Families Read online

  “You’d better get back inside before you get too cold,” Debbie said.

  They both started walking to the door.

  “Maybe you need to crochet me a nice warm sweater like yours.” He opened and held the door for her to go inside.

  She looked at him and smiled. “Thank you, Robert.”

  “Anytime, but you have to promise to communicate with me, no matter what the subject.”

  “I promise, and the same for you.”

  With the snap of a finger, June was there. School was out, and the house was always full of children playing and laughing.

  The church ladies had a baby shower for Gini, and Kensy helped Debbie and Gini furnish and decorate the nursery. The area rug looked like soccer ball skins sewn together; the walls were light yellow with red pinstripes broadly spaced; and the curtains had blue, yellow, and red sailboats. The three pieces of furniture were boyish: a wood rocker sat at the end of the crib, and a recliner was in front of the window for Gini to use when breastfeeding.

  Gini insisted she wear the yellow hard hat any time she was in the baby’s room when they were painting, decorating, or moving furniture.

  She was much larger at this stage than she had been with Jessica, but Gini was always full of energy and totally involved in Jessica’s activities.

  Debbie had asked Linda after Gini’s last appointment if she was sure Gini was carrying only one child.

  “I’ve listened and checked,” Linda said, having the same suspicion. “But there’s only one. For one thing, Gini is carrying Robbie much higher than she did Jessie, and I think we could have her due date a little late. Robbie seems to be further along in development than twenty-eight weeks. We’ll keep an eye on it. As long as her vitals are normal, we’re in good shape.”

  Debbie took Gini’s blood pressure and checked her blood sugar every day. Neither had ever been out of the norm.

  In mid-June, Catherine and Jose came to spend the weekend. It was quite comical watching the two women try to hug each other with their protruding tummies keeping them apart.

  “Oh Lordy, honey, we should just join the circus as the two rounded ladies,” Catherine said, finally giving up and hugging Gini from the side.

  Gini laughed and laughed.

  After a while, Robert motioned for Jose to follow him, and the two men went out back and smoked a couple of Robert’s fine cigars while the ladies talked about baby gear, nutrition, and health.

  When they were done eating dinner, Jessica announced they were going to play braille cards.

  “Braille cards?” Catherine questioned. “Like read-with-your-fingers braille?”

  “Yes,” Jessica said, running around the kitchen table getting everything set up. “Mama always wins, but it’s fun, you’ll see.”

  “Jose, do you know braille?” Catherine asked.

  “No, Carino.” He kissed her on the cheek.

  Catherine pulled Jessica up to her side with her arm around her. “So, here’s the deal, babe; your mama always wins because she’s the only one that can read braille.”

  “I can read it. We all can read the braille cards,” Jessica said, standing close to Catherine’s face.

  “And what game are we playing?”

  “Blackjack.”

  “Holy crap, you’re nine and play blackjack?”

  Jessica giggled. “Aunt Catherine, I’m almost seven, not nine.”

  “Well, that’s even worse.”

  Gini had been tickled through the whole conversation. Robert sat next to her with his arm on the back of her chair, quite amused as well.

  Debbie dealt two cards to everyone.

  Catherine, still holding on to Jessica, said, “Now what?”

  Jessica rubbed her finger over the cards. “You have sixteen; you need to hit.”

  “Let’s see; you count to twenty, and then jump up, right?”

  “No.” Jessica giggled. “Twenty-one and then you yell blackjack if you get a face card and ace.”

  Catherine slowly moved her finger over the raised bumps. “This is going to be interesting.” She looked at Debbie.

  Debbie picked up one of her cards and turned it so Catherine could see the card name on the other side at the top.

  “Okay, then. Let’s take down the queen,” Catherine said, lifting up her cards.

  Everyone at the table was laughing. It was always fun to be with Catherine.

  They played for over an hour. Finally, Catherine pushed back her chair and stretched. “Uncle, I give up! The queen still stands. I think this fat lady needs to go to bed.”

  “Okay, my sweet Corino.” Jose helped her get up.

