Charlie rode his bike aimlessly. He knew he should have been home by now, but he needed to clear his head. It felt good to burn off some of his frustration. He pedaled harder.
He thought about what Larry had said. He knew his friend was right. But Larry didn't understand what it was like to be different from everyone else. Charlie was miserable at the thought of his baby having to go through many of the same things he had. Except this was far, far worse. Charlie knew only too well how cruel kids could be. His heart ached.
Charlie started pedaling home. He had been so lost in thought, he hadn't noticed the dark clouds. It started to rain. By the time he got home, Charlie was soaked through.
Jordan watched nervously out the window. Finally, Charlie came into view. Jordan already had a towel out, and went to open the front door. Charlie was soaked. Rain dripped off the end of his nose. She handed him the towel. "Thanks." he said, and dried his face and started rubbing his hair.
Jordan looked at him with concern, and kissed him. "Go get a hot shower. Dinner's nearly ready. And, umm, Don's here. He knows."
Alan headed to the dining room for dinner, watching as Charlie put a plate of rolls on the table. Alan sat at the head at the table, and surveyed his family as they sat down. He was enjoying his retirement. Not only did he enjoy volunteering at the shelter, but also, he now had more time to spend with his growing family.
Dinner was quiet. Alan wondered what was going on. He noticed that Donnie was eyeing Charlie and Jordan. His oldest attempted conversation a few times, but was barely getting any responses from them.
Alan glanced across the table at his youngest. Charlie was in his own world. Lost in his own thoughts. This was normal for his Charlie, except that this time he seemed upset about something. Alan knew better than to ask him anything. Charlie would tell him when he was ready.
Alan's eyes then fell upon his daughter-in-law. Jordan was too quiet. Normally a chatty and happy person, she now kept her eyes on her plate, moving things around, but not eating much. She snuck a few sad glances towards Charlie. Alan noticed she avoided looking at Donnie.
Alan sighed. He would get to the bottom of this.
After dinner, Charlie announced he was doing the dishes, and shooed Jordan out of the kitchen. Don volunteered to help, and he cleared the table as Charlie started running hot water into the sink. Jordan went to go sit with Alan and watch the news.
Don carried the plates into the kitchen, and looked over at Charlie. "Hey Buddy, is there something you want to tell me?"
Charlie eyed Don. He hesitated. "Umm, did Larry call you?"
"Yeah, he did. He said you were pretty upset." Don paused, "Charlie, when were you going to tell me about the baby?"
Charlie looked upset. "We didn't plan to tell anyone until we found out positively. There is no need to worry you and Dad when we don't even know yet."
Don looked at him. "Why are you trying to hide it from Dad and I? Why not tell us so we can support you two through this?"
Charlie sighed, and passed Don a plate to dry. "We didn't want to worry anyone." he paused, "Don, I just wanted the baby to have a normal childhood. I didn't get a normal one.", he added bitterly. "but this, .. this is so much worse."
Don looked startled. Charlie continued. "I have worked the numbers over and over. But there are too many variables. Jordan is 30 years old. She is in very good health, but she is anemic. Most women her age have only a one in one thousand chance.. and from the tests, they measured the quantities of various substances in her blood..." Charlie paused, sighed, and looked at Don. "Jordan has only a one in thirty nine chance. I'm scared." he admitted.
"What does Jordan say?" Don asked him, putting away the last plate.
Charlie smiled. "She's scared, of course. But she said that, 'It doesn't matter. It's still our baby, and she will accept it with love, no matter what'." Charlie paused, thinking. "She is really tough, actually. She is handling this much better than I am." He smiled.
"Does Dad know about any of this?" Don looked at him.
"I do now.", Alan stepped into the kitchen and reached over to hug Charlie. "Charlie, why didn't you tell me?" Alan scolded. "Your brother is right. Your family is here to support you. But we can't do that, if you take off on your bike and don't say anything!"
"I'm sorry Dad. I.. just.. hated to tell anyone." Charlie looked at him sadly.
Don squeezed Charlie's shoulder. "It'll be okay, Buddy."
Charlie hoped he was right.
The following week, Jordan was at the doctor's office. She sat on the cold table, wishing the doctor would hurry up.
She thought about her parents. She missed them. They had gotten killed in a car accident five months after she had married Charlie. She was glad they came to the wedding, and they had loved Charlie. They would have been thrilled about the baby. Jordan had been an only child, and it was hard sometimes. She sighed sadly.
The door opened and a nurse stepped in. She greeted Jordan and picked up her chart. She read a moment, then looked up at Jordan. "Mrs. Eppes, I see there is a chance your baby may have Down's."
Jordan looked at her sadly, "Yeah. We'll find out the results pretty soon."
"Well," the nurse continued, "if your baby does have it, what are you going to do about it?"
The full meaning of what the nurse was implying hit Jordan.
"Excuse me?" Jordan immediately became angry. "This is still my baby. I with love him, or her, no matter what." Jordan wished Charlie was with her. He would start throwing out facts at this woman and set her straight. But unfortunately, Charlie was at school.
"It was just a suggestion, Mrs. Eppes." The nurse said curtly as she walked out.