The date was December 27th. Roger and I had gotten so much for our baby at Christmas and we didn’t know where to put most of it. Today was the big day. We were interviewing four people for the position of nurse midwife. Most of the applicants had applied for the simple fact that they knew it was midwife job for a celebrity couple. The four we had chosen seemed to be the best candidates in terms of experience, and genuine interest in Roger and me instead of the romance of being the nurse midwife that would ultimately add ‘cared for the Taylor baby’s mother’ to their resume. Roger was typically quite cordial with the press and the media and until it involved me. He wanted a midwife who hadn’t any previous experience with celebrity couples and he wanted a midwife who doted over me and not him. We scheduled our interviews for 9:00, 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00. I was jealous because Roger looked positively handsome for our interviews and I looked like a pregnant lady. We had prepared a pot of coffee, a pot of tea and set out some assorted appetizers we had ordered in. We were all set for our day of interviews; a little nervous but ready to get them completed and get someone hired.
Mary held Michael in her arms, rubbing and patting his back and soothing him. He was very close to going down for his nap and Robert had already fallen asleep. Veronica sighed as she retuned to the living room where Mary sat on the couch. “Well, Robbie is fast asleep.” She said, seeing that Michael was beginning to relax and drift off himself. Mary continued to soothe him. “Do you want me to take him?” Veronica asked. Mary shook her head.
“He’s fine. Just let him fall asleep.” She said, giving Veronica a soft smile. She had stopped by for the afternoon. John was out for the day with his parents and Veronica, at home with the boys.
“So, how was Christmas?” Veronica asked, all smiles. “John and I had a most wonderful time at his parents’ house. Oh, you should have seen how cute the boys were. It really felt like Christmas…having John home and seeing how very relaxed and content he seemed. He just acts like touring is eating on him this time around.” Veronica said. Mary smiled again as Michael began to fall asleep. She continued to rub his back, averting her gaze to the couch. Veronica watched her carefully.
“Do you want to tell me why you’re so very quiet?” Veronica asked as Mary looked up to meet her stare. She sighed.
“I’m sorry. You asked me over and I’m not being a very good friend.” Mary said.
“Mary, what’s wrong?” Veronica asked, being able to see that she clearly wasn’t herself. Mary sighed a bit nervously.
“I haven’t mentioned this to anyone. I’ve been….I’ve been occupied. Since around November, I’ve been doing some research.” She paused. “Freddie called me, from the United States early in the tour. He…he was complaining of some…some physical symptoms.” She said. Veronica had a peculiar look on her face. “You know, kind of like when you get the flu. Things like swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, headaches….sweating, sickness to his stomach....” She said as Michael had fallen asleep.
“So, it sounds like flu symptoms, yes?” Veronica questioned. Mary shook her head.
“It sounds like the flu, you’re right. The thing is…is this. Freddie has been complaining of these flu symptoms for over a month. It’s been the same things over and over….the same complaints every time I’ve spoken with him. He…” Mary exhaled heavily, her breath shuddering. She had to hand Michael over to Veronica to wipe her eyes.