  The two men took their wives to bed, and the house became quiet. Debbie shook her head, still smiling, and cleaned up the kitchen.

  It was July second. The days were long, and this day had been extremely hot. After a morning at the country club with Jessica, Debbie noticed how tired Gini looked.

  “I think a nice long nap would be perfect right about now,” she said to Gini.

  “Oh, yes. Dee… bee, sleep, wiff, Guiney.”

  “Sure,” Debbie said.

  It took no time for Gini to fall asleep. She was up around four but back to bed shortly after eight.

  Robert had been called in on a case and had been in surgery since around three o’clock.

  Debbie went in to check on Gini at nine. She was in the middle of the bed with her knees up and head back, in a deep, deep sleep.

  Around eleven Robert walked in. Debbie was just getting ready to go to be with Gini.

  “Robert.”

  “I’m so glad I don’t do this daily anymore,” he said, weary.

  “How’s your patient?”

  Robert just shook his head.

  “Sorry.”

  “We tried but just couldn’t get her back.”

  Every time Robert lost a patient, it saddened him deeply, for he knew if he could save the person, they’d have a chance to live a meaningful life. Gini had taught him so well.

  “Gini sleeping?” He wasn’t really aware of the time.

  “For some time. I wish I could sleep like her. To go deep somewhere where there’s no sound, no light, just empty peaceful bliss and wake up to a new and wonderful day every single morning.”

  “Yeah, me too. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He walked into the bedroom.

  Once in bed, he pulled Gini close to him and wrapped his arms around her from the back. She didn’t react. He could feel the baby actively moving, baby parts jabbing out here and then there. How Gini wasn’t disturbed, he didn’t know. He rubbed gently on her skin until he fell asleep.

  Chapter 16—Finding Peace

  Suddenly Gini called out; her body, stretched flat on her back, arched. Robert woke with a jolt. When he saw Gini, he reached over; her tummy was tight and hard—her body jerking.

  “Debbie!” he screamed.

  “Debbie!” he yelled again.

  She finally woke enough to hear his cries and she ran into their room.

  “Gini’s in labor and having a seizure. Call 911.”

  “Oh, God.” She ran back to her room to get her phone.

  Gini’s tummy softened, and her body relaxed. He brushed her hair back from her face.

  “Rob… ber,” she said quietly.

  “I’m right here. You just rest.”

  “She’s about thirty weeks,” Debbie was saying when she walked back in the room. “No, I’ll call her doctor. Please just get someone here now.”

  “Dee… bee.”

  “Oh, baby.” Debbie looked at Robert. “They’re on their way.”

  “Stay with her.” He got up and came back with his stethoscope and checked Gini, then the baby. Gini continued to lie comfortably on the bed.

  “I’m going to get dressed,” he said, and quickly left the room.

  “Ah…” Gini yelled. Her body stiffened, and she started to jerk. Debbie rolled her over on her side. There was nothing she could do but wait for the seizure to pass a
nd make sure Gini didn’t injure herself.

  Robert ran back in—dressed—and put his hand on her tummy. “Another contraction.”

  Debbie nodded. Then Gini relaxed.

  After a few minutes, she opened her eyes. “Rob… ber, no, be… uff, a… lone.”

  Debbie got up to go get dressed.

  “No, sweetheart, I’m never going to leave you alone.”

  “Rob… bie, no, be… uff, born.”

  “Gini, just rest for now. We’re going to take care of everything. Help is on the way.”

  Debbie called Linda, and Linda said she’d meet them at the hospital. Then she went to Alyssa’s door and tapped quietly and opened it. “Alyssa… Alyssa.”

  Aly sat up. “What, what time is it?”

  Debbie went to her. “It’s the middle of the night. Gini’s in labor and having seizures. The ambulance is on the way. You need to go with Jessica. Cover her ears if you can so she won’t hear the siren. It will frighten her.”

  “Okay.” Alyssa went straight to Jessica’s room and closed the door.

  Debbie waited at the front door, hearing the siren in the distance.

