6. The World She Knew
Monday Afternoon
Jane was in the middle of blending color in one area of a painting when her phone sounded with Trent's ringtone. She carefully set down her brush and wiped her hands on a rag before answering. She picked up the phone and accepted the call.
"Hey Trent," Jane said.
"Hey Janie," Trent replied.
To Jane her brother sounded seriously tired. It was just how he said the words. It wasn't his usual lazy style of speaking. It clearly indicated that something was off. She responded, "What's up? Are Monique and the baby OK?"
"Yeah. They're fine. Both are sleeping like angels right now," Trent said. "What I need is Jim's phone number."
Jane asked, "So what is it that you need to discuss with Jim? If you tell me I can talk with him this evening."
Trent responded, "No. This is kind of guy to guy stuff and I would rather talk to him."
"If it is guy to guy stuff, then why talk to Jim? Why not talk to Jesse or Max?" Jane asked.
"Because Jesse and Max are just plain ignorant. I need to talk to somebody who knows things – technical things." Trent said.
Jane gave Trent the phone number and then went on to say, "He is at work right now. Please wait at least three more hours so that he can finish what he is working on. He doesn't have time during the day to just chat. Besides, we will arrive Friday evening."
"I promise this won't take long. I just have a quick engineering question for him," Trent replied.
Jane went on, "I would still rather that you wait. Maybe you could send him a text and let him tell you when to call or he could call you at his convenience."
"OK. I'll do that. Thanks Janie," Trent said as he ended the call.
Jane stood there for a moment contemplating the strangeness of Trent's call. Ultimately, she shrugged it off and went back to painting.
…..
Jim felt his phone vibrate and saw the message from Trent, 'Need some help. Call when you can. Trent. ' He noted the message and went back to his work. It was the first time Trent had actually texted him. He would get back to Trent after work.
….
In his car driving home Jim placed a call to Trent. The nice thing about his current car was that his phone connected to a microphone and the speakers through the audio system. He placed the call by voice.
Trent answered his phone, "Hi Jim. Thanks for calling me back."
"What's up? Are Monique and Tatum OK?" Jim asked.
Trent replied, "We are all fine. The problem is that everything in this house is out of control. We need some help to organize things around here. I thought you might be able to help since you are an engineer and – you know – design stuff. Oh, and please don't tell Janie yet. This is kind of embarrassing."
"No problem Trent. I will say one thing, though. I want to pull Tom in on this. I'm sure we could use his skills. I think we can help you out. When Jane and I are down there this weekend Tom and I will assess things and develop a design. The key here is that you and Monique have to promise to implement whatever system we develop. Do we understand each other?" Jim said in his most professional voice.
"At this point I will do almost anything, Jim," Trent said. "Thanks for offering to help. See you this weekend." Trent ended the call. Then Jim called Tom and explained the situation.
…
Jim and Jane sat eating dinner together. Jane asked, "Did you talk to Trent today?"
"Yes I did," Jim replied. "He sounded more tired than he ever has. I think the baby is really wearing him out."
"What did he want?" Jane asked.
"Just some suggestions on things. He really didn't want me to discuss it sweetie," Jim said. "It's guy stuff."
"You know I will weasel this out of you," Jane said pointing the tines of her fork at him.
"I promised your brother not to discuss it. Please respect his wishes this one time. Don't put me in a tough position. You will know all this weekend," Jim pleaded.
"Alright, but you owe me one," Jane said.
"How many smackers will that cost me?" Jim asked with a note of skepticism in his voice.
"Not smackers. Semolians," Jane retorted. Then she leaned over and kissed Jim's cheek.
...
Thursday Morning
Daria sat in her comfortable desk chair in her office at home. She had been reading and making notes for the past three hours. It was so nice to be working on her research again and doing it in the comfort of home, though her office at the university was not bad. She really wished that Dr. Prasad had been willing to clear her for work this week. She had the energy, the stamina, and a car. But, until she got the letter from him the university would not let her return to work in the office and teach in the classroom. At least she had access to email and the other services on the university's computers – including the library.
Daria heard her phone start emitting the ringtone for Aunt Amy. She reached over, picked up her phone and answered, "Hi Aunt Amy!" Daria could hear the sound of what she guessed was probably an airport waiting area in the background.
"Hi Daria. How is my favorite niece and semi- invalid?" Amy responded.
