She's My Mom

by Rebecca Winters

  “Why not?” Grady snapped.

  “To save time and money in case the X rays revealed the problem,” the doctor answered with un-flappable calm. “This one shouldn’t take long. If you’ll step outside for a moment, Mr. Corbitt, I’d like to talk to your wife.”

  The doctor had already taken her history and knew about her amnesia. It surprised her that he had any further questions. She could tell that Grady was more upset than ever.

  “Why don’t you find Brett and get a drink, too?” she urged him.

  He hesitated, then left the cubicle without saying anything. The doctor sat down on the stool next to her and took her pulse.

  “Your color is much better. I take it the nausea isn’t as bad.”

  “No. It’s gone. Actually, I’m hungry now.”

  He eyed her for a moment before taking her blood pressure. When he’d finished, he said, “Your pulse is normal, and your blood pressure has dropped. All of that’s a good sign. Tell me—when was the last time you had a period?”

  “I don’t remember. Six or seven weeks ago.”

  “You don’t keep track?”

  “No. There’s no reason.”

  “Are you on birth control?”

  She blinked. “No. I can’t have children.”

  His brows quirked. “You have a son who looks just like you.”

  Susan smiled. “After he was born, I was never able to conceive. Since my amnesia, my husband and I haven’t had sex. I take that back. We did one night, about a month ago.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It was a disaster.”

  “I see.”

  “Why are you asking me these questions?”

  “Just checking for the possibility of female problems. Did you notice any pain in your ovaries when you became ill on Kilauea? Sometimes when an egg bursts, it causes a woman to faint. That might have happened to you. Especially since you’d been doing some hiking and could have been a little dehydrated.”

  She shook her head. “No. There was no pain. All I could think about was how much I wanted a breath of fresh air.”

  He stood up and patted her arm. “I’ll be back soon with some answers.”

  “What do you mean, ‘answers’?”

  “If we still haven’t found out what’s wrong, at least the lab tests will tell us what we can rule out. Then I’ll order others, but I suspect they won’t be necessary.” After a pause, he said, “I’ll send your husband back in. I don’t remember the last time I saw a man this worried about his wife.”

  “We’ve been through too much with my amnesia. Grady’s in pain because I don’t remember him or our life together. I can’t take it anymore. Neither can he. That’s why we’re getting a divorce as soon as we fly home.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Don’t be. It’s the only way to end the pain.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  THE VENDING MACHINES were located at one end of the emergency waiting room. Grady felt Brett’s eyes on him as they drank their sodas.

  “If Mom’s head is okay, then what do you think’s wrong with her?”

  I wish to God I knew.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing too serious,” he lied, trying to reassure his son. “She seems better since we brought her here.”

  “That’s what I think, too. Maybe it’s what she said.” Brett sounded a little brighter. “The gas from the volcano made her sick.”

  Somehow Grady couldn’t believe it was that simple, but the thought of her suffering a debilitating or life-threatening disease was too horrifying to consider. He tossed his can in the wastebasket, needing a physical release for his anxiety.

  “Let’s go back to your mother.”

  When they entered her cubicle, the ache in his stomach was worse than ever. He moved to the head of the examining table and kissed her forehead. To his relief, the clamminess had left her skin.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Much better.”

  “You look healthy, Mom.”

  “I’m sorry I gave both of you such a fright. When I’m released, why don’t I stay in a hotel here in Hilo while you two go back to Kilauea and take that hike you planned?”

  Grady shook his head. “If you recall, we decided to do everything on this trip together.”

  “Yeah, Mom. Besides, nothing’s as much fun without you.”

  “Is that right?” she teased.

  “Mrs. Corbitt?” The doctor entered the cubicle holding a cup with a straw. “Now that I know the results, you can drink this juice.” As soon as he handed it to her, she sucked thirstily.

  “Is my mom going to be all right?”

  “More than all right. She’s going to be terrific, but I’d like to talk to your parents alone first. Would you mind waiting in the lounge? They’ll come for you in a few minutes.”

  “Okay. Sure.” Brett sent both of them a nervous smile before disappearing.

  “What’s the verdict?” Grady demanded.

  “Before I tell you, I have to say that I sincerely hope you two decide against a divorce.”

  Grady froze. She’d confided that to a stranger? He was hardly aware that the doctor was still talking.

  “…not only for your son’s sake, but for the baby you’re going to have around mid-February.”

  The cup fell to the floor, disturbing the instant stillness that had pervaded the cubicle.

  “What did you say?” Susan was the first to cry out.

  “You’re pregnant. Congratulations.”

  “We’re going to have another child?” Grady half gasped the question in disbelief. And delight…

  Now she couldn’t leave him.

  The satisfaction of that knowledge was so great, he couldn’t control his emotions.

  “That’s right,” the doctor said. “As soon as you return home, I suggest you contact your obstetrician for a complete physical. From this point on, you mustn’t take any medication. You’ll need to get started on a prenatal vitamin regimen right away.

  “Now I’ll give you two some time alone. You’re welcome to leave the hospital whenever you’re ready.”

