Beau had to admit, lunch went over a lot better than expected. August had looked so happy at getting the poke bowls. He didn’t really get what made them so amazing to her, but if she was happy then it was a win right? A mental note was made to next time practice at home when she was at work instead of doing it on the spot. Random surprise romance was good, but she might have been disappointed if she had known what he was trying to make for her.
Still, it put him in a good mood for therapy. And it was a positive thing he could share for the week. August had been the one to push for him to go, even if money was tight. "What is the point of insurance if we don’t use it?" She had told him. Throwing the words he had used about physical therapy after the accident back at Beau. With good reason, given his anxiety and depression. She had always been supportive of him and did her best, but some things needed a professional touch.
The session was moving along quickly, following the normal routine of reviewing the prior session, checking how he did on his ‘homework’. Going into the various exercises to help him work through past traumas, all leading up to recent concerns.
“So you are worried that the two of you are growing apart?”
“I mean… not yet but a lot of people our age, at this point.. Well.. I saw it with my old married co-workers. I know she heard it from hers. How everyone can kinda… drift apart. And I just want to, I dunno… surprise her with something nice. Like I used to.”
“Well, I think this could be good as long as you don’t put excessive pressure on yourself. Remember, romantic gestures don’t need to be big things. Just something thoughtful and kind. She may even tell you what she’d like directly.”
Beau nodded a bit. “Well. There is a lunar eclipse I want her to see. She has always loved seeing events like that. Last time there was one the weather was bad.”
“That sounds like a fun time. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it. But I am worried you're not appreciating things that you do for her as well.”
“Well I don’t do-” He stopped looking at the screen. Dr. Kenner was giving him that look again. The man always could just tell with a glance. “I… do things around the home but I worry it isn’t as much as what she does.”
“Ok then. Your homework assignment between now and our next session is to make a list of at least 15 things you do that helps out or is something she appreciates. Not counting any special plans you have.”
“Right, thanks doc.” A few minutes to plan the next meeting and exchanging payment information, and Beau was ready to start packing up the tablet and stand. Honestly he didn’t mind these teleconference meetings. It was a lot easier and closer to deal with all of that when he had a robot changer toy he could mess with in his hand, sitting in the comfort of the ‘nerd room’ as August lovingly called it. Like her own collection of figures wasn’t in the bedroom too. It was fine though. It meant they both got to keep and enjoy the things they loved throughout the house.
Just as Beau opened the door, he was hit with the smell of brownies but… surely he wasn’t really smelling them. Was he? After all August wasn’t feeling well and she… was at his chair. He took a deep breath “Did.. you bake?”
“Well, I couldn’t let your friends show me up, you know?” August grinned. “I made your favorites. Even felt good enough to clean up most of my mess.”
“Oh August… you didn’t have to.” His poor wonderful sweet wife. Beau had been worried that the treats Betty gave would come back to haunt him. But maybe she wasn’t that upset.
Without missing a beat and with a smile on her face she quipped back. “And you didn’t have to make that lovely lunch.” Beau watched as she carefully got up. “And I was feeling great.”
Now he had to check for any signs that she was hiding pain again. Her weight was shifted a bit, but she wasn’t on her tip toe on the bad leg. He wouldn’t really be able to tell until she was walking. “Are you sure you’re ok?”
“I’ll be fine. Promise. Go and get us some cookies, They’re still warm.”
Going ahead and doing as she asked, he could see the beautiful treats before him, more precious than any jewel to him. As he carefully looked around he didn’t see any signs of issues. There was some flour on the floor but that was to be expected. He glanced back to his chair as she went to sit down. The wheels had some flour on them. Crap. Did she use the chair to get around again? Maybe? Well there was nothing to do but get everything together.
After they both got settled for the snack Beau spoke up. If she was hurting she’d tell him. She said she would and August… mostly did. “You know if you are feeling better, the girls were hoping you could come to practice today.”
August took a bite of the cookie before answering. ”Sure I can come. I should probably take a dose of my meds though. Those benches can make me flare up.”
“Good point. Now or in a bit?”
“Maybe now is better.” She had barely finished the sentence before Beau hurried up to get the pills, taking a cookie with him to munch. August was definitely in pain. He couldn’t bring himself to point it out. His sweet Aug had missed a lot of swim practices and he knew she didn’t want to miss anymore. She just wanted to be a part of things with the girls. August always put herself last, it felt like.
Well, he could sort that out soon. Beau was already remembering where the old camping chairs were and the cushions were. She could sit on those and feel comfortable at the pool. August could feel normal and a little pampered. Besides, other parents brought their own chairs all the time no one would care. At the very least he could say how he insisted.
After She was settled and they watched Let's Play together, Beau was on it. Packing up the girls' things. Making sure he had everything together for Aug. And prepping plates to heat up after they all got back so dinner could be quick and easy. All he had to do was watch August hobble to the car and give her a hand in. She mumbled a small “sorry” as if she had done something wrong.
“It’s fine, you have nothing to be sorry for.” Beau gave her the best smile he could before climbing into the drivers side and taking off.
The school line went quickly this time. Seeing August in the front seat when they were checking the numbers, the girls were brought out very quickly by Mr. Little, the art teacher. He loved the girls and was the one they sent out when the staff was avoiding the two parents. At the window, the girls squealed seeing their mom and quickly climbed into the back while Mr Little went to August’s window.
“Mrs Watt, great to see you again!”
“You too Mr. Little. More artwork for the girls?”
“Actually my two artists here are working on paper mache.”
“Oh wonderful. I’m pulling the newspapers tomorrow from the collection. Want me to send them over?”
“If you could, that'd be great!” He held up his own silver cane. “Cane buddies unite for art, am I right?” He laughed a little.
“Cane buddies.” She smiled that warm friendly smile of hers. “I take it the other teachers…?”
“Yeah your email spooked them. They’ll be responding later, like normal. I reminded them I’m happy to take the girls for a cooldown next time.”
“Thank you. We need more teachers like you.”
“But if we did, the stores would run out of canes.” He laughed again. “See you next time!”
Beau drove off, trying to figure out how August was always so smooth with people like that. She always got along with people, making jokes and being friendly. He was glad she was around to help with that stuff. At least one teacher liked them.
The girls excitedly went over their day, most of it a blur in his mind as it bounced from one thing to another. Too many thoughts zipping around for him to catch one and focus on it. It was a good thing that the route was engraved into the car itself, as he made the turn without realizing it and pulled into the first available spot. The girls were already half dressed and ready to get going. As August started to get out, Beau put a gentle hand on hers.
“Hey, wait here a moment ok? The girls and I are going to set something up for you real quick.”
August blinked in surprise. “Oh well… ok then. I’ll wait.” She leaned back into her chair and pulled out her phone as he quickly went to get the chair and such.
The least he could do after that mess was make sure she would be comfortable and maybe feel a bit special to boot.
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