Chapter 30

Steve hung up the phone and tried to collect his thoughts. At least he had half an hour to do so...and more importantly, to prepare Jaime. Oscar was on his way over with Rudy and Michael - and at Steve's suggestion, they would also be bringing Mark. Steve himself was trusting the therapist less and less these days, but Mark seemed to be able to reach Jaime when no one else could.

''Who was that?'' Jaime asked when she returned from checking on Becca.

''Rudy; he and Michael are on their way over.''

''This time of night? I mean, it isn't that late but still...! And Rudy saw enough of me already today. Why would he...'' she paused for a moment and then it hit her. ''Oh. They're bringing him...aren't they?''

''Oscar? Yes. Sweetheart, he really -''

''Well, forget it! I've got nothing to say to that man!''

''If you want Rudy to tune you up, you'll have to deal with Oscar sooner or later.''

''I'll just go in the bedroom! Better yet - I'll leave! Go for a walk or something! I have no interest - now or EVER - in 'dealing' with him!''

They were still at an impasse a half hour later when the doorbell rang. Jaime sat glowering on the sofa, a pillow hugged to her chest. Steve had promised he would take the bedroom door down and carry her out there bodily if he had to - and she knew he meant it. As their guests filed in, Jaime nodded to Michael and Rudy, smiled at Mark...and her eyes shot daggers at Oscar.

''Hi, Babe,'' Oscar said smoothly. He got no answer other than a white-hot glare. He took a seat in the chair closest to the sofa and continued to smile at her. The other men sat too, watching warily for the explosion they all sensed was coming. Steve sat next to his wife and wrapped is arm around her waist but instead of leaning into him, her body remained ramrod-straight.

''Rudy and Michael have both told me how well you're doing,'' Oscar told her warmly.

''What do you want?'' Jaime growled through clenched teeth. ''Social calls aren't your style, so I know you want something. Your style seems to be to try and turn a wife against her husband - when that wife is already cooperating - and there's nothing you can say that'll change that, so forget it! I - I'm not doing this!''

Jaime shifted to get up and storm out of the room, but Steve's loving arm around her body also became one of restraint. He was careful, as gentle as he could be and yet still ensured that Jaime would stay put. She wriggled against his hold and then began to struggle more furiously.

''That's all over with, Sweetheart,'' Steve tried to soothe. ''He was only trying to protect me -''

''Yeah? Well, your tactics stink, Mister Goldman - worse than cheese that's been left out in the sun! Worse than old, rotten meat or -''

''That's enough, Jaime!'' Mark said in his firmest, most authoritative voice. ''If you aren't able to talk at least civilly, then you can sit and listen!'' Jaime settled back onto the sofa, too angry to cry.

''Jaime,'' Oscar tried again, ''what I did was wrong...and I'm truly sorry for treating you that way. I'm sure you'll agree that the last thing any of us wanted was to have Steve brought up on charges.''

''No kidding!''

''But the way I went about it was unfair to you. I came to apologize...and to see for myself how you're feeling after Michael's treatment and everything you've been through.''

Jaime stared at him, her fury gradually abating. ''Then you don't...um...you're not here to try and make me work for you?''

''I doubt I could 'make' you do anything,'' Oscar chuckled.

''I would...well...I'd like to have Rudy start tuning me up,'' Jaime said, almost shyly. ''But working again...I'm just not sure.''

''And that'll be entirely your decision to make, if and when the time comes,'' Oscar promised. ''Yours and Steve's.''

Finally, with the awkwardness, anger and stubbornness gone, the group could really begin to talk. And for all of them, things would look (and feel) much different in the light of day.

END OF EPISODE (story to be continued in 'In the Light of Day')