Around Midnight…at the Wesleys
11:41. Nancy looked at the clock for the fifth time. She adjusted her blankets and tried to make herself comfortable. Craig was supposed to be home over a half hour ago. Usually, Nancy was tolerant of Craig's delays, but tonight, she was at the end of her rope. With the possibility of a relapse looming, Nancy didn't know how much more she could take. The phone rang and she snatched it from the hook.
N: Where the hell are you?!
Cr: It's lovely to hear your voice. And such a lovely greeting…
N: (relieved) I'm sorry, Craig. It's just that… when will you be home?
Cr: Soon. I'm pulling out of the parking lot, right now. I was going to stop at the grocery store and get some fruit. Did you want anything?
N: Unless the store stocks 'Chloe Get Well' elixir, no, I don't need anything.
Cr: She hasn't woke up yet?
N: No and she hasn't eaten all day. I'm worried, Craig.
Cr: Me too. Ups and downs are to be expected, but it's still tough. I know this won't help, but I'll pick up some strawberries and nectarines. And maybe, if you're in the mood, I could give you a foot massage.
N: (slightly smiling) You're so good to me.
Cr: I'll see you soon. I love you, Nancy.
N: I love you too, Craig.
Nancy hung up the phone and reached for her journal. For the last few months, her journal served as a refuge, for it was the only place where she could express her fears, her rage, and her doubts freely. And tonight, her journal will be assailed with her resentment about Chloe's condition. She was ready to vent but noticed her pen was missing. She opened the drawer to search for it. As she ransacked it, she heard a knock on the door. She paused, pulling the blankets to her chest.
N: (cautiously) Who is it?
The door slowly opened, revealing a familiar silhouette.
Ch: (whispering) Mom, can I come in?
Nancy threw her journal in the drawer and hurriedly closed it.
N: (sitting up) Of course you can.
Chloe stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She heard scratching at the door. She cracked it and Sugar ran past her and jumped onto the bed. Although the room was dark, Nancy could sense that Chloe was in a good mood. The light from the lamp illuminated Chloe's face, confirming Nancy's assumption.
Ch: (whispering) I hope I didn't wake you.
N: (smiling) No.
Ch: (sheepish) Can I climb in with you?
N: (surprised) Well, sure.
Chloe smiled as Nancy lifted the blankets to allow her in. Chloe leaned on Nancy.
Ch: (smiling) I've been in that room all day. I wanted some company.
Nancy laughed to herself as she watched Chloe trying to get comfortable.
N: You know what this reminds me of?
Ch: No.
N: This reminds me of when I was pregnant with you. You were decidedly smaller, but you were on my tummy then too. (smiling) You were always active at night. There were several months when I couldn't rest because you were kicking or shifting. The only thing that soothed you was music. (kissing her head) I should have known.
Ch: And eighteen years later, I'm still keeping you up nights.
N: True, but it was worth it.
Ch: Well, I'm glad that you're in bed, Mom. You could use the rest, although it is a bit early…
Nancy looked at the clock.
N: Sweetie, what are you talking about?
Ch: Well, you're in bed before Brady has arrived. Did you want me to greet him?
N: Um, Chloe. It's 11:50.
Ch: (turning around) What?!
N: It's almost midnight. (showing her the clock) See?
Chloe looked at the clock and gasped.
Ch: Mama, how could you not wake me?
N: (placing the clock on the table) Sweetie, I tried, but you were too wiped out. Don't you remember?
Ch: (thinking) Barely.
Chloe sank into the bed.
Ch: (upset) Oh, no. I've missed him.
N: Chloe, calm down.
Ch: You don't understand, Nancy. I made him promise to take the weekend off. This would have been our last night together… for a while, at least.
N: (comforting her) Chloe, when you're tired, you're tired. Obviously, exhaustion overruled you.
Ch: (upset) Dammit, this is all my fault.
N: Chloe, you can't be 100% with leukemia.
Ch: Leukemia wasn't the reason I overslept.
N: It wasn't?
Ch: No! (sighing) I was listening to the CD that Brady gave me. I don't know why, but I had to listen to it over and over again, because I was afraid of missing something. And boy, did I. Friday night movie night with Brady.
Chloe sunk deeper in the bed, as Nancy bit her lip to conceal her joy. Nancy's joy nearly turned to laughter, when she saw Chloe stewing over her mistake, which she concealed with a tightly bitten lip. She then noticed Chloe tensing up, which concerned her.
Ch: (turning around) Oh, no. You probably thought that I was having a relapse, didn't you? Dammit, how can I be so stupid? After all that talk to Craig about making things easier for you and I go and do this.
Nancy laughed as she squeezed her.
Ch: (whining) Mom, it 's not funny.
N: (laughing) Oh, isn't it? You're working yourself into a lather because you weren't sick? Don't you know how relieved I am? The thought of you slipping away… (nuzzling) It's nice to know that you still have the knack for 'screwing up'. Craig and Brady will be thrilled when they see you.
Ch: Well, unfortunately for me, Brady won't see me until next week. (sighing) It's just as well. He should be home resting anyway.
N: I'm sure you're right.
Ch: (feigning indifference) I mean, how many nights can he spend with me before getting bored?
N: (suspicious) Honey, I thought we were talking about his health, his need for rest.
Ch: (covering) We were… I mean… we are, but boredom could make his exhaustion worse.
N: (biting her lip) Can it?
Ch: Yeah. I mean, how many videos can we watch together? He's young… and single. He may be itching to get out…
N: To the bars?
Ch: (tentatively) Maybe.
N: (smirking) To meet other young singles, of the female persuasion?
Ch: (annoyed) Yeah.
N: Well, he can't do that until he's rested. And then, there is the issue of you.
Ch: (suspicious) What about me?
N: Well, he seems determined to see you through this.
Ch: (depressed) And I'm on the mend…
N: (hiding her smile) And you did insist that he rest up. And once he's rested and free from worrying about you…
Ch: (sad) He will be available…
N: … to other women. After all, he is attractive.
Ch: (looking at Nancy) You think so?
N: Honey, that boy is walking sex on a stick!
Ch: (mortified) Mom!
N: (feigning surprise) What? Does me saying that gross you out?
Ch: A little…
N: But I am right?
Ch: (sighing) A little…
N: (slyly) Mama can still spot talent…
Ch: (turning around) Mom!
N: (slyly) Don't worry, sweetie. I prefer brunettes.
Chloe sank into bed.
Ch: (sad) He probably went home, rested up and now, bar-hopping.
N: I doubt that, sweetie.
Ch: Why?
N: Because he's in our guest room.
Ch: (slowly lighting up) He is?
N: Uh huh. That boy's too exhausted to see straight, much less pick up women.
Ch: (concealing excitement) You're not teasing me, are you?
N: Look out of the window. His Jeep is still on our driveway.
Chloe jumped out of bed and looked out of the window. She saw his Jeep.
Ch: (quietly) He's here. (concealing her smile, turning around) Mom, I got to go downstairs… to get something to eat.
N: I'm sure you're starving.
Ch: Yeah, I am.
N: (sitting back in bed) Well, don't make any racket in the kitchen. After all, you said it yourself, Brady needs his rest.
Ch: (backing to the door) I won't. I'll be as quiet as I can.
Chloe left the room.
N: (shouting after Chloe) There's some leftover chicken. (quietly) Like she cares.