Three weeks later, Bill went over to Wade's house as he said he would, to come with him to pick up Wade Jr. at the hospital. He knocked on his door, early Saturday morning. But there was no answer for several minutes. Bill checked his watch and walked around back and saw that Wade's car was parked there. He knocked on the back door. Still no answer. He turned the knob on the off chance it was unlocked and it was.
"Wade? Are you in here?" Bill called.
There was no answer, so he wandered into the house, repeatedly calling Wade's name. He walked into his bedroom and saw Wade sprawled out on the floor face down. Bill scrambled over to see how he was.
"Wade! Wade!" he said, rolling Wade over on his back. He was breathing, so Bill started slapping his cheeks. Wade let out a deep breath and that's when Bill realized his friend had been on a bender.
"Damn, Wade," Bill said as he averted his face from his friend's bad breath. "Wake up!"
"What are you doing? Get out of my house," Wade said, slurring his words.
"Wade, it's Bill. We were going to pick up your son today," Bill said.
"Get your hands off me!" Wade exclaimed, pushing Bill away.
Bill grabbed the larger man by the collar and sat him up. "Wade, you need to get yourself together and pick up your son."
"Get away from me!" Wade said.
Bill left him sitting up with his legs splayed and his upper body slumped forward and came back with a pitcher of water and poured it on his head.
"What the hell?!" Wade yelled wiping his eyes and hair.
"Wade, what are you thinking? You're a father now," Bill said.
"Bill?" he said, finally realizing who was talking to him.
"Wade, we're picking up your son today. You have to get yourself together and sober up," Bill said, helping Wade to his feet.
Bill walked him to the kitchen and sat him at the table, and then went into a bathroom to see if he had any Alka-Seltzer. He dropped the tablet in a glass of water and walked it out to his friend.
"Drink this," he said. "I'm going to cook you up some breakfast."
"I don't think I can eat," Wade said.
"You'll have to try. I'll make you something good and greasy."
Wade looked nauseated while he drank the Alka-Seltzer. Bill began cooking in Wade's kitchen. After he was finished, Wade forced himself to eat the greasy fare and Bill gave him a large glass of water.
"Drink up. You're dehydrated. You'll feel better afterward," Bill said. "When you're done, get in the shower and clean up. We're going to the hospital."
"I didn't know you could be so bossy, Bill," Wade said.
"I didn't know you could be so irresponsible," Bill replied.
"Touché," Wade replied.
A few minutes later, Wade took a shower and got dressed and presented himself to Bill.
"How do I look?"
"Like a father," Bill said. "Let's go."
The men drove to Hermann Hospital to pick up Wade Jr. When they arrived, they went to the nurses' station on the maternity floor to tell them that they had arrived to pick up the baby.
Bill said to the nurse behind the counter, "This is Wade Matlock. He's here to pick up his son."
"Bill, I can talk for myself," Wade said with hangover sweat stains on his shirt. He turned to the nurse. "My son's name is Wade Matlock Jr."
"Yes, Mr. Matlock, we've been waiting for you," she said. "You'll just have to fill out these forms before you leave with your son. It won't take long." She slid a clipboard his way and placed a pen on the papers.
"Okay," he said.
"You can fill it out over there and when you're done, just bring it back here and I'll have your son brought to you," she said gesturing to the waiting area.
"Okay," he said. Bill and Wade went and sat down while Wade filled out the paperwork.
Wade got halfway through the first page, and said, "I don't know if I can do this."
"What?" Bill asked.
"Have a son," he said.
"It's a little too late for that, Wade," Bill said.
"What I mean is, I don't think I can have a son that I resent," Wade replied.
"Oh," Bill said with some sadness in his voice. "Wade, you can't blame your son. What happened is just something that happens. There is no reason. He's not responsible."
"I didn't say that it made sense, but it's how I feel," Wade said. "Susan's dead and I blame him."
Bill was temporarily speechless and thought to himself for a bit.
"I understand, Wade. Maybe you just need some time. You haven't grieved enough for Susan yet."
"I don't know, Bill," Wade replied.
Bill thought for a few moments. "Why don't you let Rebecca and I take Wade Jr. temporarily? Just until you can get yourself together."
"I don't know. Rebecca has a lot on her plate right now. Maybe I could just put him up for adoption?"
"Wade, you're not thinking clearly. I can tell you that you'll regret that in time. He's part of you. Finish up the paperwork and let me take him off your hands for the time being, say, for the next month," Bill said.
"I suppose that would be fine. I'm still hung over from last night and I'm not thinking too straight."
"Then, it's settled. I can take some time off, and Cattle Annie can help too while Rebecca is still on bed rest."
"Okay," Wade said, and finished up the paperwork. He returned the paperwork to the nurse, who put it behind the counter and then went back behind double doors down a hallway. A few minutes later, she emerged with a tiny baby wrapped in blue with a knit cap on his head.
"Here's your son, Mr. Matlock," she said and placed the baby into Wade's hesitant arms. Wade just looked down at the baby with tears in his eyes.
"C'mon, Wade. Let's leave the nurse here to her work," Bill said with his hand on his friend's back.
Bill drove Wade and the baby out to his house, and when they arrived, Cattle Annie greeted them at the door.
"What's all this?" she asked. "Have you come to show Rebecca the youngin'?"
"Something like that," Bill replied. "Wade, why don't you take Wade Jr. and sit down on the couch for a bit. I'll be right back." Wade sat down and just stared at the baby in his hands.
Bill escorted a flummoxed Cattle Annie by the arm into the den. "Cattle Annie, we're going to watch Wade Jr. for a while, until Wade can collect himself."
"Collect himself? What's the matter?" she asked.
"He's still having a difficult time. We're just going to have Wade Jr. for a bit and then Wade will take him back," Bill said.
"Okay," she said.
"Can I count on you for some help while Rebecca is still on bed rest?"
"Of course, honey. As much as I can."
"Starting now?" Bill asked.
"What do you need?"
"I need you to take Wade Jr. while I take Wade back home. I'll be back after that," he said.
"Sure thing," she replied.
Bill went back into the living room and told Wade that Cattle Annie was going to help out and not to worry. Wade handed him the baby and Cattle Annie came over and took Wade Jr. and held him in her arms.
"Thanks, Cattle Annie," Wade said.
"No problem, Wade," she replied.
"Okay, we're going to go back to Wade's house. I'll be back in about an hour or so," Bill said.
"Don't forget to pick up some baby formula, Bill," Annie said.
"Baby formula?"
"Yes, Bill. The child has to eat," she said with a wink.
"How will I know what to get?" Bill asked.
"Ask for help, Bill. Golly, you act like you've never been in a store in your life," she said. Turning to Wade, she said with another wink, "Good thing you have me to take care of Wade Jr., Wade."
Wade barely cracked a smile and had a hangdog look when the two men left the house.