II
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine
Tell her to make me a cambric shirt (On the side of a hill in the deep forest green)
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
(Tracing of sparrow on snow-crested ground)
Without no seams nor needle work
(Bedclothes the child of the mountain)
Then she'll be a true love of mine
(Sleeps unaware of the clarion call)
Tell her to find me an acre of land
(A sprinkling of leaves)
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
(Washes the grave with silvery tears)
Between the salt water and the sea strands
(And polishes a gun)
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
(Blazing in scarlet battalions)
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
(Generals order their soldiers to kill)
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
(A cause they've long ago forgotten)
Then she'll be a true love of mine
Are you going to Scarborough Fair?
Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine
Simon and Garfunkel, Scarborough Fair/Canticle
Natalie and Tootie had been talking for hours about their days at Eastland, reminiscing about the crazy times the Four Musketeers had gone through in those years. While Dorothy did laugh, smile, and become animated in her back and forth with her bestie, both knew it was to keep their mind off their friend who lay a few rooms over, whose very life was in the balance.
"Nat", Dorothy said, finally getting the courage up to say what she needed to say, "I know I'm recovering, but it's been three days now since the accident. I want to see DC, and then to visit Blair. I haven't even seen Jo yet." Dorothy raised her hand as Natalie started to object. "I'm glad she hasn't, because I'm fine, and she's got so much going on, but I wanna show my support for her."
Natalie had seen Blair, going in shortly after Bailey had first visited her sister. The young girl had been terribly upset, as everyone knew she would be, but she was rallying now, helping Jo with DC as much as possible. Natalie and her mother had visited, both of them so stunned that they could only bring forth silent tears, watching the beautiful woman they knew in such dire straits. It had shaken Natalie like nothing since the death of her father.
"I know Jo would appreciate that, Toot", Natalie said somberly. "Seeing you would really pick her up-at least as much as she can be picked up."
"I just can't imagine what she's going through, Nat", Tootie said starkly. "She now has a son she has to take care of on her own, and her partner...if Blair doesn't make it, I'm scared to death for what will happen to Jo."
Natalie caught the meaning. The worst-case scenario was that Jo would go into such a deep depression if Blair died, that she would, in desperation, would turn back to heroin to ease her pain, which would have catastrophic consequences for she and her son. It was a real concern, and one borne out of a bitter history of human beings vs. drugs like heroin.
"I get it, Dorothy", Natalie agreed, "but don't think Jo is gonna be alone getting through this, even if Blair doesn't..." She paused for a moment. "Monica isn't going anywhere, neither are Jo's parents. They're in this for the long haul. And despite the fact Blair no longer works at Warner, you can bet they'll make resources available to Jo and Blair. Besides, if anything can keep Jo from that temptation, it'll be how much she loves David."
That decided, Dorothy hit the call button. When the nurse arrived, she asked to be given permission to visit first little David, then Blair.
Jo was feeding DC at that moment. Almost one now, Jo and Blair had already begun the transition from breast-feeding and a bottle to taking milk and, at least in small amounts, juice and water. David was well along in his transition, and could hold his "sippy cup" with both hands, although both his mom's loved to still hold him while feeding him. He had also had become comfortable with baby food by this time.
Jo had a high chair-again courtesy of Richard and Dwight, and was feeding David some apple sauce, which, as was usually the case, much of it ended up on the outside of his mouth, not on the inside. Jo loved feeding him, talking to him, and laughing at his funny faces. His burgeoning smile reminded her so much of Blair's smile, which, at the moment, made her heart ache every time he did smile.
"That's Mama Jo's big guy", she said softly, taking the spoon, and getting most of what was outside his mouth inside his mouth, David trying to turn away, letting Jo have a rare laugh. "Oh, no, champ, you don't get to shirk on lunch, not with me you don't."
Jo heard the sliding door to Blair's ICU room open, Natalie coming in first...and to Jo's delight, Tootie behind her in a wheelchair, being pushed by Diane Ramsey.
"Tootie", Jo Breathed. She was ecstatic to see her friend, but her emotions were raw, and she immediately burst into tears. Jo briefly looked at Natalie who nodded to take Jo's place feeding DC so she could go to Tootie. "Tootie, girlie." Dorothy was allowed out of her chair, only brought over by a wheel chair as an ICU precaution. "Oh, God kid, I'm so happy to see you, and that you're gonna be okay."
It embarrassed Jo to no end that she was so emotional all the time since the accident, but it couldn't be helped, and no one gave it a second thought.
Dorothy Ramsey gave as firm a hug as she could with her broken arm, a peaceful smile on her face as her head was over Jo's shoulder. "I've missed you, girlfriend. I'd give anything...anything for Blair not to be here, Jo. I'm so sorry." The sobbing at that point became contagious.
"Hey, Toots", Jo said softly, "you got nothing to be sorry for. It wasn't your fault, and you don't know how damn happy I am that you're gonna be okay. I love you, kid."
"God, I love you too, Jo. You and Blair and DC. You're part of my family. I just wish there was something I could do that was helpful."
