Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy)

by Morgan Mandel

  At the front door Dorrie passed her friend the keys. “Oh, here, Jeanne. It’s your house. You should be first to open the door.”

  Her friend tried the various keys on the ring, and finally got one to turn. With a flourish, she swung open the door, and wheeled Mike inside. Dorrie started to follow, but Jeanne’s earsplitting whistle stopped her in her tracks.

  “Wow, this is some place. Something’s got to be wrong. It’s way too good to be true. Look, the doorways are even wide enough to fit the wheelchair.”

  Dorrie smiled. “It’s real, all right, and nothing’s too good for you. Let’s get over to the bedroom and get Mike settled. Roman already had the movers set it up.”

  As they stepped into the room, her friend gazed teary eyed at the hospital bed, with its bedding turned back and side bar down for easy access. “Your boss is awesome. He thought of everything,”

  “What else would you expect from a genius? If anyone has a detailed mind, he does.”

  A genius except when it came to drinking in excess and getting his assistant pregnant, but anyone could make a mistake. Smart he may be, but still as human as she.

  Dorrie grimaced, thinking of her naiveté in accepting that first drink. Enough ruminating about how the blessing growing inside of her came to be.

  “Don’t just stand there. I’ve gotta pee,” Mike said, breaking into Dorrie’s thoughts.

  She stifled a laugh at Mike’s all too human predicament.

  “Okay, Dad, no problem,” Jeanne said, assisting him into the adjoining bathroom, while Dorrie waited outside.

  “Shit, I don’t believe this. Safety bars and everything! I take back anything bad I’ve said about that Remington guy. He rocks,” Dorrie heard her friend say.

  She smiled, feeling warm inside at Jeanne’s pleasure. When they re-emerged, Mike complained about being tired. They both helped him into bed and under the covers. “There now, Dad, rest your aching bones. You’ve even got heat control on this knob here. That’ll feel good, I’m sure.”

  Now that her attention had shifted from Jeanne and Mike’s new home and its amenities, Dorrie tried not to stare at the poor man. He’d aged drastically since she’d last seen him, his face now drawn and ashen, his frame skeletal, with bones sticking out where skin should be. How heartbreaking for Jeanne to witness her vigorous father’s decline to such a debilitating condition. Thank goodness the pill would make him whole again.

  Once Jeanne had settled Mike, she supervised the movers, while Dorrie helped with the odds and ends. There were so many workers it didn’t take long for the clothes to hang in the closets, and the furniture and belongings to sit in their proper places, as if they’d always been there.

  Dorrie thought of all the boxes she’d had to unpack when she’d moved in, but hers and Larry’s situation had been different. They’d been healthy, plus she’d enjoyed the fun of putting away their personal effects.

  Her mind flashed back to the heartbreaking day when she’d had to remove Larry’s clothes from the closet and pack them as donations. She would not dwell on that now, in the midst of such a happy occasion.

  When all appeared in order, Jeanne reached into her purse, and turned to the movers. “Thanks for your help. I’ll do the kitchen and the dresser drawers myself.”

  “No need for recompense, Ma’am. Our tips are already provided for.”

  “You don’t say. Well, I won’t argue about that. Thanks again.”

  With the movers gone, Jeanne turned to Dorrie. “I’m completely bushed from all this moving business. Know a good carryout?”

  ***

  Seated at the kitchen table across from her friend, Dorrie savored the last bite of her chicken lo mein. “Wow, that was good. So when does Mike start his pills?”

  “Wednesday, only two days away. I just hope we’re doing the right thing. I’d feel awful if something went wrong. Dad’s been through enough already. “

  “Relax, Jeanne. Everything will work out fine. You and Mike will love the difference.”

  “Hey, what’s with the big sister act? That’s my job.”

  Dorrie laughed. “You’ll get plenty of chances to switch back; but first, in my temporary role as big sister, allow me to return tomorrow and help some more. I know it won’t seem like home until you see your dishes in the cabinets exactly where you want them.”

