The Problem with Dreams

Chapter 82 - Naming over Dinner

"Get ready for bed," he directed.

"I will," Susan said.

She roused herself enough to do what she had to before going to bed. Greg helped her as much as he could, then pulled back the covers and tucked her in. He left her to sleep, closing the door to their bedroom quietly before joining his in-laws in the library to enjoy the fire.

"What's happened to Susan?" Mr. Abernathy asked.

"She's just tired," Greg told him. "Going back and forth to the hospital twice was too much for her today. Plus she had her visit with Dr. Daniels, which I forgot about, so that took a lot out of her too."

"I forgot about that too. We also did the shopping today," Mrs. Abernathy said in a guilty sounding tone. "I wonder why she didn't say anything to us about it? We could have delayed shopping for the baby if she wasn't up to it."

"Susan is private about some things, Mildred. She's gotten more so since she's married Greg," Mr. Abernathy in a tone that suggested he was reminding his wife of something.

"Is she?" Greg said in surprise.

"Very much so," Mr. Abernathy said. "She's very protective of you in that way."

"I didn't know," Greg said.

"I didn't think you did," Mr. Abernathy acknowledged. "So how is the baby?"

"We had mixed news today. It appears her bowels are finally functioning, so the doctor is no longer worried about a possible blockage or constriction. He believes her problem to be a side effect of the diuretic she's being given. He's working with the hospital staff to find a way to counteract that," Greg said.

"Was that the good news or the bad news?" Mr. Abernathy said.

"That was the good news. The bad news was that as a result of her bowel movement, she lost weight as compared to yesterday," Greg told him.

Mr. Abernathy raised a brow. "I suppose when you're that small, one good sized turd could be a substantial part of your weight. How much did she loose?"

"Two ounces," Greg said, "which is still puts her at three ounces more than her lowest post-surgical weight."

"How much is that below her birth weight?" Mrs. Abernathy asked.

"Three ounces. Even with normal bowel functions, she will need to gain three times that before they will consider allowing her to come home," Greg told them.

"Then there is absolutely no chance she'll come home tomorrow," Mrs. Abernathy realized. "That's too bad. I know the children were really hoping she would. They've really missed Susan so with her having to be away so much."

"Unfortunately, that can't be helped. It was too hard on her doing what she did today," Greg said. "She is trying to be there for everybody, but according to Dr. Daniels she needs to allow herself to heal more first. She's still bleeding more than he thinks she should be."

Mrs. Abernathy nodded. "I was wondering. She seemed to be feeling so much better, I've been trying to let her do what she could and I know she was excited about getting things ready for when Melody does come home; but I should have known she was trying to do too much. It probably wouldn't be if she could stay home, but with the commute to the hospital every day, that does make everyday things at home harder for her."

"We'll do what we can to help her more," Mr. Abernathy agreed. "What are your plans for tomorrow, Greg?"

"I'm going to services at the temple where I'm a member in Los Angeles in the morning. I need to speak to Rabbi Sloane there about something. I should be home by noon. There is absolutely no reason Susan needs to be out of bed before I return, so I am hoping she will allow herself to sleep in. Afterwards, I would like to take Susan to the hospital to spend the afternoon with Melody. We've arranged with the nurses to utilize one of the hospital's family visitation rooms to allow the children to visit with Melody between five-thirty and six tomorrow evening. We thought that afterwards, we could all go out for a meal," Greg said.

"We can do that," Mr. Abernathy agreed. "Would you like us there at the hospital too, or only the children?"

"I didn't think to ask," Greg told him honestly. "The room is intended for use by the immediate family of the newborn. I believe the number of family members who may be present may be limited, but I didn't ask beyond that who could be included. I would presume that as you are currently a member of our household, you could be present."

"We could be, but technically we're just visiting," Mr. Abernathy reminded him. "We do intend to go home, eventually."

"Once Susan is back on her feet and can manage again," Mrs. Abernathy added. "We have no intention of leaving before that."

Greg nodded. "Thank you. You have no idea just how much we appreciate that."

"Yes, I do. You went out of your way to ensure you had a little apartment available inside your own house for things like this. That is no small expense, I am aware of that. You have included us in every possible way, and yet given us our privacy from you and your family. Even when your own family has visited, we feel neither crowded nor like we are intruding. That is rare, son," Mr. Abernathy told him.

Greg did a double take. It was only the second or third time Mr. Abernathy had referred to him in such a familiar way.

"I must remember to tell my architect how successful his design has been," Greg told him. "It was largely his idea for how to arrange the guest rooms. My only requirements were that they were to feel as comfortable as a five star hotel room or suite, and yet feel like part of the house instead of a building apart. It was Susan's idea to turn your two rooms into something more."

"I think my wife influenced her thinking significantly around that," Mr. Abernathy said.

"I did not, Dick. It was Susan's idea," Mrs. Abernathy insisted.

Mr. Abernathy chuckled. "Come on Mildred. Let's go make use of those rooms. I'm sure Greg wants to go to bed soon so he can get up early enough to go all the way across town for services, and I personally would like use that little living room more than we have been."

"Yes dear," Mrs. Abernathy said. "Good night Greg. We'll see you in the morning."

"Good night," Greg said.

And the Abernathys left him sitting by the fire, deep in thought.

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