WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Keep Going

Toni

I walked along the hallway slowly.  My head was pounding and my hips hurt with every movement. But I kept walking. I was on my way to meet with one of my former colleagues. I stupidly thought because I was managing with the wheelchair at home, I would be fine without it here. I wasn’t. Luckily I had the walking stick to lean on. It would be another early night for me.

I paused to knock on the door, which opened to reveal Patrick.
“Hey Toni,  long time no see,  although I did catch you on the morning show yesterday. " He reached forward to shake my hand.  I moved my walking stick to the other hand so I could finish the gesture. 
“You’re looking good.” He said.
“Liar, I feel horrible,” I replied.
He chuckled and stepped out of the way to let me in.

He walked with me to the comfortable couches that were closer than the desk.  I sighed in relief at the sight of them and sank down.
“So what brings you to our office? I’m guessing the proposed discrimination legislation?” Patrick steepled his fingers and looked at me through them.  I smiled, game on.  My body might be dodgy,  but my mind was ready and willing to play.
“Yes,  I am.” My smile turned predatory, “as a starting point of course.”

Drake

I rushed to the hospital as soon as they called. Mom had been rushed in again.  This was the first time since we lost Dad that she’s attempted suicide.  We were on the watch for it for a long time but thought it had settled down.

I was sent to the correct room to see Mom covered in bandages, glaring at the nurse attending her. Her anger switched to me as soon as I stepped into the room.
“Did you know?” she screeched. I pulled my shoulders back.  Memories of my father being yelled at tickled the back of my mind. He and I would always go out for ice cream  after situations like this. 
“Don’t marry the crazy ones, Drake.  They’re more trouble than they’re worth.” He’d mutter as we ate.

I blinked away the memories and took a deep breath. 
“Did I know what?”I used the calmest voice I had.
“That the DNA test came back!”
“Yes Mom,  I knew.”
“And you knew the result?!”
“Yes, Mom. I knew the result.”
“I’m not getting a grandchild! That was the whole point! I wanted a grandchild, and now I’m not getting one!”
I blinked.
“Pardon?”
“Tell her to have an abortion and we’ll do it right this time.  She wouldn’t listen to me. " Mom sneered at me under her bandages. 
“That’s her baby, Mom, it’s also her body.”
“Oh, for god’s sake, Drake,  she’s an employee. You can tell her to do whatever you want, and she has to do it. Don’t be so weak.”
“That’s not how it works, Mom.  It’s her body and her choice.”
“Well,  sack her if she doesn’t.”

I drew in a deep breath,  catching the eye of the nurse who was taking notes.
“I’m not sacking her because she won’t abort her baby.”
“I’ll pay her to abort the baby. It’s not that hard.  I’ve had plenty of them.”
“I’m not paying her to abort the baby.” I snapped, “It’s her baby! She’s the one carrying it,  she’s the one growing it. It’s hers and I have no control over it.  I’m not the father!  I have no say!”
She stared at me,  horrified.  I realised I’d been yelling at her.
We stayed in silence until she drew herself up.
“Well if that’s how you feel.” She said primly.  I felt dread creeping through me.
“Please tell me, there’s nothing sharp near her,” I whispered to the nurse. The nurse glanced at me and Mom took the opportunity to try and rip out her drip. I jumped forward to stop her.
“Don’t bother Mr Lonsdale,  we have her medical records. A psychiatrist will be up here soon to complete a mental health assessment.” The nurse calmly spoke.
“I’m not crazy!” Mom snapped. I gave up.
“Actually, Mom, you probably are.”
“How dare you!” She hissed, pulling the line out of her arm.  “Do you think you’re better than me? Just like your father.  Always think of yourself.  Your needs,  never mine! How am I supposed to hold my place in society if I don’t have a grandchild? You don’t understand.  Just like your father.  He made me get pregnant with child after child after child. And every time I had to abort abort abort until I couldn’t have any more.  Then and only then would he listen to me.” Blood was leaking out down her arm as she slipped out of bed and shakily advanced on me. “I had to threaten my own life to get him to listen to me.  He never loved me enough!”
I let out a sob of a breath and felt the nurse step in front of me.  She physically pushed me back out of the door. Two other staff members pulled me out of the way and went into the room

The hospital staff wouldn’t let me leave.  Instead, they guided me to a small room and told me to wait.  I took the time to calm down. 

