1. Max and Rosie Pt. 1


    Date: 10/19/2017, Categories: Love Stories, Author: Sisyphus, Rating: 13, Source: LushStories

    slept, but then he would shake those thoughts away and ask her how her painting was coming along, or whether she needed anything when he went into town. Sometimes, Max would look at Rosie sitting in her wheelchair at the kitchen table staring blankly down at her hands resting on her lap. He would look out at the yard at the blooming daffodils and tulips she had planted years ago, then at the blue jays at the feeder and the woodpecker pecking at the suet and remember how she loved feeding and watching the birds and how excited she would be when an oriole appeared, or a cardinal. “Look, an oriole!” she would shout, pointing. Now, she seemed oblivious to anything around her and Max would stare at her thin, pale face and bony arms and feel the burning ache in his throat and tears swelling. One April morning, almost ten months after Robin had moved in to care for Rosie, he looked up at her at the sink taking dishes from the drainer and placing them in the cabinet. She was humming softly. “What’s today’s date?” Robin glanced at her cell phone on the counter. “April eleventh.” “Tomorrow’s our thirty-seventh anniversary. April twelfth.” “Really? Thirty-seven years.” She looked at Rosie sitting in her wheelchair barely conscious, then at Max. “Are you going to do anything?” “Do anything?” He glanced at Rosie then at Robin. “What’s there to celebrate? She doesn’t know who I am or that we’re even married.” Looking back at Rosie, he sighed deeply, wearily, something he was doing more of ...
    lately. Seeing her sunken face, he closed his eyes to hold back his tears. His throat ached from the harsh burning of suppressing his need to cry and the effort to keep the words I want my Rosie back from bursting from his mouth. Quickly, he turned and looked out at the bird feeder then back at Rosie. Unable to contain himself, he suddenly stood up, pushed his chair aside, squeezed past Rosie in her wheelchair and left the kitchen to be alone, unaware that Robin had followed. He was surprised when he felt Robin’s hand touching his shoulder. He looked at her standing behind him and saw her blue eyes gazing into his eyes. “You’re such a sweet man. You’ve been such a good husband.” Max wiped the tears from his eyes with his knuckle then took a deep breath. Robin's words were like music. The passionate sincerity in her voice overwhelmed him, and the way she looked at him sent a ripple of warmth through him. He didn't know how to respond. It was all he could do not to reach for her. He loved how she was looking at him and thought he saw her eyes become watery and sensed more than concern. Does she feel what I feel? He knew he would never forget that moment. “Thank you, Robin,” he finally said. “She's gone. She doesn't know who I am. I miss her.” “I know. I can see how hard this is for you.” Robin touched his arm then held his hand. “Thank you. You’ve been a gift, Robin. I don’t know what it would be like here if it wasn’t for you.” Her hand holding his thrilled him and his heart ...