2. Feels Like Daria
Friday Morning
Amelia wheeled Daria out of the Morgendorffers' dining room, which Jake and Tom had converted into Daria's room for her initial recovery from the car accident, and into the kitchen. So far, the arrangement was working well. At night Tom was sleeping on a futon in the room so that he could be with Daria overnight. He would stop by their townhouse on the way to work each morning and on the way back each evening. That way he could check on things and bring Daria anything she needed.
Jim was sitting at the kitchen table looking at his laptop computer and his phone was sitting next to him. At the last minute he had been able to arrange to stay the rest of the week and go back to Boston with Jane on Monday. He had worked all day Thursday out of the Morgendorffer's kitchen. He had even called in for a meeting from Daria's old bedroom upstairs, which Helen had converted into a guest room. It was so much better to work at the Morgendorffers' house than Jane's. Casa Lane had no wireless network. Anything Trent needed on the internet he either did on his phone or took his laptop to where there was a public network.
Jane and Tom were sitting in the living room. Tom was taking another Friday off to be with Daria, even though he was going through his email on his phone. Jane was watching the morning news on the TV. Jane said, "Why can't these people in the middle east just agree not to kill each other today? Tomorrow is another day. Let's just not kill each other today. If they went day to day like that it would be a vast improvement."
"We would probably have to shoot half of them to get that far," Tom said sarcastically.
Daria said, "Why don't we all go to Coffee King and have something to eat, as well as coffee? After all Amelia has gone to all the trouble of getting me dressed and making me look at least moderately human."
Jim looked up from his computer and said, "That sounds like a good idea to me. I've been looking over these calculations for over an hour and I need a break. Getting out would be a good thing."
Tom and Jane voiced their agreement. Amelia helped Daria put on a light jacket, since it was cool this early fall morning. Once the coat was on Amelia placed the sock with the penguin over Daria's left foot and they were off.
Walking to the Coffee King was truly beautiful. Daria actually felt happy in the coolness. The air was crisp and fresh and the view of all the trees just starting to turn was beautiful. Surrounded by friends it was like something out of a novel, though clearly not one of Daria's usually violent and bloody Melody Powers stories. For once she was just happy to take it in. Apparently the cracks in her pelvis were healed enough that she didn't experience any pain as they rolled over bumps in the sidewalk and down and up the curb cuts along the way. Everyone seemed rather quiet. Maybe they too were just taking in the beautiful morning.
The group arrived at Coffee King at a very opportune time. The rush hour rush was over. The coffee break crowd had not yet arrived. Amelia got Daria situated at a table. Tom took her order and Amelia's and went up to the counter to order along with Jane and Jim.
"You seem like you are feeling a lot better today, Daria," Amelia said.
"I am. I think in many ways I am over the worst of this. I just can't wait to get this cast off of my leg so that I can get back to my classes and research work. I am starting to feel like I can concentrate again and could focus enough to do research. I have a lot of fundamental reading to do," Daria said.
Jim, Jane, and Tom came and sat down at the table. Jim said, "They will call out our coffees as they are ready. Tom ordered a cinnamon roll for you as well."
"Thank you. Tom knows that cinnamon rolls are something I can easily become addicted to," Daria said. "Of course he also knows that if he didn't order one for me he might wind up in the dog house."
"Good thing we don't have a dog," Tom said.
"I could keep score and then determine the number of extra nights you have to sleep on the futon before coming back to our bed once we get home," Daria quipped.
"Let's not," Tom responded. "I will have had enough 'futon nights' for a lifetime by the time we get you home. I rate the futon as marginally better than sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor."
"You two never seemed to have a problem sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor of my apartment when we were in college," Jane said. "Of course, I don't know how much sleeping you did."
"We were younger and more supple then," Tom answered. "A few years of aging and getting used to sleeping on a quality mattress will change your outlook altogether. I do miss the company though," he said as he reached over and took Daria's right hand.
"You know the floors in that place really squeaked," Jane said looking at Tom.
"I never noticed," Tom said.
"I'm not surprised," Jane responded.
Amelia noticed that Daria was actually blushing a little bit. She said, "Look, I think Daria's cinnamon roll is ready. Could you get that Tom? And Jane I think they are just about to put our coffees out. Jim, would you help them? Thanks so much." When the three got up and went over to the counter Amelia said quietly in Daria's left ear, "Do I need to try and run interference for you? That last exchange was kind of uncalled for. I don't want you to be embarrassed."
Daria turned to Amelia and said quietly, "Don't worry about it. You know what a private person I am and when Jane and Tom start trading innuendos I do get a little embarrassed, particularly when it involves me. Jane sometimes likes to push people's buttons for the fun of it. More than once in the past I have had to cut things off. I will only let them go so far. But, if you feel the need go ahead and step in. Just do it diplomatically like you just did. In some ways after all of these years Jane and I are like siblings and the same can be said for Tom and Jane as well."
Jim, Tom, and Jane returned with the coffee and food. Everyone just sat for a moment and started to drink their coffee and Daria started eating her cinnamon roll. Just as she finished biting into it and getting a nice bit of warm cinnamon gooeyness on her nose she heard behind her, "Hey Daria." She couldn't turn to see who it was, but she knew the voice. It was Jane's brother Trent.
"Hey Trent," Daria said almost incoherently as her voice was filtered through the cinnamon roll. Trent had the unique knack for showing up at absolutely the most embarrassing times. It had been true once when Daria spent the night at Jane's on short notice and was wearing Jane's grandmother's nightgown and thought she had hidden herself in a sleeping bag. It had been true the time when both he and Jane were staying at the Morgendorffers' and he just showed up in her room and flopped down on her bed when she was only wearing an extra-long t-shirt, panties, and socks. Now here he was and she was literally nose deep in cinnamon. It sure was a good thing that her teenage crush on him had gone nowhere.
"Mind if we join you?" Trent asked.
"Sure," Tom replied. "Here, Monique can have my chair. I'll get another one."
Monique waddled into view. To Daria it looked like she had grown enormously in just the few days since she last saw her. Monique had better be careful to avoid sharp objects, otherwise she might pop!
