Oy, Where Was I?
Sat., July 1, 09:04 AM
Well, let’s see. When last I wrote, we were preparing for a trip to Boston to meet the parents of our future daughter-in-law. And Husband had announced that, if he had to do the “grooming stuff,” he wouldn’t go.
After much argument, I gave him the new ultimatum. He can, of course, allow U.D. to help him; she’s not going to strip him and throw him in the shower, just help him before it. Or else he could come to Boston with me, even though Son and I might be embarrassed by him. Then, when we return, I will move my belongings out of the house and talk to a lawyer, because, dammit, this is grounds for divorce. Don't make the old lady mad!
Well, on second thought…maybe he can do it. He will try to cooperate, and will we please let Son know that he is coming after all.
U.D. went above and beyond normal help that weekend. Despite the fact that she insists she has no people skills, she cajoled him into allowing her to work on all the spots he has been neglecting. She scrubbed and moisturized and applied first aid where appropriate. It’s a hard job, and no one really wants to do it because he gets so ornery; she truly earned her keep last weekend.
U.D. drove us to the railroad station on Tuesday morning before she had to be at work. We placed Husband in the wheelchair and, on smooth walkways, I was able to push him inside and pull the wheeled suitcase at the same time. I parked him where he could see the list of trains and handed him a newspaper. Then I went to inquire about help getting him to the platform.
Everyone I asked was extremely helpful, and they summoned a “redcap” for me, who made sure he knew where we were sitting and what train we were to catch. (The train from Washington to Boston often gets held up; as I found out later, going the other way, the train is usually ahead of schedule.) He brought us to elevator one, negotiated the bottom of the station, and we went up on elevator two, to the platform. He waited with us till the train came in, put down a “plate” so we could wheel the chair right onto the train, and stowed our luggage for us. Husband was settled in the handicapped section, and we were off.
I still think it’s a really nice ride from New Haven to Boston, but I don’t handle the motion as well as I used to. So I kept an eye on the old man, dozed a little, and got into the mindset of traveling with an aged disabled person. I’d better get used to it; this is not going to change.
Son met us in Boston and brought us to our hotel, where he checked us in. I could live in that room – kitchenette, living room and sleeping alcove. Early each morning I went downstairs to partake of the breakfast buffet, then came back up with a newspaper for Husband. I made him coffee and oatmeal, gave him his meds and got him dressed. (I thought I would have a nosebleed just getting socks on him!)
The weather Tuesday evening was nice enough that we – Son, Ms. P, Husband and I – went out for dinner. Son pushed the wheelchair, and Ms. P. and I walked along, chatting about our own concerns. We stopped at a couple of places, checked the menus for something that Husband might enjoy, and finally settled for a very old tavern (Paul Revere and George Washington ate there). Husband was only marginally interested in the history, but he did like the shepherd’s pie. It had been a long day; I went to sleep just after ten o’clock.
On Wednesday we left Son and Husband together, and Ms. P. and I went dress shopping. It was a longish drive, but a successful trip. I think I’ll talk about dresses in another entry.
Ms. P. dropped me off and went home to start dinner, as we were to spend the evening at their house. Her parents are very nice; there were no problems, even though I know Son was very nervous and maybe Ms. P. was as well. The importance of a meeting like this, aside from wanting to get to know people, is that Husband will no longer perceive these “strangers” as a threat. I recognize shy when I see it.
Husband ate no appetizers, since he doesn’t appreciate cheese or olives (delicious Portuguese ones) or shrimp. But he went to town on the dinner. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and vegetables; he not only ate, he asked for seconds! Dessert was flan prepared by Ms. P.’s mother. (I’ll call her Ms. L. for now; designations may change after November, right?)
As I spend more time with Ms. L., I think we may have a lot in common. She looks like a Portuguese version of me. Husband is twenty years older than they, and I think he had some problem with the accent, but he seemed to feel good about the whole thing.
Once again, I slept very well. In the morning, however, my blood sugar was somewhat elevated. Flan, I guess. I didn’t eat that much of it, really.
On Thursday, Son came to check us out of the hotel, and then we left our bags and went for a walk, so that Husband could see the U.S.S. Constitution from a little closer vantage point. (We could see the masts from the hotel window!) Son took us to the train station where, one more time, people were very nice about helping us get situated. They allowed Son to wheel the chair onto the train and assist Husband into the handicapped seating. Son left, and we were off.
We came into a New Haven station where nothing was working right – no one waiting for us with a plate. The place was being evacuated because of a suspicious package, and they wouldn’t allow U.D. in to meet us. She phoned me to tell me where she was and was finally allowed to come in, though she couldn’t park close by. The redcap wheeled Husband all the way out to the car, helped him into the back seat, and stowed the wheelchair in the trunk. Very dramatic, and Husband missed it all.
It was good to get home, and I think that’s an entry for another day as well.