  Right now where she lived didn’t seem like home either, but she was doing her best to ignore the recurrent uneasiness since the invasion. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t quite convince herself the burglar wouldn’t return.

  “I’ll take you up on your offer,” Jeanne said. “Oops, that’s Dad’s melodious voice. I better see what he wants.”

  “I’ll let myself out then.”

  “Take care of yourself and the babe.”

  “I knew my big sister would return.”

  “Never left,” Jeanne said, as she disappeared down the hall.

  ***

  Roman had said to keep Mike a secret until everything had been set up. By Wednesday at lunch, Dorrie could finally break her silence and fill Kelly in on the latest.

  Her friend nodded. “A male spokesman makes sense, and the timing fits perfect with your pregnancy.”

  She didn’t sound very enthused. The last thing Dorrie wanted was for Kelly, who’d been such a lifesaver, to feel like a third wheel.

  “You’ll like Jeanne. Of course, she’s older, my actual age, but she’s really down to earth. After her Dad reverts to forty-five, and she doesn’t need to keep an eye on him, she can hang around with us. Some of the details are still up in the air, like whether or not she can find a job then, but one thing at a time.”

  “Won’t that be creepy, with him being younger than she is?”

  “It’ll be unusual, but this way he has the best chance of returning to health. Maybe Jeanne will take it later, too. Then, if she goes back to twenty-four like me, their ages will work out perfectly.”

  “Yes, it seems so. What about your situation? What will you do once the baby is born?”

  Dorrie signed. “That’s up in the air, too. Roman has promised financial support for the child, but I’m not sure what that means. After the delivery, if my figure returns and the baby’s well, I might get to go back to commercials.

  “If I need a cesarean or can’t shed the baby fat, I’m not sure what Roman will have me do. There are way too many variables.”

  “Think positive. You’re over three and a half months along already and looking great. Afterward, the pill will control your metabolism. In no time you’ll be back to your pre-pregnancy weight.”

  “I like your thinking, Kelly. I hope you’re right.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  As Dorrie’s girth grew, time flew. Many a weekend she spent at her friend, Jeanne’s, with Kelly joining them when Doug had to work. Fortunately, both of Dorrie’s friends got along well. Legs propped on the ottomans, they’d chat and watch DVDs, while Mike slept.

  One Sunday evening, when it was just Jeanne and Dorrie, her friend turned to her during the commercial. “I know I should feel grateful, but shit, sometimes I get so aggravated. It’s already December, over two months since Dad started that pill and I don’t see any difference. In the meantime, I have to keep dragging him back and forth to the Institute for photos and videos and all that other documentation stuff.

  “I tell you, none of it’s easy with his disposition. Dad wasn’t a saint before, but now he’s a real bear. Those pills better kick in soon or I’ll go stark raving mad.”

  “Jeanne, my dear, I gotta go bad. Get in here right now,” came Mike’s voice from the bedroom.

  “See what I mean?”

  Sighing, Jeanne pulled herself off the couch. “Right with you, Dad.”

  Dorrie frowned, thinking of her own experience with the pill. At this stage, she’d already shown some progress toward growing younger, but that didn’t seem to be happening with Mike. Maybe it was different for guys, or people who started out olde
r than she’d been, and results would happen once the three months had elapsed. She hoped so or she’d not be the only one disappointed.

  “Shouldn’t Mike show some signs of improvement by now?” she asked Roman the next morning.

  He frowned. “It’s not been the full three months. Everyone’s different. Be patient.”

  “I just hope nothing goes wrong.”

  “You doubt my pill?”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. You know me. I’m a nervous Nellie.”

  Roman laughed. “I was only teasing, beautiful one.”

  “Beautiful? You mean bloated, don’t you?”

  “Every pregnant woman should look as gorgeous. Tell you what. We’ll do some shots this afternoon so we can show you off later.”

  “But what if something bad happens?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. There’s nothing wrong with being prepared and keeping the photos on hand. Think of the bombshell effect. Though you never thought it possible, you conceived. Your beautiful child is a miracle, which would not have occurred without the wonders of the young pill. My part in the conception will remain our little secret.”