Looking at Daria and Amelia, Monique said in her low but still nasally voice, "This pregnancy thing is really getting to be kind of a drag. The baby is starting to crush my lungs and seems to think my bladder is either a waterbed or a punching bag. It is almost impossible for me to get through a set with the band. I think I will be glad when the baby comes out. Not to mention it is kind of gross having Trent smear my belly with white shortening in order to avoid stretch marks."
In her best deadpan voice Daria turned to Monique and said, "Wow, what a challenge. Anything else I should know before Tom and I decide to have a baby? Oh by the way, please be careful of my broken leg there."
Daria could see Tom coming up to the table with an extra chair. He was clearly suppressing a laugh, because he knew his wife was just getting started.
Monique started describing her feelings, "Well, it has been hard for the last month to get a good night's sleep. When I am up walking around the baby is getting rocked to sleep. Then when I lie down and try to sleep the baby decides it is time to play. Internal organs make a great mobile. When you are in there you can use either your hands or feet to play."
She went on, "At first my breasts hurt and then there was the vomiting, but that went away quickly. I can certainly say I am bigger now than I have ever been! Cravings are rough, too. I once had Trent run out at seven in the morning to find me a specific burger. The place served breakfast, but not generally burgers at that time. He explained the situation to them and they made one for him. He even got it back to me while it was hot. Isn't he sweet? Too bad I couldn't keep it down after I ate it. Of course there are the mood swings, too. I don't know what caused it."
"I think my mother had a talk with me about what causes it," Daria said in total deadpan.
"Oh no, I meant the mood swings. Hormones I guess," Monique said. "Being pregnant in the summer kind of bites. It is like you have your own little space heater with you all of the time. On warm days like today or warmer I just sweat like a pig."
"That sounds romantic," Daria quipped.
"Oh, romance isn't a problem. You just have to be creative and nothing is going to hurt the baby." It was clear Monique was about to elaborate on that statement with more detail than Daria wanted to hear.
"So do you have a doctor to deliver the baby?" Daria asked hoping to at least ease her way out of this conversation.
"I go see Dr. Bashir," Monique said. "She's in Lawndale Medical Arts. Sometimes she is difficult to understand with her accent. But she is nice and has slim hands and thin fingers."
"That's great," Daria said. "I'm going to see Dr. Prasad at his office there to remove my cast."
"When do you get your cast off?" Monique asked. "And what is with the penguin? Wasn't he in a comic strip?"
"Another week and a half and this cast comes off. I will get a walking cast," Daria said. Also, thank God that the conversation had finally turned away from some of the finer details of pregnancy. Turning toward Amelia, Daria gave her a pleading look and said, "Amelia, the penguin was your idea. Can you tell Monique why I am wearing it?"
Amelia started telling Monique that the penguin was a safety technique for crossing streets. People will ignore a wheelchair but not a penguin. She also started telling Monique how she came up with the idea and created the sock. And yes he was in a comic strip. This change of conversation allowed Daria to pick at her now cold cinnamon roll and drink her still quite warm coffee.
Trent finally came over with his coffee and herbal tea for Monique. He grabbed a chair and sat down between Monique and Jim. The table was actually rather crowded now.
"Watch out for Daria's leg there Babe," Monique said.
"No problem," Trent said. "I would never do anything to hurt Daria."
"But you can be kind of clumsy," Monique said.
"Only at home Sugar," Trent said. "When I am out of the house I am always more careful."
"You mean like the time you tripped over the cords on stage and fell on those teen girls. They seemed pretty excited, since they weren't hurt. I thought they were going to rip your clothes off," Monique said.
"Professional hazard," Trent replied with a wry smile. "You know what happens when you are a rock star."
"Not really," Monique shot back. "I have yet to meet a real rock star."
'Ouch!' Daria thought. That was a real zinger.
Trent looked at Monique and said, "That's OK. I have yet to work with a real vocalist."
Daria's thought was along the lines of 'fight,' 'fight', fight!' These two were revving their engines.
Monique didn't say anything. With a snort she got up and waddled toward the ladies room.
Once Monique was out of earshot Jane turned to Trent and exclaimed, "Trent! That was really mean. I'm going to go see if she is OK." Jane got up and headed toward the ladies room as well.
"She's right Trent," Daria said calmly. "That wasn't a very nice thing to say to your wife."
"It may not have been nice," Trent replied. "However, saying something like that will stop a fight with her before it starts. It keeps things on a more even keel. She will go off somewhere, have a short cry, and then come back. She probably won't talk to me for the rest of the morning, but then we will make up and she will be fine. Besides, this only rated a snort. It would be far worse had it rated a 'whatever' and her stomping off. She just waddled off."
At this point Tom and Jim were just trying to sip their coffee and not get drawn in to the whole sordid mess. However, it was entertaining to watch.
"Still, Trent, you and Monique need to learn to be nicer to each other. Have you tried some couples' counseling?" Daria asked.
"We can't really afford counseling. We just need to work it out. We do love each other," Trent said.
Amelia popped up with, "If you like I can get some information from my office. There are groups and services available in our county free of charge. Would that possibly help you?"
"Sure. Thanks," Trent said. "As long as we can do something during the day it is OK. We work at night."
"No problem," Amelia said.
Jane and Monique returned together from the restroom. Monique had fixed her mascara. Jane shot her brother a nasty look.
Tom tried to lighten the mood a bit saying, "So Trent, what's new with Mystic Spiral?"
"Well, you know that we have a gig in Baltimore this weekend that will double as our honeymoon. Also, just yesterday we got the word that a major recording label is going to pick us up. We're not allowed to say who until the deal is signed. Our first album is tentatively titled 'The Best of Mystic Spiral.' It will be mostly a compilation of things we have had available for download on our site. However, we will be rerecording three of the tracks in their studio in New York."
"That is fantastic Trent!" Daria said with actual excitement in her voice. "I've downloaded all of your other tracks. I will definitely download your album as well. When is it going to be released?"
