What Comes Next?

While I'm Away

It had been nearly three months since my father passed. Time had gone slower than ever, especially without his smiling face. Tracey is in her last trimester,and popping anyday now! I couldn't just sit anymore,Don made me go back to work. I guess the movie was ready to proceed filming anyways.
As I changed from my costume back into my real clothes my phone rang.
"Hello?" I didn't recognize the number.
"Meryl, it's Tracey! Just letting you know that I am starting to have contractions,and I called Don." No! This can't happen. I am in Italy....
"Tracey are you going into labor." I didn't want to ask.
"Yes, Meryl I think I am! Is there anyway you can make it back here in time? I had listed down that Don and you would be in the delivery room with me. I don't think Don can handle this without you...."
"Shit! Tracey I can't. It's not possible.... time wise,or work wise. I just got back, the producer would be furious if I left again. I am coming home in two days though!"
"Okay, Meryl I just wanted you to know!"
Oh great! The birth of my child and I'm not there!
Deep in thought the phone rang again.
"Girl,Girl! Trace is gonna pop babe... can you make it home? Seriously!"
Don sounded like he had been on cocaine,damn.
"Babe,no I can't,but I'll be home in two days... can you get through this alone?" As if I were asking a child. Then it dawned on me. Tomorrow would have been dad's birthday. "Honey, listen to me! Tomorrow was dad's birthday, please call ma and tell her what's going on! It will make her day! But, I have to go, I love you!"
Don uttered the words "I love you" and hung up. I had to wipe tears from my eyes.

October 3,1984

My flight had still not even boarded, and I was desperate! Normally I would be at home, waking, and ready to go visit my father on his birthday. Not today! Today was the day! Tracey was induced and ready.

"Tracey! Tracey I just need you to breathe and push! In and out, repeating over." Don was being the best coach he knew how to be,  by just caring! I had finally boarded the plane and my mother was going to pick me up when I landed! I was nervous.... normally I don't get nervous, but for some reason I was.  The thought of being a mother, scared the shit out of me! Why though? I feel as if Don and I are ready. I hope!  As I pondered on this very thought, I drifted into a deep sleep!

The sun had awaken me from my slumber. We had only about thirty minutes before we landed. the time passed and before I knew it I was back in America! As I got off the plane I checked out my bag, and I saw my mother.  Smiling! This feeling melted my heart, she hadn't smiled since dad died!

"Meryl! Hi mother! I'm so excited! New mommy!" She was ecstatic! I was nauseous.

"Hi mom! Tracey had the baby? I hate not being connected! I'm here now though! Are you okay? How was yesterday for you?" I felt horrible for ruining her joy, but I had to know! It was killing me, literally ! As we walked to the station wagon, she jabbed about going to visit dad's grave. I kept strong through the conversation, because someone had to be! Driving was hell! It was silent. I got more nervous as we approached the hospital! We pulled in an made our way up! I opened the door.

"MERYL!  Honey YOU'RE HERE!" Don was ecstatic to see me! I ran into his arms, completely ignoring Tracey.

"Don, hi! Oh My God, I missed you so much! WE HAVE A BABY?!?!?!?!?!?!" God those words were weird to say. As I put a kibosh to the chatter, I turned to Tracey.

"Hi peanut how are you,you okay?"

"I'm okay! The baby is fine.... Meryl don't be mad.... but Don and I named him!" She sounded apologetic.

Okay. Okay. That's fine. I didn't want the pressure anyways.

Don turned to me with an expression I had never seen.

"Meryl we named him Henry.... Henry WOLFE Gummer."

I lost it. My eyes formed tears as big as the ocean. " You named after Dad?" I could barely get  that out.

"Yes babe..... I thought it suited since he was born at 11:59 p.m." Don had a smirk on his face.

"He was born on Dads birthday?" At that moment I knew that I had my own little angel!

As the nurse came in, she was holding little Henry. She handed him over. I looked into that precious face. Felt nauseous. I handed him quickly to Don!

Then I woke up in a hospital bed.