Mother Load

by KG MacGregor

  “That went about as well as it could go,” she proclaimed, looking up briefly to give Anna and Lily an encouraging smile. “We need to watch him for a little while or so and make sure that’s all he needs.”

  Anna squeezed her. “See? I told you he’d be okay.”

  Lily’s relief was palpable, though she was still shaking with fear. “What happens if he still isn’t breathing right?”

  “He’ll be breathing just fine…or rather the ventilator should be breathing for him just fine. We can give him a few things to adjust the gases if we have to, but I’m hoping he’ll take over from here.”

  “Is he out of danger?” Anna asked.

  “I’ve done all I can do right now. Let’s give him a couple of hours.”

  It was possibly the longest two hours of Lily’s life, but when Anna finally hoisted Andy onto her shoulder at two a.m., George was stable. Sylvie assured them he would rest well for the night and they should do the same. And to prove it, she put on her own jacket and headed for the door.

  “Go to bed,” Anna said, pausing in the doorway to give Lily a quick kiss to her temple. “Our days will be even longer starting tomorrow.”

  “Thanks for coming so fast. I would have lost it if you hadn’t been here.”

  “Just a few more weeks, Lily…then we’ll bring all of our babies home.”

  “…because the membership won’t support that this year,” Anna said, holding her hand over the receiver to stifle a groan. Her longtime compatriots at the Chamber were drawing up a platform strategy for their candidate, one she knew would go down in flames in next month’s officer elections. “We need to shift our priorities back to the small businesses or we could lose half our membership.”

  As she finished her call, Andy walked into her office and dropped his book bag in the corner.

  “Hey, pal.”

  Trina, the payroll clerk who had moved out of the back office to take Carmen’s place in reception, beeped in. “Anna, Marco called and said to tell you four, whatever that means. And Nancy is in the conference room with Walter.”

  “Great, another migraine on the horizon,” she mumbled. If Nancy, her human resources chief, had driven all the way up from Palm Springs to meet with Anna and the dealership’s attorney, it couldn’t be good news. She glanced up to see Andy taking her ledgers off the bookshelf to use as buildings in the make-believe town where he would drive his toy cars. “Not those, please. They aren’t toys.”

  Across the hall in the conference room, Nancy and Walter were already speaking in agitated tones. “From a legal perspective, it’s a pretty tough case to make. But I wouldn’t go so far as to say he doesn’t have a leg to stand on,” Walter said.

  “Who doesn’t?” she asked, foregoing the offered chair to pace the room. It had already been a long day, with calls to Lily every hour to check on George.

  Nancy sighed and pushed a letter across the table. “Ricky Hill filed a grievance over JoAnne Cowens getting the service manager position at the VW lot in Palm Springs. He’s been working for the company four years longer than she has, and he’s claiming reverse discrimination because he’s a white man.”

  “Yes, a white man who spent his entire career working on BMWs. All of JoAnne’s experience is in the VW garage, and if I’m not mistaken she worked somewhere else before taking that job. On paper she’s the better candidate.” Anna hated to micromanage personnel issues and it irritated her that this one had been brought to her attention. “Maybe I’m missing something, but I really don’t understand what this meeting is about.”

  “Normally it wouldn’t be an issue,” Nancy explained, “but Ricky is saying it’s part of a hiring pattern. Ever since you acquired the new dealerships, all the top jobs and promotions have favored women and people of color. Four of the managers in Palm Springs have submitted letters for Ricky in support of this fact, but they all wanted me to tell you they weren’t taking sides, just stating the facts.”

  “It’s called a business strategy,” Anna said, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “We hire and promote a variety of people because we want to attract all potential buyers, not just young white guys, who held almost all of the managerial jobs when we acquired the other dealerships. Walter, are we covered here?”

  “After the Supreme Court ruled for the firefighters in that Connecticut case, there will be less inclination to accept diversity for diversity’s sake when it comes to hiring and promotion practices. But I like that you’re casting it as a business strategy. That changes the argument substantially. I think a reasonable—”

  “Cut to the chase. Is this going to be a problem?”

  “I think it could be annoying and perhaps time-consuming, but I don’t think it’s a winnable case for Mr. Hill if he takes it to the next level.”

  “And I’m not sure he’s inclined to,” Nancy added. “He’s basically a nice guy. He’s always worked well alongside everyone in the garage, and people like him a lot. I think he’s just frustrated that there probably won’t be any opportunities to move up for a long time. He honestly feels that since both the BMW and VW dealerships in Palm Springs have always been part of the same company, his tenure and job performance earn him the promotion over JoAnne.”

  “So talk to him, Nancy. Let him know we appreciate his loyalty, and encourage him to apply for any future opportunities that might arise.” Perhaps he would make trouble, but it was situations like these that called for the courage of her convictions. “I think our choice of JoAnne was the right one, and I’d make it again tomorrow. I’ll defend it in court if I have to.”

  Walter closed his leather portfolio and put away his Mont Blanc pen. “I agree. Mr. Hill deserves a respectful response, but not one that gives support to his grievance.”

