Motherhood Isn't for Sissies, Chapter 2

By Simahoyo

Constance fell asleep in the chair next to Maura's hospital bed. When she woke up, it was dark inside the room, although there was enough light from the hallway to let to see things dimly. She looked over to Maura, who was very still, but all the machines were monitoring as usual. Constance blinked her eyes. She was wide awake again–like the nights the infant Maura had cried for her. Constance stood, and walked over to Maura's unconscious form. She wished there was a blanket to adjust or something. She stroked the side of her daughter's face. There was a part of her turning anger inward, chiding her for allowing herself to be distracted from Maura–for not investigating why she wasn't hearing from her only child.

Another child, this one a teen, was shouting at her. Saying what a terrible mother she was. Her ironed straight hair hung limply, while her tie died t shirt challenged Constance's aesthetic sensibilities. Sophie, the sister she had tried to raise herself–the one who still hated her for the botched job she had made of it. Constance felt like such a failure. She had driven Sophie away, and now she had neglected her own child. Fame was a bitter disappointment. It was like a beautiful fruit with a rotten core. When this was over, she would go back to teaching. She couldn't stop drawing, painting, sculpting, but she didn't need her name in galleries- in newspapers. It wasn't worth losing her soul. Mirroring what Jane had done, she kissed Maura's forehead. She stood there for a long time, just looking, then went back to the chair and slept some more.

When the door opened again, it was light, and Constance was immediately wide awake. The Day Nurse walked in, looked up at her, and smiled.

"Are you the Mother?"

"Yes. Can you tell me how she is? I got here so late, I haven't been filled in."

The nurse lifted the chart from the foot of the bed and read. "GSW–Gun shot wound, to the abdomen..."

Constance winced. That was a dangerous place because of possible infection from the intestines.

"...She was very lucky, in some ways. The trajectory hit her right ovary, missed her large intestine, nicked the small, and somehow missed her spine and pelvic girdle. The operation repaired her injuries, and she only lost the one ovary." The nurse looked up at her. "She was very healthy, and strong. I'm seeing notes that seem pretty optimistic."

Relief washed through Constance. "She always was very careful of what she ate and getting enough exercise. She's a very determined ch...woman. I'll be here as long as she is."

"I wish every mother cared as much." and the nurse wrote some notes, then left. Constance fought her own guilt.

There was absolutely no meanness in Maura. She had been so lucky, to have someone so naturally sweet in her care. The child couldn't even lie. It was as if God had given her the anti-Sophie to make up for all the pain she had caused in her sister's life. Every rebellion that little hellion had staged had ended in disaster, including jail time. The Quebec City police knew their address by heart. Constance had gotten past the initial embarrassment, and had gone to anger, then a stoic resignation. She got used to having her place searched for stolen goods and drugs. It was fortunate that the police understood that she had no control over the brat, or she might have had quite a police record herself.

Strangely, it was getting pregnant by Guy Coset that got Sophie to settle down. They had run off, and gotten married in secret, informing Constance after the fact. It was a good thing too, since Sophie's pregnancy was showing spectacularly by then. Sophie moved out, and Constance's life was, finally, her own.

That was when she had met E. G. Isles, MBA student–her, "Benny" He had changed her life, coming in like a spring storm, sweeping away all the pain and hurt, offering her a new life. She hadn't even known he was wealthy, and didn't care. When he had taken her home to meet his parents, she had nearly fainted at the sight of their house–but his parents were so kind and charming, they made her feel at home. It was Benny that noticed her artwork, and encouraged her to get a degree. He had also teased her long enough and gently enough to get her to improve her English. Best of all, he made her laugh. It had been such a long time since she had been able to laugh.

Their routine was comfortable and safe–until a two week old baby had been placed in her arms, and her life changed again. Constance had never met any person with such innate sweetness and innocence. She looked down at Maura, love pouring out of her. This child had been her greatest teacher. She thought back to some of Maura's little pranks, and smiled. Giving her that chemistry set had not been Benny's greatest idea. Then there had been her demonstrations of physics over doors, and inside closets. No one had ever been hurt. There was absolutely no harm in her. Even her most outrageous prank had made both parents laugh once she was out of earshot.

Constance caught herself re-telling the stories to Maura, in a one-sided trip down memory lane.

Suddenly her ESP alerted her that Benny was nearby. She turned, looking at the door. Footsteps approached, and the door opened. She was in his arms-both crying. Kissing him, uniting in their sorrow and fear. Constance stepped back so he could be with Maura. He put her small hand in his huge one, gentle as possible.

"Hi Maura. I'm here. I'm not leaving until you're all better." His face registered shock and delight. "She squeezed my hand."

"She's been doing that. I think she knows it's you."

"That's good, isn't it? What happened to her?"

"I know she was shot, then they operated. The bullet missed both her spine and pelvis, thank God. She lost one ovary and her small intestine was nicked and repaired."

"It's lucky it wasn't a lot worse. When did this happen?"

Constance hesitated, knowing Benny's reaction was not likely to be a good one. "Yesterday. I called you as soon as I found out. Before you ask–I walked in on Humphrey talking to Louise and not taking a message."

Benny's face darkened. "That explains a lot. The bastard. I always suspected something was up with him."

"Forget him. Our family is together–for Maura. He doesn't matter."

He hesitated, then shrugged. "You're right, Connie. It's all about her right now."

About an hour later, Jane Rizzoli tapped on the door, and opened it hesitantly. She smiled when she saw both of them there with Maura.

"Oh good. You made it. She'll like that. How is she doing?" Jane strode in, and stood, one shoulder against the wall.

"It's kind of hard to tell. We'd like to talk to her doctor.", said Constance. Do you know who that is?"

Jane nodded slowly. "Yep, Sluckey. He's a real piece of work, but he knows his stuff. I'll go find him. I can't guarantee how long it might take. If he won't come back, I'll beat the information out of him." Her smile was threatening. Constance could see why she was such an effective detective..

Jane walked out at an almost trot, closing the door behind her. Constance took Benny by the hand, and they both looked down at Maura. Her eyelashes fluttered.

It really wasn't that long before there was another tap at the door. It opened to reveal a doctor with an arrogant look to his face. He glared at the Isles. "You insisted on seeing me?"

Constance put on her own arrogance, drawing herself up into the role. "We did. What is our daughter's condition? What are her chances of a full recovery?" She could practically feel the ice in her own voice.

Dr. Sluckey's head snapped up. "You got the gist of the gunshot wound from her nurse, but as far as her chances of a full recovery...I'm not sure. We'll have to watch for infection, but I put her into an induced coma. That's to help her use all her energy to heal. If she's doing well enough, I'll take her out of it, and we can go from there. I want her under for at least a week, then we can see what her condition is."

End chapter 2