The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 59 - Living with Greg and Susan

Mrs. Abernathy rose earlier than she usually did on Saturday morning. She thought she was hearing footsteps and voices coming from upstairs and came up to the kitchen in her bathrobe to investigate, only to find Susan and Greg having their breakfast quietly together.

"Good morning, Mom," Susan said.

"Good morning," Mrs. Abernathy said. "My, you're up early."

"Greg's going to the early service so we can have more time to shop this afternoon," Susan explained.

"I hope to be back no later than eleven," Greg added.

"That should give us plenty of time to shop," Mrs. Abernathy commented.

"I hope so," Susan said. "There's the Christmas shopping to finish, and Greg wanted to look at sound systems today, plus there's the appliances we wanted to pick up for your little apartment. Also I wanted to go by the pharmacy and pick up a blood pressure cuff today."

"Are you really going to do that?" Greg asked in surprise.

"I think we should, don't you? After what Dr. Daniels told us yesterday?" Susan asked.

"He seemed more worried about your head than your blood pressure, Susan," Greg reminded her.

"Yes, but the two are connected. I think being able to take my blood pressure here at home will help us keep an eye on the situation," Susan said.

"Why? What did the doctor say, Susan?" Mrs. Abernathy asked curiously.

"He said problems with my pregnancy could cause my blood pressure to go up," Susan said.

"Yes. Placental separation and preeclampsia can do that," Mrs. Abernathy agreed. "That's what you had before. That's what caused you to lose the baby."

"Except there is more to it than that now," Susan said.

"Due to Susan's more recent medial history, high blood pressure from any cause could be extremely dangerous for her ... life threatening even due to the micro fragments of bone lodged on the surface of her brain," Greg explained. "He's given us a specific list of signs and symptoms to be on the lookout for related to that."

"And one of them is any sign my blood pressure may be up. I don't want to wait until I have a headache to find that out," Susan said. "I think getting a blood pressure cuff so I can monitor it regularly is a much better idea."

"It does sound like it," Mrs. Abernathy agreed as Greg rose from the table.

"You're going to have to teach me how to use it so I can help you with it," Greg cautioned.

"I can do that," Susan assured him. "And I have every confidence you can learn."

"With you teaching me, I'm sure I can. I've got to get ready to go," Greg said kissing his wife on the cheek. "Stay here, finish your coffee with your mother," he said firmly when she started to get up too. "Promise me you will take it easy this morning? Try not to do too much before I get home to help you?"

"I promise," Susan said. "Besides, I've got Mom here to help. She'll help me get breakfast ready for the kids."

"You can be sure of it," Mrs. Abernathy told him.

Greg smiled at the two of them. "Thank you," he told them. "I'll be back soon."

Greg left them talking over coffee as he disappeared in the direction of their bedroom, and a short time later, Susan heard the library bookcase closing.

"I'll never get used to that," Mrs. Abernathy commented, shaking her head.

"You might, if you stay here long enough. It's a much faster way to get to the car in the garage than going around. And, there's no stairs, a definite plus.''