  Nancy scribbled a note to herself and gathered up her papers. “Thanks, Anna. That was my gut instinct, but I thought under the circumstances—with the potential for legal action and all—you should make the call.”

  Anna left them to find their own way out and returned to her office where, much to her annoyance, her ledgers remained scattered across the floor as Andy played with his cars around them. “What did I tell you about those books?” she demanded sharply. “When I tell you to do something, I expect you to listen. You know those ledgers are important to me. I don’t come and get your favorite toys and leave them out where people can step on them. Do I?”

  Looking ashamed, Andy began sliding the books back into the slots on the shelf.

  “You’re putting them in backward. They go…never mind. Just leave it alone. I’ll do it myself.”

  As she approached the bookshelf, he burst into tears and darted past her out the door.

  “Damn it,” she muttered. Her whole day had been one disaster after another. Yes, she was annoyed he hadn’t listened to her, but dressing him down the way she had was uncalled for. Last night had been just as hard on him as it had been on her.

  Hal appeared in her doorway only moments later. “Is everything all right? I heard…”

  An array of emotions bombarded her—frustration, fear and no small amount of shame, and she realized she was crying too. “We’re just tired. George had a setback last night and we had to go back to the hospital. They put an air tube down his throat and we didn’t get home until after two.”

  “Oh, Anna.” His strong arms went around her shoulders, a comforting reminder that her family would be her rock if she needed them. “Is he all right?”

  “He’s stable again. It’s something called respiratory distress syndrome. It’s pretty common for preterm infants, but once their lungs reach a certain threshold they’re usually out of the woods.”

  “You should have called us. We could have picked up Andy, or I could have stayed over with him. It’s bad enough that you had to be out so late, but him…”

  She shook her head. “No, we wanted him there. That’s his little brother fighting for his life, and we all needed to be there to support each other. Besides, Andy’s already feelin
g like he’s on the outside of the circle since we’re spending so much time at the hospital. And to make matters worse, now I’ve gone and hurt his feelings.”

  “I don’t even know why you’re here. Take him and go on to the hospital.”

  “That’s where we’re headed after work. Lily’s being discharged today. We’ll probably have to drag her out of there, especially after last night.”

  “Seriously, beat it. Your dad and I can hold down the fort, and if we absolutely need you, we’ll call.”

  Given the kind of day she’d had, leaving work now probably wasn’t a bad idea. First she had to make up with her son.

  “I saw Andy run into the conference room.”

  She could barely make out his dark figure huddled among the chairs beneath the long table. “Hey, pal. I’m sorry I yelled at you. I’m tired and I’m worried about Georgie, but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.” She pulled out a chair and crawled to sit cross-legged beside him. “Will you forgive me?”

  His only reply was to sniff loudly and wipe his nose on his sleeve.

  “I bet you’re tired too. Are you worried about your brother?”

  He nodded. “It makes Mama sad.”

  “It sure does, just like when you have asthma. We want all of our children to be healthy—you, Eleanor and Georgie.” She tugged him into her lap and kissed the back of his head. “The doctor is taking real good care of him though. When he grows bigger and stronger, he won’t be sick anymore.”

  “Mama says I might not have asthma anymore when I get big. And if I get better, and then he gets better too we’ll both be big and strong.”

  She loved his optimism, and decided then and there to share it, since it felt so much more uplifting than fear. “I bet you’re right. Mama comes home today, you know. She’ll be sad to leave your brother and sister at the hospital but it’ll make her happy to be with you again. I think we should take her a present. Would you like that?”

  “What would we get?”

  “Marco just called and said he has four new Routans. What if we went over there now and picked one out? We could drive it to the hospital and surprise Mama.”

  His face lit up at the prospect of choosing another family car. “Can we get a silver one that’s black on the inside?”

  “We’ll have to see what they have.” He squirmed to climb out of her lap but she held him fast. “Wait, we still have a couple of things to clear up. I think the way you’ve helped Mama and me these last few days has been very brave. I’m proud of you and I love you very much.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Do you forgive me for yelling at you? I’ll try not to do it again.”

  He poked her shoulder emphatically as he answered, “I…forgive…you.”

  “Good, I feel better now.” She truly did, lighter than she had felt in days.

  Chapter 12

  Lily folded the last towel and added it to the stack on top of the dryer. The basket probably wasn’t that heavy but Anna had read her the riot act about carrying even small bits of laundry or groceries. Beth’s four-week restriction period had passed and she felt plenty strong, but that made no difference to Anna. At least her itchy stitches were gone, though the scratchy pubic hair was just as bad.

  Since coming home from the hospital almost five weeks ago she and Anna had settled into a routine that maximized the time they spent with Andy while also providing lots of hands-on nurturing for Eleanor and George at the hospital. After dropping Andy at school, she would spend the entire day in the neonatal unit, usually holding Eleanor, who after a week of training had finally been persuaded to take a breast. Lily was thrilled to finally experience this maternal connection, though Eleanor seemed indifferent when it came to the choice of a breast or bottle. At least it meant Anna could help handle feedings.

