Chapter 33

Thursday, June 18, 1987 - Afternoon

By Thursday afternoon, being Julie's main caretaker began to take its toll on Donovan. He'd sat in the respiratory therapist's waiting room while she underwent a series of treatments which took twice as long as they had on Tuesday. It was only after they returned to his place, Donovan discovered Maggie's message on his answering machine. She'd be late for her Julie sitting appointment. Since Julie's fall yesterday, Donovan didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone for any length of time. He opted to wait for Maggie, baring whatever consequences Pierce might throw at him.

At a quarter to four, Donovan checked his newsroom cubicle for Pierce's assignment sheet and didn't find it.

"Mick wants to see you in his office, A.S.A.P.," said Melissa Foxx from her adjacent workspace.

Donovan walked to Pierce's office, hoping for a big story, something to get his mind off Julie.

Pierce lounged at his desk; feet propped up, cigar in hand. "Well lookie who made it in."

"Traffic," Donovan lied, hoping it would satisfy his boss. "I doubt it." Pierce grinned. "Where were you yesterday?"

Donovan shrugged. "With my son?"

"Really? … Sean called here last night looking for you. He said you hadn't seen him since Friday."

Donovan closed the door for privacy. It was time to come clean about the situation.

"Julie was released from the hospital on Monday. I've been helping her." He took a seat in the swivel chair. "I had Nicholson work for me on Monday and Tuesday. I would've been here last night, but Julie's not strong enough to be on her own yet."

"What's going on, Mike?"

"They released her prematurely due to insurance issues. I've got her at my place."

"How is she?"

He swallowed, remembering how much she'd depended on him to take care of herself this morning and yesterday.

"In need of a lot of help."

"Have they indicated how long it will take her to recover?"

"At least another month."

"You plan to keep her with you that long?" Pierce's eyes widened.

"As long as it takes."

"You must still care for her a great deal then."

Donovan didn't respond. He knew all too well how deeply he still cared for Julie, and the awkwardness he felt to be near her, especially after what she'd said about their deceased son.

Pierce shoved a paper at him. "Did you see the ratings on the interview Nicholson did with you last week?"

Donovan studied the figures and smiled. KDHB had attained the highest viewership share throughout the region. Then it donned on Donovan, he'd forgotten to have a copy of the interview made for Julie.

"Maybe if you interview her, we'd qualify for an Emmy nomination," Pierce suggested.

She won't want to be on camera yet. Not how she feels… looks.

"Will you discuss it with her?" Pierce asked. "I know a lot of people are inquiring about her Mike, especially after what you stated in your interview."

"I'll ask her."

#

Maggie went five days without visiting Julie, and felt bad for it. Between her schedule and Chris', and their lack of a trustworthy sitter, Maggie failed to get over to Donovan's house since Julie's release. She'd promised Donovan she'd stay with Julie today. While he'd explained his regular schedule permitted him to get off work at 11 P.M., Maggie realized if she waited for him to return home, it'd be almost one in the morning before she'd be home herself. She knew CJ wouldn't let her sleep in and Chris had to be at work by seven A.M.

When Maggie arrived at Donovan's house Thursday afternoon, Julie was asleep in Sean's room. Donovan said Julie's appointment exhausted her. Maggie found a sink full of dirty dishes and washed them, wondering if Donovan left them for Julie to do. Donovan's phone began to ring around four. Maggie went to answer it expecting Donovan to be on the other end.

"Donovan residence," she said.

"Who is this?" asked a grumpy male voice.

"Sean?"

"Who are you?"

"Maggie Blodgett, remember me?"

How can he remember me? I haven't seen him in four years. The last time she saw him was at Julie's graduation party, just before he was shipped off to a special school she couldn't remember the name of.

"Are you dad's girlfriend?"

She giggled at the notion. "No. I'm here with Julie."

"Julie's there?"

He doesn't know? I shouldn't have said anything…

"Where's my Dad?" Sean demanded.

"Working."

"Then why are you and Julie at our house?"

"Uh… I'll let your dad tell you."

Maggie heard footsteps and looked up to see Julie standing in the hall dressed in a pair of jeans and t-shirt.

"Who is that?" Julie asked.

"Sean," Maggie said. "He's asking for his dad."

"Can I talk to Julie?" Sean asked. He'd obviously heard her voice.

Not lifting the receiver from her mouth, Maggie looked at Julie and said, "He wants to talk to you."

Julie shrugged, hobbled over, and took the phone.

Maggie stood back and observed, finding the thought of how Julie had almost become Sean's stepmother… strange. Maggie had wanted to ask Donovan how he and Julie were getting along.

"Hi, Sean," Julie said. "Uh… no. Your dad's at work today… As far as I know, he's still coming on Saturday…" She paused and looked at Maggie mouthing, "He sounds like a man." "Why am I… here while your dad's …away?" She smiled. "You know I've been ill. I needed a place to …stay for a while. Your dad's helping me… get better."

Maggie pondered how Julie's explanation sounded to Sean, or whether or not he'd be happy about it.

"I'll give him the message… you called," Julie said. "It's good to hear… your voice. Bye, Sean." She put the receiver down.

Maggie grinned. "He didn't know you're here, huh?"

