NuGenesis Clinic, someplace in New England, I have no idea where Charles
and Margaret lived but presume it was in Delaware. .
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The NuGenesis clinic insisted that Charles and Margaret come back for another try, but it was not until it was 1961 that they succeeded. The baby was so tiny, almost like their first dead son and they watched as the doctor took out that same instrument and examined the infant's head.
"This one looks like a fighter. Got any names for him?" he asked as the nurse handed them the baby boy.
"We haven't decided yet," said Margaret. "I'm quite excited! Just think Jarod'll have a little brother."
"We should name him John," said Charles.
"Oh after your uncle."
"Yes."
It did not take them long to pack up and take their belongings out during the night, the nurse who assisted in both deliveries, helping them.
"Remember what I told you. Act sad," she whispered. She helped Charles and Margaret get by the receptionist and one of the doctors who were talking to each other.
Margaret was crying.
"It's quite all right," said the nurse, "the delivery was fine but two hours later he started having breathing problems like his brother. Only this time he didn't make it. I suggested that they try again after they get over the loss."
"My sympathies," said the doctor bending over the weeping Margaret.
"Thank you for your concern," said Charles as he waited until the nurse opened the door for them.
"I can't keep in touch with you. They're watching me, that receptionist, so be careful." With that, the nurse closed the door behind them.
As soon as they left, she went to the recent entry she had made for the new baby. It said "Died two hours after delivery." At least, this baby would be saved.
She went back to her work, spending the next few months helping with other deliveries, and keeping track on the babies who the doctor took a special interest in.
"How's things coming along, Julie?" asked Margaret the Receptionist.
"I'm going with Dr. Phillips."
"He's quite a catch!' Dr. Phillips was the Adonis of NuGenesis. He was also the one helped deliver Charles's and Margaret's babies. She handed her a package.
"Thanks," said Julie as she opened the package, put one bottle in her pocket and took the others to the back storage room.
"Hello nurse," said Dr. Phillips, as he walked past her on the way to the front.
"Hello Dr. Phillips," said Julie..
"I have to do a follow up on the lucky couples."
He went to the receptionist and looked through the list, for certain names marked with a gold star. To the casual and perhaps insistent observer, this meant those whose only success at pregnancy was at the clinic. Those with silver stars meant those who had already born one child out of another marriage, and needed NuGenesis's help in this respect. It could also mean those who suffered from secondary fertility.
And of course, those with bronze or no stars meant those who were up in age and wanted to deliver a baby devoid of any physical or mental abnormalities. For this NuGenesis wished a higher fee since they had to make sure that the child born was physically and mentally healthy since in some cases, professional couples, this was probably their only chance for a newborn and caring for a handicapped child of twenty when you were sixty years old was not beneficial.
However, the gold stars did not mean success! They stood for another ominous reason. "So these are the ones who have the gene in them," he said.
"Yes doctor," said the receptionist, not noticing that Julie had sneaked back and was listening through the half opened door.
"I believe we should pay them a visit and then get in touch with the Centre."
"Yes doctor." She handed him the list. "This couple just had a baby boy about a couple of years ago and he's quite healthy. The second baby died. I had a hard time trying to track them down. They're renters. But this is their latest address."
Dr. Phillips looked at his watch. "I guess I should check up in him. It's about that time." NuGenesis always looked in on the babies, first when they were six months old, later when they were a year, and then every year until they reached six years of age. Of course, by that time, any child who had the Pretender gene (as they now called it) was safely in the bowels of the Centre and there was no need for a visit.
He waited until his shift was over, packed his bag, and set out for the place where Charles and Margaret were living.
Accompanied by Julie, he drove down the dusty roads, past the farm houses, paid at a toll bridge until he finally reached the place where Charles and Margaret were staying along with their baby boy.
He knocked on the door.
"Why Dr. Phillips," said Margaret as she opened the door.
"I didn't know where you were until my receptionist asked the Air Force about your recent address."
"They're testing some new fangled airplane and they didn't want to tell anyone in case you were a Communist spy in disguise," she said with a half laugh.
"I understand, secrecy. May I come in?" He barged past her, seeing the little boy on the floor. "My how he's grown." He patted the child on the head and when the parents were not looking, ran a small object. Yes, the Centre would be pleased. ..