"They are trying to get it out by Thanksgiving. That way there will be Christmas sales. We will start a promotional concert tour in January. We will be an opening band for two bigger acts. It's a start," Trent said.
"And you will get promotions beyond penny ads in social media and getting people to 'like' your page!" Jane said.
"True," Trent said. "The company is developing an international marketing plan. They are going to spin us as a breakout regional band now ready for the big time. The concert tour is just part of the plan."
"I'll be going too," Monique said. "It will be challenging with a new baby. They've at least promised to put us up in clean motels."
"They will even provide enough money so that we can buy a new passenger van and trailer. That way we can haul all of our people and stuff," Trent said. "I am trying to get them to pay for a Mystic Spiral wrap on the van and trailer to make them really stand out as an advertisement."
Jane jumped in, "Wow, then people won't have to run behind the van and try to keep up! You mean you might actually retire The Tank? That thing is older than I am!"
"It is probably time to retire it," Trent said. "Even though Monique and I went on countless dates and had loads of fun in that van, it is now to the point that you can see through the floor in places, though a friend of mine put a new used engine and transmission in it just three years ago!"
"I don't want our baby falling through one of those holes," Monique said.
"True," Trent responded. "Besides, since it is a cargo van there are no seats behind the front seats and we will have to have someplace to put a kid's car seat. You can't just put kids in the back, even adults, and carry them as cargo the way you used to. What is this country becoming? I don't need a nanny."
Daria popped in with, "Trent, are you becoming an old curmudgeon?"
"No, but more things just tick me off," Trent responded.
"I think it is called age," Tom said.
"It can't be that. Trent is timeless like Spiral." Jane said in a Daria like deadpan.
"Thanks Janie," Trend said. Unlike Jane, Trent meant what he said.
Sensing another possible deterioration of the conversation Amelia got up and quickly snapped a couple of pictures of everyone at the table using her phone. She said, "It occurred to me that this doesn't happen very often. We have Daria's very best friends sitting here around the table. I thought a picture would be really good. I am texting the pictures to Daria and Tom's phones so that you can have them!" The pictures arrived and everyone looked at them.
"Cool," Trent said. "It looks like the penguin is just sitting at the table with us."
"Great shots," Jim said. "I don't think we have a picture of us all together. These are the first. Aren't these good Jane?"
"They are. Thanks Amelia," Jane said.
"What kind of paintings have you been doing lately Jane?" Monique asked.
"Here. I'll show you a few of my latest. I've started keeping pictures of each of my works on my phone," Jane responded. She selected the photo application on her phone and picked one of the pictures of a painting she had recently completed. Then she passed the phone to Monique.
"This doesn't seem quite as tortured as some of your earlier works I've seen," Monique said. "Don't you have enough pain in your life to inspire you?"
"I've probably mellowed a little bit over the years, Monique. I've gone from faux suburban pain to the pain of being a broke college student to the pain of being a starving or starting artist to the pain of initial success and putting up with people who are a pain in the ass," Jane stated while giving Jim a wink. "I felt pain and sadness when our parents died, but for whatever reason that did not seem to find its way into my art. My latest painful inspiration is the mortal fear of nearly losing my best friend. That has led me to some new sketches."
"I'm pleased that I could be an inspiration for your art. Once I have healed should I try cutting myself for a different kind of inspiration?" Daria said.
"You know what I mean Daria. And no, I do not ever again want to feel the way I felt when I was first told about the accident," Jane replied. "You stay safe and sane. That's an order. I will find my inspiration in other forms of pain. After all I can always just pick a really stupid fight with Jim. That'll make me feel terrible."
Jim piped up with "Always glad to be your muse sweetie! You just have to promise to make up with me afterward." He leaned over and kissed Jane on the cheek. Everybody laughed.
Jane showed another couple of her works around the table. She pointed out one in particular that had sold for a good price. The conversation turned to her art and the shows she had coming in the next few months.
It was late morning when the group started back toward the Morgendorffers' house. Trent and Monique said their good byes as the group passed the village green. The others kept on going. As they approached the Morgendorffer home they noticed a strange car in the driveway. It was very plain and had municipal plates. A heavy man with a round face, big nose, gray hair, a receding hairline, and wearing a wrinkled suit got out of the car and approached them.
"Hi," He said with his low voice. "I'm Detective Dombrowski from the Lawndale Police Department. I need to speak with you Dr. Sloane. It is about your accident."
Tom stopped, raised his phone, and immediately speed dialed Barry Goldman, who was the Sloane family's personal attorney. When the secretary answered he said, "Judy, this is Tom Sloane. We need Barry at the Morgendorffer house right away. There is a detective here who wants to talk to Daria about the accident."
Daria said to the detective, "I'll be happy to talk to you once my attorney arrives. Until then you will have to wait."
Tom heard Judy say, "He is on his way Mr. Sloane. He should be there within ten minutes." Tom responded, "Thanks," and ended the call.
"These are just a few routine questions Dr. Sloane," Detective Dombrowski said. "There really is no need for you to go to the expense of having an attorney come out here. This certainly won't take long."
"Even so, I insist," Daria responded.
"Our attorney will be here in about ten minutes," Tom told the detective.
"And who are you?" the detective asked.
"I am her husband. Our attorney is on his way," Tom said. "Now we are going inside, because it is chilly out here. You are welcome to wait in your car or outside until our attorney has arrived and we have spoken to him. Then Dr. Sloane will speak with you."
"You're not very hospitable," the detective said. "You seem rather hostile."
"Then I am hostile," Tom replied. "However, the Sloane family never deals with the authorities without counsel present. Now you will excuse us while we go inside and make my injured wife as comfortable as possible while we await the arrival of our attorney."
Tom, Jane, and Jim positioned themselves between the detective and Daria. Amelia pushed Daria up the ramps and into the house. The three others followed them in and closed the door leaving the detective outside.