Julie lowered herself to the couch. "Yes." She took a breath. "I'm the big secret, Mike's been keeping."

"How've you been?"

"Better." Julie smiled. "I wish I could say the… same for Mike. He really went out… of his way to help me. I feel bad for him."

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to help more. How are things with Steve?"

"Mike's trying to convince him we're having an affair." Julie snorted. "Come with me, I want… to show you something."

Maggie followed Julie into a heavy metal decorated bedroom.

Julie went over to the nightstand, pulled a note card out of a gift bag and handed it to Maggie. "Read this."

Puzzled, Maggie recognized Donovan's handwriting. "My Juliet, my treasure… Inside this bag is a kiss for everyday we've been apart. Not a day has passed in which you haven't been in my heart. I am forever your Romeo." Maggie gasped. "Did Steve see this?"

Julie sat on the bed, nodding.

"You don't think Donovan means it?"

"No."

Burying the card in the candy, Maggie asked. "Do you still have feelings for him?"

With a slight shake of the head Julie said, "I'm not in love with him."

Maggie paused, contemplating what she already knew. "You know Chris told me how Donovan was all choked up during his interview about you. I wouldn't doubt he still loves you."

"We're just friends," Julie insisted, annoyance evident in her tone.

"Look, Hon." Maggie placed her hand on Julie's shoulder. "You know when you see someone whom you haven't seen in a long time, someone that you loved, and you did, those feelings can come back. And they can be strong enough to make you forget what didn't work before. Don't let him get to you."

"I'm not."

The doorbell chimed.

"I'll get it," Maggie said then walked away.

#

"Coming," Julie called back to Maggie, moments later.

She slowly walked out into the living room. Her boss, Ross Templeton, stood in the foyer, his jet-black hair slicked back. He wore a beige suit, white shirt and pinstriped tie.

Julie made a mental note she'd only given Ross Donovan's phone number, not the address. Steve was responsible for his visit.

"Hello, Ross." She faked a grin.

She felt thin and unattractive as he studied her.

"You're looking better," he said.

"Am I?" she mumbled. "You've met… my good friend Maggie Blodgett?"

"Mother to the infamous CJ." Smiling, Ross stuck out his hand.

CJ had accompanied Julie to the Memorial Day picnic, much to the chagrin of Steve.

Maggie accepted the handshake, but Ross seemed distracted.

"Julie, I won't stay long. There are things I would like to discuss, if I may have a moment alone with you."

"Sure, have a seat." Julie sat in her usual spot on the couch, next to a heap of pillows.

Maggie slipped off to the kitchen as Ross sat in the easy chair. "Steve brought it to my attention that you've obtained the research records from Science Frontiers."

Damn him, she wanted to say.

"I know you're aware of how valuable those records might be. Your friend, Mr. Donovan has obtained them legally, right?"

Wondering exactly what information Steve gave Ross, Julie didn't know how to answer the question.

"Steve stated the files came from Science Frontiers," Ross said.

Julie was glad. At least Steve didn't tell him the truth.

"Mm hmm. Kyle Bates… let us into the facility," she explained. "He said we could take whatever we needed." Guessing that was Steve's story, she remembered Kyle who still sat in the Los Angeles County Jail, waiting for his day in court over some speeding tickets.

"You've already told me it's going to be a while before you can return to work… what, four, five weeks maybe?" Ross continued. "Were you planning on looking at those records during that time?"

Julie felt her stomach knot and drew a breath. "I would like to, once… I have access to my computer. I can't leave… the house for a while."

"I understand that, and I want you to take the time to recover. But if you could help us by turning over the files, then surely it will speed up the project, if the facts are there."

That is my work in those files, research I've needed to see for a long time. If I turn them over, will I get them back?

The phone rang and Julie was grateful for the interruption. She answered it. "Hello."

"Is everything going okay?" Donovan was on the other end.

"I can't talk right now." She frowned, wanting to tell him about Sean's call. "Will you call me in a little bit?"

"After the six-thirty broadcast," he said.

"Bye, Mike." She placed the receiver on the cradle and looked at Ross again. "I understand the …importance of the project. I need a few days to …think. Can I call you… Monday?"

Ross stood. "Are you sure that's your answer?"

"It is for now." She followed him to the door.

Julie stood by the picture window, and waited until Ross' car was out of sight before she went back and picked up the phone, dialing the direct number to her and Steve's lab.

"Dr. Maitland," Steve answered.

"How dare you!" she stammered.

"What's wrong?"

"You told Ross…" She gasped, "…about the files. You just couldn't leave well enough alone… because you couldn't have your way."

"Julie I—"

"I didn't give them to him! I am really disappointed… how you went behind my back, Steve." Her pulse raced. Her head started to hurt.

"Why should I have to wait when you might have answers?"

"I'm sick… of this. You know if you don't start showing me respect and cooperate, we won't finish."

"Show you respect?" he said. "You're the one who's wasting our time by playing keep away with Donovan."

"You haven't even given me a chance to think. You know I didn't find out about those records until yesterday. What did you expect? To walk in here, tell me about it, and for me to hand them over? You have no idea how bad I feel, physically, do you?"

"I'm not trying to stress you out. You expect me to work on something which I may be going down the wrong path."

"I'm done discussing it with you. Goodbye." She hung up.