Stacey woke up feeling much better than yesterday. Her head still throbbed a little, and her throat was extremely dry but she was hungry. The return of her appetite must be a good thing she thought. Stacey was just starting to wonder about whether she can leave the hospital this morning when the door opened.
"Good morning honey," Maureen said approaching Stacey's bed as Ed followed behind her.
"Hi Boontsie," Ed said jokingly. All three laughed at the return of Stacey's baby name.
"Hi! So what did the doctors say? Can I leave now?" Stacey asked eagerly.
"You sure are anxious to leave!" Ed said with a laugh.
"The doctors said your insulin level is back to normal again. You're recovering from the pneumonia, and you're free to go," Maureen said.
"Thank God," Stacey replied, extremely relieved. "I'm starving and hospital food sucks."
"Like mother, like daughter," Ed quipped.
Maureen laughed. "If I remember correctly, you hate hospital food as well."
"Guilty as charged," Ed said with a smile.
Stacey stared at them in amazement. What was up with her parents? They were smiling and joking with one another! Not that they were always at each other's throats after the divorce, but there was always tension between them. Now the tension seemed to have evaporated. Stacey was mystified at the transformation but was extremely glad that her parents were actually getting along.
Maureen was about to say something when Dr. Wesley walked in.
"Good morning, Stacey. I'm sure your parents told you the good news," Dr. Wesley said.
Stacey nodded.
"Just make sure to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Your appetite should be back now so just follow your diet and you'll be fine," the doctor finished.
"Goodie!" Stacey exclaimed, ecstatic to be out. She hated being in the hospital.
"Stacey, how do you feel about staying here in the city for a couple more days?" Maureen asked after Dr. Wesley left.
"Really?"
"Well just in case you have a relapse or anything. Besides you're still recovering, you can rest at your Dad's place," Maureen said.
"What about you?" Stacey asked.
"I'll go back to Stoneybrook. You know I need to get back to work. The holiday season is one of our busiest time."
"You're leaving?" Ed asked confused. He thought last night was a gradual step towards something. Now she was leaving again!
"Yes," Maureen said looking at him, "I think it's appropriate. Besides you need to spend some time with Stacey."
"But-" Ed started.
"Hey didn't you say you were hungry?" Maureen said to Stacey. "Come on, I brought you some clothes."
As Stacey headed to the bathroom, Ed began, "Maureen, wha-"
"I'm going to go to the front desk to sign the release papers," Maureen interrupted him. "I'll meet up with you and Stacey in the front." Maureen then rushed out the door leaving a very perplexed Ed.
"What the hell was that all about?" Ed asked himself.
Maureen sat on a bench in Central Park waiting for Brooke to arrive. She slowly sipped her hot chocolate and thought back to what happened earlier. She was grateful that the tension was behind them but she had to get away from Ed. When she was in bed last night, she thought about the conversation in Rockefeller Center. Ed wanted to have closure with the divorce so he could move on without looking back. Maureen sighed sadly. The divorce suddenly seemed permanent now. All the arguments were cleared up and both of them were going to move on. Maureen just wasn't sure if she wanted to move on. Her heart was telling her one thing while her head was telling her another. Before she could dwell on it any longer, her phone started ringing. She was surprised to see that it was her boss.
"Hello? Mr. Black?"
"Hi, Maureen. How's Stacey?"
"Oh she's out of the hospital now. I was going to head home today, and I'll be back at work tomorrow."
"That's why I called you. How do you feel about staying in New York for a little while longer?"
"Umm…why?"
"We need to start looking at the spring season line-up. I'm sure the fashion shows in New York are going to start displaying them. Jessica Kline is having one on Friday actually, and I would like you to attend. I just want you to explore what's on display over there and have you give us the input after Christmas."
"You don't need me in Stoneybrook? Isn't it busy?" Maureen asked desperately.
"It's busy but we can handle it. You know, Cecilia was pretty upset that she wasn't getting this assignment."
Maureen laughed. She didn't want to let her boss down. Besides, Christmas in New York wasn't a bad idea, and Stacey was going to be here. And someone else too her heart told her.
"All right."
"Great! I'll call you later with all the details. Bye." Click.
Maureen looked at the phone. "Now what am I going to do? There is no way I'm staying at Ed's place!" she said to herself.
"Maureen. Are you okay?" a voice asked.
Maureen looked up and saw Brooke looking at her.
"Brooke! Hi! Yes I'm fine. Why?"
"Well you were sitting here talking to yourself. As far as I know, you're not schizophrenic."
Maureen laughed. "No I'm not. I just got a call from my boss asking me to stay in New York a little longer for work."
"That's great!" Brooke exclaimed. "We just renewed our friendship. I wouldn't want you gone too soon. How long will you be staying?"
"Till after Christmas," Maureen replied.
"That's great," Brooke repeated again. "Jake and I are planning a Christmas party. It's mostly going to be his colleagues, but I would like some of my friends to come as well." Brooke noticed her friend's expression. "What's wrong?"
"I was just hoping that not all the hotels are booked," Maureen replied.
"You're not staying with Ed anymore? Did something happen?"
"Well Stacey is out of the hospital, and umm… it'll be awkward." Maureen finished lamely.
"What's going on with you and Ed?" Brooke asked getting to the point. She still couldn't believe that they got divorced.
Maureen was going to deny that there was anything going on but then she realized what a terrible liar she was. Besides Brooke was a good friend and Maureen did need someone to talk to. Maureen took a deep breath and began, "Yesterday when you found us at the deli, we were in the middle of an argument. We were discussing the reasons why we got divorced."
"So that's why Ed left right away," Brooke said understandingly.
"Yes. Well last night we talked again, and it was a painful but inevitable conversation. We both came to realize that we were both responsible for the divorce and finally had some closure."
"That's a good thing isn't it?" Brooke asked.
"Yes. We're ready to move on with our lives now," Maureen said sadly. "It's just that it would be weird being under the same roof and all you know?"
"You can always stay with Jake and me," Brooke offered.
"Oh, I don't want to impose on you two."
"Don't be silly," Brooke said. "It'll be nice and we have spare rooms. Besides you can help me plan my party. You know Jake, he wants nothing to do with it. Also he's going to be busy with work, and I need company!"
"If you're sure…"
"Of course I'm sure," Brooke replied reassuringly.
"All right then," Maureen said. "I have to tell Stacey that I'm staying and I'll take the train to Stoneybrook to grab some things."
"Great! The best time to stay in New York is during Christmas," Brooke said happily.
"You're right," Maureen agreed. "Who knows? Maybe spending the holidays in the city is exactly what I need."
