Chapter 11 - THE CAREGIVER WHO BECAME FAMILY
Spring arrived slowly.
Frank's health improved.
He regained strength in his left hand.
His speech became clearer with therapy.
He still needed a wheelchair for longer distances, but he began walking short stretches with assistance.
Every small improvement felt enormous.
Marco changed his schedule.
He ate breakfast with his father.
Attended therapy sessions when invited.
Listened to stories he'd heard a hundred times.
And never again allowed anyone to speak over Frank as though he weren't present.
Elena and Adrian visited often.
Theo adored his grandfather.
He would climb onto the couch beside Frank and ask endless questions.
"Grandpa, did Uncle Marco ever get in trouble?"
Frank laughed.
"Constantly."
Marco groaned.
"Dad."
Frank grinned.
"Especially... when he was twelve."
Theo's eyes widened.
"What happened?"
Frank looked at me.
"Natalie... tell him."
I laughed.
"I wasn't there."
Frank smiled.
"But you know\... the story."
I did.
Frank had told me at least twenty times.
Marco had once tried to drive his father's car down the driveway and crashed into a garden fountain.
Theo laughed so hard he nearly fell off the couch.
One evening, Marco found me in the kitchen.
I was preparing Frank's evening medication.
He leaned against the doorway.
"You've changed this house."
I looked up.
"I've organized the medicine cabinet."
He smiled.
"More than that."
I returned to my work.
"Your father did most of the changing."
Marco watched me.
Then asked, "Would you have dinner with me?"
I stopped.
"Don't we already eat dinner here?"
He laughed.
"Not that kind of dinner."
I looked at him.
He was serious.
My heart began pounding.
"Marco."
"I know."
He nodded.
"You're employed here. And I don't want you to feel pressured."
I appreciated that he understood.
He continued.
"If you'd rather keep things professional, nothing changes."
I looked toward the hallway.
Then back at him.
"Your father is my patient."
"I know."
"And I love my work."
"I know."
I hesitated.
"But I would like to have dinner with you."
Marco smiled.
"Then we'll make sure your employment situation is handled properly first."
For the first time, I realized the feeling growing between us wasn't simply gratitude.
May you like
It was something neither of us had expected.
And something we would have to approach carefully.