Jo broke the embrace, smiling at her friend through her tears. "You're doing that somethin' right now, Tootie. Just being here."
"And, no, Dorothy", Natalie said without looking back, spooning some more applesauce into David's eager little mouth. "I just met this kid for the first time the other day, so at the moment, I'm doing the feeding." That made everyone genuinely laugh, Dorothy hugging Jo again, and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"OK, Jo", Tootie said with a large breath, "I haven't looked yet...but...I need to see Blair now and just talk to her for a minute, if it's okay with you?"
"Of course it is, kiddo", Jo said with a soft, kind voice. "I know she'd be glad you're gonna be okay, but I gotta warn ya, Toots, it isn't pretty."
Dorothy nodded, then turned her eyes toward the one place in the room that she had avoided-toward her severely injured friend. Like had been the case with everyone, Dorothy Ramsey was appalled at what she saw. She wouldn't have guessed it was Blair Warner had Jo not been in the room with her. Her heart shattered into a million pieces.
She had almost nowhere that she could touch Blair, desperately wanting to give her a hug. Instead, she moved around to Blair's right side, taking her bruised but otherwise uninjured right hand, and kissing it. "Oh, Blair", Tootie cried. "I'd give anything to have prevented this. But I'm here for you, girl, and for your girl and your son. I love you, Warner."
Tootie mingled a short time, while Diane gave Jo her own hug. "I'm sorry I haven't had more time to spend with you and Blair, Jo", the Judge said sadly.
Jo smiled and waved her off. "It's fine, Judge Ramsey. I know you've been hanging out with Dorothy. Don't think nothin' of it."
"Nevertheless", the judge insisted, "whatever you need from me, just let me know. You have an absolutely beautiful son, and between you and me, knowing how strong both you and Blair are-and how stubborn." Jo chuckled, "I'm convinced she'll make it. Your love for her is what will pull her through."
"Thanks, Judge." Diane shook her head. "Thanks, Mrs. Ramsey, that means a lot to all three of us. This is what family is about."
"Indeed it is, young lady", Diane replied with a warm smile.
Three Days Later
As overwhelmed and lost as Jo Polniaczek was feeling at the moment, she had to keep her wits about her. She had a son to care for, even as her partner teetered between life and death. Despite the immediacy of the accident, Jo had to make some tough, short-term choices to make sure both David and Blair were looked after.
There was no way Blair could be transferred to a hospital near their home until she was breathing on her own, and much more stable. That could be something that never happened, or took a long time to occur. She also had a job-the ownership of her motorcycle dealership in Brooklyn, which she loved with a passion. Jo also couldn't keep little David in the hospital day after day, as eventually, they would have to give up their space.
Right now, she needed some advice, and she called in the two women who could best guide her: her mother, and Edna Garrett.
Rose and Charlie were staying in nearby hotel, not daring to leave their daughters and their grandson, while Edna had gone back, reluctantly, to working her business. It was now just over a week since the accident. Dorothy had been released, and reluctantly needed to get back to the city for rehearsing her troupe's next show, but promised to visit when she could. Natalie would be leaving in the morning, and, like Tootie, was torn to shreds at having to go back to the real world.
There had been no appreciable change to Blair's condition. She still couldn't consistently breath on her own, and she was in a deep coma from the massive head injuries she had sustained. But live moved on-even for Jo Polniaczek, stuck between the real world and this surreal nightmare.
Jo didn't hold the meeting with Mrs. G. and her parents in the hospital. She had needed to get away, even if only for an hour or two, simply to clear her head. David was of course with her, but the other three adults even kept her free of him for the entire dinner. It was in a casual restaurant near Eastland, and simply the change in atmosphere had done the young woman some good.
"Even with Blair on the edge", she had begun, "life isn't gonna stop, for any of us. I've been thinking about a lot of things that are going on or that could happen. I want to get it off my chest, and bounce it off of you guys."
"Whatever your decisions are, Jo", Charlie said, while Rose held David, "we back you a thousand percent. This obviously is your whole life we're talking about."
"Thanks dad", Jo said with a small smile. "First, I've decided to sell the business." The other three were only mildly shocked at the declaration, knowing that Jo loved her business and working with motorcycles, but they knew what she loved more. "Even if Blair makes it, and that's still not a given, she's gonna need months, if not years, of rehab, and I also have to raise DC. I'm not gonna have time to run a business. I'm gonna call Marla Raburn and her handle it."
"What about your workers, Jo?" Mrs. Garrett knew Jo adored her team at work.
"I'm gonna go in to talk to them next week. I just don't want to be far away from Blair right now if..." She couldn't say it. "But I need to level with them. I've always been honest with them, and I can't start lyin' now.
"Secondly, I don't know how long Blair is gonna be here, but Dr. Chidi tells me even if she can regain control of her breathing, it'll be a while before she's able to be transferred closer to home, so I've had Richard and Dwight find a house where not only I can give DC some normalcy, but that if people are visiting while Blair is here, they have a place to crash. If it were just me, I'd stay next to Blair and never move, but that isn't healthy for David."