"Ready to get back to teaching and the office," Daria quipped. "I'm really done healing and I think I am getting a little stir crazy – if you can believe that. I remember the days when I would lie in bed all day and not want to go to school. I guess this curse of adult responsibility really can get to you."
"It will," Amy replied. "I'm glad to hear that you have progressed well. Is Tom taking good care of you?"
"Of course," Daria replied. She described for her aunt all the events of the last several weeks.
"Wow, this whole healing thing has been a busy time for you! It sounds like you have even learned a few things on your forced vacation," Amy said with considerable excitement.
In her best deadpan Daria retorted, "Whatever it has been I would hardly call it a vacation."
"I would certainly never suggest that," Amy replied. "One more question, what is up with Quinn and Tyler?"
Daria responded, "Tyler got a job offer from King Products. He has accepted it and the two of them will be moving back to the area within a month. They will definitely be here before Christmas. The company will pay for a full move, so that should make it easier on Quinn. She is starting to look like she will pop!"
Amy said, "Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, I have to go. They are calling boarding for my flight. Take care of yourself and we will talk again soon."
"Bye Aunt Amy," Daria said. Amy ended the call. Daria was glad for the break and the chance to talk to her favorite Aunt. Now it was time to get some more reading done before lunch. With the time she had over the past few weeks Daria felt she could begin writing a research paper this afternoon. She should be able to finish the first draft by the end of the week. It would be her first scholarly paper intended for publication since starting at Lawndale State University.
...
Friday Evening
Tom and Daria waited outside the security checkpoint for Jim and Jane. Their friends had flown from Boston to Baltimore and then caught the commuter flight to Lawndale. As the days had gotten shorter and colder Daria felt a stronger desire to see and talk with her longtime friend. Tom was intelligent and loved her deeply, but there were simply times Daria longed to spend time with Jane. The accident had brought Jane to her once and Tatum was bringing her back again. Of course, Daria would rather that Trent and Monique would continue to have children rather than Daria having another accident! Maybe some of these thoughts were things she would discuss with Aunt Amy next time they talked.
After what seemed like an eternity, Daria saw Jane and Jim walking out of the secure area and into the main terminal. When Jane spotted her she ran over and hugged Daria and continued to hold on to her.
Jim walked up to Tom and the two men shook hands and shared a brief hug. Jim looked over at the two women and said to Tom, "I'm telling you I keep wondering about those two!"
Tom quipped to Jim, "I've dated them both and I still wonder, too. Though I have to admit it is good that they have each other. Few people get to experience that type of friendship in a lifetime."
"Very true my friend. Very true," Jim replied. "Now let's get the bags and go see that baby!"
The four friends went and got the checked luggage off of the baggage claim carousel and then went to Tom's car. He then drove to Casa Lane. Tom and Daria didn't go inside with Jim and Jane that night. They would be over on Sunday. As much as Jane and Daria wanted to spend time together Jane needed a day just to spend with Trent, Monique, and Tatum.
...
Sunday Morning
Tom was lying on the bed watching Daria brush her hair in the mirror. He could sense in her the anticipation – anticipation that this nightmare was finally coming to an end. Tomorrow the casts would come off. She had endured so much pain since the accident, not to mention inconvenience, humiliation, and at least a certain amount of depression. It was almost maddening that as one type of pain went away another made itself evident. It is not that the new pains were not there, but that they were overwhelmed by other pains. At least she had been able to get by with non-addictive pain killers since being released from the hospital. Now the end of wearing casts was near and her life would return to what she wanted it to be. In any event the accident would be an important event in her life that she would never forget. She might even use it as a marker in time like their wedding or receiving her doctorate from Columbia University.
Looking at Tom's image in the mirror Daria said, "Are you just going to lie there?"
"I like the show and I don't want to change the channel," he replied.
Daria responded, "You need to get up and going. I promised Jane that we would go to Mass with her and Jim. She told me that Father Tim is leading things today."
"Sweet love of mine, you always amaze and puzzle," Tom said.
Daria retorted in her total deadpan, "It is all part of my secret plan for world domination, or at least to keep you as my love slave."
Tom responded, "It is just the idea of you voluntarily going into a church that confounds me. You have told me more than a few times what you think about religion. I know that you have humored my family a few times over the years when we were here for Christmas. But this seems different."
