by Marlene Hill
As she walked through the quiet calles, she breathed in the chilly air. Then all at once, she turned and ran back to the rehab. She’d forgotten to tell him she loved him. She wanted him to hear it no matter what level he’d comprehend it. The nurse at the door didn’t want to let her back in, but when Giulia told her why, she smiled and opened for her. Giulia felt much better on the way home knowing she’d left him with a positive thought. She needed to stay positive herself until Chuck was really back with her. At least she knew he was safe and good people were caring for him.
She stood on the top of the Rialto Bridge for a moment and looked at the Grand Canal as it wound toward the most elegant palazzos in all of Venice. She thought of the Gritti Palazzo at the far end. Tom! She’d forgotten to get in touch with him. She hurried home to find the card he’d put in her hand the day he left. If he’s in Brussels now, he might come here soon. She hadn’t used the small purse since Tom was here. She grabbed it off the shelf in “her” room and looked in the small pocket with a zipper. There it was. She dialed the number.
“Giulia! To what do I owe this call? Everything all right?”
“No, nothing’s right. Tom . . .” the words stuck in her throat but she choked them out, “Chuck’s in a coma.”
“How did that happen? Where is he? What’s the prognosis?”
“He’s here in Venice at a private Rehab in Campo San Zaccaria. Can you imagine the military shipping him here from a big hospital in Germany and—”
“Landstuhl?”
“That’s the one.” She told him what she knew hoping he could come.
“Of course, I’ll come. You needn’t meet me, I’ll find my way to Zaccaria. Give me the name of the facility again.”
“Thanks. I know he’d want you here, and I could use a big shoulder.”
“You’ve got it. I’m guessing things are better between the two of you.”
“Yes. We were still working on… but yes, definitely better.”
“That’s good. Okay, let me get on the horn for reservations. See you soon. Hold on, he’s a tough one. He’ll be grabbing you before you know it.”
* * *
It was Tuesday. Giulia hurried to the rehab. No negative thoughts. He needs positive energy around him. She got an idea and began to jog. When she arrived at seven, the nurse, who usually took care of Chuck, told her he’d uttered a few words.
“They weren’t understandable, but—”
“What were they?” Giulia interrupted.
“One sounded like ‘Chools.’ Senta, what is your name?”
“Giulia.”
“That could be it. The “chu” could be “giu,” don’t you think?”
“And the other word?”
“‘Zomash’ or maybe ‘Zahmash.’ Does that mean anything to you?”
“Zahmash? His best friend is Tom. His Polish name is Tomasz,” and Giulia pronounced it the way Chuck had taught her, “Tomahsh.”
“Hmm, pretty close. Maybe he’ll say them again.”
Would Chuck say Tom’s Polish name? Then she remembered hearing him call Tom a “blue ass.” A private joke. Close enough.
“The important thing,” Doctor Cornaro said, walking into the room, “is he’s trying to speak. Makes no difference whether it’s comprehensible to us. This is terrific news!”
“I hope so. I called his best friend, Tom. He’s coming from Brussels.”
“All good. Now you step out for a few minutes, while we check him out and see if we can aspirate more residue from his bronchial tubes.”
It seemed she had to step out a lot. But the doctor had been so cooperative and supportive, Giulia didn’t want to rock the boat. As she walked down the hallway toward the small cafeteria, the aroma of fresh coffee floated toward her. She picked up her pace, realizing she’d forgotten all about eating this morning. She carried a cup of coffee and a brioche back to Chuck’s room.
Finally, all the medical people had left—at least for a while. She put down her coffee and half-eaten pastry and moved her chair close to his bed into a position where she could see anyone coming down the hallway.
“Okay, Karlo with a K,” she said in a loud voice. “It’s time you do something to let me know you know I’m here!”
