“Nothing, Julia. Your previous uterine surgery made you more susceptible to a situation like this. Your bleeding was the best possible thing that could have happened- it revealed the previa. If you went into labor on your own, the outcome would be poor. We know what we’re up against now.”
“What do I do?”
“The best case scenario would be to get you to thirty-eight weeks, but I’d be thrilled with thirty-six. We’ll be doing more ultrasounds. I’m concerned about intrauterine growth retardation which is just a fancy term for the baby’s growth lagging behind. The tech will do a biophysical profile each time you come for a scan. As far as you’re concerned, you’ll be on strict bed rest for now. That means that you can do limited walking to the bathroom and around the house, but no more. I’d like you to limit the time that you’re out of bed. As long as the baby is doing well, I won’t order complete bed rest at the hospital.”
“You might as well order complete bed rest, doc.” Gabe knew me too well.
“Very funny,” I shot back.
“I’m serious Julia. You have to do your part. Keep your stress level low. Take your blood pressure every day. As we get closer, I’ll use steroids to help mature her lungs. You’ll require a planned C-section and perhaps a transfusion.”
“And? There’s more. I can tell by your facial expressions that gloom and doom is on its way.”
“And… I must also tell you that a hysterectomy is a distinct possibility, given the complexity of your current situation and past uterine surgery. I won’t know until I open you up and see where we’re at. I just want you to be prepared.”
“Deliver my daughter in good health and I don’t care Dr. Brandon.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but for now, strict bed rest. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Tonight was a saving grace. Go home and get to bed.”
“A saving grace,” I repeated. “I’m a lucky girl.”
“Bed,” Dr. Brandon reiterated.
“I will. Thank you for coming.”
“No problem. I’ll have my nurse call to schedule a follow up appointment. No driving, either.”
“I’ll get her there,” Gabe firmly stated.
“Then I’ll see you both in a week,” he replied as he exited the room.
My head fell on Gabe’s shoulder as he hugged me. A nurse interrupted us to take a final set of vital signs and give me my discharge papers. Gabe left to get the car as the nurse wheeled me to the emergency department entrance. I sat there thinking about what Dr. Brandon had said. Maybe this was a good thing. We were prepared now and could protect her. Bed rest was destined to get on my very last nerve, but I’d do anything to save her. I was never given that chance with Connor. This time, I had more control.
Gabe played the cheerleader during our trip back to the house, telling me that everything was going to be okay and reminding me how strong her heart was beating. I didn’t share his enthusiastic attitude, but I was happy that this was a treatable condition. Gabe had called his mom to let her know that we were on our way home. She was waiting on the veranda as we drove up, opening the door as the car stopped.
“Let’s get you inside and up to bed. I moved Mattie to another room in case you couldn’t sleep and wanted to watch some television.”
“That was sweet of you.”
“I made some chicken soup.”
“I’ll bring it up,” Gabe said as he walked toward the kitchen. “Help her get her pajamas on, Mom.”
“I will. Take your time on the steps, Julia.”
“You all are going to kill me with kindness.”
“Don’t be silly,” she responded.
“No, really. You have to stop doting over me. We need to talk business.”
We climbed the steps slowly; more so than necessary, but I was trying to placate the help. Gabe’s mom had been a registered nurse her entire life and had only recently retired last year. She was still filling in some shifts at the hospital to supplement her income.
“What kind of business?” she asked.
“How would you feel about moving in here and taking care of me and then the baby until I’m back on my feet? I have to hire a nurse anyway so I’d rather hire you.”
“It would be my pleasure to help you, Julia, you know that, but I couldn’t accept money.”
“Why ever not? That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. If I’m going to pay someone anyway, why not you?”
“I’d feel uncomfortable being paid. I’ve grown to think of you as a daughter over these past months. You’ve done so much for Mattie. Taking care of you would be the least that I could do in return.”
We made our way into the bedroom, closing the door behind us so that I could change. Ms. Martin helped me into a pair of guest worthy pajamas that would be suitable for Gabe’s company. She tucked me into bed as our conversation continued.
“That’s bunk. I take care of Mattie because I love him. Gabe has become a great friend to me and I look up to you. I won’t shower you with money, I promise. I’ll pay the going hourly rate for a 40 hour week. No more. How does that sound? If you say no then I won’t hire anyone and I’ll be left to my own devices; which can only mean bad things for me with my stubbornness.”
“Well, when you put it like that, I have no choice but to accept your proposal.”
“Perfect. When can you start?”
Gabe walked through the door with a tray of food.
“Start what?” he asked.
“I’ve hired your mom to be my nursemaid or jailor depending on how you look at it.”
“Good. I’ll worry less,” he said.
“The only condition, Ms. Martin, is that you not sit around this house all day watching me like I’m a guppy in a fishbowl. You have to leave and do things with Mattie. I’m sure that Tommy will be torturing me with his company very soon.”
“Do you plan to tell anyone else?” Gabe inquired, with his mom elbowing him in his side to zip it.
“No. Do you all plan to tell anyone else?”