Daria finished brushing her hair and put on her glasses. Then she turned away from the mirror and looked directly at Tom. With a distinct note of seriousness in her voice she said to Tom, "Then you know that I am not some kind of doctrinaire atheist. I have my doubts about God, but I don't dismiss Him out of hand. I just question things like relevancy and the role of fear. I see how people, especially those who claim to be people of faith, behave and question whether or not this is really what God means to them. Doubting religion and even God's existence is pretty easy in this world."
"OK," Tom said. "So then tell me why we are going to Mass this morning."
Still sounding serious Daria replied, "First, because it is important to Jane. My best friend is in town and wants us to go with her. That alone is reason enough. Regardless of what I might think or even believe this is something I will do for my friend. It is harmless. Don't forget that she is your friend too. If not for her you would not have me."
Tom lifted himself out of bed, walked over and put his arms around Daria and looked at the two of them in the mirror. Daria turned, kissed him and then wiggled out of his embrace.
As she was putting on a top and the pantsuit that fit over her casts she went on to Tom, "The other reason is that Father Tim has been very kind to me over the past few weeks. He has visited me regularly and we have talked at length about many things. He has convinced me that I was being closed minded about faith. He is right that as an academic I should investigate it for myself. I have relied on indirect sources of information to form my opinions. I need to go first to the source documents and then scholarly writings about those documents. After all if I judged all of English literature based on the behavior of faculty members at conferences, then I wouldn't want anything to do with my own field. I thought he made a good point. I am willing to listen, read, and keep an open mind."
Tom went about getting ready. They were to pick up Jane and Jim in just over a half hour, so he had to hurry. He chose a sweater to go with his jacket and slacks. It was somewhat cool this morning and he didn't want to take a coat. He decided that Daria should drive, since she was still getting used to being behind the wheel again. Sunday morning was a good time for her to practice. Once the casts were off tomorrow she would be ready to drive herself anywhere.
Upon arriving at the church the four friends went in together. Father Tim was standing in the vestibule greeting arriving worshipers. "Daria! Tom! Jane and Jim! How wonderful that you are joining us today! I can't tell you how happy that makes me. And please stay for a cup of coffee afterward. I would really love the opportunity to visit with you for a bit. Tomorrow is the big day Daria, right?"
"Tomorrow is 'cast off' day, Father," Daria replied. "I feel like a ship."
"A ship headed for new and exciting places no doubt," Father Tim replied enthusiastically. "Please come in and have a seat. We will be starting in just a few minutes. Oh! I have to go and get my robes on. Please excuse me." Father Tim smiled and rushed off.
The four friends went in and found seats together in a pew toward the rear of the church. Daria sat next to Jane and the men sat with the two women between them. Daria remarked quietly to Jane, "Well the first thing I can be thankful for today is that these things are padded. The oak is beautiful, but there is a reason they call it hardwood."
Jane giggled and whispered, "Be nice Daria."
When the Mass began Daria and Tom followed Jane and Jim on when to stand, sit, and kneel. They both passed on singing, crossing themselves, and the Sacrament. When Father Tim spoke in the homily Daria noted that he quoted the Bible, other well-known commentators – in particular St. Augustine of Hippo – and applied the principles to the daily lives of the people in the parish. The topic was thankfulness in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday in just a few weeks. It was good to hear that Father Tim actually practiced what he preached in regard to using sources. Daria also had to admit that the music played on the organ was quite good. Clearly the parish had a talented musician!
When the Mass was over people filed out and shook hands with Father Tim. Many went over to the parish hall for coffee. The four friends followed the herd and each grabbed a cup.
Daria commented, "This is kind of on par with what Brittany makes in the office. It's quite aromatic and only moderately toxic."
"Very funny," Jane said. "Look, here comes Father Tim."
"Hi everyone," Father Tim said. "I really am happy that you came today."
"I enjoyed your homily," Daria said.
"I'm glad that you enjoyed it," Father Tim replied. "However, I did not intend it to be entertaining. My intention was to get you to think. Did you find what I said thought provoking?"
Daria responded, "Yes Father I did. That is what I meant by 'enjoyed.' If something does not engage my brain and make me think, then I do not really enjoy it."
"Can you tell me one point that you walked away with?" Father Tim asked.
