What We Never Knew We Needed

Chapter 49

The next two weeks went by without anymore contractions for Meryl. She just couldn't leave her hospital bed. Meryl had been extremely worried about Don; but after they observed him for a day or so Dr. Abbott decided it was just low blood sugar and exhaustion. Meryl had finally talked Don into taking a sleeping pill at night so he could get adequate rest while she and the baby were getting great care from the nurses; he was nervous about it but finally agreed. Don never left the hospital room other than to get food. He and Meryl were both afraid that they would get on each other's nerves from being together so much; but it hadn't happened.

***

"Here, Darl." Don said walking back into Meryl's hospital room from the cafeteria.

Meryl put down her book and looked at him. "What? What's this?"

"You said you wanted some tea and honey." Don said. "They were out of your usual but I thought you'd like this cinnamon one."

Meryl took a drink and spit it out. "This tastes like shit."

"Would you like me to get you something else?" Don sighed; she had been like this all morning which was unlike her. "I'd be glad to."

Meryl shook her head. "I don't know why you thought I would like that shit."

"It's all they had." Don said as he sat down on her bed as she moved away. "What?"

Meryl shook her head. "I can't be touched right now."

"I wasn't going to touch you." Don said getting up and going to the recliner. "I'll just work on the website."

Meryl shrugged. "You don't have to announce it."

"Are you okay, Mer?" Don asked in concern. "You're not acting like yourself this morning."

Meryl sighed. "I am 63 and 8 1/2 months pregnant; and haven't been allowed to leave this bed for 2 weeks. I just want some peace and quiet."

"Okay." Don sighed; he knew better than to try to reason with her when she was like this.

Meryl tried to read but she couldn't. "Do you have to type so loudly? My god, Don, you don't need to pound the keys. Your breathing is so fucking loud."

"What's your problem?" Don had it. "I know this sucks, M; but I can't seem to do anything right by you today. All I want to do is make this easier on you. What? You don't want me to fucking breathe?"

Meryl threw down her book. "It would sure be a hell of a lot more quiet in here. I can't think, Don. You are fucking annoying me today with your hovering. I woke up in the middle of the night and you're awake, watching me. I try to move and you ask what I need. You bring me the worst tasting tea ever. I'd be better off if you just left me the fuck alone."

"That's what you want?" Don asked trying to shove the hurt down deep inside.

Meryl nodded. "At least it would be quiet."

"Fine." Don said as he began to pack his things. "Just for the record I watch you sleep and hover over you because I am fucking TERRIFIED something is going to happen to you. I'm afraid if I look away or go too far from your room that you are going to have another seizure or stroke out or have a fucking heart attack. I am trying to protect you as a way to show you that I love you more than anything; but you obviously don't give a shit. I have put EVERYTHING on hold these past few months to try to make this easier. I'm barely working. I have turned down god knows how many shows because you are more important than exhibitions; I thought you felt the same way about me but I guess I was wrong. I know this sucks and I am just trying to make it easier on you; but it's obvious that I am the last person in the world you want to be around. I'm by your side constantly because the thought of something happening to you scares me to my bones; it absolutely fucking paralyzes me but I obviously have to deal with that since you don't want me around."