  Grady glanced at his wife. She looked so staggered, he found himself wondering if she would’ve preferred hearing she had cancer or some other critical illness.

  He took a shuddering breath. “You can forget about a divorce. I would never have given you one, anyway. As for getting you pregnant, I’m not about to apologize for the fact that I didn’t use protection.

  “It isn’t as if we didn’t try to have a baby after Brett was born. Even if you don’t want one now, I do.”

  Fearing he’d explode in front of her, he left the cubicle to collect his thoughts outside before he broke the news to Brett.

  GRADY? MY PERIOD CAME.

  Don’t worry about it, sweetheart. There’s always next month.

  No, there isn’t. I’ve just turned thirty-six. The clock is running out.

  Don’t be ridiculous. You still have years.

  Years— I’ll be forty before I know it. That’s too late. I was so sure I was pregnant this time. I want to have another baby so badly, but I’m afraid it’s never going to happen now.

  It’s not important.

  You’re just saying that to make me feel better, but I know how you really feel.

  No, you don’t. I’m satisfied with my family just the way it is.

  You should’ve married a woman who could give you a house full of children.

  I didn’t want another woman. Remember? I married you.

  We were young and didn’t know what the future would hold. For your sake I should’ve listened when you brought up the subject of adoption. I’ve been horribly selfish, but I wanted to give you another baby of our very own.

  You gave me Brett. No man could ask for more.

  That isn’t what Jenny told me.

  What are you talking about?

  She said you told Matt you desperately wanted a large family because you were an only child.

  I neve
r said that to him or anyone else!

  But she said—

  Then she lied.

  I don’t think she did. You’re always trying to protect me, Grady. I’m sorry I’ve been a disappointment to you.

  That’s it. Stay right where you are. I’m coming home. Get ready for a night of loving that’ll convince you I’m the happiest man alive. I love you, Susan. I always have, from the moment I saw you on the beach. You know how it was with us. How it always will be. How can you possibly doubt it?

  “I don’t want to doubt it, Grady. I adore you.”

  “Mom?”

  Brett’s voice reached her through the myriad of memories filling her mind so fast she couldn’t contain them all. She lifted wet eyes to her son.

  “Mom, I’ve been waiting, and I finally decided to come in. That’s when I heard you talking to Dad just now, but he’s not here. Why are you crying? What’s going on?”

  Brett sounded frantic.

  She jumped off the examining table and threw her arms around him.

  “I remember your father!” She began sobbing, overcome with joy. “I remember everything!”

  When the news registered, he pulled away, just far enough to look at her. “So that’s why you got sick! Oh, Mom…” The light in his eyes almost blinded her.

  “No, darling. That’s not the reason. The doctor just told me I’m pregnant. My first bout of morning sickness hit while we were on that nature walk. I’ve always wanted another child so badly, the news must have removed the final block.”

  Brett’s eyes grew two sizes.

  “You’re really going to have a baby?”

  “Yes!” she cried out, uncaring if everyone in the ER could hear. “I’m due next February. We’ll know in a few months if it’s a boy or a girl.”

  “Whoa— Does Dad know?”

  “Yes, but he thought I was unhappy about it. He left before I could tell him I’d regained my memory.”

  “I’ve got to tell him!”

  “No—wait. Let me get dressed and we’ll both look for him.”

  She threw on her clothes in record time and then they dashed through the emergency room and out the automatic doors to the drive.

  “Where’s the car?”

  “After we followed the ambulance, Dad parked the rental car down the street.”

  “If I know him, he’s taken a walk to blow off steam. I have a duplicate key. We’ll get in the car and cruise around until we find him. When you see him, get down so he doesn’t know you’re in there with me.”

  “How come?”

  “Just do it, darling, and I’ll explain later.”

  “Okay.”

  She was going to do something she hadn’t done since those first two weeks after meeting him seventeen years ago. Because of her, he’d ended up staying at a friend’s much longer than he’d planned.

  Without transportation, he’d been forced to rely on her if they wanted to drive anywhere. Every morning she’d cruise by his friend’s house in her mom’s convertible and act as if she was trying to pick him up. He loved it, especially when she did it in front of all his buddies….

  GRADY CHECKED HIS WATCH. He’d been gone longer than he’d realized. What kind of monster was he to blow up at her again and storm out of the hospital when she’d just learned she was pregnant with his child? Deserting her and Brett like that was unforgivable.

  He picked up his pace and swung around the back side of the hospital where other people were walking. There was a considerable distance to go before he reached the entrance to the ER.

  The sound of screeching tires distracted him for a moment. Some idiot had made a U-turn along the busy street. The car drew up next to the curb and began keeping pace with him. He started to jog. It still followed him.

  What the hell?

  The traffic behind it had been forced to slow down, or wait to pass. Horns were honking, and angry drivers were creating a scene. Everyone was staring, trying to see what was going on.

  He heard a wolf whistle. “Hey, Grady Corbitt—you’re looking mighty fine today! How about plunking that gorgeous bod in my car? What do you say, baby?”

