The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 89 - A Busy Day...

Saturday was the Sabbath, in theory the day of rest for those of the Jewish faith. Greg reflected on that as he got up early, accompanied by Susan. He was going to services at the local synagogue while she was going to feed their baby. He was planning to be back by ten and she was too, but even before they left, both Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were up too, getting ready for the day.

"I'll take the kids to their games. Do you need anything while I'm out?" Mr. Abernathy asked his wife.

She handed him a list and they were already talking about the things they needed to get done before the interviews began later that morning. Susan hesitated as she went out the door. Her father was in his eighties and her mother in her late seventies. Neither one of them should be working so hard. But she convinced herself it was just for another day or two and hurried out the door.

***

Melody was crying hardily by the time Susan got to the hospital. She fed her daughter but her mind wasn't on it, and she found herself feeling annoyed when she was faced with a dirty diaper to change before heading home again.

"I'm sorry, Melody," Susan apologized to her daughter. "I'm not feeling like myself today. We're all coming to see you this afternoon though. I'll try to be in a better mood by then."

"Do you want to wait for her weight?" the nurse asked as Susan picked up her purse to leave.

"Yes, of course I do," Susan said.

"It will just take us a minute, won't it Melody? We're getting used to this, I think."

The nurse seemed to take her time and Susan did her best to be patient, but it wasn't easy.

"Five pounds exactly," she read.

"She went down," Susan said.

"Yes, but not below five. That's fantastic," the nurse told her. "Be sure you bring her clothes to go home in with you when you come tomorrow."

"I will," Susan promised. "I'll be back around five with the family."

"I'll be off, but Melody will be here, won't you sweet thing?" the nurse addressed the baby. Melody stared at her without blinking, her eyes wide and focusing intently. "It's funny how she does that sometimes. I'm not sure if she thinks she's communicating with me or what. It's like she's whispering without making any sound."

"It's hard to tell," Susan agreed. "Be a good girl, sweetheart. I'll be back after a while."

Susan kissed her daughter on the cheek and hurried back out to her car. Melody would be getting extra formula feedings today, but it couldn't be helped. There was simply too much to do to get ready for her to come home.

***

Mrs. Abernathy was the only at the house when Susan got there. Matt was at work, Jessie and Zackary both had baseball games, and Greg was still at his services.

"I'm back!" Susan called to her mother when she got there.

"Oh good. One of the women called a little while ago. She'll be here by a little before ten. Are we ready?"

"I think so. I hope one of them is good, Mom. Melody is coming home tomorrow," Susan said.

"You've thought that before, Susan."

"Yes, I know, but this time she really is. Her weight dipped again today, but only to five pounds even. Overall it's staying up, so by tomorrow she should be ready to go," Susan said.

"I hope so," Mrs. Abernathy said sympathetically.

She'd no sooner said that when the doorbell rang. Susan checked the clock when she went to answer it. It read 9:45 and they immediately began the process of screening housekeepers. Half-dozen women came and went through the house that morning and kept coming until two that afternoon. Susan and her mother showed them around, asked questions and took down notes, promising each they'd let them know. Mr. Abernathy and the children were back before the last one left, further confusing things, and Greg arrived in the midst of that.