"Uh oh professor. Bet you didn't know there was a quiz afterward!" Jane said as she took a sip of coffee.
Daria looked at Jane and said, "It's OK Jane. Father Tim asks a very fair question." Turning again to Father Tim she responded, "Your central point was that everything good comes from God and that we must live our lives in thankfulness to Him. Therefore, we should reflect His goodness in all we do as a sign of this thankfulness."
"You really got the central point, Daria. I can't tell you how happy that makes me," Father Tim said.
"So Father, if God is the author of all goodness, then what of tragedy, catastrophe, and evil? Does this come from Him as well?" Daria asked.
"I'll make you a deal, Daria," Father Tim said in a very serious voice. "Come next week and I will address those very issues in my homily. I will spend a good part of my week putting together that message. Do we have a deal?"
"OK," Daria said. "We have a deal."
Father Tim added, "Tom, you are the witness!"
"Yes Father," Tom replied. He knew when to say the absolute minimum.
Father Tim chatted with the four a little longer. He asked about Jane's brother Trent. He had read the birth announcement in the newspaper. Then he hugged Tom, Daria, Jane, and Jim. He wished Jane and Jim a safe trip home and Daria a good outcome getting her casts removed and returning to work. Then he went on to speak with some of the other people in the hall.
In the car on the way back to Casa Lane Jane remarked, "So, Daria. Father Tim got you to agree to come back next week. I am truly amazed."
With distinct irritation in her voice Daria shot back, "Does no one have any regard for my curiosity or devotion to inquiry? First Tom and now you. I spent years earning the degree 'Doctor of Philosophy' in comparative literature. What is this if not philosophy and even comparative literature? Even if I do not necessarily agree with the man I can at least hear his point of view and investigate it for myself."
"Sorry Daria," Jane responded. "I just know how you feel about religion from many of our talks. This just seems a bit out of character. I just remember how you were so often frustrated with him in high school."
"I think we have both matured a bit since then. Don't you think so Jane?" Daria said. "Now I've made a commitment to him and I will honor it." Everyone was silent for the rest of the ride.
…
The afternoon was divided between lunch, reading the Sunday newspaper, and going to the Lanes' house to see the baby – Trent and Monique as well. Daria pulled into the driveway and she and Tom got out of the car. They had with them a baby gift for Tatum. Daria and Tom walked up to the door. There was a note on it, 'Just come in. Please do not ring the doorbell. Sleeping Baby!' The two of them entered.
Casa Lane was never known for neatness or even cleanliness. At times when Daria was a teen and she and Jane hung out there it seemed to be at a level that could be described as 'won't get typhoid.' Other diseases were another matter. The most important rule was to never eat anything from the refrigerator that you didn't witness the opening of the package. Food poisoning could be lurking just around the corner. Today it seemed particularly chaotic with baby items strewn throughout the downstairs and a subtle but distinct odor of soiled diaper in the air. Daria and Tom were themselves hardly 'neat freaks' but this certainly appeared to be a cry for help.
Jane came around the corner. Seeing Daria and Tom she said, "Welcome to my nightmare."
"What's up?" Daria asked.
"Things seem a bit out of hand," Tom added.
Jane replied, "Trent and Monique are overwhelmed. Taking care of Tatum is a 24/7 job and these two are used to sleeping for twelve hours straight. Not to mention a little partying on the side. Monique is the food source, so it hits her especially hard. Things just seem to be getting out of hand."
Jim appeared and said, "Good to see you two. Tom, can you join me in the next room?"
"Sure," Tom said and walked off with Jim.
"Men," Daria said looking at Jane. "I hope they aren't planning to go off and watch a ball game or something. It looks like there is work to do here."
"Actually," Jane replied, "Jim has been waiting for you two to arrive. He wants Tom to help him set up a system so that Trent and Monique can manage when we leave. The chaos around here right now is taking up more time than you might think. We won't even talk about the smell."
Tom and Jim walked by and the two women looked at them.
"You noticed," Daria said in her total deadpan.
"Oh yeah," Jane said. "You can't help but notice. Now will you give me a hand picking up and sorting this stuff in the living room? We might even manage to clear a couple places to sit down."
"Just to add to the pile," Daria stated, "Tom and I brought a little something for Tatum. It is a bunch of 'onesies' for her to wear. They are larger than 'newborn' so that Trent and Monique don't suddenly find one morning that Tatum has nothing to wear. 'Baby bags' is how I like to think of them."
