Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jen paced the hospital waiting room nervously as Al walked back in.

"How is she?" Jen asked. "Is she OK? Is Marcie OK?"

"The doctor on call..." Al said. "He took her into a room. He's looking at her now." He was visibly nervous.

"It was Cramer." Jen said. "I know it was him. He did something to her. I knew he was up to no good. I knew it and if something happens to Marcie..."

"Jen," Al said. "Hey, relax OK. Marcie's gonna be just fine. She'll be OK" He paused. "What about this Cramer guy?"

"Paul," she said. "He's a creep. He just seems like he's got his own strange reasons for getting involved in anything."

"What's he want with Marcie?"

"Who knows?" Jen said. "I told her to be careful. She's just... she's going through so much these past few months with Ron and... Al." Jen sat. "It just all fell apart for her after Al died. He was the love of her life. They were so in love... she's a mess about the whole thing." Jen pushed her hair behind her ears. "And now... the one other person that means the world to her... he's spending the night in jail because the police have their heads so far up their... sorry."

"It's OK," Al said. "It just so happens I agree with you... about the cops. I was with Marcie when Ron got arrested. We got him a lawyer... the best lawyer and she's gonna get him out of jail."

"What if... what if something's really wrong with her?" Jen started to cry. "She's my best friend. I know I always... I get carried away and sometimes... I say things I don't mean and... I love Marcie like a sister..."

"She's gonna be OK." Al said soothingly. "Jen... Marcie is going to be fine. I'm a doctor. I know, OK?" Yeah right, he thought. He didn't know anything more than Jen, and all he could do now, was sit there and wait.



Marcie opened her eyes slowly, blinking, allowing herself to adjust to the well lit room.

"Marcie." the doctor said to her as she focused on him. "I'm Doctor Santos. Can you tell me how you're feeling?"

"Better," she said. "A lot better now. I just... so much has been going on, I've been living off diet soda. I know... I should know better than that."

"In your condition, it's very important that you get the proper nutrition..."

"What?" Marcie said. "My condition? What condition? Am I sick? Oh my God, am I sick?"

"No," Dr. Santos said. " No you aren't sick, Marcie."

"Then what is it?" she asked.

"You don't know then."

"Know what?" Marcie said, the answer finally clicking in her head. "Oh my God..." she cried. "Oh God I'm... I'm..."

"Pregnant."

"I'm pregnant." Marcie didn't know what else to say. She was completely in shock. She rested her hand on her abdomen. "Can I... can I just be alone... for a minute?"

"Of course."

She waited as he left the room, wiping her eyes. "Al..." she choked softly. "Oh... Al, how am I gonna do this? How am I gonna do this without you here? I can't do this Al, I can't have a baby now... on my own." she wrapped her arms around herself. "Is this... what you meant? When you said you'd go to Heaven and back for me is this what you meant?" she paused, thinking for a moment. "It's so you'd always be with me, isn't it? This little baby... it's part of you..."

"Marcie?" Dr. Santos opened the door slowly. "You have a few visitors..." Marcie nodded as he let Jen and Al into the room.

"Oh, Marcie," Jen said. "You really scared us. What happened?"

"Oh... just didn't eat today." Marcie said. "I got a little light headed. I'm OK now though." She looked at the doctor, pleading for him not to say anything.

"We're going to need to keep Marcie overnight," he said "She can go home in the morning."

"Thank you Dr. Santos," Marcie smiled.

"I'm gonna stay with you tonight, Marcie. OK?" Jen said

"I go on duty in a few hours...." Al added.

"You guys don't have to worry about me. I'm OK." Marcie smiled softly. "I'm gonna be OK now."