The Battered Heiress Blues - By Laurie Van Dermark Page 0,47

naked body against mine made me miss him. There wasn’t a place in this house that alienated me from those kinds of thoughts. We had loved each other in almost every room. Tomorrow, I would see my baby- a memory in the flesh- a reminder of that love.

I was still tired when Tommy’s shuffling through the house woke me. Showering, again, I brushed my teeth, and dressed in preparation for the early morning appointment. Tommy made bacon which surprisingly smelled good to me. I had warned everyone that eggs could no longer be cooked in my house, until further notice. Thankfully, I made it through an entire bacon sandwich without gagging. We grabbed some water and headed out the door.

I wasn’t as nervous this time since Tommy was accompanying me. I’m sure we looked like a pair. He always wore his priestly attire. I felt the need to tell perfect strangers that he was my brother. A person usually doesn’t bring a priest to the obstetrician’s office. He was the object of much staring.

After filling out more paperwork, we were escorted back to Dr. Brandon’s office. I introduced Tommy and gave a limited, technical account of how I lost Connor. He explained the need to monitor me closely and watch for signs of uterine weakness and cervical incompetence. He was also concerned about keeping an eye on my blood pressure. He explained that there may be a need to supplement my own hormone production, but he wouldn’t know for sure until the blood tests came back.

Tommy asked a few brotherly questions about safeguarding my health during the pregnancy. Dr. Brandon and I were anxiously awaiting him to come up for air. He wouldn’t cut off a priest, but I had no problem shutting him down. I dismissed him to the waiting area and the nurse led me to an exam room. I’d have to be cold and uncomfortable this time.

After the internal exam, he performed an ultrasound. I was nine weeks and three days pregnant. The baby resembled Mr. Peanut, but it was the cutest thing I’d seen in a long time. The little heart flickering made my own skip a beat. In that moment, my heart grew in size, making me realize that there was more than ample room to love two children. I wouldn’t lose Connor. They were equally important to me.

Dr. Brandon didn’t seem to be vexed about anything he saw. I was warned about stress and taking care of myself. He wanted me to take my blood pressure at home every day and record the results in a book. I was told to return in two weeks for a quick check. Due to my age, he wanted to know how I felt about an amniocentesis. I didn’t really see the point. Regardless of what was in store for me, I knew that this baby was a miracle and no illness or syndrome would change the course of seeing this pregnancy to its fruition. The baby was a testament to mine and Henry’s love which made him or her perfect.

Before leaving, the ultrasound tech gave me a few pictures of the baby. I’m glad I was paying attention when she described what we were seeing or the images would have looked like an alien encounter. Tommy was excited to see his new niece or nephew. He was truly happy for me. In one morning, everything had been made real to me. I couldn’t wait to call Henry and share the good news.

12

I took advantage of the house being empty to coax my nerves into calling him. Tommy had gone to say afternoon Mass at the Catholic Church downtown and then was off to the airport to return to New York. Kate was inevitably at the cottage with Gabe and Mattie. I grabbed some ginger ale and crackers and bedded down in my room to do the deed.

I stared at the phone for a long time deciding whether I would be a coward and leave a message on his home phone or have some guts and call his cell. I opted to be a coward, but then couldn’t think of what to say on the message. I rehearsed a few lines, but nothing quite fit the occasion. Telling him to prepare for fatherhood on voice mail just seemed distant and rude. Shoot. I’d have to call him directly.

I picked up the phone and started to dial his cell. Three digits in and I hung up. I walked around