Two no’s were spoken in chorus. My secret seemed safe. Now, I would have to rely on my brother’s discretion. I was dreading the call that I knew I had to make. He’d never forgive me for keeping something like this from him and I wouldn’t dare hurt him. Gabe and his mom left the room to get settled in, closing the door behind them. I decided to call Tommy since I couldn’t sleep. Considering it was 3:45 AM, I knew he would be in bed, but I wanted to hear his voice. Tommy was always my rock.
“Hello?”
“Tommy?”
“Jewels? What’s wrong?”
“Why does something have to be wrong?”
“It’s 3:45 AM in the morning. What’s the matter?”
“Don’t freak out.”
“Nothing good ever comes from those words when you speak them.”
“It’s not altogether horrible news. I had to go to the hospital this evening. I was bleeding.”
“The baby?”
“She’s fine.”
“She?”
“Yes. Your niece is okay. I started bleeding, but it stopped.”
“What caused the bleeding?”
“I have a complete placenta previa.”
“A what?”
“My placenta grew over the cervix so the baby can’t be born in the traditional way. I’m on strict bed rest now. The doctor will deliver her by cesarean section once she’s at a viable age. We’re shooting for thirty six weeks.”
“Do you want me to hire some help for you?”
“No. Gabe’s mom is a registered nurse. She’s agreed to move in and help out until I get back on my feet.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“That’s not necessary. I’ll be bed-ridden for several weeks. You have plenty of time to sit and stare at me.”
“I’m coming.”
“Whatever- just don’t be dramatic. I’m going to be fine. You should wait a few weeks. Ms. Martin will pro
bably need a break from me by then. You know that I don’t make a good patient.”
“Truer words have never been spoken.”
“You’re hilarious. Your talent is wasted on us sinners.”
“So I’ll come in two weeks?”
“How can you possibly get away at Christmas?”
“You let me worry about me. You have enough on your plate; what with having a child out of wedlock and complications to boot.”
“Nice. You’ll be getting coal for sure.”
“All I want for the holidays is for you to abide by Dr. Brandon’s orders. I’m scared, Julia.”
“I’ll be fine. Cover me with prayer. I’ll do my part. You have my word.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
“Understood. Will you bring some things from my apartment?”
“Sure. What?”
“I had asked Henry to get rid of Connor’s things, but I doubt he followed through on that. If the blankets and toys are left, will you bring them for Emma Grace?”
“Emma Grace?”
“It was good enough for Mom and Ms. Walker. She’ll have their same strength.”
“Mom would be thrilled. I love it, sis.”
“I’m glad.”
“Have you told Henry?” he timidly asked.
“No. I don’t plan to tell him either. The doctor wants me to keep my stress level to a bare minimum. Arguing with Henry would be counterproductive. I will tell him…at some point. I’m not ready.”
“What about John?”
“Father could care less, Tommy.”
“Don’t speak for him, Julia. He would want to know. Mom would want you to tell him.”
“Oh, God in heaven, spare me the turn the other cheek sermon at this late hour. Maybe you’re right. I’ll think about it. Now, you should get back to sleep.”
“You’re really okay then. You’ve told me everything?”
“Yes. Don’t be so paranoid.”
“Don’t be so you.”
“I’ll try. Love you.”
“Love you too. Goodnight.”
With that farewell, I decided to try some of the soup that had cooled off. No one could cook like Ms. Martin. As I finished, Gabe stopped by my room to tell me that he had called in for work. He was going to Tybee Island to pick up some of his mom’s belongings for the duration of her stay. I thanked him profusely for his friendship and with that I collapsed and fell asleep.
15
The morning had brought a bit more clarity regarding the battle ahead. In order to save Emma Grace, I would have to learn to love my bed. Christmas had snuck up on me and no preparations had been made. I hadn’t ordered a tree or bought the first present. This year would be spectacular, sharing it with the Martin family. The thought of seeing Mattie open his gifts, with his new found emotions, made me excited. It was quite possible that this would turn out to be the best Christmas ever.
There was one task ahead of me that I was dreading. Gabe had the right to know that Kate and Henry stopped by last evening. The shock and awe on their faces only solidified my inclination that our body language had sent a deceptive message to our visitors. I could hardly blame them for rushing to judgment. If the tables had been turned, I would have been less forgiving, ranting and raving before leaving, though I would never admit that to anyone. Their silence cut through me like a knife. They weren’t interested in discerning intent. They were sickened by what they saw and made haste to put as much distance between them and us as possible.
Mattie appeared in my doorway with Ms. Martin, helping to deliver blueberry pancakes. He was easily persuaded to stay and watch Saturday morning cartoons with me. Unless you rearranged his things, Mattie was the most peaceful person on the planet. His company had a calming effect. I could tell he was bored when he started rocking. Reaching into the night table drawer, I pulled out a satin bag full of treasures for him to play with. The bag was heavy, containing Tommy’s old marble collection. He stared at the bag for ten minutes before placing it in front of me- a sign that I should open it and divulge its contents. When they spilled out on my bed, he became engrossed at examining their colors and sizes. He was thrilled which made my heart beat joyfully. As he methodically categorized his new collection, Gabe walked through the door.