"Do you need help getting furniture in there, Joey?" Charlie knew he and Rose needed to take as much pressure off their daughter and grandson as they could.
"Richard and Dwight were gonna, but those two...God, they've been like Supermen since the accident. I don't want them doing everything. They got their own lives, too."
Charlie nodded. "I'll talk to them tomorrow morning about it. I think doing that will help me."
"Then you know I'm gonna help, too, mister", Rose said with a smile.
"You two are the best", Jo smiled warmly at her parents. Retirement was agreeing with them, and up until the accident, she'd never seen them happier together. All that hard work into mending fences not just with their daughter, but each other, was paying dividends during this latest crisis.
"If Blair doesn't make it", Jo continued, her voice trembling at even the thought of such a thing, "I don't have any legal rights to DC. I really don't. This whole fuckin' thing...sorry about my language, guys", Jo said apologetically, "has proved I have no rights. If Blair dies, I could lose David because of laws against same-sex couples." The anger in her voice was tangible.
"The only person, I believe who could challenge your rights", Edna said earnestly, "would be Monica, am I right?"
"Yeah, that's right", Jo said evenly. "And despite how decent she's been, I still don't trust her. Blair and I can't get married. I have no rights to David legally. If Blair does, Monica, legally, could take David from me. That scares me to death. And what if some yahoo religious group wanted to challenge my right to DC? They legally could."
"You're gonna have to sit down and talk with Monica, honey", Rose said honestly. "The mere fact that she sent Bailey over here tells me she wouldn't want to take David. Even as unfair as things are for couples like you and Blair, I don't think Monica would do that."
"I knew you were gonna say that, Ma", Jo said with a wry smile, as Rose passed David over to Edna for the moment.
"Mom's are usually right", Edna said with a wink at the other three.
"No matter what", Rose said in conclusion, "you're not alone in this, sweetheart. You have so many people that love the three of you. Whatever happens to Blair, you won't be alone."
The words were sincere, but at the moment Jo Polniaczek felt as alone as she ever had been. Blair had been her entire life since returning after her exile. She didn't know if she could make it without her soul-mate, lover, and best friend.
The Next Morning
Natalie Green was frustrated and angry-at no one in particular, just at life in general. Yes, she knew she had to get back to her job in Denver, and she truly loved it, but she felt like she was abandoning ship on her best friends as they struggled through a deeply personal crisis. She belonged here-she always would, but this was the part of becoming an adult that sucked.
She was saying goodbye to those who were gathered. Mrs. Garrett had said her goodbye early the evening before, Natalie telling Mrs. G. of her frustrations. Now it was time to say goodbye to Tootie and Jo. Tootie was finally going back to New York City the very same day.
"You keep me updated, Dorothy Ramsey", Natalie said with a warm smile to her best friend. "I know you won't be up her all the time, but keep an eye on Jo for me?"
"Every second I can spare, girlfriend", Dorothy said with a small chuckle. "Hey, I know we both feel bad about leaving right now, but Blair would be the first to tell us to get on with our lives, and Jo would say the same thing right behind her."
"I know, Tootie", Natalie sighed. "I really do, but it doesn't make me feel any better. When Blair starts to get better-and she will", Natalie said resolutely. "She will. When she does, I'm gonna be back here to bug the bejeebers out of her." She and Tootie laughed.
"You just want to hear Blair say 'turn blue' to you, don't you?"
That sobered Natalie up. "More than you'll ever known, sweetie. I never thought I'd miss that line."
She and Tootie shard another weeping hug, as they would both be going their separate ways in a few minutes.
With that, Natalie moved over to Jo, who was holding David. "Gimme the kid, Polniaczek", Natalie said with twinkling eyes, Jo laughing. "Hey little man, you take care of Mama Jo for me? Keep her in line, will ya? And watch over Mama Blair for me while you're at it." She kissed the little boy. "He's so stinking cute, Jo", Natalie said with a laugh, Jo joining in.
"Yeah, those Warner genes, you know?" Jo became sad. "I know ya got to go back, Nat, don't sweat it. I wish you could stay, too, but you can't put your life on hold. I still better hear from you once a week, Snoop Number One."
Natalie lopped off a sloppy salute. "Yes, ma'am". Then she moved in, giving Jo an enormous hug. "I'll be thinking of all three of you and praying every day, Jo. I hate to leave, but hey, you're as strong as anyone I know. Blair as well. She's gonna make it, you watch? I love you guys."
"I love you too, Nat", Jo said in a grainy voice. "I always will. You take care."
A half hour later, Jo and Dorothy also said a heartbreaking goodbye, the only good thing is that Tootie could make it up to Peekskill, or, if Blair began to recover, to Rockville Centre. She didn't begrudge them leaving, but with Mrs. Garrett going back to work, albeit close by, and the Snoop Sisters departing, Blair was feeling more alone by the moment.
Two things she had to do was talk to Monica about their status with David, and then to begin selling her business. Neither one could wait much longer.