  Gini had closed her eyes and appeared to be asleep.

  “Dr. Young,” the paramedic said when they entered the room.

  He checked Gini’s vitals and put an IV in her hand.

  “No… be, fray.”

  “No, there’s no need to be afraid,” he said kindly. “We’ve got you covered.”

  “Care… uff, Rob… bie. Care… uff, Rob… ber. No, be, fray.”

  “Ready. Let’s get her out of here.”

  Robert was calm, thankful Gini was awake and alert.

  “I’m going with her,” he said to Debbie as they all made their way to the front door.

  “I’ll meet you there. Linda’s waiting for you.” She hugged him. “Gini’s strong.”

  “I know.”

  The ambulance didn’t sound its siren until they got out of the neighborhood.

  Debbie went back and peeked into Jessica’s room. Alyssa was lying in the double bed with her. She quietly got up and went to Debbie.

  “They’re taking her to the hospital. Robert’s with her and I’m taking the car.”

  “Good. Jessica didn’t hear anything. Debbie, is this serious?”

  “Gini was awake and alert when they left. We’ll take care of her.”

  “Please, call me and let me know what’s going on.”

  “I will.”

  It was about a ten-minute drive to the hospital. Gini spoke a few words but mostly lay quiet. Robert was holding her hand and rubbing her fingers on his lips. He had his other hand on her tummy; it was soft, and the baby was moving, so Robert knew he was probably doing okay.

  The paramedic was communicating to the hospital. “She’s in her mid-thirties. Appears she’s in premature labor. The baby’s not in position. He’s quite active but not distressed. She had two seizures with labor contractions before we got there. She’s awake and alert now and doesn’t seem to be in any discomfort.”

  “Rob… ber. No, be, fray.”

  “Shh, we’re almost there. Don’t talk, just rest.”

  Gini’s face fell to the side, and her body jerked hard.

  Jessica sat straight up in bed. “Mama!” she cried.

  “Gini,” Robert called.

  The paramedic turned her head and checked her eyes. “She’s stroking.”

  The ambulance was just backing into the bay. Robert stood up and opened both of her eyelids. Her right pupil had widened all the way.

  “She’s having a stroke,” the paramedic said when the hospital personnel opened the back doors. “Let’s go.”

  Robert stood stunned for a moment, then jumped out and ran to the gurney. “We’ve got her, Dr. Young.”

  “I’m going with her.”

  “Doctor.” A woman ran up beside him. “Please, you have to fill out the paperwork. The doctors are ready for her. Please, stay with me.”

  Robert’s heart was pounding, and he felt as if his knees were going to collapse. He filled out the pages as quickly as he could.

  Debbie parked and walked up next to him inside. He turned and looked at her.

  “Robert, what’s wrong?” She saw a tremendous fear in his eyes.

  He scribbled his signature, pushed the paper toward the nurse, and turned to run into the ER. “Gini had a stroke.”

  The words hit Debbie like a wall of bricks. She put her arm across her waist and her hand on her mouth. Her body shimmied with fear.

  The nurse came from behind the desk and took Debbie into her arms. “I’m sorry, Debbie, so, so sorry.”

  Robert ran through the double doors and saw both John and Linda at Gini’s side. Gini’s body was arched up again, another contraction. Everyone was hurrying to get the brain and other monitors hooked up to her.

  “Let’s get her upstairs,” John commanded.

  The nurse slowly walked Debbie to the waiting room seating. “Can I call anyone for you?”

  Debbie quickly shook her head. Then shook it again a few seconds later. The nurse sat with her arm around Debbie to comfort her until the sounds of sirens approached the building. She got up to go back to reception. “Sorry, I have to go.”

  Alyssa was rocking Jessica in her arms to calm her down. “I’m here, so don’t be frightened,” she said to console the little girl.

  “Mama is calling me. She needs me.”

  “You just had a bad dream.”

  “My mama is not here.” She looked at Alyssa.

  Alyssa knew she couldn’t lie to her. Jessica knew something was up.

