Christmas Angels

Untitled Part 2

Chapter 2:

DECEMBER 17, 2016

"I'm sorry Mrs. Cromwell, but I have to turn you a bit. Sorry to wake you, but you can't lie in one spot too long or you will get sores from lying in only one position," the day nurse said. She was an older, matronly woman, efficient and business-like, but not unkind. Marianne groaned slightly as the nurse gently but firmly rolled her partly onto her side, stuffing a fresh pillow behind her back for support.

"There now, is that better?" She asked before turning her attention to an IV bag and adjusting the rate of drip. Marianne nodded slightly and mumbled a 'thank you' that was barely audible through the oxygen mask.

"Can I get you anything?"

Marianne shook her head, tried to smile under the plastic.

"Alright then, dear. Buzz if you need me," the nurse said before leaving the room as quickly as she had come.

Marianne was now facing away from the clock on her side table and she wondered what time it was. She wished Josh would come. She had dozed off before the nurse came in and woke her. She was always tired these days and so weak it was difficult to even lift her hand. She wished she were young and strong again. Just like the old days. In those days she had needed to be strong, she thought grimly.

JANUARY, 1990

After the excitement of the holidays passed, life became routine for Marianne and Josh. They were busy with their careers and only saw each other in the evenings and on weekends. Even though they were often too tired to feel especially romantic, they were making a real effort to start a family as soon as possible. Each month they hoped this would be the one, but when the time came, Marianne always had to tell Josh that she had once again received her monthly "gift". In April, she was late and hurried to the drug store to get a home pregnancy test kit. Josh waited impatiently in the living room, while she took the test. He leapt up the minute the bathroom door opened, but the look on Marianne's face told him all that he needed to know, and his face fell. She simply shook her head and went into the kitchen, busying herself by emptying the dishwasher.

Summer came and by August, Marianne had still not become pregnant. For many months now, starting a family had become their main focus. The harder they tried to make a baby, the more disappointed and discouraged they became with their lack of success.

To make matters worse, Josh was starting to take his frustration out on her. It was the little things that seemed to set him off. When he couldn't find something that he was looking for, it had to be her fault. If she left anything lying around, he accused her of being too messy. It seemed as if whatever she did, it wasn't good enough or else it was the wrong thing to do, entirely.

Finally, Marianne had had enough. She decided something must be physically wrong with one of them. They had tried everything they could to get her pregnant, but nothing worked. She considered suggesting to Josh that they see their doctor about it, then immediately rejected the idea. His reaction would surely be bad. She suspected that he would feel his manhood was being questioned. She kept the idea to herself and made an appointment with their physician, Dr. Strickland, and explained the situation to him. He examined her and told her that as far as he could tell, other than her weak heart and being a little run down because of it, she was in good health and should be able to conceive. He referred her to a gynaecologist who would be able to give her a more definitive answer.

"Josh, I went to see the doctor today. I thought maybe he could figure out why I haven't become pregnant."

"Marianne! You should have discussed that idea with me, first, don't you think? What did he say is wrong with you?", Josh demanded.