Valentina visits Gibson— In Arigni #44
She tells him her story and discomforts him with a request.
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#44
Gibson tidied his consulting room. It had only occasional use, as he much preferred to attend to patients in their homes. The twins’ mother had been most insistent that she come and see him, rather than the other way around.
The arrangement Gibson had with the medical authority that employed him was very informal. He was paid a stipend to be the first point of contact, but there was no expectation that he keep formal records, except in the case of patients who required referral to the mainland, and then it was just a question of noting the fact and entering the detail in a ledger.
Valentina arrived on her own.
“Thank you for seeing me.”
She saw the way he was looking at her.
“Oh this,” she said, looking down at her outfit. “I do not get much chance to dress like this here.”
Gibson ushered her in and led her through the hall to a small room at the side of the house. It had originally been used by Loretta for fitness training, housing a treadmill, some simple weights and other paraphernalia, all of which were now stored in the garage.
“How can I be of help?”
After settling into the chair that Gibson held out for her, she looked down and remained quiet for some time. When she looked up again, her eyes were watering.
“The twins’ father… He was a bad man. But he loved me well. You understand me?”
She did not wait for confirmation.
“Now I just have the boys, my parents, and no loving. Life is just drudgery.”
“I am sure your parents and your boys love you very much.”
“I mean lovemaking. A man and a woman together.”
Gibson shifted in his seat.
“I miss it so much,” she said.
He tried to formulate a response. But she went on.
“How can I find a man here? I can’t take my boys away and I will not abandon them again. I am trapped.”