  Dorrie flushed at the thought, but ignored her discomfort. Other points needed clarification. “So I can still be your model?”

  “If all works well, yes, and maybe the kid, too.”

  “And if I can’t model, will I disappear into oblivion, or can I stay on in the office somewhere?”

  “Don’t worry your pretty head. We’ll work it out. Maybe it’s time for a day care center here.”

  That sounded hopeful. It would be easier to continue on at the Institute instead of hunting for another job. Now if only Mike would turn young again like he was supposed to, then everything would fall into line.

  ***

  Her cell phone rang early the next morning, an hour before Dorrie’s alarm was set to go off. A glance at the Caller ID set her heart racing. Finally, it was happening. Mike had to be young again and Jeanne was excited to share the news.

  Dorrie grabbed the phone from the nightstand.

  Sobs greeted her.

  “Jeanne, what’s the matter?”

  “Dad’s died.”

  Dorrie’s stomach turned. “My, God, no, that can’t be.”

  “Oh, yes, it can. It happened an hour ago. He said he couldn’t catch his breath, so I called the paramedics. When they got here, he had a fever and a superfast heart rate. They slipped an IV in to slow the rate down, but it was out of control. He didn’t even make it to the hospital.”

  “I can’t believe it,” Dorrie said in a whisper.

  “Believe it. It happened, and I blame it on that damn pill. I should never have listened to you and risked Dad’s life. And Remington should have mentioned this possible side effect, which he conveniently didn’t bother doing. I’m calling him right now and giving him a piece of my mind.”

  The phone clicked, leaving Dorrie’s mind in a frenzy. This couldn’t be happening. Mike was supposed to have reverted and become healthy. How could he have died? Was it the pill’s fault? How could it not be? Out of all the maladies Mike had suffered, a bad heart had not been one of them.

  She didn’t blame Jeanne for being mad. If there had been any danger involved, Roman should have informed her. Maybe he didn’t know. Either way, he’d sure hear about it now. Dorrie shivered, realizing that in her eagerness to share, she’d been a party to Mike’s death. Wrapping the blanket tightly around her, she tried to control her shakes. One thing for sure. She couldn’t go to work today. She had to get out of bed and over to Jeanne’s as soon as she could to help her in her time of need.

  The phone rang again, while she was dressing. “You heard what happened?” Roman asked.

  “Yes, it’s awful. Jeanne blames it on the pill. Is heart trouble one of the side effects?”

  “No, it’s an unfortunate coincidence, nothing more. I understand in the heat of the moment your friend might think otherwise, but there’s no basis for her suppositions. She’ll realize her error once she calms down.”

  “But she says her Dad never had heart problems.”

  “That they knew of. He was old. Obviously his heart was bad and they didn’t realize it. If he’d started the pill before, he’d have had an excellent chance of reverting, but unfortunately in his case it was too late.”

  “So it doesn’t work every time.”

  “For enough people to make a huge difference. Take you for an example. Before taking it, you were on your way to succumbing to the same disease as your mother. Now, you have no such worries. Not only that, you were able to conceive, when before you couldn’t. You’re young, vibrant and healthy.”

  “The verdict is still out about the baby, though.”

  “That’s something we’ve already discussed.”

  His voice sounded curt. Too bad. Her dear friend had lost her father. Plus, Mike had been her friend as well. Whoever was at fault, the result was the same, and she felt rotten. “I can’t come to work today. I’m going over to Jeanne’s. She’ll need my support.”

  “Of course. While you’re there, do me a favor. Do your best to impress upon her the pill is not at fault. Maybe she’ll listen to you.”

  “I’ll talk to her, but I can’t make any promises about what she might believe. I better get going.”

  Heartsick and hands shaking, Dorrie drove to Jeanne’s house. Would her friend let her in? How mad was she?

  None of the lights were on in the house. Jeanne was probably already out making arrangements. The thought sent shivers up and down Dorrie’s spine. How could what had seemed so right have gone so wrong?