"That is the best possible thing you could have brought," Jane said. "Maybe tomorrow after you get your cast off we can go to the thrift shops and see if we can pick up more."
Tom and Jim walked by again. Again the two women stood there and looked at them.
As Jane and Daria started picking things up and sorting Daria said, "I'd like that. I need to stop and get a new parking sticker for my car so that I can return to work on Tuesday. Otherwise, I am free. I'm assuming that Dr. Prasad will finally authorize my return to work for Tuesday. I am finally feeling like my old self again and I really need to get back to my job!"
Jane stopped and looked at her best friend. She said, "That will be six weeks since the accident. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you recovered. I was really afraid there at the start."
Daria looked at Jane and replied, "Just be glad I have a thick skull. Now where did those two guys go?"
…..
Tom and Jim were sitting at the kitchen table with several sheets of paper in front of them. On the paper they had drawn diagrams of the tasks that Trent and Monique had to do to take care of the baby and keep the house running. Both knew the challenge was not really in developing or putting in place a system to make life easier for them. The challenge would be to get free-spirited Trent and Monique to stick with it.
Trent walked in. He appeared to be in a daze. "Hey guys. How is the project going?"
Jim took a look at Trent. The bags under Trent's eyes seemed to cover half his cheeks. His eyes were bloodshot and he was walking kind of slumped over. Jim replied, "How would you like to get more sleep?"
"I'd trade anything except my firstborn for more sleep right now," Trent said.
"How would you like to have more time for Spiral," Tom asked.
"Same answer," Trent replied.
"OK," Jim said. "Then sit down here and we are going to walk you through the system we have put together that will reduce the time it takes to take care of the baby and to do things around the house. That will give you more time for your music and sleep. You asked for it. We designed it!"
"You know we just kind of stopped doing things around the house," Trent said. "It's not like we were on any kind of schedule."
Tom and Jim described the system they had devised to Trent. It was simple and straight forward. There were items that would need to be purchased. The first was a proper changing table for the baby. Then a lined trashcan and plastic liners would be needed for diaper disposal. Also, a rocker with support and padding was needed for Monique to feed Tatum. She was currently just using a kitchen chair. A walk around the house had resulted in finding a laundry chute! The door to the chute was covered by a chest of drawers in the hallway. With the chest moved it would be possible to drop clothes down the chute. A wheeled hamper would be placed under the chute in the basement. Some of Spiral's stuff would have to be moved to make way for the hamper and a path to the washer and dryer. The only significant physical labor would be bringing clean laundry upstairs. Two baskets would be needed for clean clothes – one for Tatum and one for Trent and Monique.
"We checked out the washer and dryer set," Jim said. "They both seem to work just fine. They should be good to go. The main thing is not to overfill the washer with clothing. The clothes don't come as clean. Part of the plan is to have a white basket that matches the optimum amount of clothing to go into the washer."
"This is really great," Trent said. "It will make the baby chores almost automatic. The only problem I see is that I really don't have the money right now to buy all of this stuff."
Jim responded, "That is why Tom and I decided to get these things for you. You agreed to using this system. Stick to the system and your lives will be much better. We will also get you a bagless vacuum cleaner."
Trent scratched his head and looked down, "Gee guys, I don't know what to say. We'll do anything to reclaim some time and especially some sleep. But I am kind of embarrassed that I can't afford the things that will help us."
Tom looked at Trent and said, "That is why you have friends and relatives – or at least almost relatives. We want to help you succeed and that won't happen if you can't get your lives back on track. The other thing you are going to need to do is within the next month or two get baby Tatum onto a schedule. That means you will have to be on a schedule as well. It may not be an easy task."
"Wow," Trent replied. "I never really thought about a schedule. I haven't been on a schedule since High School. Even then I didn't really show up when I was supposed to show up."
"You can do it. Once you get rolling you know that Jane will follow up with you," Jim said.
"I will as well," Tom said. "We are giving you these things and this process, but we are also holding you accountable."
"I guess that is fair," Trent replied quietly. "We've never really had any rules in this house. I guess I need to 'man up' and make some. Clearly it hasn't taken much for things to fall apart."
