The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 69 - Adjusting to the News

Susan and her parents were just sitting down to a lunch of soup and relishes when Greg came to find them in the eating area adjacent to the kitchen.

"Susan, I need to go. Cathy needs me in the office this afternoon to help work out our modified itinerary," Greg said. "I'm sorry, but I have to be there to help her with it."

"I understand," Susan assured him. "I'm sorry you have to do that. I know how much work it takes to set up a trip like that for so many people."

"It can't be helped. And Cathy at least, understands why I need to cancel. I believe my team will too, eventually," Greg told her.

"At least you have your priorities straight, son," Mr. Abernathy said in approval.

Greg looked at his father-in-law in surprise. He'd never addressed him in quite that way before. It represented a subtle shift in Mr. Abernathy's attitude towards him he thought, and he wasn't immediately certain what precipitated it.

"Thank you," Greg said genuinely as he bent to kiss his wife good bye on her cheek.

"Won't you at least have lunch first?" Mrs. Abernathy asked.

"No, thank you. I'll grab something on the way. Susan, I'll probably be late," Greg cautioned.

Susan nodded. "I'll be here ... all week. See you later, Greg."

Greg smiled, picked up a stack of papers from a shelf in the library and left through the bookcase door.

c

"Do you have any idea what you'd like to do this afternoon?" Mrs. Abernathy asked her daughter, trying to distract her from her departing husband.

"Some. I've been thinking, Mom. I wonder if I should plan to take all my meals except dinner at the little table in the library. That way I'd only go up and down the stairs once per day. That might be better," Susan mused.

"Better than spending the day in the family room?" Mr. Abernathy asked. "There's no TV in the library, Susan. What would you do?"

"There is one in my room, if I really want to watch something. But I really don't like watching TV all that much. The library is on the same level as my bedroom and a bathroom. I have my personal lap top there I can use and a comfortable place to sit to use it or to read books. There's the fireplace we never make use of. We could build a fire. It could be very cozy. I could pretend I'm on vacation instead of confined to nearly bed rest," Susan suggested.

"If that's what you'd rather do, of course we can do that," Mrs. Abernathy agreed.

"Thank you, Mom. I think what I need to do first is to call Zackary and Jessie's pediatrician. Maybe I can make a phone appointment with him to talk about the baby. He might have some idea what sort of specialist we should have involved," Susan said, aloud.

"That might be a very good idea, Sue," her mother said in an encouraging tone.

"It sounds like a very constructive way to spend your time," Mr. Abernathy added in an approving tone. "I'll even build you a fire."

Susan smiled. "Thanks, Dad."

The family talked over lunch. Afterwards, Mr. Abernathy helped his daughter move smoothly and gently to the library where she settled herself in for the afternoon. He built a fire, Mrs. Abernathy brought her some tea, and Susan busied herself on the phone and at her computer for the rest of the day. She was still there, moving very little, but keeping herself busy when Jessie and Zackary each came home after school.

c

"Hi Mama," Jessie came to greet Susan after being told where she was by Mrs. Abernathy.

"Hi Jessie. Are you the only one home? Or is Zack home too?"