by Agnès Ruiz
“You father will not tolerate lateness”, she mentioned, displaying her inflexibility, despite her troubled voice and long hesitations.
“But I was going to see him at ten o’clock”, Joanna protested, taken aback. “You remember, right? We just talked about it...”
Joanna was losing ground. What had happened in such a short time?
Without any kind of explanation and obviously wanting to end the conversation, Marguerite confirmed that the meeting at ten o’clock was cancelled. She nevertheless outlined that she was sorry. Marguerite hung up with those last words. Joanna was going to see her, at least to try to understand what was really going on. Something was clearly amiss, that was for sure.
She checked her watch and realised she didn’t have enough time. She had to leave as soon as possible if she wanted to get to the hospital in time to check her neighbour out and give him back his things.
She would have given anything not to go. What if she sent Mélanie?
She dismissed that thought.
Firstly, it had nothing to do with the young intern student’s work, even if Mélanie would no doubt be happy to help her out; and secondly, it would be completely unfair considering her own responsibilities. Joanna had to go in person.
Besides, she would be able to see the plumber at the same time, she tried to convince herself, and that would allow her to get an update on the next stage.
At the hospital, she had just enough time to say hello to her neighbour when the surgeon entered. The man didn’t bother asking who she was in relation to Guillermo Voily. He told her to keep an eye on him for the first night that Guillermo spent outside of the hospital.
“If he has even the slightest problem, a fever or anything, bring him back here. If there is nobody to take care of him tonight, I would prefer it if he stays one more night. Well, I will leave you now.”
Joanna called out to him, but the man didn’t hear her and disappeared into the maze of hospital corridors. Still amazed by what she had heard, she turned back to her neighbour. Her eyes were just two slits as she approached Guillermo, more threatening than ever.
“Now what have you been saying? Who will be there to watch over you? Your mother or a sister, perhaps?”
“A friend”, Guillermo Voily said, very sure of himself.
Joanna stopped, took a deep breath to calm herself. She realised she had emitted some theories which didn’t seem to hold before Guillermo’s calm attitude. She breathed easily.
As she was driving, she had already been dwelling about her father’s mysterious meeting for the next morning, and now if she was lumbered with her neighbour for the evening; that would be the last straw!
A small smile now passed her lips. She was going to be able to move on and contemplated her evening with the handsome Paul, the emergency doctor. It would do her good to relax a bit. Nevertheless, a shadow passed somewhere over her heart. The last time she had wanted to relax, it was in her bath. Since then, her downstairs neighbour had broken his leg and his flat no longer resembled much... Joanna was aware that she should take care of that, check with her insurance, and settle the details which were inevitably irritating her. Nothing could be done with a magic wand. And it was a big shame.
Yet, she kept her smile because she wanted to remain positive, and keep imagining this great evening that was coming with her and Paul. A simple dinner. Really? A mischievous voice murmured in her mind.
“Well, let’s go, then?” she shot, pulling herself back together in the reality of the hospital room.
Yet, Guillermo didn’t move and was observing Joanna instead.
“What is making you so happy? Is it because I’m coming out?”
He nevertheless pulled a face at that, as if he didn’t believe it himself.
Joanna could have lied and said yes, she was happy for him. It wasn’t false, anyway.
“I’m going out tonight. With Paul, if you really want to know everything”, she announced, unable to say why she was telling him what she would be doing once she got home.
The smile on Guillermo’s face was even bigger and he shook his head.
“I knew we were friends. You’re even starting to confide in me.”
Intrigued, Joanna tilted her head forward at that comment. She found Guillermo Voily a strange being, and difficult to understand. He always managed to surprise her.
“Why would we not be friends? Even if we did have a rough start. I think you are nice. And we are neighbours, it would be better for us to get along, I think.”
Joanna was under the impression that she was obliged to justify her reasons even though Guillermo hadn’t asked her anything. As if it were natural, he nodded again and asked her a final service.
“I need to go to the chemist and get crutches. If you don’t mind, we could go on the way back.”
Discreetly, Joanna glanced at her watch and confirmed with a nod.
“I think you work too much... Or you are thinking about your gallant date this evening.”
He watched Joanna as if to extract confessions or trust. She turned pink and smiled, confessing:
“Maybe a little of both.”
Why did she find it normal to tell him about her life? She asked herself as they got back to her car. He put his arms over her shoulders at her invitation. She felt troubled by the closeness, necessary because of the plaster. Each movement created a distance, and brought them together, at the same time. At times, she regretted not having asked for a wheelchair, at least to take him to her car. It would have been faster and less of a nuisance.
Guillermo hardly seemed embarrassed by the scene. She even thought it gave him a certain pleasure. Like just now, when he called for a rest to get his breath back, but remained leaning against her.
She felt his warmth, heard his breath and hesitated turning her head to look at him.
“We can go if you are ready”, he said, laughing.
