“I’m sure you will think of something.”
She did. In the end she chose Babe, but instead of pulled pork barbeque she had a completely vegetarian meal with eggplant Parmesan, a garden salad, multigrain garlic bread, and carrot cake for dessert.
“This meal is in honor of all the farm animals,” Jessie said. “We aren’t eating any of them.”
She decorated with a red checked oilcloth tablecloth, a centerpiece of flowers arranged in a container made of barn siding, and stuffed barnyard animals of all types. She served the salad from a bucket onto metal plates, and we drank white wine from plastic glasses. In addition to Jon and me, Jessie had invited Bill, Ellen and Joshua, Jeff and Elaine, and Grace, who brought her first boyfriend, a hematology resident from the university.
“He was the first person to use the word cured in relation to my leukemia,” Grace said when she introduced Grady Davis. “Everybody else said that I had the longest remission they had seen. I decided that if I was cured, it was okay for me to date.” I thought how hard it must have been for the young girl to live with the fear that her remission would end. No wonder she had chosen not to share that fear with someone she loved.
“I had no idea the word cure got me the first date,” Grady said. “I thought it was my good looks.” He had a deep chuckle not unlike Jon’s.
As we settled into our places, Jessie asked Jeff to pray.
“Thank you, God, for food, family, and friends. Amen.”
Over dinner, Jessie seemed quieter than usual. Finally she spoke and I understood why. “I’m not going to dwell on this, but it was twenty-five years ago this week that I left my home and my family. I destroyed my marriage, lost precious time with my children, and nearly lost my life. I have dreamed of having my three children around the dinner table with me for twenty-five years. Tonight that dream has come true; thank you all for being here, and most of all thank you for forgiving me.”
Bill, who was sitting between Elaine and Jessie, took Elaine’s hand. “There are many reasons why parents and children become estranged. While it hasn’t been twenty-five years, Elaine and I spent far too many years not speaking. I longed for her forgiveness, and I am grateful that dream has come true, as well.”
Elaine looked at her dad. I guessed what she was about to say. “Amazing, isn’t it, how it takes realizing your own need for forgiveness to make you willing to forgive someone else.”
Jeff sat next to Jessie. “I’m sorry, Mom, that it took me the longest to forgive you. It’s been my loss.”
Ellen, who looked happier than she had in years, said, “Speaking of forgiveness, guess who came to see Carl Henry last Saturday.”
I looked at Jessie. I knew who Jessie and I hoped it would be. She said, “Who?”
“Dad. He said he was sorry for how he had treated Carl Henry and me and for all the years he had lost with us. He said Grace had told him all about Carl Henry, and he wanted to see him before he left for school. He asked us to forgive him and we did.”
“Oh honey, that’s wonderful,” Jessie said. “We will always need to love and forgive, but here’s to a future where it doesn’t take us so long.” She raised her plastic glass.
Jessie and I sat in the backseat as Bill drove us home. He and Jon talked about this season’s football team and wondered how many games they would win.
“I can hardly believe it’s been twenty-five years since we met in that ER,” I said.
“We’ve been through a lot, my friend.” Jessie patted my hand.
“Thanks for letting us share this special time with your family.”
“Cara, you are family.”
“Our Uncle Henry would have loved tonight.”
Neither Jon nor I wanted a television in our bedroom. We both liked to read and discuss the day before sleeping.
“I noticed you talking with Jeff this evening,” I said.
“Yes, he is a most interesting young man. He seems very bright. He was telling me how hard it has been to find a suitable job. His old accounting firm offered him an entry-level job doing the accounting work, but not being exposed to clients. The salary was less than half of what he made before. He just didn’t think he could be there under those circumstances. He would be reminded every day of what happened. Most other places look at his felony conviction and just say their positions are filled. He seems discouraged.”
“You can’t blame him.”
“He said he guessed he should take a minimum-wage job and give up his dreams. I asked him if he thought he might like to go back to school and do something totally different.”