Did he squeeze her hand? Did his eyelids almost open? She wasn’t sure. She didn’t have much time. She slid a hand under the covers and gradually moved along his thigh toward his cock. She was determined to find out if he’d react if she touched him there. She placed her fingers lightly on his soft, lifeless penis. She didn’t remember seeing it—or feeling it—this soft before. Then it changed. Only a little, but there was a definite quiver. Was it only an involuntary response or did he sense he was being fondled? She caressed him again, and knew for sure.
She heard him drag in air and wheeze out a word that sounded like “Sahyaz.” She leaned closer and squeezed his cock a little more. He rasped again, “Sahyaz.”
Was that “say yes?”
“Karlo,” she almost shouted. His eyes opened for a second. “Karlo, what’s the question?”
With great effort, he raised off the pillow—his bed was already inclined—and rasped out “Chulsa! Chulsa?” And he coughed violently.
A nurse came rushing in and shooed her toward the door. “Chul?” he coughed out again.
Another nurse came in and pushed her toward the door. But before going out, Giulia turned and yelled, “YES! YES! YES! “ Maybe that would revive him even more. Was he asking if she loved him? If she’d stay with him? Her mind was going crazy. But for sure, he was not injured in that part of his anatomy!
Giulia hovered outside the doorway and heard the ugly sucking sound of the aspirator. She could almost feel that dreadful tube going down his throat and needed to gag. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
“Whatever you did in there,” his nurse said as she came charging out, “he coughed up what we’d been trying to get out of him since he’s been here.” The nurse carried the metal pan again, this time with a cloth over it. “A big, old black hunk of stuff. Want to see it?”
Backing away, Giulia put out both hands. “No!”
The nurse laughed. “Don’t blame you. He’ll sleep easier now. We shot him with a mild sedative. You can go in but he won’t be aware for a few hours.”
Giulia slipped in and stood as close to him as possible. She leaned over to listen to him breathe. Then straightened to peer intently. He did look different, didn’t he? He seemed to be breathing easier. She inhaled deeply herself then checked the color in his cheeks. She kissed one lightly. There was more color wasn’t there? She stared down at this big man who had stolen her heart. She stood that way for a long time. Finally, someone touched her shoulder. The doctor again.
“The worst is over. He’ll make it now. Go home and rest.”
It was eleven in the morning. She didn’t know how long she’d stood there immobile watching him sleep. If she didn’t move soon, she’d keel over like a dying tree in the forest.
“When you come back this afternoon, we’ll talk.” The doctor gave Giulia a gentle shove. “Now go.”
Giulia leaned over one more time, slipped her fingers through his hair and lightly kissed his lips. “I love you, Karlo with a K.”
Maybe there was a slight smile on his face as she dragged herself away.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Giulia dropped everything, stripped, showered and fell into bed but not before setting her alarm. She didn’t want to miss Doctor Cornaro at three.
At the sound of both alarm and phone, she dragged herself awake. It was two already. She punched the alarm off and lurched across the room to grab her bag. Had something happened to Chuck? She fished out the phone but the call had already gone to voicemail. She let out a breath of relief to see it was from Nancy. Two other calls were also from her. Coffee first.
It would be five in the morning in Eugene, but Nancy often went in early to call the East Coast for the latest data. She’d have her favorite croissa
nt and latte from The Beanery across from her office.
“Tell me your story,” Nancy began as she always did.
“Oh no you don’t. You’re the one who called three times within one hour.”
“Yes, but I have a hunch you’ve got the best story. So?”
“Where to start? Too much since we last spoke.”
“Start with that hunk of yours?”
“The truth is, Nancy, he is my hunk. I’ve fallen hard.”
“Tell me what I don’t know.”
“What? Last time, I told you I had no intention of getting involved.”
“I know. So, what’s happened since you insisted you weren’t involved?”
“You smartass,” Giulia laughed. “So. You knew I’d moved in with him until I found my own apartment. Right?”
Nancy made a yes sound while chewing.
“Well, I found my so-called dream apartment and—”
“On Rio what’s it Raphael?”