  “I don’t want you to worry. Your dad and Debbie are with your mama. We’re going to stay here and take care of the place, okay?”

  “Daddy’s afraid.”

  “No, your dad’s strong and so is your mom. And I know you are too.”

  She finally got Jessica to go back to sleep.

  Debbie sat staring at the wall. There was a lot of commotion on the other side when they brought in the new patient. She opened her purse and rummaged through it until she found her phone.

  “Dee… it’s late.”

  “She’s going to die.”

  “Who’s going to die?”

  “Gini had a stroke, and the baby—”

  “Stay right where you are. I’m coming to you. Tell me where you are.”

  “ER waiting room.”

  Kensy put her phone on speaker while she got presentable and talked to Debbie all the way to the hospital.

  When she walked in, her phone was to her ear. She pointed to Debbie when the nurse looked at her, and the nurse motioned for Kensy to go on in.

  “I’m right behind you.”

  Debbie stood, and the two women embraced.

  Debbie sat back down, and Kensy knelt in front of her. “Dee, we have to be strong. Strong for Gini and for that little girl.”

  “I don’t want my baby to die.”

  “Nobody has said anything about her dying. Come on, you know as well as I do, this hospital is full of the best doctors. Where’s your faith? Yes, we need to grab onto our faith.” She got up and sat next to Debbie and put her arm around her.

  Debbie had her face in her hands and started crying, finally out of the shock and starting to understand the reality.

  Alyssa paced back and forth at the front door. She hadn’t heard a word. That was not good—it had been a long time. She opened the door when the car lights flashed pulling up in the driveway.

  The pastor wrapped her up in his arms when he got to the door.

  “Daniel,” she said, “I’m so worried.”

  Vicky walked into the ER waiting room from the hospital side. She was glad to see Kensy with Debbie and walked up to reception. “Have you heard anything?’

  “Nope, not yet.”

  “I haven’t heard from John; that’s not encouraging.”

  “He, Dr. Nelson, and Dr. Young are with her. They’ve taken her up to neurology.”


  “Okay, thanks.”

  “Vicky.” Kensy stood and they hugged.

  Vicky sat on the other side of Debbie and took her hand. “Can I get you some coffee, something to eat?”

  Debbie took a deep breath and wiped her nose. “Coffee sounds good.”

  “Kensy?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Vicky’s phone vibrated when she was in the coffee area. It was John.

  We’ve got Gini stabilized. Robbie is born and doing well. Cute little guy. Gini had a small stroke on her right side. We are getting some response from her. We treated her immediately, so I think she’s going to be okay. We just have to make sure there are no complications. Robert’s a mess. Where are you?

  I’m in the ER waiting room with Debbie and Kensy. Debbie’s taking it hard.

  Let me see if I can’t get Robert to take something to calm him down, and then I’ll come to you.

  Okay, I’ll let you talk to Debbie when you get here.

  Vicky took two cups of coffee to the ladies, then went back to get a couple of jelly rolls and a coffee for herself. She was taking her time so John could get there. When she looked up, Reverend Gilbert was talking to Debbie. She walked to them.

  “Let’s take a moment to pray,” he said. “Dear Lord, lift up our spirits and take away our fears. Put Your hand on Gini and Robert and their family in this time of need. We trust Your love and look to You for guidance. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Kensy said. She was holding Debbie’s hand tight and could feel her quivering.

  Debbie put her head back and let out a big sigh.

  The double doors opened, and Robert walked through with John and Linda behind him.

  Debbie immediately ran to them. “Robert!”

  They hugged and started crying into each other’s shoulders.

  The others followed Debbie and joined the group.

  “She’s going to be okay. The stroke was minimal, on her right side,” John reported.

  Debbie cried harder and squeezed tighter.

  John put his hand on her shoulder. “We’ll have to step up her therapy, but I have all the confidence in the world that she will recover.”

  Linda hugged Vicky. “Robbie is a big boy. Although he’s a preemie, I’d say only a couple of weeks early. He has curly dark hair and dimples like his mama, right, Robert?”