Single Parents
Danny walks in to the elevator with the little Claire who is sleeping. The door almost closed, when Jessica gets in running.
"Good night." – Danny says.
"Hi, how are you?"
"Fine"- Danny looks a little uncomfortable. And Claire looks uncomfortable too.
"You're carrying her on a wrong way, you will break your shoulder, come here, give her to me." – Jessica gets ready to receive her, but a Danny doubt a little, finally does.
Danny look how Jessica takes Claire: "You have to put your other arm like this. At this way you have a free arm. Cover her with my jacket."
They both walk in silence. Danny opens his car door, and Jessica puts her in her safety chair.
"Do you need a ride?" – Danny asks with shy.
"No, thanks… my car is over there."
"Good night Jessica and thanks."
"Good night Daniel."
Danny still using the baby monitors on the night, but when he heard a weird noise he runs to Claire's bedroom. He touches her and she has fever.
The pediatrician is out of the city. Sheldon is in a seminary in Texas, so he just calls Jessica.
Jessica is sleeping and she answers her phone from her dreams.
"Walker."
"Jessica is Messer. I'm sorry that I call you, but I have a problem with Claire."
She sits in her bed: "What's up?"
"She has fever."
"Give me your address. I'll go there."
Jess puts on a sweat pants and a shirt. Take her bag and runs.
Danny opens the door: "Thanks for coming"
"Don't worry. Does she have a convulsion?"
"No, she is awake now."
Jessica runs into the room.
"Hi sweet… can I exanimate?" – The girl nods her head.
Jessica takes out her electronic thermometer, and looks Claire tonsils.
Danny, I need that you buy this medicine. Take the prescription. I stay with her.
Danny goes to the drugstore. He backs in minutes.
"Ok girl… take this" – Jessica gives the medicine – "Good girl. Now sleep baby… we're here."
Jessica invites to go out Claire's room.
"I will watch her for two hours. If she doesn't have fever again I'll go and you will give more medicine tomorrow. You should talk with your pediatrician the possibility of take out her tonsils; she can breathe for their size."
"Thanks… do you want a coffee?"
"You have to sleep a little. I'll wake you up"
"I don't think that I can do that."
Jessica smiles: "That's true."
"It's hard rise a kid alone." – Danny looks serious.
"I know, but you are doing a great job… your wife would be proud. But it harder looses someone that you love." – Jessica looks down.
"You told Claire that…"
"Yes, my son died four years ago."
"I'm sorry"
"His name was Robbie. He died at his six for the leukemia."
"If he still alive… he will have 10 years… when do you birth him?"
"In my 19 years old… just the baby and I."
"Where is his dad?"
"When I told him that I was pregnant, he runs away."
"You lived all your pregnancy alone… and his treatment just by your own?"
"Yes. Was hard… but he fought until the last day. He wants stop. And some night he goes away in his dreams… he didn't wake up." – Her eyes are full of tears.
"How you could go on after that? If something happen to my girl, I'll die."
"My family and the parents of the hospital help a lot. I have an empty space, but Robbie gives me strength." – She breaths – "After that, I work in the hospital, and studied with Jane… Now I have my angel in the heaven." – Her eyes are full of tears.
Danny was impressed, and decides tell her his story.
"Kay… she died 15 minutes after Claire's birth… She saw her and died. The only thing that keeps me strong was my baby… that little thing that I had in my arms."
They look each other, in silence, for a while. Jess stand up and go to check Claire.
"Relax, she is sleeping, but I prefer that she stays in bed for two days, and go to your pediatrician… give more medicine at the morning, and call me."
"Thanks Jessica." – He extends his hand.
She takes his hand – "You can call me Jess." – She smiles.
"From now and forever, call me Danny."
"Auntie Stella, uncle Mac!" – Claire is running around the hallways, but no body is there, and she runs into Jessica's office.
"Jess, Jess"
"What's up babe?"
"I need an operation… and the only thing that I can eat will be ice cream." – She laughs.
Danny walks into the office.
"Are you scared?"
"Yes."
"If you need me, I'll be there."
"Thank you"
Claire looks Jessica: "Would you come with me?"
"Yes darling, yes I do."
Claire smile.
Claire is in the gurney, minutes before go in to the OR. Danny tries to look calm down, but he can't.
"I'll be here when you come back sweetie. I love you babe."
"I love you Daddy."
The gurney starts to go away. Danny looks after the door. Jess took his arm.
"Come on, let's go for some coffee."
"Thanks for doing this." – Danny looks Jess.
"My pleasure… doesn't have anything to thanks."
After a while, the doctor calls Danny: - "She is fine, you can see her now."
Danny breaths relieve.