A knock on the door preceded a middle-aged man who smiled gently.
“How are you feeling? That was a bit intense just then.” He gestured to a seat to stop me pacing. I gave a nervous chuckle.
“I’m Dr Penshurst, psychiatric. Your mother is,” he paused as if he were searching for the right word. “interesting.”
“Yes,  she’s always been a bit intense. This is the first episode she’s had since Dad died.” I gave a little laugh.  I don’t know how Dad handled it all those times growing up.  Dr Penshurst didn’t laugh.
“That’s not intense. That’s almost…” He took his glasses off and sighed. “I’m admitting your mother. With the behaviour she exhibited, she’s definitely a danger to herself. I’ve already created a temporary treatment order for her to be admitted as a compulsory patient for 28 days.  I will need you to assist us to help her understand her treatment plan.” He watched me carefully as he spoke.  I sagged into a chair.
“She really is crazy?”
“She is suffering in a form of psychosis.”
“But this is her normal.” I looked up at him. “I mean,  she’s always been like this,  just sometimes not as intense.”
He sighed.
“You may need treatment too. Do you have a counsellor or psychologist that you see?” He asked.  His voice reminded me of Father Jacob’s.
“Only a priest,” I replied.  He snorted gently as he smiled.
“There’s no only about a good priest. They’re the ones who jump on at the coal face as it were.  I’m guessing he’s good.”
I nodded,
“He’s good.  He’s the one who suggested I seek treatment for Mom. I don’t like what else he said, but he was right.”
“What treatment did you organise?”
“A mental health retreat.”

Dr Penshurst burst out laughing.
“They’re lucky it never got there.  They wouldn’t be able to handle her as she is now. Let’s revisit this after 28 days. For now, I’ll send a referral to a friend of mine who is a counsellor.  Here are their details.  Please get in touch with them as soon as possible to organise some sessions.”

I was handed a card and then exited out of the hospital. I stood in the car park looking at my car for a while.  I didn’t want to get back to work.  I wanted to go home and curl up next to Toni.  Somehow things just either made sense,  or problems disappeared around her. I wiped away some wetness on my cheek before I realised it wasn’t stopping. I took a breath and opened the car door to get in.  At least no one could see me here. 
Toni

I had Amy drive me home.  My whole body was aching, but I was smiling.  Today had been a series of little successes.  Patrick had agreed to discuss including structural discrimination in the updated legislation. We were a small step closer.  But these small steps add up until we look back and see that all the shuffling has moved us to our goal.
“Just keep moving,” I hummed tunelessly.

The reporters were still outside the gates and obediently moved aside to let us through. I waved.
“Ms Lees, what do you think of Miss Manson’s association with a sex club?”
I sat up and stared at the reporters.
“Pardon?” I asked. 
“Miss Manson was photographed coming out of a secluded sex club last week.” He explained.
“Oh my God!” I looked at Amy, who burst out laughing. “That’s the type of person they wanted to have Drake’s baby?” I shook my head and turned to the reporter. " Officially, I have no comment. Unofficially, you’ve heard my response.” I shook my head. 

This fiasco that Drake had gotten himself into kept getting worse. I wondered if Peta’s baby daddy was one of the other clients of the club.
“Ew, Peta in a sex club?” Amy grimaced, “how? I mean who would… ewww. That’s extra disgusting.”
I laughed at the revulsion on her face. 
“It’s hilarious.  This whole ridiculous situation is stupid. I’m glad I’m divorcing him.”

Amy shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
“Are you?” She finally asked. I glanced at her.
“You cry every night.  I know he’s still calling you and leaving voicemails.  You’ve stopped calling people in to listen with you.  You aren’t following up with Jacinta about the changes to the divorce agreement.”She pointed out, “Are you sure you’re glad?”
I took a deep breath.
“No, glad is probably the wrong word. I… I can’t see anything else to do. I love him.  I really love him,  and I miss him.” Amy pulled to a stop outside the front door. “I just won’t let myself be treated the way they tried to treat me.  I’ve got to get out.”

Amy reached over and grasped my hand in sympathy.