About five minutes later a sedan pulled up to the curb and Barry Goldman got out. Barry was tall and thin with an oval face and large nose. His hair was all gray. He would probably retire in just a few years. He even stooped a bit when he stood. However, he was impeccably dressed in a blue pinstripe suit. He spoke momentarily to the detective and then knocked on the door. Tom opened the door and let him in. Barry sat down with Daria and explained that he did expect this to be routine, but to look to him before answering any questions from the detective. He would nod or say 'go ahead' if it was alright to answer. If it was not alright, then he would say something first. He also told her to be truthful with her answers, but not volunteer additional information. Also, since he had heard that she was not remembering things just to say simply that. Don't say things she might have heard from other people. In order to close the file on the case the Police needed a statement from her. He believed that this was all that was going to happen. Barry instructed the others to say nothing and listen carefully as witnesses.
Daria indicated that she understood and Jim went out to invite the detective into the house. He was asked to sit in a dining room chair Tom brought into the living room. He didn't seem to be too happy.
"So Dr. Sloan," He said, "I need your statement as to what happened in your accident."
Daria looked at Barry and he nodded.
"I really have no memory of the accident," Daria said. "The last thing that I remember was leaving Tom at work and driving away. The next thing I remember is waking up at Cedars of Lawndale."
"Can you try harder to remember?" the detective said.
"I think that she has made her statement, detective," Barry said.
Detective Dombrowski responded to Daria's attorney saying, "Even so, I need her to try and remember. This is important. A man died."
"Dr. Sloane you can go ahead and answer him," Barry said.
"I've tried for some time to remember, but nothing comes back. It is simply a blank in my memory," Daria said.
"Do you recall the time you left your husband at his employer?" Detective Dombrowski asked.
Again Daria looked at Barry and he nodded. "He wasn't late for work, so it must have been just before 8:00 in the morning," Daria responded.
"So then you were driving. Do you remember approaching the intersection?" the detective prodded.
"No. Again, I only remember driving away after dropping my husband," Daria said.
"You don't have a memory of seeing a pick-up truck coming at you from the side? Someone about to hit you?" he said to her in an aggressive tone and staring right into her eyes.
Daria looked at Barry. He nodded. It gave Daria a moment to curb her emotions. Her response was, "As I have said I simply have no memory of the accident. That is all there is."
"Don't you remember your pain? You were badly injured. You must have been in agony waiting what seemed like forever for someone to come and help you," the detective said.
"That is enough," Barry said. "Detective you have my client's statement. I suggest that you put it in your report. If there is any additional information you want here is my card. I expect that you will contact me before contacting my client. Am I clear about that?"
"Quite clear Mr. Goldman," Detective Dombrowski replied. He placed the attorney's card in his jacket pocket. "Dr. Sloane if you should remember something, then I would like to put it in the report. Here is my card. Good day." With that he got up and walked out.
With the detective gone Barry turned to Daria and said, "He was starting down the road I didn't want him to go down. He was trying to get you to give him information that was really not from your memory, but was you putting together things you heard from others. He would have attributed it to you in his report. That is why I said to be factual and answer his questions, but not volunteer information."
"I'm glad that you stopped him. He was making me quite uncomfortable," Daria said.
Barry looked at Daria and said, "That was his intent. You never know quite what these guys are looking for. They do not give out information. They only take it in. When they do give it out it may only be a partial truth. I do not want them fishing for something in order to make an accusation. While the accident was very unfortunate, nevertheless it was simple and straight forward. I have read the accident report myself. You did give him what he needed to complete his report. We made certain your discharge papers mentioned you not having memories of the accident. That is not uncommon when someone suffers a trauma. He can verify that if he wants to make the effort."
"Thanks for coming on such short notice Barry," Tom said.
"I've worked with your family since you were in diapers, Tom. I am happy to help you and your wife in any way I can. I hope you get better soon Dr. Sloane," Barry said.
"Thank you. And please call me Daria," Daria said.
"Of course, Daria, and please call me Barry. Now have a great rest of the day everyone!" Barry said as he turned and left the house.
"Well that was exciting," Jane said. "Cornered by the 'fuzz' as we came home!"
Jim looked at Jane and said, "It is always nerve wracking dealing with the authorities. Believe me I know. I think Tom said it best. Always have counsel present. At least that is over now. Can I make sandwiches before I have to get back to work? It is time for lunch."
Jim went into the kitchen and made a round of sandwiches for everyone and brought them into the living room along with sodas. After eating he sat back down at the kitchen table, opened his laptop and continued working. The others chatted, but soon Daria was tired and Amelia took her to the bathroom and then her bedroom for a nap.
…
It was early evening. Daria and Tom were sitting on the couch facing the TV. Tom was on her right holding her uninjured hand. Amelia had situated Daria before leaving for the day. Jim and Jane had gone off to pick up a few groceries. Jake and Helen were not yet back from work. A rerun of Sick Sad World was playing. Tom turned it off.
Tom looked at his wife and said, "Daria, while everyone is out I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that I can sit here and hold you like this again."
"You can kiss me too you know," Daria responded. She placed her good hand behind his head and pulled him in for a long deep kiss.
"Mmm. That was nice," Tom responded. "I have to tell you that I miss sleeping next to you as well. I am looking forward to you getting that cast removed. At least with a walking cast we should be able to sleep together again."
"Getting cold on the futon are we?" Daria asked with a smirk.
"Not so much cold as lonely." Tom replied.
Daria looked Tom in the eyes and said, "You aren't the only one that is lonely. Being in the same room together is not like being in the same bed together. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate everything my parents have done to make me comfortable here. I appreciate all your parents have done for me. I appreciate everything you and Jane and Jim and Amelia have done for me. But the fact is that I miss our home. I miss our things. I miss our kitchen, our living room, my office, and of course our bedroom. This is my parents' house not our home. Above all I miss your warmth and I especially miss your touch and the sensation of your body. I do love you after all. You are the only person I really let touch me, though Jane has been kind of 'touchy feely' lately."
"I love you too, Daria," Tom responded. "I have a hard time going into our townhouse every day and knowing you are not there. I love your touch, the sensation of your body. I love your curves and all your edges. I love the way you smell. I love your hair, your face, everything about you. And at least I know I am not competing with Jane!"
