Folly Beach - Dorothea Benton Frank [109]
“But . . .” Ella started to object.
“Besides, even though you all think she’s asleep, she’s sedated. She knows there are people around her and she won’t rest as well with an audience. So, y’all are welcome to stay a few more minutes but let’s let Ms. McInerny get her rest. I know you wouldn’t want to impede her healing process.”
“No, of course not,” Ella said.
She spoke to all of us just as politely as I had hoped she would but Ella knew the nurse’s comments were directed to her. Ella also knew this was an experienced nurse who knew what she was talking about. And it was obvious that our sweet Ella was bone-tired.
“I know what,” I said. “Let’s all stop somewhere on Folly Road and get something to eat. And, Ella, I’ll bring you back here in the morning whenever you’re ready.”
“Besides, if you don’t go home, how’re you going to make us another pie?” my favorite nurse said.
“That one’s all gone?” Ella said, perking up again.
“Not a crumb left,” Tolli said so sweetly that it pulled my heartstrings. “Now, if y’all will excuse me I want to check on my patient,” she said and slipped into Aunt Daisy’s room. “Nice meeting y’all.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Russ and Patti said.
Nursing was truly God’s work. And this young woman was practically glowing with a saintly presence, putting all our worries, but Ella’s most especially, to rest.
“How about the Crab House?” Russ said. “It’s not crazy expensive and it won’t take all night.”
“Alice isn’t afraid of shellfish?” Patti asked. “You know raw shellfish can be dangerous in the first trimester. Smoked seafood, too. Not to mention sushi . . .”
“Oh great. Please don’t bring it up,” Russ said. “I’ll encourage her to eat flounder.”
“Yeah, and don’t let her eat tuna salad, either,” Patti said.
“Since when are you the OB/GYN nutrition expert?” I said.
“Oz was on Oprah last week while I was on the treadmill,” she said.
“I hate treadmills,” I said.
“Yeah, well, my walking buddy abandoned me and flew south,” she said.
“I drove.”
“Let’s get a move on,” Ella said. “It will do us good to have supper together. I know we ate a little something earlier but now I’m starving!”
I took it as a promising sign that Ella was so hungry. She felt relieved enough to get back in touch with her appetite. And the Crab House was fun. It would lift everyone’s spirits.
Locals in Charleston usually go out to dinner on the early side, so it should have been pretty easy for us to get a table at eight thirty. But the Crab House was still filled with patrons eating and drinking and having a good time. After seeing Aunt Daisy, we needed to be surrounded by happiness.
We waited for a few minutes, got a table, and ordered drinks.
“I’ll have a glass of the Raymond Sauvignon Blanc,” I said, choosing from the list.
“Me too,” Patti said.
“Iced tea for me,” Alice said. “I can’t drink alcohol.”
“Oh, no problem,” said the waitress. I could tell she was wondering if Alice was on the wagon, out of rehab, allergic, or what.
“She’s having a baby,” Russ said. “Actually, my baby.”
The waitress cocked her head to one side and looked at Russ like he was warped to be telling her his private business that would be patently obvious as soon as Alice started to show.
“We’re married.”
“Well, good for you hon,” the waitress said, without missing a beat.
Russ turned red. “And I’ll just have an Amstel Light,” he said.
“And for you, ma’am?” the waitress said.
“I’ll have a Crab House Slammer,” Ella said, looking up from the menu.
We all looked at her at once.
“What?” she said. “Y’all want to see my ID?”
“No! I think you should get whatever the heck you want,” I said. “It’s been a rough day.”
“Absolutely,” Patti chimed in.
“I’ll get those drinks right out for you,” the waitress said and left.
We all studied the menu, trying to make our decisions.
“So, Alice?” Patti said. “Tell me how you’re feeling.”
“I feel great, except that I want to eat everything in sight,” she said. “I’m just really going to have to discipline myself so I don’t get as big as a house, you know? Well, actually, you