“Oh Nance. That was a nightmare, and I’m back with Chuck. But in the meantime, we had a bad fight and… Oh geez, I don’t have time right now. I’m due at the rehab in twenty-five minutes.”
“Rehab? What kind of fight was it, for God’s sake?”
“Not that kind. Chuck left on a mission and came back in a coma. Been that way for at least a week, but I only found out yesterday. Today, what’s today?”
“Tuesday, May twenty-seventh according to my calendar,” Nancy said.
“Yes, Tuesday. This morning he started to come out of it. Anyway, I’ve got an appointment with his doctor at three and—”
“We do have a lot to catch up on. I’ll be quick. Your Fiat stock is rising, and I recommend you sell some if not all. Papers are coming by Fed Ex. The gist of my call is that you are a rich woman!”
“That’s nice,” Giulia said. “I’ll call you later. My… my man needs me.”
“Zowee! Never thought I’d hear those words from your mouth. I’m thrilled for you. Have you told him everything?”
“About the Fiat shares?” Giulia asked.
“Not exactly. I mean . . .” Nancy hesitated for a moment and then charged on, “I mean did you tell him about Julietta?”
“W-w-hat?!” Giulia screamed into the phone. How’d she know about the Service?
“Calm down, sugar plum. You weren’t the only one doing the vetting when we first met. I checked you out, too.”
“Oh.” There was a long pause. “You’ve known all along?”
“The important question is does he know?” Nancy asked.
“Yes. He knows.”
“G-R-R-R-E-A-T! That’s all I need for now. Go see your man, but don’t you dare forget to call me back any time day or night.”
“I will, Nance. I will. So you’ve known all this time?”
“Of course. My momma didn’t raise no dummy even if we were trailer trash. I knew you couldn’t be depositing that much money as a student just from scrimping and saving. I wished you’d felt you could tell me back then, but what the hey. You had your reasons.”
“Thanks for hanging with me, Nance.”
“What are friends for, huh? Go to him. But this time I get all the info straight from the horse’s mouth. Every juicy morsel.”
“Love ya,” Giulia said but already the line was dead. Tears rushed into her eyes, and this time, she didn’t fight them. Not tears of grief or guilt, but tears of a different kind. A joy she never imagined she’d have. People loved her just as she was.
* * *
In the rehab cafeteria, Dr. Cornaro was gentle but continued to press Giulia to find what she’d done to cause Chuck to cough so violently. When she finally told her, the doctor seemed disappointed as she lifted her cup of tea. “I’d been hoping it would be a method we could use with other patients.” She grinned, set her cup down and laid her hand on Giulia’s. “It might not be considered accepted practice by most of my colleagues—particularly the male ones.” She lightly pinched Giulia’s hand and laughed aloud. “But in certain cases, I’ll probably encourage the… the procedure.”
At that, Giulia laughed for the first time in days, weeks maybe? After a moment, though, she sobered. “You said it was about over, but he’s still not really awake.”
“Pazienza, cara, pazienza,” the doctor said. “It all takes time. This can be the most difficult period for the patient and loved ones.”
* * *
Wednesday morning. Ordinarily she’d be leaving to teach, but instead, she was heading back to the rehab. A friend had agreed to fill in for her. She’d told Giulia that most people on the base knew about Chuck and his coma. That meant they also knew about their relationship. They hadn’t exactly tried to keep it a secret, and the Camp Ederle community—including those off the base—was like a little town. Few secrets can be kept in a village.
Rob Ryland told her the men in Chuck’s unit were chafing to come visit, but their superiors wouldn’t allow them yet. They’d all made it back, although Gene Linch had a broken leg. He was the man Chuck had dragged out of the building moments before the final explosion. No wonder he had so much gunk in his lungs.
When she reached his room, he wasn’t in his bed. It was empty and the bedding all gone. In a panic, she ran toward the nurse’s station. On her way, she bumped into his regular nurse. She steadied Giulia and said, “Calma. Non si preoccupi del Generale Novak. Relax, don’t worry yourself about General Novak. We moved him to another room for his final recovery. Come along.”