Daria said in total deadpan, "You are definitely not competing with Jane. Do you love even my winning personality and endless smiles?"
"Yes. I'm on your magical mystery ride. I know that you are different. I love you because you are different. You are serious, intelligent, and have a great sense of humor. Most people don't get your subtlety. I do and I love that about you," Tom said as he leaned over and kissed his wife. His hand was on her good leg and he squeezed it while he kissed her. Daria put her right hand over his and squeezed it as well. Tom pulled her closer.
When they came up for air Daria said tenderly while stroking Tom's face, "We'll be back together soon my love. This is the longest we have had to be physically apart since before we were married. We can do this. We are both strong. Only ten more days and this cast comes off!" In her best deadpan she added, "Now quit talking and get back to hugging and kissing me." Tom obliged.
The front door opened and Jane walked in carrying three bags of groceries. She said rather loudly, "Uh oh! Did I interrupt something?" Jim came up behind her carrying another four bags.
Tom separated his lips from Daria's and replied, "Not at all, Jane. Daria and I were just showing each other that we are still in love." Daria was blushing.
"I kind of guessed that. But no funny stuff until that girl has healed enough. Got that Romeo?" Jane said.
"Yes Mrs. Capulet. Gee you take the fun out of everything!" Tom retorted.
"That's my job," Jane said. "I have to look out for my friend. Now come over here and help Jim put these groceries away. Maybe you two can get dinner going before Jake gets home and tries to cook."
"Now you are just trying to scare us, Jane," Tom said.
Tom and Jim put groceries away, fired up the grill, and began cooking dinner. They selected a wine to go with dinner as well. Jake got home just as they were finishing. They set aside a plate for Helen and then sat down together. For a whole evening Jake avoided a rant. It was just pleasant to be together. Shortly after Helen arrived home Daria was ready to go to bed and Tom helped her with the process. As much as Daria felt that she should be able to restart her work and routine, the fact was that she still tired easily and needed her sleep to improve her strength and heal. Tom put her to bed and kissed her good night. Daria fell asleep thinking of Tom and home.
...
Sunday
Daria was sitting up in her hospital bed reading the Sunday newspaper. Looking out the window into the back yard she could see that this was the first day in a week that it was raining. The Morgendorffer's dining room made a reasonable place to recover from the car accident nearly two weeks ago. Between Tom, her parents, and her private nurse, Amelia, Daria was receiving great care. In just over a week she would get the big cast off of her left leg and be refitted with a walking cast. Daria was really looking forward to walking again. Still, it would be about four weeks before the cast came off of her left forearm. At least she could more or less use the fingers on her left hand despite the cast.
Jane was visiting from Boston and given that it was after noon Daria was beginning to wonder why she hadn't arrived yet. Jane was never a morning person, but since arriving nearly a week ago she had been almost clingy! She generally arrived around ten, though Friday it had been eight because Jim had work to do and needed access to wireless service. For Jane, arriving so early was like most people arriving at about five in the morning!
Tom had his nose in the newspaper as well. He had driven over to Coffee King and bought coffee for both of them. Jake and Helen had gone somewhere. Daria was just happy that they finally felt comfortable going out and not worrying about her. Tom was perfectly capable of taking care of her unassisted.
Daria heard the front door open. She easily identified Jane's voice, Jane's fiancé Jim's voice, and there was a third. It sounded familiar but she couldn't quite place it. The voice was soft and calm. Daria heard the collective feet of the group approach the door to the room. From her position Daria could not see the doorway.
"Hey Daria," Jane said as she walked in.
"Hey Jane," Daria said.
"Hey Daria," Jim said as he walked in.
"Hey Jim," Daria said.
"Hello Daria. It has been a long time since we have seen each other. I think I have only seen you once since you graduated from high school," the man with the soft voice said as he walked past her into a position she could see.
"Mr. O'Neil!" Daria exclaimed as she saw the thin ginger colored man with the round face, who now was about half gray, walk up and stand right next to her on her right side. In addition to being older he was wearing a black suit and clerical collar.
Jane chimed in, "Jim rousted me out of bed and dragged me to Mass this morning. And guess who I found! We talked afterward and he really wanted to come see you. So, we brought Father O'Neil along."
"Father O'Neil!" Daria exclaimed.
"I mostly just go by Father Tim now," he said quietly.
"Wow, life certainly has sent me some surprises since returning to Lawndale. But I shouldn't be rude. Let me introduce my husband Tom," Daria said.
Tom came up and shook hands with Father Tim and said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Tom Sloane." Then he backed away a bit from the group surrounding Daria.
"So, Daria, what have you been doing since high school? I mean besides the car accident," Father Tim said.
"Well, I went to Raft in Boston and majored in English. After graduation from college I worked for Sick Sad World in New York for a year. Then I went to Columbia and got my doctorate in comparative literature. I just finished my doctorate in May and started on the English faculty here at Lawndale State in July. Tom and I have been married for just over five years. That about sums it up," Daria said. "If I can ask, how did you wind up a priest?"
"My Daria, you have certainly made some great accomplishments in such a short time!" Father Tim said. "As you might have heard, Janet Barch and I got married about a year after you graduated. We had three wonderful years together before she was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer. God granted her two more years of life after her diagnosis. I spent much of the last year taking care of her. A priest, Father Gregory, was a great help to us during that time. In that time I saw her transformation. She let go of all her bitterness. She even learned to forgive. Our journey was as much – maybe more – spiritual than medical. I was a bit lost after her death. I had no wife, no job, and had spent nearly all of our money on her care during her final days. Father Gregory sponsored me for a special retreat for recent widowers. That is where I realized that God wanted me to enter the priesthood. I spent the next several years in seminary and was ordained a little over two years ago. I have been serving St. Timothy's parish ever since. I guess the Bishop has a sense of humor," Father Tim said with his nervous laugh. "Now please tell me about your accident and your healing."
