“Yeah, I hope so too.” It couldn’t have been much worse, and then they hung up, and she was glad she had spoken to him. He didn’t sound well. His cough sounded awful, but he said he didn’t have pneumonia when she asked.
It had turned out to be a perfectly tolerable Christmas. Doug was coming back to New York from Ireland in three days, and they were going to spend New Year’s Eve together since he didn’t have a date. She was looking forward to seeing him. He was busy with his family and she hadn’t heard from him again from Dublin. She had brought a short silver dress to wear that a designer had given her after a shoot. Doug said he’d bring champagne. They were going to stay at the apartment, and watch old movies on TV. It sounded like a perfect New Year’s Eve to her, and she was glad she had done the surgery. Now all they needed to do was see the results. So far, her doctors had taken extraordinary care of her. It had been a first-class experience, nothing like the military hospital in Brussels. She felt like a queen, and it was free.
* * *
—
Doug arrived promptly at nine on New Year’s Eve, and his eyes grew wide when he saw her in her silver dress, and high heels to match. You could see her bandages, but you could see her legs too, and the effect was a knockout. He looked impressed.
“Hello, Tin Man, I love you!” he said in a heavy brogue. It bothered her more that half her face was bandaged again, which brought back bad memories. She’d had nightmares every night since the surgery. But she was happy to see him. He was carrying a bottle of champagne, opened it, poured two glasses and handed her one, and sat down next to her on the couch in her borrowed apartment. “Fancy digs,” he said, glancing around, impressed. It looked like a top-notch five-star hotel. She had ordered dinner for them from the catering service. She had ordered a steak for him and chicken for herself. He was relaxed and happy after his trip to Ireland.
“So how was it?” she asked, as they sipped the champagne.
“Fantastic. My family is crazy. We were all squashed into my mother’s tiny apartment, and hung out at the local pub at every opportunity. Even old ladies go there. My older brother drinks too much, but he’s a great guy. He has a terrible wife, though. We’ve all hated her for years. And my sister Nuala who’s a nun got to spend Christmas with us. I forget how much I love being back there when I’m here. My mother lives for when we’re all at home together. She puts up with all of us, and cooks for an army, all the traditional Irish dishes. I’m glad I went. It all seems like too much trouble, until I get there, and then I’m happy to be back in Ireland. How were you here?” he asked, concerned.
“I slept my way through the holidays. They kept me drugged up, but now I feel fine.”
The food arrived at nine-thirty, and Doug enjoyed his steak. Véronique had chicken and only picked at her meal. She wasn’t hungry after all the drugs she’d been taking, but she’d already been out by then, and had gone walking in the park in the snow. She had watched the children playing, and sliding down the hills wearing garbage bags tied around them. She wanted to try it, but was afraid to bang up her legs. Both doctors were pleased with how she’d come through the surgery, and said she could go home in two weeks. Her bandages were due to come off a few days before she left.
They talked while they ate, and she told him about Dr. Dennis’s work with children in Africa. “He invited me to come out and visit. I’m thinking about going in March after the next surgery, or April. It sounds amazing.”
“I’ve been to Kenya and Zimbabwe. I loved it. There are some beautiful places. He must be a good man if he does that and works for free for three months every year.”
“I think so too. He lights up when he talks about the kids. The hospital is run by nuns. He said I can stay in the convent if I go.”
“Please don’t sign up while you’re there. I still can’t believe my sister did. She used to date every boy in the parish, and then she joined an order, took her vows, and that was it. My mother was thrilled. If we’d all become priests and nuns, she’d have loved it. I moved to New York to get away from my family. But once a year they’re great.” He looked happy and relaxed.
They had the TV on in the background so they could see the ball in Times Square. It was going to be the highlight of their evening. She was grateful he was spending it with her. She had gone to a movie one afternoon, and the Metropolitan Museum, but she didn’t have anything to do. After ten days in New York, she was ready to go home, but she had to wait for the removal of her bandages. She was anxious to see the results of the surgery. They warned her that her face would be a little pink for a while, but the scars were supposed to be smoother and lighter.