Tara 3

Untitled Part 6

    

          "Miss Ardon. We have an issue which has come to our attention." Charlise Kelleher cleared her throat. Her inveigled tone slightly revealed.

           Sandra Ardon shot Charlise a cunning stare. "What issue might that be? And you can call me Sandra."

           Dr. Marcia Phillips took a deep breath and removed her hair tie letting the platinum color fall about her shoulders. "Sandra. You have a lovely daughter. Her name is Melanie, yes?"

           Sandra's eyes started to stir, "Yes. That's right."

           Dr. Marcia Phillips stepped over to the mother and child. She reached across and gently touched the infants chin. "Yes. She's gorgeous. Yes she is."

           Melanie giggled.

           Sandra cracked a grin, but her face immediately turned serious.

           Marcia Phillips moved back to a more comfortable spot, careful to position herself across from the mother and child.

           Sandra cradled Melanie. Her face took on the concentric emotions she held inside.

           "What is this issue?"

           Nurse Rita Gallow made a gentle sigh as Charlise Kelleher answered, Dr. Nancy Keegan standing at the side almost hidden in shadow.

           "Melanie is a pretty name."

           "Thank you." Sandra's patience was worn.

           "The fathers name?" Charlise folded her arms slowly, her head slightly fell to one side then corrected itself.

           The room was gripped in silent anger.

           All of the women could feel the tension seeping out of Sandra Ardon. Her breath became heavy as her chest moved outward, then inward.

          Nurse Rita motioned to Sandra to take Melanie, Sandra turned her shoulders opposite in response. "Melanie stays with me." Her voice was discernible and severe. Melanie started to grumble.

         Dr. Nancy Keegan barely nodded her head to Nurse Rita, who moved back a step, yet remained closest to Sandra and Melanie.

        Charlise spoke in a clear tone that felt somewhat soothing to listen to, "Sandra. We would simply like to know the father's name. That's all sweetheart." Her arms separated their fold and rested comfortably at her sides.

        Sandra couldn't look at anyone as her eyes drifted to the side.

       Melanie made a gurgling noise, but it was quickly corrected as Sandra rocked the infant gently.

       "Sandra..." Dr. Nancy Keegan stepped out of the shadows and approached the foot of the bed. She rested one hand on the lump of the covers which was Sandra's little foot beneath.

      Nancy Keegan looked at her soundly, "Sandra. We need to know who Melanie's father is." Her teeth took in part of her lip, not enough for anyone to notice.

     Sandra swallowed. She looked further to the side. The hold she had on her child weakened. Her breath was stuttering, and as Melanie began to whine Nurse Rita Gallow stepped in and took the child from its mother.

      "I... I don't know the father's name."

      It was as if everyone was holding their breath at the same time. Then Dr. Nancy Keegan asked, "Do you know 'who' the father is?"

     Dr. Marcia Phillips turned. Her eyes carrying ferocity, her platinum hair persuasively swaying to the side. "If she doesn't know the father's name how can she know that?"

     Nancy Keegan gave Sandra's foot a shake. "Sandra?"

     Sandra looked up. Tears in her eyes. She nodded, then buried her face.

     Dr. Marcia Phillips eyes met with Dr. Keegan's who guided her eyes back to the now weeping Sandra Ardon.

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