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“For dinner. Where should we go? The only place I know is the resort. The food there is amazing, but I don’t think you want to accompany me there. Am I right?” I asked.
“You are. And I don’t think I agreed to go anywhere with you. Except for the hospital that is,” she reminded me.
“I’ve had the food there. It...it is horrible. Bland. One might as well eat paper,” I stated. “I didn’t have the soup, but I bet it wasn’t any better.”
“It’s...edible.”
I laughed. “Yes. That is what the hospital food is. How about we strive for tasty food? I’m not saying we need to stay out long. We can stop at a place along the way.”
“Ryker...I...”
“I told you that I’m going to make sure nothing happens to you. That starts with making sure you’re taking care of yourself too. Now, are you going to tell the driver where he’s going, or do I let him pick for us?” I asked.
“You’re being difficult again.”
“Get used to it. I’m always difficult,” I replied.
She sighed but gave the driver the name of a place and he pulled out of the parking lot. It wasn't far, and soon we were seated at a table in what looked like someone’s home. When the woman came out to greet us, she smiled and spoke to Meri in their native language. Meri smiled and the only thing I understood was my name being tossed around. Obviously, we weren’t discussing food yet.
I figured the woman didn’t speak English, but I was wrong. “Welcome to my home. I will bring you your food in a moment. What can I get you to drink?”
No menus? Odd. Maybe Meri ordered it for me. We hadn’t talked about food yet, so I wasn’t sure how she knew what I liked. Not going to complain. I got her to come out with me. That was more than I thought would happen. Turning to the older woman I said, “Coffee, please.”
Not sure I’d ever get used to how they make it here. It was so strong that I didn’t bother putting creamer in it. It only changed the color from black to brown.
When we were alone, I asked, “So, what are we eating?”
She shrugged. “We’ll find out when she brings it.”
“Huh? You mean you didn't order our food?” I asked.
“No. This is a special place. We are eating what she made today. That’s all there is,” Meri stated.
“No choices?” She shook her head. “How does this place stay open?” I asked.
Meri snickered. “It’s her home. She has opened her front room to welcome guests who would like a home-cooked meal. There are no options. You eat what she has or go somewhere else. But trust me, whatever she makes will be delicious.”
I must take her word for it because I also didn’t know any place else. “Do you come here often?”
“On my days off I try to visit, but that has become a rarity now.”
She used the word visit. Also, odd. “You mean eat, not visit.”
“No. Visit. She is my aunt. This is her home. I come to check on her whenever I can. Coming here is kind of a house call as well as getting something to eat.”
I laughed. “You really don’t ever stop working, do you?”
“There are a lot of people who won’t come to the hospital and that means I must go to them. Sometimes, it’s the only exam they ever get. There are many that don’t even get examined, ever. All I can do is just talk and listen to see if you can detect anything wrong.”
“Nursing here is so different from what it is like in the States,” I said.
“Yes, it is. We are not doctors and don’t pretend to be, but we go to people's homes, and sometimes deliver babies there.”
“Serious? You’ve delivered babies?” I said, stunned.
“Until recently, all women delivered their babies at home.”
“Isn’t that dangerous? I mean for the mother and child,” I asked. Her eyes grew sad, and she became quiet. “Tell me. What did I say to upset you?”