  Just in case, she rang the doorbell, but no one answered. What should she do? If she called Jeanne’s cell, she might disturb her at a bad time, like maybe in the midst of deciding where to bury Mike. She wouldn’t be surprised if Jeanne were to go back to Wisconsin right away and have her Dad shipped there. This place couldn’t be a home after what had happened.

  Dorrie trudged back to her Hyundai by the curb, and sat inside waiting for her friend to appear. Time dragged on. She didn’t know how long she sat staring into space, wishing things had turned out differently, hoping her friend would forgive her, before she finally heard a car pull into the driveway.

  Heart in her throat, she watched the garage door open and the car go inside. Her friend got out. Hands on her hips, Jeanne approached Dorrie’s car. “Are you coming in, or do you plan on sitting there all day?”

  Dorrie stumbled out of her car and rushed up to her friend to embrace her. Her words tumbled out. “Jeanne, I’m so sorry. You know I loved Mike like he was my own father. I knew what bad shape he was in and he needed help. I thought I had an answer. I never would have suggested the pill if I thought anything bad would happen to him. Please forgive me.”

  Jeanne gave a short laugh and pulled away. “God preserve me from well meaning friends.”

  It was such an ambiguous statement Dorrie didn’t know what to think. Sneaking a glance at her friend’s red-rimmed eyes, it was hard to tell if they held forgiveness.

  “Come on, girl, get your ass inside,” Jeanne said, heading toward the open door of the garage. Dorrie gratefully followed.

  In the kitchen’s light, Dorrie took in the pale skin, bloodshot eyes and slumped shoulders of her friend’s thin frame. “You need your strength, Jeanne. Let me make you some coffee and fix some breakfast.”

  The corners of Jeanne’s mouth turned up slightly, as if against her will. “Big sister, again, huh?”

  “As long as you need one. You mean a lot to me, and don’t you forget it. Now, I’m going to cook you some food and I expect you to eat some of it.”

  “It’s no use, Dorrie. Food is the furthest thing from my mind. If I even look at an egg or cereal, I’ll throw up.”

  “Please, don’t make this harder on yourself. A few bites, that’s all I ask, just to get your strength up. You know I feel really bad about what happened. I recommended the pil
l to you. I did it in good faith, but it backfired in the worst possible way. That’s been eating at me and I haven’t been hungry either, but I ate anyway for the baby’s sake.”

  “Ah, yes, the devil’s spawn.”

  Dorrie turned from the coffee maker and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t say that, Jeanne. Whatever the father may or may not be, this is my child we’re talking about.”

  Jeanne gave her a long look, then sighed. “You’re right. The sins of the father should not be visited on the child, or something like that. Can I still feel like strangling your boss?”

  “As long as you don’t carry it out. I’d hate to testify as a material witness, or whatever they call it,” Dorrie said with a short laugh. “Now let me get on with that breakfast.”

  As she suspected, she found the refrigerator well stocked with eggs, bacon and tons of breakfast fixings. She could have predicted that, since Jeanne never fussed over cholesterol or other such concerns.

  Dorrie frowned, wondering if the effects of a bad diet had caused Mike’s death. She wouldn’t dare suggest that now with the relationship between her and Jeanne so tenuous. Strange, his blood work before the regimen hadn’t picked up any indication of heart disease.

  She wondered if Jeanne herself had gotten a yearly physical or blood test lately. All too often the caretakers didn’t pay attention to their own needs. In her own case, she’d been fortunate to have Larry’s help.

  Well, now her friend was free to pay attention to herself, but at a heavy price.

  After the meal, which Jeanne partially ate, she turned to Dorrie. “Listen, don’t take half of what I said to heart. We’re still buddies through thick and thin, and all that.”

  Dorrie patted Jeanne’s hand. “It’s a tough time for you right now. I know exactly what you’re going through, and how hard it is for you to think straight.”

  “Yeah, of course you do, how could I forget. First, your Mom, then Larry. And you didn’t even have me around in Larry’s case.”

  “I knew you were with me in spirit.”

  “Hey, I am woman. I am strong. I’ll make it through.”