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| Figure by Marion Lent (paper clay, 18 cm) |
Yesterday Patrick left the rehab center for his second dose
of fun and recreation since he was taken in an ambulance to the ER on January
27. Yes! A month ago, he could barely walk with the help of a walker. Yesterday
he not only walked, with a cane, into his favorite bistro but he even
drove himself there in his new car.
This is the almost brand-new car that he bought for a very good price just before all hell broke loose. It's white and shiny, don't ask me the make, and it beeps when you are going to back into a tree.
The Smile is a five-minute walk from our old apartment. Normally,
Patrick goes there three times a week to have a beer with his friend Pascal. The people who work there are our friends. When we walked in, Marie’s face lit up. I, being me, started
to get all weepy. Jeremy came out of the kitchen in his white apron and tocque
and squeezed us before rushing back to make sure nothing was burning.
I ordered a stuffed tomato; Patrick ordered the steak and a
tiny glass of St. Omar. For dessert he had fromage blanc with caramel
and I had the crême brulée. Everything tasted divine.
We then drove to our new apartment in Butte Montceau, where
Mr. Tyminski’s guys were banging on walls and drilling holes. Patrick lay down on the living room sofa and fell asleep.
I lowered our brand-new very expensive blinds to keep the
sun from shining in his eyes.
Just before he began napping in earnest, Mr. T popped in to
check on his crew. “Patrick is here!” I said. The two Mr. T’s discussed toilet
seats.
Mr. Tyminski—Luc—had a stent put in last year; he knows
something about emergency surgery.
After the nap, we sat in the kitchen, peeling carrots. Then
we drove down the hill to the rehab center. We had dinner in Patrick’s room,
and then I walked back home.
It was an excellent day. There is so much more that I could
tell you, and I will, but not now. Now I must edit four chapters of “Myths of
the Tribe,” second edition. The World’s Most Patient Writer has been waiting
for me to finish this job since last fall.
Love, Sadie
PS The figure above is by the artist Marion Lent. You can see more of her work on her website, www.marionwlent.com. It is one of many works of art, including several by Vermont artists, that will make our new apartment a special place. I named this one "Lulu." Here he is standing on the microwave in our kitchen. He moves around a lot.
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