  Grady kept jogging until that voice and those words finally registered, triggering echoes from the past. He stopped in his tracks.

  From the corner of his eye, he saw the car pull into a parking space. A knockout blonde opened the door, throwing him a beguiling smile.

  “You know you want to come with me,” she said in front of a dozen fascinated onlookers. “We can fool around for as long as you want. Nobody’s home today. What’s the matter, Grady? Don’t tell me the guys in Las Vegas are chicken?”

  His heart lurched out of control.

  His entire body yearned toward her.

  “You’re flirting with danger, sweetheart.”

  “So far, you’re all talk. Why don’t you try proving it for a change? Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  “I intend to.”

  He started for her.

  “Uh-oh.” She ran away from him, laughing the excited, shaky laugh that used to drive him crazy. Her beautiful long legs were driving him crazy.

  She was a fast runner. The years hadn’t slowed her down. But he was faster.

  “You’re in for it now.”

  “No, Grady,” she screamed in frightened delight.

  He caught her and whirled her around to face him.

  And then he saw it for the first time since she’d come back into their lives.

  Recognition.

  Her blue eyes were charged by it.

  This was the wife he’d been waiting for, aching for.

  “Darling” was all she said before she threw her arms around his neck and sought his mouth with a voluptuous hunger that he now knew deep in his soul had always been reserved for him.

  Oblivious to the whistles and shouts from passing cars, he crushed her against him. He had no idea how long they clung to each other. This was his beloved wife who’d been restored to him. Nothing else mattered.

  BRETT KEPT TURNING AROUND to see if they were coming back to the car. It was embarrassing to watch his parents acting like some of the couples at school who made out by their lockers. At least they were in Hawaii where nobody knew them.

  But inside he was feeling a new excitement about life. His mom was back. That meant his dad was going to be happy again. And they were going to have another baby, something his mom had always wanted.

  Everything would be perfect if only he could tell Mike about it. Well, maybe he could call Uncle Todd. There was a two-hour difference between Hawaii and California. At three on a Saturday afternoon, his uncle was probably home.

  He glanced back one more time. His parents didn’t look like they’d be coming to the car anytime soon.

  His dad’s cell phone lay on the seat. He grabbed it and punched the preprogrammed button. It rang a long time.

  “Hello?”

  “Uncle Todd?”

  “Brett, I didn’t expect to hear from you. Where are you, anyway?”

  “In Hilo. I just thought you’d like to know Mom’s going to have another baby.”

  “What?” he cried out. “Hey—hang on a minute.”

  Brett could hear him tell his aunt Beverly to get on the other phone.

  “Okay. She’s listening, too. Say that again.”

  “Mom’s having a baby in February. She just found out today. And guess what else? She got her memory back.”

  His uncle went real quiet. Brett could hear a couple of coughs and sniffles. His aunt was crying in the background.

  “I guess I don’t have to ask how your dad’s feeling.”

  “Nope.”

  “Can I talk to them?”

  “Not right now. They’re busy.”

  Laughter burst out of his uncle. “Dare I ask what they’re doing?”

  “Kissing. I’ve been waiting for them to come back to the car, but I don’t think that’s going to happen for a while. That’s why I called you.”

 
“Where are they?”

  “Out in front of the hospital where everyone can see them.”

  “The hospital,” his aunt cried.

  Brett launched into an explanation of what had happened at the volcano. “It was really scary. Dad still can’t believe it.”

  “I’m surprised he didn’t pass out when he found he was going to be a father again,” his uncle teased. “It means middle-of-the-night feedings, changing diapers. I hope you’re ready for that.”

  “I think it’ll be fun.”

  “So what do you want? A brother or a sister?”

  “I don’t care. Mom told me about the first baby she lost. I just hope she doesn’t lose this one.”

  “She won’t,” his uncle declared. “This baby has been on order for a lot of years. Nothing’s going to go wrong now.”

  “You’re right. Mom came back from the dead.”

  “She sure did. It’s all meant to be.”

  “Uh-oh. I can see them through the rearview mirror. They’re walking this way. I’ve got to hang up. Make sure you tell Grandma everything.”

  “Don’t worry. We will. When your parents come down to earth, tell them to call us.”

  “Okay. Bye for now.”

  He clicked off and left the phone where he’d found it, then sat back and waited. When his father opened the door for his mother, Brett caught a glimpse of their faces. The joy he saw there made him feel as if he were floating.

  “Did you think we were never coming back?” his dad asked after they got into the car.

  His mom turned toward him. “I’m sorry we were so long.”

  “That’s okay, but I’m getting hungry. Do you think we could go eat?”

  “Your mother just asked the same question. We’ll find a hotel for the night and order room service. After what she’s been through today, she needs food and an early night.”

  Brett could tell his parents were impatient to be alone together. He figured they’d be like this for the rest of their vacation.

  As soon as they went to bed, he’d call his aunt and uncle again and tell them to come to Hawaii with his cousins so he’d have someone to do things with. Lizzy and Karin were better than nothing.