“It’s always a good time to watch Gone with the Wind, and I happen to have time right now.”
I took off the wrapping and removed the first disk before placing it in the player. I returned to the bed and plumped up Loralee’s pillows before fluffing the extra ones and placing them against the headboard next to hers. “You ready?” I asked, holding up the remote control.
“Not yet. We definitely need a box of Kleenex in the bed between us. I’ve never gotten through this movie without using at least half a box.”
I slid off the bed and retrieved a box from her dresser. “These are for you, then. I never cry at movies. Ever. Besides, I don’t think I have any tears left.”
“Uh-huh,” she said primly as she leaned back against her pillows.
I pushed “play,” then pressed the “next chapter” button to get through the opening credits.
Loralee put her hand on my arm. “What are you doing? The music score is the wings of the movie—it’s part of the experience.”
I looked at her dubiously. “All right, if you say so.” I lay back next to Loralee and we listened to the opening strains of the theme song as she pressed a tissue into my hand.
*
Four hours—plus five potty breaks, two food and water breaks, and two phone calls—later, Loralee was sound asleep and I was staring at my lapful of used tissues. My phone pinged and I saw it was a text from Gibbes saying he was at the front door and could he let himself in. I responded yes and waited for him to find me in Loralee’s room.
I hit “pause” on the remote and looked up to see him standing in the doorway. He held a paper bag with liberal dark spots of grease on the bottom that smelled like heaven. I was glad Loralee wasn’t awake to comment on how my nose and eyes were red and that I probably should have at least brushed my hair or put on lipstick.
“I didn’t want to wake her, which is why I didn’t ring the doorbell.” He glanced from me to Loralee, then back again. “Have y’all been wrestling?”
I snorted through my nose, too exhausted to care what I might look or sound like. “Gone with the Wind. I just got to the part where Melanie dies. Please tell me it gets happier at the end.”
“You’ve never seen Gone with the Wind or read the book?”
“I know. I’m an anomaly. That’s why I was watching it.”
He took the remote from my hand and turned it off. “Let’s just say the ending is inconclusive.” He held up the bag. “I brought something to eat.”
I looked over at Loralee, who still appeared to be sleeping. In a loud whisper, I said, “It smells fried. I don’t think she’s . . .”
“Not for her—for you. I know you’ve been taking care of Owen as well as making Loralee’s meals and getting her to eat as much as she can, but I’m thinking you probably haven’t been paying much attention to your own needs.”
I felt my spine stiffen, but Loralee’s words about putting up walls came back to me, and I settled against the pillow. “I am pretty hungry. I usually eat with Owen, but he’s at Maris’s tonight. I did have some popcorn while we watched the movie.” I jutted my chin at the bag. “What’s in there?”
“A shrimp burger and hush puppies from the Shrimp Shack over on Saint Helena. Best food you ever put in your mouth. The shrimp is fried before it’s put in the burger, so you might overdose on grease, but you’re with a doctor, so it’s all right.”
“Good to know,” I whispered back, picking up all of the used tissues before carefully sliding off the bed. “Let’s go to the kitchen and grab some plates.” I glanced over at the clock. “She won’t need more meds for another hour.”
I made to move past him, but he didn’t budge. “Have you been avoiding me?”
I looked anywhere but his eyes. “I’ve been busy.”
“I know. I see this a lot with caretakers, how they make themselves sick because they’re too busy taking care of other people. You need to take time for yourself.”
“There’s really nothing else I want to be doing.” I met his eyes for a moment, and then glanced away, not yet ready to take Loralee’s advice. I wasn’t sure I ever would be.
“Another band is coming next weekend to Waterfront Park, and they’re expecting shag dancers from all over the state. It should be fun.”
“I told you—I don’t dance.”
“Great. Because I’m a great teacher.”
“I don’t—”
“She’d love to,” Loralee interrupted.
“You’re supposed to be asleep,” I said before facing Gibbes again. “I really can’t. I think I was born with two left feet. Besides, I don’t have anything to wear.”
Loralee grinned widely. “I think we were just saying how much you needed a red dress. Problem solved. And I get to do your hair and makeup.”
Knowing how much the thought probably excited her, I didn’t argue. Instead I picked up the remote and handed it to her. “I’m going downstairs to eat an early dinner, but I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. You can finish watching the movie if you like. I was at the part where Melanie dies.”