Tom said, "Trent, you will find that a few rules will make life better. This is not meant to constrain you, but to free you from the chaos that has clearly taken over here."
"OK," Trent said. "I guess I better get Monique so that you can explain this all to her as well."
Jim replied, "I'll get Daria and Jane and we can all sit down and discuss this together."
The six sat down at the Lane's dining room table and Jim and Tom began walking Monique through their plan. It was fairly clear that Monique was exhausted. Mid-way through the discussion she had to get up and get Tatum. She nursed Tatum as they finished their explanation.
At the end Monique asked, "Where did you guys learn how to do this stuff?"
Jim responded, "A friend of mine is an Industrial Engineer. Back when I was working with some electronics assembly problems he taught me the basics of how to design workflow systems and how to make them safe for the workers. This is a very similar problem. Tom's knowledge of accounting practices means that he understands procedures and how to follow them. He proofed what needs to happen at each step. Call it keeping me on track!"
"Think of it this way," Tom said. "You are both musicians and you understand the need to play or sing notes in the proper order and for the right amount of time. What would happen if you didn't?"
"You would have an absolute mess," Monique responded.
Tom came back with, "There you have it. Following these procedures will make your family play and sing together in a harmonious song rather than a cacophony of seemingly random notes."
"We can do this," Trent said confidently. Reaching over for Monique's free hand he went on, "We want to be harmonious. We know what it is to get the band to work together and produce a good sound."
Monique hoisted Tatum onto her shoulder and burped her. Looking down at the floor she commented, "It will be just like the band. See, one member even throws up on another!" Everyone laughed. Then she wiped up the milk Tatum had spit up.
"Good," Tom said. "Jim and I are off to shop for the items you need."
"Daria and I will come with you," Jane volunteered from the doorway. She and Daria had been standing there for several minutes. "I don't want you two overspending or doing anything stupid."
"We would never do that," Jim said. "You have great collective genius sitting before you."
"Who has been sent to the store for milk and returned with cookies and chips but no milk?" Jane asked.
"Surely not me," Jim said innocently.
"Yes you," Jane replied, "Especially if I sent you around the time of a game of – football!" Everyone laughed again.
Turning to Tom Daria said, "That goes for you too, dear."
"I am wounded by your words sweet love of mine," Tom said feigning insult.
"But you know they are true," Daria responded. "Besides it will give me one last long walk in this stinking cast before I get if off tomorrow. Now let's go!"
Everyone got up from the table and Tom, Daria, Jim, and Jane all headed out to Daria's car. Together they spent the next three hours picking up all the items needed to implement the plan. They also bought plenty of supplies and two large packages of diapers. After returning Tom and Jim spent the rest of the evening assembling their system and checking it out. They even made signs at each station telling Monique and Trent what to do. Finally they walked both Trent and Monique through the system.
On their way home Daria said to Tom in her best deadpan, "You and Jim really made a difference for them today. I'm really proud of you. Under all that smug elitism you really do have a kind heart; I guess that is why I love you."
"I'll take that as a complement from the intellectual snob I am in love with," Tom playfully replied mimicking her deadpan.
"Don't mock your wife," Daria again said in total deadpan. "It can have unpleasant consequences. You have to sleep sometime."
"Yes dear," Tom said. Both of them were laughing as Daria parked the car.
...
Monday Morning
'Finally the day is here!' That was the thought that was going through Daria's head as she drove to pick up Jane . 'Time to get this cast off and resume my life and my work.' Daria still didn't understand why Dr. Prasad would not let her return to work a week ago or even two weeks ago. She felt fine, though the casts were annoying. She hadn't needed a nap in ten days. Still, she needed a note from Dr. Prasad for the university to let her return to work. At least they had not stopped paying her while she was on short term disability.
Jane was waiting outside for Daria at Casa Lane. Jane got in the car, leaned over, hugged Daria and said, "Well, today is the big day amiga! Today you get these old casts off and really put the accident behind you."
"I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to liberation," Daria responded. "Unfortunately, before everything comes off I have to be x-rayed and then go to the vampires and give another sample. It seems to me to just be holding off the inevitable. Remove my casts and throw off my chains!"
Jane said with a strong note of sarcasm in her voice, "The whole thing is probably more like he can bill to have a work-up done. That way he can truly 'evaluate you' and sign your return-to-work letter and not get sued if you were to spontaneously combust tomorrow or something. Plus, you won't complain because it is only a single co-pay."