Ready to protest, she swung her head round, but she saw him laughing beautifully. She saw he was joking. At the same time, she realised that it was at her expense, but that it wasn’t meant to be mean. She laughed heartily with him and weaved her arm around his waist to help him slowly move forward.
She was again surprised at how easy it was to talk or laugh with him, as if it were normal; as if they had been friends for ages.
14
They finally arrived at Joanna’s car, and Guillermo leaned against it as Joanna opened the door.
“Actually it was better like that, taking our time, rather than taking a wheelchair, right?!”
Joanna turned to him expecting to see mockery in his eyes, but didn’t see one fleck.
“I’m not so sure”, she recognised. “But one thing’s for sure, we would have gotten here faster.”
“And you could have abandoned me here to return it...”
“You’re going to make me feel sorry for you soon”, she said in a deliberately condescending tone.
“And why not? I need attention, the surgeon said so earlier”, Guillermo confirmed.
With that, she helped him settle into the passenger seat and went around the car to get behind the wheel. As planned, they stopped by the chemist then went home.
The sky clouded over and cast shadows characteristic of the landscape. As though it was forecast, a light rain began to fall as Joanna was parking.
In the time it took her to go around the car and help Guillermo get out of the vehicle, her hair was beaded with rain. The sun also shone through, and surrounded the young woman with a strangely mystical aura.
Guillermo watched her and smiled at the rare sight. He frowned at the trouble he suddenly felt. He quickly turned away so as not to alert Joanna.
“Is there something wrong? Did I hurt you, perhaps? I’m not very good with sick people.”
“Nothing at all... It’s just the rain. Your hair is all wet and it’s very pretty, I must say.”
“Well, that’s a first! I must look awful, then! But it’s kind of you.”
Standing in front of Guillermo’s flat, Joanna opened the door since she had his keys in her handbag. Yet, at the entrance, she hesitated, realising that she wasn’t at her place. She turned and let Guillermo enter first. He seemed to be in difficulty manoeuvring his crutches. However, with a little training he would figure it out, she guessed.
She had already been through that experience when her daughter broke her leg when she was ten years old. The next day, she was almost as quick on her crutches as she had been without them. Joanna remembered the time her daughter appreciated her.
All of a sudden, she saw the damage caused by the leak from her flat in the living room of her neighbour’s place. No, she hadn’t forgotten it; she had voluntarily preferred not to think about it. Suddenly uneasy, she quickly announced that she had to go back home.
“The plumber is waiting for me.”
“Will you come back afterwards?” he implored.
She was already out on the landing.
“I’m afraid I won’t have the time...”
“That’s right, I forgot about your date. Have fun with your emergency doctor.”
“He’s not “my” emergency doctor. And besides, he’s more yours.”
He laughed at her point.
“Thank you for everything, anyway.”
“Will you be OK until your friend arrives?” she asked, feeling guilty.
She suddenly had the impression she was abandoning him while his flat was a mess and he was in plaster, undoubtedly still suffering, and... Joanna avoided letting her thoughts continue which were becoming too invasive and stressful.
Guillermo took some downtime and confirmed that everything would be fine.
Joanna shook her head and left him. She slowly went up the stairs, her mind still confused, full of unwanted ideas. Should she stay with Guillermo, at least until his friend arrived?
At home, the plumber had finished his work which allowed him to focus on the immediate details.
“I’ve still got another half an hour left then we can talk it over.”
During that time, she got a call from her brother. Joshua wanted to know if she knew a bit more regarding the meeting planned the next morning.
“No more than you. And Marguerite seemed odd.”
Her brother felt the same thing. They hung up then Joanna thought about her evening. Suddenly she no longer wanted to go out. The night before had already been trying enough. She hadn’t slept much. She hesitated then called Paul to cancel.
“Actually, I was just about to call you”, he said. “I have to work tonight. A colleague asked for my help. I couldn’t refuse. Can we make it another time?”
“Let’s try next week”, she agreed. “I think that would be best for everyone.”
Paul asked after Guillermo Voily then hung up after saying good night. Joanna mumbled the same thing, suddenly taken in by the surprising intimacy when speaking with Paul on the phone. A small shiver ran up her back to her neck. As if to cut it off, or prolong the feeling, she placed her hand at that point and massaged her neck for a long time, closing her eyes.
Her evening with Paul was definitely cancelled for now, but only postponed, she thought to herself with languor.
In her mind, she saw the handsome emergency doctor; his smile, his lips which she suddenly wanted on her with tender, explosive kisses.
When was the last time she enjoyed such moments with a man?
It wasn’t difficult to remember. Since she had forbidden it. How many men had suffered because of her? Had there really been anyone right for her? She wasn’t asking for the moon. Just a companion through life...
Annoyed by her constant painful train of thought, Joanna withdrew her hand, still on her neck, as if she felt burnt by the present. She stood up to go and see the plumber and tried to forget her romantic wonderings.
