“Do you know? I haven’t the faintest idea of your nationality. Obviously you understand English, but you could be from so many different countries besides Ecuador, your predicament has fueled my imagination.
“You’ve probably never been to South Dakota. That’s where I live in the States. A small town called Lead, gateway to the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore. Fresh out of college with an English degree, I started working for the local chamber of commerce.
“In the beginning it was only supposed to be a temporary job until I found a good teaching position. However the work became so interesting to me, I’ve been with them ever since.
“If you asked me what I actually do there, the answer would be a little bit of everything under the sun. Something’s always going wrong and I have to fix it. That’s why I like it so much.
“Of course my family is there. My mom and my sister Beth who married Tom three months ago. Now they’re expecting a baby. You already know my marriage to Richard failed, so that’s about it. The story of my life. No doubt I’ve bored you to tears.”
She gave his foot a final rub, then covered his legs with the sheet. “Since there’s no television in here, I’ll read you what’s on the front page of today’s newspaper. Someone left it in the room. In case you’re a native Spanish speaker, please forgive my pronunciation.”
Terri washed her hands, then put on some lotion from her own purse before placing the chair near the wall light so she could read the print.
“This is from El Telegrafo. Let’s see…
“Mediante oficio No. 19370 enviado al Presidente del Congreso, José Cordero Acosta, el Procurador General del Estado, Ramón Jiménez Carbo, senñala que su pronunciamiento sobre la inconstitucionalidad del artículo 33 del Reglamento que dispuso la prisión domiciliaria para—entre otros—los ex presidentes y ex vicepresidentes de la República, ‘tiene carácter vinculante.’”
She put the paper down. “If I knew what vinculante meant, this article would make a lot more sense. But I don’t think it would be of interest to anyone who isn’t involved in local politics. Of course, maybe you are. If so, forgive me if I don’t read further.”
To her surprise, his body appeared to be shaking. Alarmed, she jumped up from the chair and hurried over to his side.
“What’s wrong? Do you need the doctor?”
He shook his head.
“Are you cold?”
Again he made the same gesture.
After a moment of consideration, “Are you laughing?”
He nodded.
Her lips curved into a smile. “My Spanish was that awful?”
Once more he shook his head.
“Liar,” she whispered, loving their one-sided conversation more than she’d loved anything in years.
“I’m glad you can laugh, but maybe you shouldn’t, just in case it pulls at the stitches under your chin. When your wife comes rushing in, I’m sure she’ll be looking for the same attractive man she married before the accident.”
He shook his head.
“Don’t be modest. I’ve seen your eyes, remember? And you’ve got great legs.”
His body shook again.
“With that head of dark hair, something tells me there’s a real hunk hidden under all those bandages. In case you haven’t heard the word ‘hunk’ before, it means, a good-looking man. In Spanish a woman would say, muy guapo. You’ve probably been called that a lot around here.”
She left him long enough to find the packages she’d bought and had asked to be gift-wrapped.
“These are for you. I think they’ll fit. You’re probably six feet two or three. I thought you’d want to be wearing something more spectacular than a hospital gown when your family shows up.”
Terri put the packages on the chair and opened them one at a time. “I bought you these navy pajamas and matching robe. I’m sorry if they’re not your taste, but with that tan I think you’ll look sensational in them.
“I also picked up these leather sandals. They’ll fit a size eleven or twelve foot. In case that sizing doesn’t mean anything to you, be assured you’ll be able to wear them.”
She held everything up for him to see. “After your shower in the morning, you can put these on. It will make you feel more normal.”
Leaving everything on the chair, she moved it against the wall, then returned to his side.
“I’m sorry Captain Ortiz hasn’t phoned yet. I know he would have if there’d been any news. Please don’t be disheartened. Who knows? When morning comes, I might walk in here and discover you’ve got a room full of company.
“In that case, you’re going to need a good night’s sleep so I think I’d better leave. It’s getting late.”
He let out another strange sound and shook his mummy-like head.
“What’s wrong? You don’t want me to go yet?”
Again, his head moved back and forth.
“So—you want me to help you pass the time, is that it?”
His definite nod secretly pleased her. It meant her presence brought him some comfort. It felt good to be needed.
“Since your hearing hasn’t been affected, I guess I could stay for a while longer and talk to you. But don’t be surprised if one of the sisters comes around to check your vital signs and throws me out. I’ll put your new clothes in the drawer so I can sit next to you.”
In a few seconds she was seated at his side once more.
“I’ve just thought of another idea. When my sister and I were little girls, we used to print the names of movie stars on each other’s backs and try to guess who they were. The one who got the most right answers on the first round had to buy the other one a treat the next day.
“Why don’t I try printing a continent on your leg? The one you come from. You nod when I’ve stumbled onto it.”
Excited over her own idea, she uncovered his leg and started drawing the letters for Europe up his shin bone.
When she’d finished, his head remained motionless.
“Hmm. How about this?”
She wrote South America.
Still there was no gesture from him.
Next she printed the words North America.
Now she got the nod she’d been waiting for.
“American?”
Another emphatic nod.
Terri shot to her feet. “I should have played this game with you earlier.” Her voice shook. “Do you work for the Herrick Company, too?”
He gave her a nod.
She sucked in her breath. “Okay. Let’s learn your first name. I’ll start saying the alphabet. You lift your right hand slightly when I come to the right letter. A,” she began. “B.”
He lifted his hand.
“Second letter. A. B. C. D. E.”
Again, his hand moved.
She went through the alphabet a third time. When she reached N, he raised his hand.
“Your name is Ben!” she cried out. “Short for Benjamin?”
He nodded.
With her heart racing she said, “Let’s do your last name.” She went