Daria parked her car in the parking lot and the two women proceeded to Dr. Prasad's office. There Daria checked in and was given slips for laboratory work and x-rays. She and Jane went first to the laboratory and then the x-ray office. By the time they returned to Dr. Prasad's office nearly two hours had elapsed. Daria was now just hoping she would get in before they closed for lunch. She would be really aggravated if she spent her whole morning chasing around just to have to wait another hour while Dr. Prasad's staff went off to lunch.
The door opened to the suite of examination rooms and the nurse called, "Daria Sloane."
Daria got up and followed her back to one of the small cold rooms she had come to associate with every office in this building. Jane waited in the only slightly warmer waiting room.
After Daria had sat for about twenty minutes trying to avoid hypothermia the door opened and a ginger colored man with slightly graying hair walked in holding a cast saw. "Hi. I'm Artie and I will be removing your casts today."
"Wait. I know you," Daria said. "You just delivered pizza to my parents' house recently! Now you are removing casts?"
"I took a training course to be a technician. I can now saw off casts, change dressings, and even take down patient information! It pays much better than delivering pizzas and I'm not likely to get robbed. All in all a better life," Artie said. "Now give me your leg and I'll take that cast off first."
"How many of these have your done?" Daria asked.
Artie replied, "Well in the training course I did a dozen. You are my third real person."
"Just remove my cast and not my leg. I would really hate it if my husband started calling me 'stumpy' or something like that," Daria said in total deadpan.
"Nothing to worry about," Artie said as he removed the cast on Daria's leg. "Now let me see that arm."
Daria found the sound of the saw a bit disconcerting as well as the dust it generated. It wasn't that there was actually much dust. It was that it made a bit of a mess. When Artie was done and she looked at her left forearm it looked so much smaller than the right one. It would definitely take a few days to get the muscle tone back. As she looked at her leg it was less about muscle tone than the need to clean off the dead skin and shave. All she could think about was being half orangutan.
"See," Artie said cheerfully. "It was easy. Now the Doctor wants you to just sit there and not try to stand until he comes in to see you. OK? Well, have a good day!" With that he turned and left.
….
Jane was sitting in the waiting room immersed in another six month old issue of 'Celebrities' magazine when Daria came out. She had been sitting there almost an hour. The office window had closed for lunch some time ago. It was good to see her friend without the casts. She was even walking fairly normally. Daria walked up to her, dropped the car keys in her lap, and said, "Here. You drive."
The two women walked silently out of the building, got into the car, Jane adjusted the driver's seat and mirrors. Then they drove off. To Jane the silence was deafening. She glanced at Daria and said," What's up amiga? Didn't he clear you to return to work? Did your x-rays or tests show that something else is wrong? Talk to me!"
Staring out the window Daria said quietly, "He gave me the return to work letter and my x-rays are fine. My bones have healed. I'll be back in my office at Lawndale State tomorrow."
Pulling up to a red stoplight Jane turned to Daria and said almost breathlessly," So something came up in your laboratory work? What is it? I'm here for you Daria. I always have been. Please tell me what is wrong!"
Daria just turned and looked out the window. By this time they were only a couple of blocks from Coffee King. Jane drove them there parked in the lot and insisted that they go in for a coffee and a bite to eat – her treat. Jane got a medium latte and a cheese filled croissant. Daria ordered a skinny decaffeinated latte with a cheese and spinach croissant. They picked up their order and went to a table in the most secluded corner of the shop.
"OK. Out with it Sloane," Jane said. "I know you too well after all of these years for you to fool me. You are almost never this morose. You never order decaffeinated coffee or tea. And spinach? You won't even order spinach on a pizza. Now tell me what is up so that I can help. If I have to I will sit here and stare at you until you tell me. Besides, I have the car keys."
Daria was looking down and picking at her croissant. She turned her eyes up to Jane and said, "I'm pregnant."
Jane just sat there looking at her oldest and best friend. This was the friend that she loved most in the world. Just when her friend thought that she was about to reclaim her world as it was before the accident things had changed. The change was not just something minor or temporary, but a change that would affect her for the rest of her life. It would affect her relationship with Tom as they became parents. It would affect their relationship as Daria's priorities would always first be her child.