“What did he say to that?”
“He said he didn’t see how he could with them trying to have a baby.”
“Jessie would help them.”
“I’m sure he knows that, but I don’t think he really wants to go back to school. I wish I could help him somehow.”
About a month later, Jon came down to breakfast, looking very handsome in his navy blazer and light gray pants.
“Good morning, dear,” he said.
“Good morning. You know I love you in that outfit.”
“I know you love me, period.”
“Well, that’s true. What are you up to today?”
“I’m going to the September sales at Keeneland.”
“Is there a particular horse you want?”
“Actually, there are two fillies and one stallion whose bloodlines interest us. The issue is whether those with deeper pockets are interested in the same ones.” Jon was part of a five-man group that had equal interests in a few racehorses. Two of the men were Wall Street friends.
“Are Nathan and Craig here from New York? We should have them over for dinner if they’re in town.”
“No. Just Joe, Charlie, and I are going this time.” After quickly downing a cup of coffee and a piece of toast with peanut butter, he grabbed an apple, kissed me on the cheek, and headed for the door. “Wish me luck.”
That evening the house smelled wonderful when I got home. I had left a roast, carrots, and potatoes in a crock pot. I was in the backyard picking a tomato for salad when Jon drove in.
“Well, are we the proud owners of a new horse?” I asked as he got out of the car.
“Afraid not. The Saudis were interested in both fillies, and the Irish contingent wanted the stallion. We did bid for a while just to keep some of their money in Central Kentucky, but it was pretty clear that we wouldn’t get them.”
“I’m sorry. Are you hungry? Dinner is almost ready.”
“Yes, I actually missed lunch. I do have some good news, though.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“Let me wash up and I’ll tell you over dinner.”
“I just need to add this tomato to the salad and we’re ready.”
When Jon came back, he said, “Do you want to eat outside on the screened porch? I’ll set the table.”
“Just get napkins, knives, and forks. We can fill our plates in the kitchen.”
As we sat down, I asked, “So, what’s the good news?”
“I have an idea for what Jeff can do.”
“What?”
“I asked Joe if he was aware of anyone who needed an accountant, and he said he might be interested in changing. I told him about Jeff, and he seemed interested. We decided that we might be able to recommend enough clients that he could start his own business.”
“Do you think he kept his license?”
“Yes, I know he did. He told me last month.”
“That sounds like it might work.”
“I know Jeff’s old firm did work for some of the larger farms, so I think he would be familiar with tax laws affecting horse farms.”
“Would he have to have an additional license to practice on his own?”
“I looked into that this afternoon. Yes, he would have to make an application as a sole practitioner, but I don’t think having the felony prohibits his getting it. The key would be some of us being willing to trust him and rec
ommend him. After all, his felony is about a terrible accident. It’s not like he embezzled some client’s money.”
I smelled the dinner roll burning in the oven. “I’m sorry, dear; I forgot your bread again.”
“I don’t need it anyway. I thought we could invite Jeff and Elaine to dinner this weekend and talk about it. In the meantime, I’ll call the accounting board and make sure this could work.”
“Sounds like a plan. I think the weather is supposed to be nice. Would you grill steaks?”
“Sure, Jeff and I can talk while they cook.”
When they drove down the lane to our house, Jeff and Elaine had the same response as everyone else.
“What a beautiful place! You must love it here,” Jeff said. “I could just feel my tension slipping away as I got farther from town.”
“It’s so quiet,” Elaine said.
“I love that, perhaps best of all. I think our bodies react to sirens even if we don’t consciously register hearing them. Come on out to the porch. Jon is starting the grill. We’re making this a very informal dinner.”
“Would you like a drink?” Jon offered beer, wine, soda, or water.
“Just water for me,” Elaine said. “Always hoping, you know.”
“That’s wise. What about you, Jeff?”
“I’ll take a beer.”