"I'm sorry to hear about your wife, Father," Daria said. "My accident story is pretty simple. I don't remember anything that actually happened. I was driving to the university. I know I was hit by a pickup truck driven by a man who was both drunk and stoned. In the course of the crash he was ejected from the truck, hit his head on the curb, and died at the scene. My memories restart the next day when I woke up after being sedated for about 24 hours. My leg was broken in three places and my arm in two places. Also, I had facial bruises and scrapes from the airbag." In her very best deadpan voice Daria added, "Tom is getting pretty good at putting makeup on me to hide the bruising, though the bruises are fading quickly now. If his job as an associate vice president of Grace, Sloane, and Paige doesn't work out, then he might have a future as a makeup artist."
"Funny Daria," Tom said in an equally deadpan response.
"I can't tell you enough how good your success makes me feel. You were one of if not the best student I ever had at Lawndale High. Every day you came to class made it worthwhile for me to come to school in the morning. There were so many students that I have forgotten because all they did was give me blank stares. You on the other hand always followed what I said and knew what I meant, even if you were doodling while listening. I find it so exciting that you are now teaching young minds to love literature and think about comparisons between books and types of literature," Father Tim said with great excitement in his voice.
"Well, here at Lawndale State I have managed to teach for five weeks before getting sidelined," Daria responded. "I will say that I much prefer college students to high school students. At least there is some chance that they are in my class because they are interested in the subject matter. I mostly feel guilty about being here in this bed because my colleagues have to pick up the slack until I can walk again. My goal is to be back to work and class two weeks from tomorrow."
"I think that is a wonderful goal to have and I am very glad to hear that your concern is for your colleagues," Father Tim said. "Now I would be remiss in my duties if I didn't ask where you are in your spiritual walk."
"For what it is worth, I was baptized into the Catholic Church. I am told that my grandmother Ruth was so insistent and badgering that my parents finally agreed to have me baptized when I was a few months old. Probably the only time I've been in churches since then has been at weddings, funerals, and an occasional Christmas and Easter. I wouldn't call myself an atheist, but I haven't seen any evidence that the creator of the universe really cares what happens to the human race and especially individuals. What I see is the reality of a world where bad things happen to good people and bad people alike. Often it seems that more bad things happen to good people than to bad people. I see hypocrisy in people of all faiths and within the clergy as well, no offense Father," Daria stated.
"None taken Daria," Father Tim said. "I agree that there are clergy who act hypocritically."
Daria went on, "I guess as I lie here broken in pieces I see my survival as a combination of good engineering and random chance. Don't get me wrong. I am thankful for my survival of the accident and that I have professionals and loved ones who do care about me – even with my eternally sunny personality. I am especially thankful for Tom. He chased me for years and finally persuaded me to marry him. He is a far better husband than I am a wife. If not for that night at The Zon when he was ogling Jane, then I would probably never have met him. Likewise I am thankful for Jane, who I met in your self-esteem class at Lawndale High during my first few weeks there. She is my best friend and the friendship has endured, even when I stole her boyfriend – Tom. She forgave us both. I am thankful for all of these things and people, but to whom should I be thankful? As near as I can tell it is all random chance and there is no grand plan. Does this mean that life is utterly meaningless? Perhaps in a cosmic sense the answer is yes. But I think that if I can enlighten and expand young minds and leave a legacy of solid scholarship, then my life will have meaning."
Father Tim stepped closer to the bed and put out his left hand. Daria took it with her right hand and he held it between both of his hands. He said, "I want you to know that God does love you. He loves you like a parent loves his or her children. You've just told me about several people who are blessings in your life. God is the source of all blessing not random chance."
Father Tim went on, "Bad things do happen because people make bad decisions which are not pleasing to God. One example of such a decision is the man who chose to drink and get high. His bad decisions had consequences. He died and you were injured. We are blessed by your continued presence, Daria. While you heal Tom, your parents, Jane, your nurse, and others have the blessing of serving you. The blessing of serving someone like this is something I didn't understand until I served Janet in her last year of life. While I could have cursed God for striking my wife with cancer and forcing me to do the things I had to do in her service, I discovered that we developed a tremendous bond and love that endured even as she slipped away. That bond was a blessing and I carry it to this day. Yes, I was profoundly saddened when she died. But, the fact that when I let her go she continued to be in God's hands comforts me and I know that we will be together again. Bad things happen in this fallen world, but even the bad may be wrapping a blessing."
"That is very touching Father," Daria said. "I have not thought of it that way."
"God has His purposes and we don't necessarily understand them. He has given each of us a purpose in this life and we may not understand that purpose this side of eternity. Our lives are not meaningless. Don't get me wrong. There is random chance. In addition, humans have the free will to choose what they do. There are also things that happen with a reason we may not understand. However, not all events are random chance nor are all events predestined. It can be very difficult or even impossible to tell one from the other," Father Tim concluded.
"Thank you Father," Daria replied.
Father Tim then asked everyone to join hands and led a short prayer for Daria's healing and thanks for all the blessings given to her and the blessings of the people around her. When they were done he asked, "Is it alright if I come and visit you again?"
"Sure," Daria replied.
"That's great! I will see you again soon. Good bye everybody!" Father Tim said as he turned and left the room and the Morgendorffer home.
"Wow," Daria said. "Mr. O'Neil married Ms. Barch, she died, and then he became a priest. I sure didn't see that one coming."
"You can imagine how surprised I was," Jane responded. "I guess after he was married to Ms. Barch other women were out of the question!"
"Maybe she had him fixed," Daria said.
"Now you two be respectful!" Jim scolded. "What he did was no small matter. He has dedicated his life to the service of God and other people. To be a priest he has taken vows of poverty and chastity, not to mention the years of education required."
"I can't see any of us taking those vows," Daria said. "It just wouldn't work."
Jim responded sharply, "You'll note that he was called to this vocation. It is not something he just decided to do because it was a job."
"OK. OK," Daria said. "We are not making fun of his office. We are just trying to get over the vision of Mr. O'Neil as Father Tim. He was always Mr. 'touchy feely never offend psychobabble' at Lawndale High. He never had any respect because he was so wishy washy. We watched Ms. Barch bully him right and left. We also know what went on during their 'planning hour' in the janitor's room. Coincidentally, their planning hour was always just after the daytime janitor left and before the nighttime cleaning crew started."
