read in case you didn't notice, pretty much antisocial- lives alone, works alone, cruises the back country roads alone. Incredibly intelligent. Did he take you up to the loft? Bookshelves filled with nothing but science TOMES, and I mean chemistry, metallurgy, logic, mathematics of every discipline, physics….. not one novel, not one statue, not one knick-knack of any sort, only pictures are of him and his sister as kids and then as adults- that's it."
"When were you up in his loft?" Mary asked.
Sarah looked at her with a laugh. "Come on Mary, I just turned thirty, on the pill for years and look at him. If you didn't have Seth, tell me you wouldn't jump him if you could. Don't worry Seth, I won't go into details, but I never WANTED to get attached to someone like I do with him. That he is warming up just makes my heart go pitter-pat. That he made the offer and is doing so much has me absolutely blown away."
Mary looked at her, "what did he whisper in your ear before that kiss- that certainly wasn't just a friendly peck on the cheek."
Sarah looked at her with a big smile. "He said he didn't take his own advice about not getting involved. Gods, can I really be so lucky?"
Seth laughed, "oh boy, he has to pass muster with Pilot….. and dad. Mom and dad are flying in at ten in the morning, will pick them up and have them here by eleven-thirty latest, depending on traffic. If Walter is here, should be an interesting meeting. He comes off as so cosmopolitan, aloof big city sophisticate and in like whirlwinds comes mom and dad- right out of the old west-think Walter will handle it? Sure is going to be interesting to watch," Seth said laughing again.
Sarah and Mary looked at Seth but didn't say anything.
Getting to the garage, Gina had already left for the day so Walter opened the man-door, opened the garage to pull the Malibu in. Looking up, he saw the rail already installed over the archways between the garage area and the living area. The doors will probably be hung tomorrow, on the garage side so the archways will still be viewed from the living room side. Gina certainly is getting things done efficiently and quickly- things not even pertaining to the job- maybe a bonus is in order….. I should ask Richard about the protocol.
Walking through the seating area, all looked ready so he went up the stairs to the loft to glance at Megan's picture. "Going to be a lot of changes and activity going on around here. May take some time getting used to having someone here constantly."
He sat at his desk and powered up the desktop and opened the laptop. On the desktop he opened the music file and scrolled to Wagner's Tannhauser, hit play and went into the bedroom to strip and hit the shower. After his shower, in boxers and towel around his neck went into the kitchen, got a bottle of water, nuked a can of clam chowder, got some crackers and went to the desk to eat and check mail. Messages from Cabe, Richard, Ralph, and Gina.
He read them in order.
Walter, Sorry to hear about your friend- will certainly bring enough blueberry pie for everyone. Allie asked- you are putting her down with the cars? See you Saturday afternoon. Cabe
He hit reply.
Cabe- Sounds good, I am sure Sarah will enjoy the company and the pie. Walter
Walter- The redundant controls for all occupants of the personnel capsule as you suggested has been incorporated- another good job. Hope your friend is going to be OK. The Russian started his nonsense over in Arizona at the rocket test facilities. Good thing I didn't go over- would have throttled him. Richard
He chuckled and hit reply.
Richard- The Russian is a math proficient- as I said, an unruly clan. They should be heading back to Europe now? Take any of your personnel with them? Any of them decide to stay? On another topic, what is the protocol for giving a bonus? Gina (who still has not put in for a transfer you notice) has been a big help with setting up the downstairs area for Sarah to stay until recovered. Want to show appreciation for her going above and beyond the job description, but unsure of methodology. Walter
Walter- Have been thinking of what you said- in another year I will be old enough to get a drivers permit- maybe I could visit and get back to doing board work with you again. Give me something to look forward to. Ralph
Walter sat back thinking- always good to hear from Ralph, but leery of the former team….. he hit reply'
Ralph- I will also look forward to seeing and working with you again, however, as long as you are underage, I must take care. Trust once lost is rarely regained. Their driving me out of business I would wonder if I would be in legal jeopardy seeing you without parental permission. Some suggestions I have made have been incorporated into the personnel capsule of Richard's rocket. The designing of systems is on-going, both the air and water reclamation and cleaning. Two engineers have working the system and patenting it for use by third world and off-grid types. Progress, plus the business is doing well. A friend was injured in an accident- will be a long recovery and I am setting up the downstairs living area for her to stay during recovery. She likes late night drives, too, though in an MGB not a Ferrari. Know I love you. Walter
Walter- The robes, etc., will be delivered tomorrow. As you can see the rail is already installed. I thought it would look better to have the doors on the garage side and as a background to the archways in the living area. You did not specify, so I took a chance and made the decision. 50% chance of being right, right? Everything should be set up, ready and waiting for your friend whenever she gets out of hospital. The two inquiries on your programming is still in correspondence stage. Will keep you informed. Gina
He hit reply.
Gina- thank you for all the work you have done- above and beyond your job description, and greatly appreciated. However the doors are installed, your decision will be fine. Whenever the inquiries make a decision all will be done as per usual. Thank you again. Walter
Walter sat for a bit, finished his soup and crackers, gathered everything up and went to the kitchen to put the bowl and utensils in the dishwasher, finished his water and put the bottle in the recycle bin, got a damp cloth to wipe down the desk top. Sat and scrolled through the music file to assorted chamber music and hit play. Taking the cloth back to the kitchen he set up the coffee for the morning then went to bed to lay staring at the ceiling while thinking of the coming days and weeks- meeting horses, meeting parents…. so much for his quiet, solitary existence. As the chamber music wafted softly through the loft he dozed off to finally sleep deeply.