“Bud or Heineken?”
“Bud’s fine.”
When Jon came back with the drinks, he invited Jeff to go with him to the grill. Elaine and I chatted about the Picnic with the Pops, Ellen, Carl Henry, Grace, and her new boyfriend, but throughout the conversation she fidgeted with her bracelet, crossed and uncrossed her legs, and asked me to repeat things I had said.
“You seem tense, Elaine. Is something wrong?”
“Jeff is discouraged about the job situation, and I’m no help. All I do is fret about getting pregnant again.”
“You need to relax. Maybe Jon will help tonight.”
“Jon. What can he do?” She did not relax, but she did listen.
“He has an idea about what Jeff can do. He’s probably talking to him about it as we speak. It was his idea to invite you for dinner. Why don’t you help me carry out my part of dinner, and I’ll explain.”
By the end of the evening, Jon and Jeff had a plan. Jon would try to find clients, and Jeff would look into the required license, office space, and financing.
That Thanksgiving Jessie was again hostess. This time Jeff joined Ellen and Grace at their mother’s table. All three of them plus their families planned to spend the following Sunday with their father. I was amused to see that Jessie was filling Uncle Henry’s antique table a little more every year. Jeff, the largest of the men, sat at the end of the table, Uncle Henry’s seat. Jessie invited Elaine’s father to offer thanks, after which she announced the opening of the eating season. This time it was Jeff and Grady who laughed at the traditional pronouncement, hearing it for the first time.
“It’s official. I move into my new office space on January 2,” Jeff announced over pumpkin pie. “I’ll even make it into the new phone book, which is important.”
“I’ve secured eight clients who will have Jeff doing their payroll, accounting statements, and taxes beginning in January,” Jon said. “I’m sure I’ll be able to find more once Jeff has proven himself with these.”
Jessie sat in what had been Aunt Edna’s seat, at the end of the table closest to the kitchen. She smiled and jumped up and down the whole meal to serve more food or fill empty glasses. Each time she would touch one of her family on the shoulder or cheek. She asked questions of each of us to make sure everyone was part of the conversation. Jessie had always been a great hostess, but this was her crowning performance.
Jeff cleared his throat. “When my family came to share Thanksgiving with me at the prison last year, I never could have dreamed how much would take place before the next Thanksgiving. I just need to say to all of you that of all the things in the world, I am most grateful for you. Thank you for being there for me, even when I was shutting you out. Mother, thank you for all you’ve done, not just this year, but over the years. You have us living here at no cost, and last week Dad told me about the college ‘scholarships.’ Now you’re helping me start this business. I can never repay you.”
“There’s no need for you to repay me,” Jessie said softly.
But in fact Jeff did repay her. On the first day of December, Jessie began to read the Gospel of Luke. This time Jeff joined her. Just the two of them met each morning, and Jessie shared with him how the practice had started. The bond that had existed between a twelve-year-old boy and his mother was being rebuilt, one verse at a time.
On March 12, 1997, a Wednesday, Elaine came to my office for an appointment.
“It’s been nine months,” she said. “Jeff’s semen analysis shows normal counts and motility. Dr. Day said that I should get pregnant.”
“I told you it might take a year.”
“I know, but I wondered if there was anything else we could do. I’m thirty-six years old. I’m not getting any younger.”
“Have you been keeping your temperature chart?”
“Yes.”
“Did you bring it?”
“Yes.” Elaine’s hands shook as she fumbled in her purse for the chart. “Here it is.”
The chart showed a biphasic pattern consistent with regular ovulation. “This is good. It looks like you are ovulating regularly. I suppose there is one thing we might do before I send you to an infertility clinic. Sometimes after a procedure like the abortion, you can get scarring or adhesions that might affect the tubes. A hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray procedure where we force some dye through the cervix and check to see that it spills out the tubes. Sometimes it actually helps you get pregnant by breaking little adhesions.”