“Here you are. Is he keeping you up?”
“No. I’ve been confined to bed for four hours and I’m already bored.”
“Tough luck.” He sat down next to Mattie, smiling at his own humor, and began fiddling with the marbles. “What’s all this?”
“Tommy’s old marble collection.”
“Tommy may not want us to play with those, Mattie.”
“I gave them to him. Tommy is a grown man who will be having no children. He’d be thrilled to know that someone was getting some use out of his old things. Really.”
“Well let’s see what you’ve got there, Mattie.”
He separated all the blue marbles into a pile and spoke his new word for us again. I would never tire of hearing the word blue. It made me want to purchase every blue object I could get my hands on.
“We need to have a big person conversation,” I said, hesitantly.
“That sounds ominous.”
“Something happened last night.”
“Yeah, I know. I was there.”
“Not that. We had some visitors. Help me out onto the veranda so we don’t disturb Mattie’s cartoons.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“The doctor said limited walking. The veranda is only ten feet. Give me a break.”
“All right. Up you go.”
Gabe pulled me forward from my reclined position against the mountain of pillows under me and helped me stand. The sun was breaking through the clouds in visible beams of light, but the air remained crisp. The comforter he brought out was tightly wrapped around me. I felt like a burrito. My feet were swept up onto a pillow which he’d placed on the coffee table.
“I’m warm enough. Relax. You promised not to smother.”
“It’s December, Julia.”
“You’re in the South, Gabe. I’m used to brutal New York winters. This is nothing.”
“None the less…you’re warm. I’m happy. What’s up? Your talks are never good.”
“Why do people keep saying that?”
“History, doll.”
“Well, you may have a point. This isn’t pleasant news.”
“Spit it out. Be direct. I can take it.”
He sat down next to me, tossing his feet up next to mine. I had qualms about telling him, but he had a right to chase down Kate and set the story straight if he so chose. He nodded his head as if egging me on to spill the beans.
“We had visitors last night.”
“You said that already. Who?”
“Kate and Henry were here.”
“In this house?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“I heard a noise and woke up to find your arm slung over my waist-”
“Yeah, sorry about that…”
“No matter, but when I looked toward the noise of the creaking door, Henry and Kate were standing there with an awful look on their faces, imagining that we were together, I suppose. I can’t blame them really, considering our close proximity to one another and the fact that we were in my bed.”
“Mattie was between us. What did they say?”
“It never came to that. I didn’t have much time to consider stopping them. Kate ran off immediately and Henry only lingered for a minute at most. I was torn. I didn’t want to startle Mattie.”
“That’s the real reason you didn’t go after them?” he inquired with skepticism in his voice.
“Okay. No. The truth is that I didn’t want Henry to know about the baby…not yet, but I realize now, that Kate must be thinking something dreadful about us…about me…and I think my decision has sealed your fate with her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she were on her way back to London today. We’re both runners.”
>
“I see. Well, if she cared enough to fight for me, she would have stayed and made her stand. She left. Like you said, she doesn’t care enough.”
“Oh God. Did I say that?”
“Before, when you were explaining why she went to New York when her brother beckoned.”
“I’m an idiot. That was a poor choice of words, Gabe. I saw the look in her eyes last night. She does care enough. The pain on her face was excruciating to witness. Don’t form any opinions based on the observations of someone with my inept senses. Perhaps, you need to find her and have it out. Let your heart be the judge.”
“I appreciate the back pedaling, Julia, but what would be the point? The bottom line is that she left. You don’t do that if you love someone… you stay and fight.”
“Not always. Some of us flee.”
“Fleeing is for cowards.”
“You won’t get an argument on that point from me. Even still, you’ll never have closure until you hash it out with Kate. You’ll always wonder.”
“Maybe. I’ll think about it over Christmas.”
“Do that…give it some dedicated thought.”
“What’s on tap for today?” he inquired, intentionally closing the subject of Kate.
“Are you trying to be mean? Rub it in, why don’t you.”
“What?”
“I guess I’ll be holding down the bed today…and tomorrow…and the day after that…”
“Sorry.”
“You are sorry.”
“Have you thought about a Christmas tree? We’ll be the only family having a Charlie Brown Christmas if we don’t buy one soon.”
“I was just thinking about that this morning.”
“Mattie and I will go and pick one out,” he offered.
“Mr. Burney, down at Burney’s Nursery will deliver and set it up. I’ll call ahead.”
“I can afford to buy a tree, Julia.”
“I know. I know, but Mr. Burney and I do business every year and we have a system. He relies on my financial patronage every season. He’s probably waiting by the phone. He’ll send a crew over to wrap garland on the veranda railings and they’ll hang wreaths for me in the windows. You can buy a tree for the cottage if you’re dying to spend your own money.”
“Okay. Far be it for me to mess with tradition. We’ll be back in an hour. Do we need tree trimmings?”
The Battered Heiress Blues Page 15