  Whenever Eleanor fell asleep on her chest, she would snake an arm through the hole in the side of George’s incubator, urging him to clutch her finger as she tickled his hand. He grew more responsive every day and had been off the ventilator for over a week. Sylvie said his lungs would soon be strong enough to ward off the risk of infection outside his sterile cocoon. She couldn’t wait to hold him.

  It was all she could do to tear herself away from the babies when school let out, but her reward was one-on-one time with Andy until Anna got home for dinner. She appreciated that his needs were different from those of Eleanor and George, and that she wasn’t confined to a small physical space or required to give him her undivided attention. He was happy with their time too, bursting with stories the minute he climbed into their new silver minivan.

  Most nights after dinner she returned to the hospital for a couple of hours before coming home to fall exhausted into bed. Anna usually juggled a hospital visit during the day, along with a couple of brief evening visits with Andy during the week. It was less than ideal but it was workable, though the road time was wearing all of them out.

  That would change somewhat tonight because they were going to the hospital after dinner to bring Eleanor home, five weeks to the day from when she was born.

  “Mrs. Dooley let us draw pictures after music,” Andy proclaimed, unfurling his art so she could study it while she stirred his dinner on the stove. “It’s Georgie and Eleanor. See?”

  Indeed she could. It wasn’t at all surprising to see what had impressed him about their differences. Both figures wore triangular diapers but one had lines leading from various points on his body to a box with buttons and dials. “This one’s Georgie, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, ’cause he has a hose in his mouth…and these wires.”

  “Did you show this picture to the boys and girls in your class?”

  “Just to Jeremy. He said Georgie was electric because he’s plugged in.”

  “Except this one isn’t there anymore,” she said, pointing to the tube that ran to his mouth. “He can breathe all by himself now.”

  “I can draw another one.”

  “Maybe you’ll draw a picture of Eleanor after she comes home.” He was more interested in George, but who wouldn’t be more fascinated by an electric brother? “Are you ready for your supper? I fixed you a hot dog and some macaroni and cheese.”

  “Where’s Mom?”

  “She’s on her way home but she asked me to fix her a peanut butter sandwich so we can go as soon as she gets here.”

  “But she’s supposed to—”

  “She said she had macaroni and cheese for lunch.” Anna had become quite creative with her excuses.

  When Anna arrived she insisted on eating her sandwich in the car on the way to the hospital. It was more than just her eagerness to bring Eleanor home, she said. She had left work early so they could get home before Andy’s bedtime. He was likely to be wired from the excitement and she wanted him wound down so they all could get rest tonight.

  Andy led the way into the neonatal unit where Kathy greeted him exuberantly. “Andy, your sister is so excited about coming home with you. She’s been talking about you all day.”

  “She has not,” he said with a grin, knowing he was being teased. “She can’t talk yet.”

  “No, but she smiles whenever I say your name. Come here and see for yourself.”

  She leaned over Eleanor’s bed and sang Andy’s name, prompting her eyes and mouth to open wide. “See?”

  It was a relief to see Andy so delighted with his sister. Ever since they had made a concerted effort to give him special attention, he had calmed considerably and the bedwetting had stopped. Once the babies were home it would be impossible to concentrate solely on his needs, but Lily was confident they could find the right balance between having him help with his siblings and giving him his own time to play.

  Kathy handed her a towel for her shoulder. “She ate a little bit about an hour ago but I bet she’s still hungry if you want to feed her while they’re visiting George.”

  Anna helped Andy wash his hands so they could play with George. He had grown more alert in the last few days,
gripping a finger without hesitation and even meeting their eyes when they tried to entertain him. Sylvie assured them his progress would accelerate now that he was breathing better, and he would follow his sister home within a matter of weeks.

  Lily opened her shirt and lifted Eleanor from her bed. Home. The word resonated in her head as she took in the decorations of the room that had been her second home for over a month. Cards, balloons and stuffed animals lined the shelves, one of the few reminders there were other people in the world besides just the five of them and the hospital staff, practically the only people she had seen since the accident.

  She held her breast until Eleanor latched on, and then settled back into the sublime sensation. Andy came close to watch and even held out his finger so Eleanor could clutch it while she ate.

  A flash went off as Anna took a picture with her cell phone. “That’s too perfect not to save. I should send that out to our friends.”

  Lily rolled her eyes. “Just what I need, my boob on someone’s screensaver. But you know, there is someone I would like you to send it to. Karen Haney. She’d really like that.” Karen had sent pink and blue stuffed rabbits for the babies and an enormous Easter basket for Andy, saving the day, since she and Anna had totally forgotten the holiday.

  Anna caught her eye and pointed first to her watch then to Andy.

  She gestured to Eleanor, who had stopped nursing but had dozed off still clinging to her breast.

  “She could stay that way for an hour or more,” Anna urged gently.

  “I know.” But Lily couldn’t bring herself to move. This moment—all five of them together in such a tranquil setting—was too precious to disrupt, and she felt her tears gathering at the realization it had to end.