“Can we go ahead and do it, please?”
“It is done ten days after the first day of your period, before you ovulate. Your chart looks like you have already ovulated this month. Call if you get your next period, and we can schedule it.”
“Thank you.”
“The procedure causes a little cramping, but it won’t be too bad. It’s done in the X-ray department at the hospital. I do think it would be good if someone drives you.”
“Jeff is really busy with tax season. I’ll see if Jessie can bring me.”
March 24, 1997, was the date of Elaine’s next period and her last period. Her due date was December 29, 1997.
CHAPTER 16
I had been thinking about Elaine and Jeff’s story and stitching for about forty-five minutes when the phone rang. “She wants to push,” the L&D nurse said when I answered.
“I’ll be right there.”
I hurried down the hall thinking how quickly some prayers are answered. So far this had been a model labor, something I never expect for a first delivery of a thirty-six-year-old mother.
“Elaine, I need to check you again before you push. Just try to blow over the urge. When this contraction ends, turn onto your back.” Looking at the monitor, I could see that the contraction had peaked. “This contraction is going away. Maybe you can push next time. It will feel better to push.”
Elaine gave a long sigh at the end of the contraction and turned from her side. “Jeff, could I have some ice chips?” He was quick to provide them.
Her cervix was completely dilated and the baby was in perfect position, its head well down. “You’re ready to push.”
“The contraction is coming,” Elaine said, a frown creasing her brow.
“Take a deep breath and blow it all the way out. Then take a deep breath and hold it. Bear down like you are trying to push the baby out.” Elaine did just as instructed and pushed perfectly, an advantage of not having an epidural anesthetic.
When the contraction ended, I asked, “What are you going to name the baby?”
Jeff answered, “If it’s a boy, William Martin Green for Elaine’s father and Chaplain Harrison. You may remember his name is Martin
. If it’s a girl, Sara Elaine Green, for my two wives.” He chuckled.
“Jeff and I both loved Sara.” A contraction interrupted Elaine’s comment. After pushing for 45 seconds and taking a cleansing breath she finished her thought. “She was my best friend. Actually, we both came up with the name Sara independently.”
“Do Sara’s parents know? I think they would be pleased. It’s an honor when babies are named for you or those you love.”
“We thought we would wait and see if we have a girl before we tell them.”
“That makes sense.”
“Elaine didn’t really want to, but I wanted Elaine in the name too,” Jeff said.
“Seems only fair, considering how hard she’s working to get her here. Speaking of which, here comes another contraction.”
Within five contractions we could see some dark curly hair. “I can just begin to see some hair when you push,” I told Elaine. “You’re doing great. Rest between contractions while you can. You won’t have much time. I’m going to run by the waiting room and give a progress report. Then I’ll be right here at the desk.”
In the waiting room Bill sat with Jessie in one corner. George and Mary Green sat in the opposite corner. Mary looked like she had lost weight. I hope she’s not sick, I thought. They all looked up anxiously as I walked in. As the room was empty other than the two couples, I stood in the middle and addressed them. “Elaine and the baby are both doing well. Her cervix is completely dilated and she’s beginning to push. We should have a baby within a couple of hours.”
Forty-five minutes later, Elaine was ready to deliver—we just needed to break down the bed and let her keep pushing. The nurse did a sterile prep of the perineum. While Elaine pushed, I massaged the area. After three more pushes, Elaine delivered without an episiotomy.
“It’s a girl!” I said as I laid the baby on Elaine’s abdomen. Her Apgar score at one minute was 9; that was perfect. Babies really aren’t supposed to have 10s. I put a plastic clamp and a large hemostat on the umbilical cord and cut between them. The nurse helped Elaine put the baby to her breast while I released the hemostat and obtained cord blood for tests. Almost immediately, Elaine pushed out the placenta. After checking to make sure the placenta was intact, I looked for tears and was amazed that there were none.
Saving Jane Doe Page 20