Jane said with a smile, "I guess it would be stupid of me to ask how that happened."
Still looking at her dismembered croissant Daria whispered, "Yes it would be stupid." Then she looked up at Jane and momentarily gave her a half smile.
"Have you told Tom yet?" Jane asked.
"No," Daria whispered.
With a touch of conspiracy in her voice Jane ordered Daria, "Then text him right now! Write a text with just the word 'pregnant' in it. Let's see how he responds. Otherwise I will do it."
"You wouldn't," Daria said.
"I will," Jane replied as she reached for her phone.
Daria reached out and touched Jane's hand and said, "No. I will do it."
Daria pulled out her phone and texted Tom just the word 'pregnant.' Then the two women sat, sipped their coffees, ate their croissants, and waited.
About five minutes later Daria's phone vibrated. She looked at it. She showed the text to Jane it was simply: '?'
Daria texted Tom: 'I'm pregnant. Keep secret.'
About thirty seconds later she received his reply: 'Where r u'
Daria shot back immediately: 'Coffee King'
Tom replied: 'B there 10 min'
"OK," Daria said to Jane. "He is on his way. Now we will see what happens."
Jane could tell that the little game with Tom had at least started to improve Daria's mood. She also knew that no one could improve Daria's mood like Tom. Even she could not improve Daria's mood like Tom. So, for the next ten minutes she engaged Daria with the progress Trent and Monique were making using the system Tom and Jim had created.
Tom flew in the door. He had not even taken the time to button his coat and it was flying behind him like a cape. He came right over to the table, scooped up his wife and without even saying anything gave her a huge kiss. Daria responded and Jane just sat and watched.
When the two came up for air Daria said, "Sit down Tom." They both sat and held hands at the table.
Daria looked at her husband, "Dr. Prasad ran a pregnancy test among other things. It shows that I am pregnant. Since I wasn't pregnant at the time of the accident that means I am only about three weeks along. We should probably wait until I am through the first trimester before telling everyone, though obviously Jane already knows. My guess is that she will blab this to Jim."
"You seem troubled, Daria," Tom said with a very serious tone.
"You know I don't like surprises, unless I cook them up myself," she said giving Tom her half-smile. "I have been expecting everything to go back the way it was before the accident. Now it won't and I do not know what is ahead. What kind of mother will I be? I have my career. I have my interests. I have you. I don't want to be like my mother – so absorbed by her work that she neglected us. I can't imagine neglecting you or our child. I will admit only to you and Jane that I am scared."
"It is a big change, sweet love of mine. We will work together to build our family. You will not neglect our children and I will not neglect you or them. You will not be like your mother and I will not be like my father or yours. We will plan. We will build. We will love. Don't be afraid. Look for the people around you to support you. I love you more than anything. I am here for you. Even if Jane is not physically here she is never more than a phone call away. Your sister can tell you all about pregnancy and she will be moving here soon. I will bet that even Monique would be more than happy to help you any way she can. Also, your mother has had a couple of kids. She knows something about pregnancy as well. You have new and experienced mothers around you. Others like Father Tim would be happy to help you as well. This is a joy not a burden. At the risk of sounding like Father Tim this is something which will enlarge our circle of love. It will not take away anything! Now we just need to be sure you have the best obstetrician around."
"Dr. Prasad arranged an appointment for me," Daria said. "Dr. Lundt is new in town. She took over Dr. Weaver's practice. He is the one my mom went to for years before he retired. Dr. Prasad said that she has already got the attention of the other doctors in this town. She graduated from Harvard Medical School and the rest of her resume is just as impressive. I will see her in two weeks. Now the only problem is that I have to stay away from caffeine and alcohol!"
"That might cramp your style at the club!" Tom said with feigned shock. All three of the friends laughed. Then Tom went on, "I have to get back to the office, but I will leave right at five this evening." Turning to Jane he said, "Why don't you and Jim come over? We can have a little clandestine celebration."
"We will be there," Jane said.
Tom left and Daria looked over at Jane and said, "OK. Give me back my keys Lane. We need to go over to the university and take care of this paperwork. Then we have to figure out what to make for this 'clandestine celebration' my husband is talking about."
Jane and Daria finished their coffees and left the coffee shop. They ran the needed errands with Daria behind the wheel. She dropped Jane off at Casa Lane and headed home to get things started for the evening.