Tom chimed in at this point, "Be nice all of you. Everything you have told me about Mr. O'Neil, Daria, is that he always cared about his students. Maybe he wasn't the boldest person, but he certainly encouraged your writing. He forced you to go beyond your comfort zone. That is a good thing. You grew under him. You know how much the story you wrote about your family's future affected you and your mother."
"You know you never have let me read that story," Jane said.
Daria responded, "OK. OK. Let's change the subject."
Jim was now sitting on the futon with Tom. He chimed in with, "Daria, the mention of families has made me a little curious. Do you know anything about your family history? To be honest I have never met anyone else with the last name Morgendorffer, though a search on social media did turn up a few."
Daria folded up her section of the newspaper and placed it on her tray. She looked over at Jim and said, "Well, we haven't done any formal genealogical research," Daria said. "However, we do have an oral tradition in the Morgendorffer family that says we originated in the village of Morgendorf, which is in the Sudentenland. Today it is Czech, but back in the mid-19th century when my ancestors left it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the people were ethnic Germans and spoke the German language. We do know that the family was Catholic, as was the vast majority of the region. The town of Morgendorf was pretty much just a wide place in the road with only a few hundred inhabitants. Like many German immigrants of the time my ancestors came in through the Port of Baltimore. The truth is that we are not certain that our family name is even Morgendorffer. It may be that the official at immigration substituted the town name and added the 'fer' because he either didn't understand what my ancestor said or could barely read the papers written in German." Daria added, "As an academic I need to note that there is no oral tradition of any other surname."
Daria went on, "My family members were mainly in the trades: blacksmiths and then machinists. The last tradesman was my great grandfather. He was an industrial mechanic working on large equipment. His son, my grandfather, basically ran away and joined the army. He served for 20 years and retired. Then he died in his mid-40s. Even so, the military life and the emotional fallout really affected my Dad. Dad met my Mom at college. He studied business and she was pre-law. They even lived 'the hippie life' for a while before completing their educations, getting married, and having a family. Then I came along and really shook up their lives," Daria said with an evil smirk.
On my Mom's side there isn't much information either. The name 'Barksdale' is probably a variant spelling of an Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'brick valley.' My minimal research on the subject shows that the name originated in Lancashire, England. The family tradition is that our Barksdale family came to America from England during colonial times. We believe that the Confederate General William Barksdale is a relative. He was killed at Gettysburg. Being English and Southern it is no surprise that as far as religion goes they were Anglicans. As far as I know my grandparents weren't much in the way of church goers, although I think my mother was baptized into the Anglican Church. Like me that is kind of where it ended. One of these days I would like to do some more in depth research on my family history. Maybe I will do that after I get tenure."
"Your turn Jane," Jim said.
Jane was now sitting in a chair next to Daria's bed. She began telling her family history, "The story we have in our family is that the Lane family actually originated in France and arrived in England with the Norman Conquest. We too were artisans and tradespeople. My four times great grandfather was an English silversmith who moved to Dublin, Ireland to set up his business. He served mostly the English gentry who controlled Ireland at the time."
"So being an artist or artisan runs in the family," Tom injected.
"Definitely," Jane said. "Anyway, being English he was a member of Anglican Church. His son – my three times great grandfather – apprenticed under his father and then had the audacity to fall in love with an Irish girl, who of course was Catholic, and then marry her. The family legend is that she sang so beautifully that she instantly won his heart."
"Sort of like a siren," Jim added.
"That is about how they viewed her. She caused him to wreck his ship on the rocks of love. They were shunned by both communities," Jane said. "Imagine a Lane being an artist and an outcast!"
"Why I've never heard of such a thing," Daria said in her total deadpan.
"Anyway, they were not well positioned when the potato famine hit Ireland. They were given tickets to America by his father. That effectively got rid of the family's problem. Unlike many Irish they did not arrive in America penniless. He was also able to read and write, so they avoided being taken advantage of the way many of the illiterate Irish were. Unlike the vast majority of Irish immigrants they chose to come in through New Orleans, where he set up his shop. An advantage for them was that New Orleans was heavily Catholic in contrast to the cities along the Atlantic coast. She was able to earn money singing in the local opera company. By the time the Civil War happened he was too old for the Army and their children were too young. He managed to keep his shop open 'repurposing' silver looted by Union officers and administrators from southern homes. Shortty after the war was over my three times great-grandfather saw that wealth was not going to be something the South would have for some time."
"So what did he do?" Tom asked.
"Well you know that I refer to us as the 'wandering Lanes.' He packed up his shop and moved north to St. Louis, where he was able to serve the needs of a growing city elite as they made money from people moving west. Silver was big and getting bigger. He also made investments outside of his business. We know he bought at least some shares of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad. He did well enough that his three sons all attended college and his daughter married well. The daughter stayed in St. Louis and his sons ultimately either moved west to California or to the upper mid-west as industrialization got going in earnest."
"So where did your line go?" Daria asked.
"My great great-grandfather moved to Chicago. He went there to study at Northwestern University. He wound up working for a railroad as a manager, but he was a patron of the arts and actually owned a private gallery. One of the paintings he owned is hanging in our house."
"So even though the profession changed in that generation there was still a strong affinity for the arts," Jim said.
"Definitely. His son, my great-grandfather, essentially followed in his footsteps and worked for the railroad. My grandfather went to Michigan on the GI Bill and settled in the Detroit area. He was an automotive designer. He worked with the styling of cars."
"Clearly an artist as well," Tom quipped.
"Jim knows about my Dad. He went to Michigan, where he got interested in photography. As he won more and more contracts he moved east to be closer to his sponsors. He met my Mom during college while spending a summer at an artists' colony in Vermont. I never really quite got out of either of them whether it was truly an artists' colony or just a hippie commune. Ultimately, they chose Lawndale as a place to live, since it is quiet and when they moved here it was still very rural yet not far from the big city. My siblings and I were all born right here," Jane said finishing her story.