Giulia let out a huge sigh of relief. “How is he?”
“Agitated. In and out of consciousness. That happens. He’s asking for you. I said you’d be here but I’m not sure he believed me.”
When she got to his room, he was propped up and wearing the pajamas she’d bought after the doctor said he’d need them for walking the halls. They were crummy because she’d rushed into Standa—the K-Mart-style department store—and grabbed the first ones large enough. At least they were pale blue and not a horrid orange plaid, but to her, he’d look marvelous in anything.
His eyes were closed and his mouth was hanging open a little, but those lips—those full lips— begged to be kissed. So she did. His eyes flew open, looked straight into hers and kissed back.
“You’re back,” she said leaning over him.
“Giulia! Giulia!” He took hold of her hands and held them tightly, too tightly, but she wouldn’t have pulled away for any reason. He looked into her eyes, sighed and closed his.
She waited. After a moment, he opened his eyes and squeezed again.
“Chuck, don’t you dare disappear on me again.” She was certain he could feel heated daggers burning into him. His eyes looked like a startled woodland creature caught in headlights.
“I… I left a note,” he stammered.
“Thank God for that. I was frantic. Your note said you’d call.”
“I couldn’t. Couldn’t say more—still can’t.”
“Of course I know that. But you knew it was coming. You knew for a few days and didn’t trust me enough to—”
“Nothing to do with trust,” and he coughed, but struggled through more coughs to say, “protect you.”
Coughing or not, she didn’t let up. “Some protection! If I’m going to live with you, it’s only fair—”
“Absolutely. As my roommate,” and it seemed he couldn’t keep a little grin from emerging, “as my partner, that is, you have every right to be on a need-to-know-basis.”
“More!” She grabbed his face and forced him to look straight into her eyes. “If we’re apartment partners—bed partners—surely I rank higher than your unit members. They’re the ones on a ‘need-to-know-basis.’ And she spit out those words in a brittle voice.
“I love it when you’re bossy.”
“After the best lovemaking ever, you left me with a… a damned note.”
“Best… YET,” he said. “Come here.” He dragged her onto his bed to lie beside him then gave a huge sigh and dropped into a deep
sleep. She lay in an uncomfortable position but felt content. She tried to lie quietly but finally had to re-adjust her hips. He opened his eyes and pulled her closer.
She squirmed up to straddle him, and said, “It’s been a long, long ten days since you vanished, and Mister Novak, you’ve got lots of explaining to do.”
“I love you, too,” he said grinning, and that dimple on the right side of his cheek appeared melting her heart.
“Oh God, Chuck. I thought I’d lost you.”
“Bad, huh?”
“Worse than bad.” And the tears started to form. “I didn’t know how… I couldn’t live without you.”
“Tell me.”
She leaned back to glare at him, “You’re a greedy bastard.” She sniffled and wiped her nose with her sleeve, then started to grin.
“I am,” he said. “But look what I had to do to hear you say those words.”
“Do you remember anything?” She worried because what she’d read about comas and post traumatic amnesia said the length of the amnesia gave a better idea of brain damage than how deep or long the coma was.
“It’s all in the report. Let’s talk more about how important I am to you.”
She smiled. “There’s no report yet, silly, you just woke up. Do you remember where you were and what happened?”
“How can I make a complete report until I get answers from you.”
She gave up and leaned down to hug him. “Am I too heavy for you?”
“Nah. Girl weight. No problem.”
That did it. Hot tears dampened his new pajamas. They felt stiff and scratchy. She should have washed them first, but when he put his arms around her, she let that go. When she raised her head, she thought she saw tears glistening in his eyes, and she kissed his stubbly cheek.
“Ho there! Is this standard hospital procedure?” Tom said as he walked into the room. “A woman in your bed, ol’ buddy? How’d you pull this off?”
“You got here fast.” Giulia hopped off Chuck’s bed and gave Tom a hug.
