Chapter 5

The din of the restaurant drifted into another sound zone, as Douglas began to speak, after drinking deeply from his water glass. Nicole waited patiently for the flood of his words. “Where to begin? Keep in mind, Nicole that all I'm about to reveal has taken place since our last class reunion. The summary in a nutshell...take a deep breath...diabetes—which you know about, I've gone through dialysis, a kidney transplant, amputation of all my toes on the right foot, amputation (below the knee) of my left leg—due to a motorcycle accident, lymphoma cancer survivor and nine months ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. I'm currently doing chemotherapy with radiation to follow in a few months. The radiation will last daily for five weeks. I'm going to beat this one, too.” He reached for her hand. “Breathe Nicole.”

She couldn't say anything. Emotions of wonder , disbelief that anyone could survive all that and horror at the pain and suffering he had faced, all ran amok in her mind. “Wow. I'm totally speechless. Wow...really I don't know what to say. You've gone through so much in so few years. To think I complained about a headache last week!”

“Look at me, Nicole. I am still handsome and the most positive person you'll ever meet. I have to be in order to have survived this. God has me here for a reason I've yet to discover.”

“I'm trying to process all this. But I will say that I admire you, Douglas. And am humbled by all you've been through.” Nicole felt as if she were sitting in the presence of a person whose future was bright because of the trials he has encountered.

Douglas squeezed her hand briefly before letting go of it. “I was married for ten years to a wonderful woman whom I thought I would spend the rest of my life with, but she suddenly wanted freedom and left me. Marriage is a sacred one time thing and I doubt I will ever remarry. Guess I shouldn't say never, eh?”

“Oh no. I hope she didn't leave you when you needed her the most,” said Nicole with a tremor in her voice.”

“She left me prior to the amputation of my leg. Since I'm a diabetic I don't heal like I should and the leg couldn't be saved. My ex-wife wanted to re-live her single life and there wasn't anything I could do to keep her with me. And if she didn't love me anymore, there really wasn't a reason.” He touched her hand again. “Don't let it bother you, my dear.” He laughed for a moment. “Nicole, I've learned from it, grown from it and no longer see it as a burden on my heart. I'm happy now and do my best to live each day as if it were my last. If it weren't for my faith and positive attitude, I wouldn't be here.”

Nicole's eyes misted. She took a napkin and dabbed at them. “Oh Douglas, I'm so sorry about all that you've gone through, the medical issues and the lost marriage. I feel admiration at how you've handled all that's happened. It's so inspiring. You are a brave man. I'm here if you ever need to talk or laugh or whatever you need.”

“Ah, now don't get mushy on me Nicole. I'll get through this cancer just like I've beaten everything else. It's just another thing to add to my medical resume. I don't have a difficult time in dealing with it, instead I embrace it and know that I have to deal with it and get through it.” He grinned at her. “You got to admit that you had no idea what I've been through by looking at my handsome face.”

She smiled, “You're right. I wouldn't have believed it if someone else had told me, not after seeing you so lively and twinkly-eyed.”

“Twinkly-eyed? No one's ever said that before.” He laughed, “Most say that they are a deeper blue than the ocean.” Douglas leaned forward to stare into Nicole's amused eyes. “Yesterday your eyes looked gray but now they are a soft blue. How did you do that?”

As he leaned back into his chair to straight, she said, “They are blue-hazel, which means they change color slightly. If I wear blue, they look bluish, and if I wear green, they are slightly green. Most of the time I'm told they are gray. They confuse people sometimes. Don't let them confuse you too?” She laughed softly. “Or hypnotize you.”

“I'm on guard. I've got my invisible armor on.” He reached for the check and said, “Shall we go?”
She reached for her handbag and pulled out her wallet. “No Nicole. I asked you to lunch. I'm paying,” he said with a grim expression. She dared not argue. “Thanks Douglas. I guess we should get out of here. The day is ticking away and I imagine you want to get over to Smitty's.”

“Just because I suggested we leave here doesn't mean we're done talking. You haven't told me anything about you and I want to know all you're willing to share, lady. All!” Douglas tossed some money on the table and took her arm. “We're not going to Smitty's though. Not sure where we should go.”

Before she could speak, the elderly ladies were upon them. The eldest in yellow said to Nicole, “Don't forget your chopsticks, dear. You might need them on your second date.” She smiled at Douglas, “Now aren't you glad I didn't accept your offer to dine?”

“No, you were the one I really wanted,” he panned in a dead serious attitude. “Now I'm a broken man whose only comfort is a fortune cookie.” Douglas opened his hand to show them the plastic wrapped cookie. “And I bet there's no fortune in it. That's how my luck's been today, ladies..”
The ladies laughed, while watching Nicole's expression to judge how she was reacting to the joking Douglas. Nicole said dryly, “My luck is a little better. At least I got a free meal out of it. And my only comfort is the ending of this lunch.” Douglas laughed, “It's not over yet, Hotmama69. We haven't had whipped cream yet.”