“Nonsense. I would love to speak with them. Just tell them I am having a nap and when you step behind the screen to wake me, place the book on the pillow and return to them. I will follow you out after I put on some of the new clothes.”
Jerry smiled. “You’re smarter than the average Shvibzik, that’s for sure. Now, let’s get home.” He picked up the book and with a slow pulse of blue that lingered when it ran across his hand, Ana was back between the covers in short order. Jerry grabbed his jacket, took a quick look around the office to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything, and went out to find his benefactors.
Chapter Eighteen
@TheTaoOfJerr: “Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.”
ANA’S PLAN WENT off without a hitch, though Jerry had forgotten that the loft had only one bed and if Ana was sleeping in it, it might imply something that wasn’t true. But he needn’t have worried because if Manny or Carmella thought anything was off, they gave no hint of it in their hugs and kisses for Ana when she stepped out from behind the screen.
Once the “hellos” were over, Carmella hustled Ana into the kitchen where they went over the contents of the massive basket one item at a time. On the drive back to the loft Carmella had explained to Jerry that the basket had everything from herbal teas for nausea to Callebaut Chocolate dark chocolate-covered almonds for when everything else failed and he just needed to spoil himself. There were bath oils, body oils, herbs, and even potpourri, though she admitted that the more “girly” items were for Ana because he had to take care of his caregiver. While the ladies explored the basket’s contents, Jerry sat on the couch while Manny got a fire going in the hearth.
Manny looked back over his shoulder. “Whatever you need, you ask, Jerr. Our health plan had you covered from the day you walked in the front door, so with luck, that’ll take a lot of the damned pressure off. It’s pretty comprehensive, but Mika knows more about the details than I do cuz she built the package from the ground up with our provider. She’s more into crystals than syringes these days, but she’s actually got a degree in nursing, so don’t turn down any advice she may send your way.”
“You’ve got quite the strong women on your team, Manny, what with Mika and Lee-Anne blowing my expectations out the window.”
“Our team, Jerr. Besides, in case you haven’t noticed with that whirling dervish of a wife of mine, I prefer my women strong, funny, and able to stand beside me, not lean on me. My daughter is the same way, though sometimes she’s more like her koala bear of an old man than the dervish of her mother.” He got the fire going in the hearth and sat down next to Jerry on the couch.
“Now, a few things you’re not going to argue with me about.” He took a business card out of his wallet and handed it to Jerry, who read it, front and back. It belonged to a local cab company and had an eight-digit number hand-written on the back. “I have an account with these fellas. We use ’em for post-party rides and out-of-town clients, but now you’re gonna use ’em if you don’t feel up to driving to your appointments, or wherever. You said before that Ana doesn’t drive, and as much as I’d love to be there for you, I can’t always, so use the corporate account and no bloody arguing.”
Jerry turned the card over and over in his hand, unsure how to respond. He had no desire to argue with his boss over such a generous offer. “Deal. You don’t have to do this, but as solid on my feet as I feel today, I’m smart enough to know that’s not always going to be the case. Thank you, Manny. I promise not to abuse it.”
“To hell with that. Use it, abuse it, I don’t care. It’s deductible, so no playing ‘Captain Strong’ or ‘the hero’, or whoever.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Use it, Jerr, or I’ll sic Carmella on you.” They both glanced quickly toward the kitchen but laughed when they saw that the women were too caught up in their own conversation to hear the fireside chat. “You’ve got that appointment with the oncologist tomorrow right?”
“Yeah. Ten o’clock. And then a scan on Monday at one. That’s the long one, I think.”
“I assume Ana is going with you, but do you need anyone else? I can skip church tomorrow and take time off on Monday.”
“Thanks, but you really can’t, Manny. Don’t skip church—I probably need a few prayers said for me, and as for Monday, we’re meeting with the accountant at twelve-thirty. It’s important, but you’ll have to handle that one without me, I’m afraid. Tax season is coming up and he wants to get us organized before the last minute. Mika has a good idea of what I wanted to bring up with him about some ideas to reduce the payable tax, so I suggest taking her along. I’ll have Ana with me, and I promise to take a cab there and back. As soon as I’m out of the meeting and have any news at all, I’ll send you a text to tell you to call when you can.”
“Your word?”
“Of course.”
“Done.” He stuck his hand out and Jerry shook it.
Carmella spotted them out of the corner of her eye. “Manuel James Werinick, you had better not be talking business with this young man.”
“Not at all, Lovey. Strictly personal.”
“Good, because it’s time we leave these two alone. Jerry needs to rest and Ana wants to get going in the kitchen.”
“Carmella has given me a wonderful recipe that will fill you—us—up and give you strength, too. I had no idea that food was divided into groups and it was important to eat from each of them.”
Jerry stood and looked from Manny to Carmella. “Thank you, both. I’m sorry I’ve been so sluggish. I’m pretty sure it’s more mental than physical, but knowing that you’re only a phone call away is going to make all of this so much easier to handle. You have your own lives to keep up with, too, though, so get the hell out of here and go do whatever it is you would be doing on a Saturday evening. Dine, dance, toss dwarves… whatever. I’m in the best hands with Ana, here, so git.”
Plucking their jackets from the coat tree, Manny held Carmella’s out for her and she slipped into it. “That’s the Jerry I know. We’ve got all the confidence in the world that you’re going to beat this thing.”
Jerry managed a weak laugh. “I appreciate your optimism, Manny. Over the next few weeks I may have to borrow some of it.”
“As much as you need, boyo. As much as you need.”
With final hugs, and cheek-kisses with the ladies, Manny and Carmella were out the door and gone. Gently, quietly, Jerry pushed the door shut and leaned on it until the latch clicked. Ana kissed him on the cheek and flitted into the kitchen where she started working on dinner like a chemist preparing a formula.
JERRY PLACED THE signed consent form on the doctor’s desk and laid the pen gently on top. “‘Anaplastic Astrocytoma and the Brain Blood Barrier’. It sounds like the name of a Rob Zombie-Yoko Ono tribute band.” Jerry tried to laugh at his own joke, but Dr. Kelly simply smiled patiently. “Sorry, Doc. I imagine you get a lot of patients who try to crack wise right about now.” Jerry wanted to jump up and dance and joke and be the smartass he was in every other situation, but he couldn’t even bring himself to let go of Ana’s hand.
“It’s a very common response to the situation, Jerry. That was quite an obscure reference, but I got it. Nicely done. I personally prefer jokes like yours to the anger some patients respond with. It doesn’t happen often, but when the reaction is uncontrolled rage, my concern shifts from the patient to their loved ones. Someone that angry with me for simply being the bearer of the news is usually someone who will take that anger home and act it out. We offer counselling for all reactions, even denial.” Dr. Kelly gestured at the computer screen the three of them faced. He had moved his chair to Jerry’s side of the desk and spun the monitor around.