/
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The NuGenesis clinic insisted that Charles and Margaret come back for another try, but it was not until it was 1961 that they succeeded. The baby was so tiny, almost like their first dead son and they watched as the doctor took out that same instrument and examined the infant's head.
"This one looks like a fighter. Got any names for him?" he asked as the nurse handed them the baby boy.
"We haven't decided yet," said Margaret. "I'm quite excited! Just think Jarod'll have a little brother."
"We should name him John," said Charles.
"Oh after your uncle."
"Yes."
It did not take them long to pack up and take their belongings out during the night, the nurse who assisted in both deliveries, helping them.
"Remember what I told you. Act sad," she whispered. She helped Charles and Margaret get by the receptionist and one of the doctors who were talking to each other.
Margaret was crying.
"It's quite all right," said the nurse, "the delivery was fine but two hours later he started having breathing problems like his brother. Only this time he didn't make it. I suggested that they try again after they get over the loss."
"My sympathies," said the doctor bending over the weeping Margaret.
"Thank you for your concern," said Charles as he waited until the nurse opened the door for them.
"I can't keep in touch with you. They're watching me, that receptionist, so be careful." With that, the nurse closed the door behind them.
As soon as they left, she went to the recent entry she had made for the new baby. It said "Died two hours after delivery." At least, this baby would be saved.
She went back to her work, spending the next few months helping with other deliveries, and keeping track on the babies who the doctor took a special interest in.
"How's things coming along, Julie?" asked Margaret the Receptionist.
"I'm going with Dr. Phillips."
"He's quite a catch!' Dr. Phillips was the Adonis of NuGenesis. He was also the one helped deliver Charles's and Margaret's babies. She handed her a package.
"Thanks," said Julie as she opened the package, put one bottle in her pocket and took the others to the back storage room.
"Hello nurse," said Dr. Phillips, as he walked past her on the way to the front.
"Hello Dr. Phillips," said Julie..
"I have to do a follow up on the lucky couples."
He went to the receptionist and looked through the list, for certain names marked with a gold star. To the casual and perhaps insistent observer, this meant those whose only success at pregnancy was at the clinic. Those with silver stars meant those who had already born one child out of another marriage, and needed NuGenesis's help in this respect. It could also mean those who suffered from secondary fertility.
And of course, those with bronze or no stars meant those who were up in age and wanted to deliver a baby devoid of any physical or mental abnormalities. For this NuGenesis wished a higher fee since they had to make sure that the child born was physically and mentally healthy since in some cases, professional couples, this was probably their only chance for a newborn and caring for a handicapped child of twenty when you were sixty years old was not beneficial.
However, the gold stars did not mean success! They stood for another ominous reason. "So these are the ones who have the gene in them," he said.
"Yes doctor," said the receptionist, not noticing that Julie had sneaked back and was listening through the half opened door.
"I believe we should pay them a visit and then get in touch with the Centre."
"Yes doctor." She handed him the list. "This couple just had a baby boy about a couple of years ago and he's quite healthy. The second baby died. I had a hard time trying to track them down. They're renters. But this is their latest address."
Dr. Phillips looked at his watch. "I guess I should check up in him. It's about that time." NuGenesis always looked in on the babies, first when they were six months old, later when they were a year, and then every year until they reached six years of age. Of course, by that time, any child who had the Pretender gene (as they now called it) was safely in the bowels of the Centre and there was no need for a visit.
He waited until his shift was over, packed his bag, and set out for the place where Charles and Margaret were living.
Accompanied by Julie, he drove down the dusty roads, past the farm houses, paid at a toll bridge until he finally reached the place where Charles and Margaret were staying along with their baby boy.
He knocked on the door.
"Why Dr. Phillips," said Margaret as she opened the door.
"I didn't know where you were until my receptionist asked the Air Force about your recent address."
"They're testing some new fangled airplane and they didn't want to tell anyone in case you were a Communist spy in disguise," she said with a half laugh.
"I understand, secrecy. May I come in?" He barged past her, seeing the little boy on the floor. "My how he's grown." He patted the child on the head and when the parents were not looking, ran a small object. Yes, the Centre would be pleased. ..
/