Kate’s cold continued today with no clear sign that the antibiotic has made a difference. She was ready for Panera just before 10:00 but was a little slow and not in a jolly mood. She didn’t change much over the time we were there or out time at lunch. When we drove into the garage at home, she said, “What now?” I told her we could go in and brush our teeth and then relax a bit. She didn’t say anything but seemed to accept my suggestion.
Once inside I brushed my teeth and got ready to go to the Y. The sitter was due to arrive in about 15 minutes. When I hadn’t seen her I a few minutes, I went back to the bedroom we call her room. She was in bed resting. I let her rest and went to the kitchen. In a few minutes, Mary arrived. I told her Kate was resting and that she could go back to say hello. She did and then returned to the family room.
Before I left, I went back to tell Kate I was going. When I did, she asked, “What am I going to do?” I told her that she and Mary could go to Panera if she wanted or she could rest a while at home. She said she wanted to go to Panera and got up right away. We met Mary in the family room, and I told her Kate was ready to go out. She said she wanted to use the bathroom before they left. As she left the room, I said good buy and walked to the car. I was about to back out of the garage when Kate walked out. I watched to see if she got in Mary’s car. She gave me a sad look and said, “You’re leaving me.” I said, “But you and Mary can go to Panera.” Then she said, “But I’d rather go with you.” I told her I would rather be with her too. She turned to get in Mary’s car, and I left.
This is the kind of thing I thought could happen and until now hasn’t. I suspect it would not have happened this time if Mary were present. In fact, she was not just cordial when Mary arrived but seemed glad to see her. I obviously wish that Kate hadn’t felt this way, but she did not appear to be deeply hurt at all. She just would have preferred being with me rather than Mary. When I think of it, that’s a good thing. I’d be hurt if it didn’t matter at all.
When I returned home, Kate and Mary were in the family room. They had been to Panera though I don’t think they spent the whole time there. I thanked Mary and told here we would see her next week. I turned around to see that Kate was ready to leave. It was an hour before we would go out for our Friday night pizza, so we went back to Panera which is where we are right now.
Postscript
As I had almost finished the previous paragraphs, out of the blue Kate asked, “What do you want me to call you?” I said, “What would you like to call me?” She said, “What do YOU want me to call you?” I said, “How about Richard?” She said, “So, Richard, just like I’ve been calling you?” I said, “Yes.” A couple of minutes later, she asked, “If you had to tell someone where we are right now, what would you say?” I said “Panera.”
