The morning sun was burning off the light fog that had crept in overnight, although the morning was still mildly crisp. Ram had been the first to arrive for his and Tink’s morning meeting and she was unusually late.
Finally, she appeared in the distance, walking gingerly toward Ram and “their” bench. She was wearing dark blue scrubs with a light, white cardigan sweater. Her shoes were fluorescent multi-colored things that immediately caught Ram’s eye.
“You’re a bit late today, Tink,” he said, greeting her, all the while looking at the shoes. “I’d almost given up on you.”
“Yeah. Sorry, Ram. I pulled a double shift and just got off,” she said, taking her seat beside him.
“I guess I kinda figured out something like that,” he said. “I never would have figured you dressing in your work duds just for a meeting.
“Are those shoes standard issue?” he asked, half joking.
“Well, we don’t get what you would call “standard issue.” We all have to buy our own work duds so we have a little leeway on what we can wear. A lot of us self-express – you might say – in our choice of shoes. Even scrubs can be personalized to some extent. There are some available with flowers and such on them. We just do whatever we can to try to bring a little pleasure to the patients.”
“Are those shoes comfortable?”
“Oh, yeah. Very. They’re made especially for medical personnel since we’re on our feet all day. They come from a company that specializes in shoes for nurses, doctors.”
“I expect you get a lot of comments on them,” he noted.
“Yep, just like yours,” she kidded.
They sat quietly for a bit.
“Maybe I ought to get me a pair of shoes like that,” injected Ram, “just to get some comments.”
“I’m sure you would,” she replied, smiling. “However, I’m not sure they make them large enough for you.”
“My foot’s not that big,” he retorted, “size eleven.”
“Well, I guess you’d never need snowshoes, would you?” She jabbed him lightly with her elbow.
“Smartass,” he mumbled.
Again, the silence enveloped them.
“Ram, there’s something I need to tell you. I’ve been putting it off because I really didn’t know exactly how to say it but it’s time.”
“You’ve fallen madly, passionately in love with me, haven’t you? I knew it would happen. It was inevitable. They all do. I can’t help it, it’s a curse. A curse!”
She was openly smiling now. “It’s true, Ram. I have fallen in love with you. As I would my father . . . or grandfather.”
He faked a cringe. “Cut me to the quick,” he mocked.
“You’re definitely a loveable ol’ coot. And that makes it even harder to tell you. Ram, I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet with you again.
“I’ve been offered a job at Cleveland Clinic. It’s a great offer and a great place to work. Cleveland Clinic has a worldwide reputation as a first-class health facility and I would be able to expand my career there with a lot of different kinds of cases.
“I’m also going to be able to continue my education at their expense and eventually become a PA.
“I love it here and I love our meetings. This is just something too good to be passed up.”
“When will you be leaving?”
“Three days but I’ve got a lot of packing to do and final transportation arrangements.”
“Well look, Tink. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you and there’s no good reason for you to be tied down here when you have an opportunity like this.
“What we’ve had has been great. You helped me a lot when Walt died. You make his loss easier to bear and our conversations have been something I’ll always cherish. I love you like a daughter . . . or granddaughter,” he chuckled.
“Once you get settled, send me your address. Maybe we can stay in touch by letter . . . or email . . . or text, although I prefer the first.”
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“Of course I will. And believe it or not I prefer letters myself.”
“I’ll miss you, Tink,” he said, with sadness.
“I’ll miss you, too, Ram.”
Again the silence between them.
The light morning fog had completely dissipated. Another fog settled over Ram.
