“He fucked you didn’t he?”
“Absolutely not! We have spent some time counseling him about changing his behavior at home, though.”
“That’s true, Allison,” he said.
Ellie reached out her hand. “By the way, I’m Ellie Simmons, and this is my sister Diana. We’re volunteers at the hospital this summer before we start nursing school.”
The woman hesitated, before briefly grasping Ellie’s hand. “Allison Bolton.”
“Mrs. Bolton, why don’t you come with me where we can talk? There’s a lounge just down the hall. The coffee is not great but drinkable if you would like some.”
Allison and Ellie left the room and Mr. Bolton stared at the door when it closed. “What are they going to talk about?”
“Damned if I know, but Ellie has a knack for saying the right thing. Now, about you. Roll over.”
She worked on the back of his legs. “Nothing extra today, I’m afraid. You’re on your own now. You would be wise to take our advice about your wife. Forget work for a few more days.”
“It would be easier to forget work if your fingers moved a few inches higher.”
“Nope. That part is over for now. If you want any of that you’ll have to get it from your wife. She can give it to you.”
“But…”
“No ‘buts’. She can give it to you, but you have to give it to her first. Make her fall in love with you again. Give her a few ‘Big O’s’. I think it wouldn’t take long before you were banging each other again like teenagers. Have fun with it. Remember, it’s supposed to be pleasure, not work. Play with her. Get reacquainted with all those parts of hers and play with them, just like you wanted to do with us. Remember, when she’s satisfied you’ll be satisfied. Roll over.”
She worked the front of his legs and he began to rise.
“Not today.” She reached under his gown and flicked her finger, causing him to deflate.
“Ouch.”
She grinned. “Effective, isn’t it?”
“You’ll have to teach me that maneuver.”
They had been unaware that Allison and Ellie had returned and stood in the doorway. Mr. Bolton groaned “Now look at what you’ve done. You just gave her another weapon to use against me.”
Diana stood up. “She will have no need to use it if you behave and take our advice.”
Allison walked over to the bedside and he closed his eyes, waiting for her to lay into him.
“Oh, for God’s sake, open your eyes. Be a man. I’m told you have decided to change some things. Is that true?”
He tentatively reached for her hand, which took her by surprise. “Yes. I think I’d like to start over. Please. Can you forgive me enough to give me another chance? I want you to be my wife again, and I want to be your husband, in every sense of the word.”
“Well, knock me over with a feather. I never expected to hear that.”
Ellie said “I told you he had changed. It just took a little encouragement. I think you may be surprised when you get home.” She looked directly at him. “You ARE going to do that, aren’t you?”
“I think so.”
“Oh, for goodness sakes.” Ellie turned to Allison. “He is going to take some chances with you, get outside his comfort zone, and expose some vulnerability. If you put aside your recent feelings for him you will both be surprised at what can happen.”