The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 74 - An Odd Day

Susan took her time with breakfast. Her mother arrived before she finished and stayed with her most of the day. Susan's contractions continued at a very slow pace, but they didn't stop and she couldn't help wondering whether or not her body would end up cooperating with or working against her doctors' plans.

"Is there anything else you need me to do for you at home?" Mrs. Abernathy asked her daughter later in the day, shortly before she was ready to go home. "I got all the baby clothes from the party washed and put away last night."

"Do you think we have enough?" Susan wondered. "I suppose we won't need them for a while, but do you think we do?"

"You could probably use more of those little t-shirts, the ones that snap under their bottom," Mrs. Abernathy suggested.

"Onesies you mean," Susan said. "Probably. I don't remember getting any of those in a newborn size."

"You didn't get anything in a newborn size, Susie. Most of the things are for when she gets a little bigger."

Susan nodded. "She's not going to be big when she arrives. I wonder if we should get a few things in the newborn size."

And she and Mrs. Abernathy began compiling a shopping list. They were almost finished and Mrs. Abernathy was just getting ready to go when Greg walked in.

"Hello," he said with a smile as he saw the two.

"Hi," Susan said with a smile.

"Hello Greg," Mrs. Abernathy replied. "I'm glad I caught you. Dick and I thought we'd stay home with the children tonight. We found out this morning Zackary has homework he didn't finish last night and Jessie's T-ball practice goes relatively late this afternoon."

"And doesn't Matt have to work?" Susan added.

"Exactly," Mrs. Abernathy said. "We thought perhaps they could call you at bedtime. Would that be all right? Then we can plan to bring them to see you tomorrow night."

Susan furrowed her brow slightly. What her mother said made sense, but she was disappointed. She'd been looking forward to seeing them that evening since she'd been feeling better.

"Greg, are you going home tonight to see them?" Susan asked.

"I was wondering if I should. I really could use a change of clothes if I'm going to continue to stay here," Greg said.

"Maybe you should. I hate that we're both away and out of touch with them," Susan said.

"Then why don't I do that?" Greg said. "I'll stay with you here until Dr. Daniels arrives, then I'll go home for dinner and spend the evening with the children there. I can be back by nine to spend the night with you."

"That sounds like the best plan," Susan agreed.

"We'll see you at home around supper time," Mrs. Abernathy said to Greg. "Good night, Susan. "I may do some of the shopping we talked about before I come see you."

"Good night, Mom," Susan called. "See you tomorrow."

Greg listened with Susan as Mrs. Abernathy's footfalls faded away.

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"How are you?" he asked after they were gone.

"Pretty good. Today was much better than yesterday. I'm still having these mini-contractions though," Susan said.

"How often?" Greg asked curiously.

"About one every hour or so. It hasn't been much more than that."

Their conversation drifted and Greg and Susan talked about other things for about an hour when Dr. Daniels walked in, asking Susan the very same thing. She gave him the same answer and his response was,