15
An hour later, she found herself alone in her flat. Her daughter was sleeping over at a friend’s house, and the plumber went to her downstairs neighbour’s flat then went home where he had another appointment. She didn’t ask him what it was, and it wasn’t any of her business.
He told her that she could finally empty her bathtub without causing another catastrophe. She did so, but not without a certain amount of apprehension. As a precaution, she watched it until the water had completely gone, listening in case she heard her neighbour shout.
The water was drained in a half silence. When the drain let out its usual sound, she waited a little longer, but nothing happened in her flat, or below, in Guillermo Voily’s home.
A sigh spontaneously left her lips and she went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. As usual, she cooked for two, until it was time to set the table, when she remembered that Zoé wasn’t there.
Joanna had two plates in her hands, looked at them then put them down, vexed. She didn’t feel like eating alone. She thought of the evening she had just cancelled on impulse. She was aware of it now. She could call Paul back...Except he had said he wanted to cancel, too. He was working. Her friend Linda was at a seminar all week. Her options were shrinking at a rate of knots.
Her thoughts then turned to her neighbour. She could take him some of the forsaken dinner. Neighbours did that, especially for somebody with a leg in plaster. Moreover, he was new to the area, and most of all, to the town.
An impish smile appeared on Joanna’s lips. A new idea sprung to mind. She was going to take this meal to Guillermo Voily. With that, she would find out who had come to see him and was taking care of him for the next crucial 24 hours after the operation. Joanna realised she was full of curiosity.
She had learnt that he wasn’t from the region. Obviously, she had no choice as she had filled in his hospital admission form. He was born in the south of France. He was two years older than her.
As for his job, she had no clue as he had filled in the blanks himself on the form. With fresh enthusiasm, Joanna took the plate that had been meant for her daughter.
She was about to go downstairs, when she turned around, put down the plate, picked up a large tray and put the two plates on it, the cutlery, and added a bottle of wine.
Satisfied, she checked herself in the mirror before going downstairs, as if how she looked had any importance.
He was only her neighbour!
She knocked on the door and waited; the tray in her hands. Nobody answered.
She knocked again, louder, and called out at the same time. This time she heard a noise. The crutches had fallen over. Guillermo swore then she heard him calling out to come in.
“It’s open.”
Joanna, surprised, pushed open the door and found Guillermo, bent over trying to pick up a crutch, still on the floor.
“You’d be dead on the doorstep the time it would take me to get there”, he griped.
“Smells like there’s a bad mood in the air”, she shot back, tit for tat.
She looked left and right and glanced toward the kitchen where the door was wide open.
“Your friend isn’t here?”
“She just arrived”, Guillermo quietly announced.
Joanna was speechless. Then looked at Guillermo.
“I don’t understand...”
“Is that for me?” He avoided her by pointing to the steaming plate.
Still unsure, Joanna brought her attention back to what she was holding. She confirmed she used it as reason for her intrusion, and she was aware it was a good one.
“It was for my daughter. Then afterwards I remembered that she was sleeping over at a friend’s.”
“So you thought of me”, Guillermo finished, crossing his arms and leaning back, getting comfortable.
“Errm... yes, right, pretty much.”
A silence and a look bound them, stronger in Guillermo’s hom
e. He then said:
“I thought you were going out tonight... he cancelled?”
“He is an emergency doctor. He was called out last minute.”
“I’m sorry”, he said.
However, Joanna was convinced it wasn’t true. She preferred changing the subject, not wanting to go on about Paul with Guillermo. Her private life was none of his business, whatsoever, she decided. On the other hand, she had wanted to know who this famous person was who was supposed to be taking care of him. And the discerning look; she pointed to the front door with her forehead and attacked:
“Nobody’s coming, are they? Your friend and all that was rubbish.”
“You’re here, aren’t you?” Guillermo replied, softly.
“You’re counting me as your friend? Really?”
Joanna was stunned by Guillermo’s calmness.
“Joanna, you know I don’t know anybody in the region. I didn’t want to worry my mother while she’s miles away from here.”
He was right. She noticed he hadn’t mentioned a father or brothers or sisters. They must not be on the scene.
“I understand”, she suddenly heard herself reply, as if it was obvious. “Well, with that in mind, may I put my tray on your table? We could eat together, if you don’t mind, of course... It’s just that I brought my plate. And a bottle of wine", she quickly added, so he wouldn’t misinterpret the improvised meal.
“That would be perfect. Put the magazines over there.”
He pointed to a stack and she noticed he had started sorting out the mess caused by the water. Joanna avoided lingering and sat down. She filled her glass, but Guillermo stopped her when she held out her hand to fill his.
“Not for me, unfortunately.”
“Oh! You don’t like wine?”
“I’m not supposed to. After the operation and the medicine, it’s not a good mix...”
Joanna realised he was right. How could she have forgotten something so important? She should have thought of that first. She shouldn’t have brought down the bottle.
