Being Mrs Spence

She clapped and cheered as he took several other steps without his walking cane.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

It was like a child who is learning how to walk again, taking each step carefully to avoid falling. Same it was with Coleman.

Since three weeks now he has been practicing on his own.

From trying to stand without help to taking steps with stick.

Florence was making sure that he is not reclined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

He was done with his physiotherapy, Florence who wasn’t relenting paid for another home service therapist who comes around three days in a week.

With all this help Cole was gradually getting back on his feet.

She also drives him down to see their doctor who was giving him both injection and drugs that may help his low fertility issue.

The doctor said is 50 50 and if Cole is Lucky the medicine will work in his favor but if it doesn’t there is nothing else he can do.

Cole has been following the whole procedure for over a month without missing anything.

Florence has been backing it up with prayer. She hopes the whole process will be to Cole’s favor.

That evening as they retire, he said.

“I appreciate all your efforts sweetie, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You are single handly running the house. Since I don’t have any job, I’m not physical feet to search for another, I can’t even count on my mother to help. She will tell me how much of a failure I am before thinking of helping. I love you and appreciate everything you have done and still doing for me…

Florence curved a smile and nod without a word as she folded his washed clothes and put it away in his wardrobe.

“…. however, I have another request, is just something little. Please, I solely depend on you because I have no other help to count on…

Florence paused from what she was doing, turned and asked what the problem was

“… sweetie… this is the seventh month, my company gave me six months to pay up the loan but we’re already in the seventh month. I have been getting reminder and other messages in my email concerning the debt. Remember, why they decided not to take up the theft case was because of my health but I should for no reason fail to pay up the money I owe them or another trouble will be brewing. I have been through a lot already, I don’t want more. I can’t count on my Mom, she won’t give me another dime after the hospital bills which I still get insulted for and she never visited ever since. Is there any way you can help out… sweetie.

Florence asked him the amount again and he told her. She gave a heavy sigh.

“Cole, and you called this a “little help” that’s huge. Ever since I moved in, I have been spending both on feeding, your drugs, general house maintenance and the home service therapist that attains to you. All of this are unexpected huge expenses but since am in it already, i can’t leave it half way. But you starting the request and making it sound like the money is just a token makes me wonder if you have forgotten that I’m a salary earner. Give me time Cole, I really don’t know… but maybe like a week or two. Let me collect my next salary and add up to what I have at hand.

Cole thanked her as she went back with what she was doing.

Florence phone was vibrating. Cole called her attention to it as he asked her who was that calling her.

Florence ignored him as she took the phone down stairs.

It was Maxwell, she has finally spoken to Maxwell and pleaded with him not to be mad that Cole was dying and there is nobody to attend to him.

For a month now they have been talking on the phone, she saw him briefly when he visited her work place twice.

She asked him to stop coming to her office, that she will come over to his place instead to visit and they will get to talk.

Maxwell who had been trying to be patient was loosing his mind.

Just thinking that Florence was getting back with her husband was driving him crazy and he can’t do anything about it.

It was a video call, Florence sat on the cushion downstairs and answered it

“Hey… how are you…” she greeted him first.

“Not really fine. I don’t understand what’s going on with us. You promised to come over so that we can talk but you never did. You are over there with your husband… how do you expect me to feel about that? I miss you Flox, I’m loosing my patience waiting and hoping that you will still be mine but to be realistic, I don’t see that happening with your cold attitude towards me. Your sister said she will talk to you, I have spoken with her twice this week and she said that she has tried her best in talking to you but you are so keen on helping your “dying” husband. Flox, just tell me the truth, do you love me and will still be mine or you really want to get back with Coleman… answer me Flox. Let me know my stand… please.

Florence inhaled slowly before saying.

“I love you Max, I really do. The problem now is that Cole needs me, i can’t leave him at his present state. He is still my husband… because the divorce is on hold at the moment. Let him get back on his feet first then I can reason clearly. Tomorrow is Friday, by Saturday I will drive down to see you… I promise. We will get to talk better…

“Flox, one more question… please, don’t lie to me. Are you both sleeping on the same bed?

Florence frowned at the question

“Max.. hmmm. yes, we sleep on the same bed.

“Why, I mean since you are half separated and what is only keeping you under his roof is his health, so why are you sleeping on the same bed? It only means you have fully accepted him and I shouldn’t get my hopes up. He is making love to you right….? Wow… Flox. In my bewilderment I’m…. I’m just astounded at you…

Florence sighed again before she interrupted him.

“Max, we’re not doing anything. He’s not touching me I’m not touching him. We’re just bed mates and that’s because he needs help mostly at night to get up and use the bathroom and also to change position in bed. If I’m not close enough he may tries to do that on his own and fall off and that will be another illness added to the present one. He can’t make love to a woman yet until he is physically fit. Max, that’s more reason why I promise to come see you on Saturday. Stop thinking this way, you aren’t helping me here at all. I need my sanity to keep up with this whole thing. I’m doing all of this to make sure Cole is back to his feet soon enough so that I can be free too. Will you rather prefer I leave him to die and then carry the guilt for the rest of my life. I don’t have such heart and since I have started this… I will continue to the end. I’m only praying that the almighty God I serve will see me through all of this…

They spoke a little more before ending the call.