"You left out a piece," Jim said.
"Oh, what was that?" Jane responded.
"Jane Lane moved to Boston to study at Boston Fine Arts College and has become a successful artist. She carries on the family tradition. She is even planning to marry an engineer, recognizing that art and engineering are closely intertwined. The engineer she plans to marry has a strong interest in the arts," Jim said. "We could also talk about artistry as it relates to Trent, Penny, or any of your other siblings."
"You're kind of full of it Jim," Jane said.
"Admit it, Jane, that is why you love me," Jim responded.
"As usual you seem to have the most colorful stories Jane," Tom said.
Jim went on to say, "I wish I had as good a genealogy as you two. We know that Greeley is an English name and that it may go back to the son of one of William the Conqueror's Barons. I have not been able to find out what it means. The best I can come up with is it relates somehow to the grain trade. William the Conqueror brought a bunch of his Barons to England and gave them land grants all over. They then gave smaller holdings to sons who would not inherit the title or other close relatives. That seems likely to be where we came from. Our direct line may have actually come out of Canada not long after the American Revolution, which says that they were not very fond of the English King. We have relatives scattered from New York to Delaware. To the best of my knowledge my ancestors here in America were skilled tradesman before my grandfather. He was an engineer, my Dad is an engineer, and so am I. My Dad was born and raised in Delaware and so was I. He lived there not far from my grandparents. I chose to leave. That is about all there is to it."
Jane remarked, "We need to do some research on your family sometime when we have a free weekend. We can buy some software that has the ability to search old records on the web. We could probably get some interesting information for not much money or work." Turning to Tom Jane went on, "So what does 'old money' know about the family tree? Are there any missing branches or poison ivy climbing up it?"
Tom said, "Funny Jane. The Sloane family dates back to the 17th century in southwestern Scotland. My ancestors came to America in the mid-18th century and settled in Baltimore. They were members of the Church of Scotland, which is the Presbyterian Church in this country. They started off by building a warehouse near the inner harbor. As trade grew they built another warehouse and dock right on the harbor. Eventually they expanded into shipping as well."
Tom went on, "My great-great-grandfather, Aldon Sloane, saw the potential offered by railroads and specifically the East-West line that was being put in near a small crossroads town named Grumby Corners – we know it today as Lawndale. The intersection of the interstate highways here was previously a pair of colonial area roads and then rail lines. Aldon received an investment from his father and moved his family here. He built a warehouse and began offering a service of moving goods from carts to railroad cars, as well as storage. Goods came from farms to the south and mining and lumber operations to the north. Eventually, a North-South line was built as well. He had a financial interest in that line, as well as having grown his warehousing and transfer business."
"About the time the second rail line went in, Aldon's son Aden reached the point where he wanted to strike out on his own in business. Aden was given money by Aldon to start buying real estate in the area. In just a few years he had large holdings. He had properties with buildings and vacant land as well. With growing traffic on the railroad Aden and his father pushed the Chamber of Commerce and City Council to rename the city Lawndale. They believed that it was a name which would help bring people to the area to live and work. My great-grandfather Aden's investments today form the core of Grace, Sloan, and Paige's real estate practice. The Sloane family has always been very careful with their money, so when the Great Depression came they were not deep in debt. The business weathered the depression."
"My grandfather, Arthur Sloane, started investing in stocks in the early 1950's. It had become a tradition by then for the father to provide investment capital to the next generation. As the post-World War II prosperity set in Arthur began working with companies to set up pension funds and other plans. This became the core of the institutional investment practice of Grace, Sloane, and Paige. He was, in fact, the one who teamed with Paige and Grace to form the firm."
"My father, Angier, went to work for the firm right after college. He majored in finance and ultimately was tasked with growing the wealth management practice. This practice was brought in by Paige and Grace when the firm was formed. From wealth management he formed and grew the private capital practice when we were in high school."
"I've taken a somewhat different path, maybe because my name doesn't start with the letter 'A.' I worked in New York in a major accounting firm after college until I became a partner. Now I am an associate vice president of the family firm. Who knows what new things I will be able to create there?"
"You get a gold star, Tom," Daria said. "You've paid attention to your father's stories at the club."
"Tom," Jim said. "How about you and I go out to the Kitchen to brew some tea for all of us? It'll give the girls some time alone. Besides, it will be good for a rainy cool fall afternoon."
"You mean leave to allow these two to plot something against us, right?" Tom said jokingly.
"Something like that. Come on let's go," Jim said as he and Tom stood up. The two men left the room to go to the kitchen and make some tea.
With the two men out of the room Jane pulled her chair closer to Daria. The two started to chit chat about work and daily life. After a while Jane said, "Daria, there is something I have been wanting to ask you."
"Go ahead, Jane. You can ask me anything," Daria responded.
"Well, Jim and I are planning our wedding for late April and I was wondering if you would be my Matron of Honor. I know you do not like a lot of attention or formal occasions, but this is really important to me. Things worked out in such a way that you are not my sister-in-law, but I am certainly closer to you than to any of my sisters. Will you do this for me?" Jane asked.
Daria could see that her oldest and best friend was on the verge of tears. "Of course I will," Daria responded. "I would do anything for you, Jane. You know that. All you have to do is ask. Should we ask Quinn to coordinate the dresses?"
Jane stood up and hugged Daria. Actually she held her. Just as she was doing this, Jim and Tom walked in with the tea.
Jim quipped, "I tell you Tom, I'm concerned about these two."
"You'll get used to it. I have. It's not like Daria is going to steal your girlfriend," Tom said.
"Hey," Daria said. "Knock it off dear. Jane just asked me to be her Matron of Honor and I agreed."
"I'll have to think about letting Quinn coordinate dresses," Jane said. "My heart may not be able to take the stress."
All four friends laughed. Tom and Jim poured tea into mugs and the friends spent the rest of the afternoon just talking and enjoying each other's company. It was a peaceful pursuit on a rainy Sunday afternoon in Lawndale.