Salsa and Speedbumps

by Baganz, Susan M. ;

  “Yeah, but...”

  “No. No excuses. Don’t minimize what he did.”

  “But he is in pain because of me. I’m surprised he doesn’t resent me and this baby for all the trouble we brought to his life.”

  “You didn’t force yourself on him, Stephanie. He made choices along the way. He willingly entered a relationship with you and willingly stayed. He’s even willing to adopt this child as his own.”

  “I know but…”

  “Stop with the buts. Read the letter. I’m going to go get a cup of tea and I’ll give you some time to be alone with his words.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Ren.”

  Stephanie fingered the envelope and tapped it on her stomach. The baby kicked. It hadn’t been moving much, and she was worried. An ultrasound was scheduled for later, and Linda planned to be by her side. She tore the envelope open and suffered a paper cut in the process. She sucked on the wound and opened up the folded pages inside. It was Robbie’s distinctive scrawl.

  Dear Stephanie,

  Sounds so darn formal, but I don’t feel I can presume on much after the way I treated you. I am sorry my stubborn pride and pain kept me from giving you the kindness and consideration you deserve and that I long in my heart to give you. I meant my promises on our wedding day and by walking in my own strength, I abandoned leaning on God for what I need most to be the husband you deserve.

  Dad gave me a lecture and we are trying some new meds. I’m due to come home in another day or two. It saddens me that I cannot be there with you when you need me most.

  You knew I could be an idiot at times and you still agreed to marry me. My plea is that you will still choose to love this idiot and forgive him for his thoughtlessness and abuse. I was wrong to treat you that way. I was wrong. So wrong. All I want is to hear you say you forgive me and love me and still want to be mine and let me be the father of this child.

  Always and forever yours,

  Roberto

  Stephanie read the letter over several times. She was wiping her eyes dry when Renata returned to the room.

  “It was a good letter?”

  “Very.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Ren settled into a chair and pulled out some books. “Now, I think we need to get down to the business of finding some names for this little Rodriguez who seems so eager to make his or her appearance in the world.”

  “I thought I was supposed to do that with Robbie.”

  “Ah, true, but you can come up with some suggestions and maybe he can agree to one of them. You don’t want to walk out of the hospital with a nameless child, do you?”

  “No, hand me a book. Gotta piece of paper to write them on?”

  “Why don’t you use the back of that envelope?”

  “Sounds good.”

  * * *

  The doctor came to visit Roberto and looked over his chart.

  “I hear you’ve been struggling with pain and been short-tempered.”

  “Guilty as charged.”

  The doctor sighed, put the chart down, and came to stand by Robbie’s bedside. “I’m sorry to say that your request for no narcotics was not adhered to as you wished. I think some of the intense pain and anger were a result of not being weaned off the medication. There should have been a slower progression to get you through. Someone had overridden my own notes to that effect, and I will try to figure out what went wrong.”

  Robbie glanced at his father and back at the doctor.

  “Are you saying that the pain and anger were a result of being on the narcotics?”

  “That would be my suspicion. The meds you were given should have been titrated up, which they were, while the morphine was gradually reduced. Which it wasn’t. In your case, the effects of the morphine would have lasted for a time but would have been followed by a crash.”

  Robbie closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. His father spoke up. “Did you know my son is an attorney?”

  “Yes, sir, I did. But as a man of faith, I cannot lie, even it if puts me at risk for a lawsuit. Mr. Rodriguez”—he turned to his patient—“I humbly apologize for this error. We are a teaching hospital, but I expect better and will be investigating this further. It happened under my supervision, so I am responsible. I hope you can choose to forgive me for the pain you had to suffer.”

  Robbie swallowed. “Due to your expertise, I can walk and will be able to hold my wife in my arms and rock my baby when it is born. I’m not denying the last twelve hours were hell. But I am better now, and it would be wrong to hold a grudge against you or your staff for a human error. I can forgive and thank you for helping me understand why this past day has been so difficult, physically and emotionally, for me.”

  “You are being kinder than I or my staff deserve. Now, let me check that incision and test your reflexes. As long as you don’t drive for a while or plan to do push-ups, I think we might be able to discharge you in the morning.”

  “That’s great news, doctor, as my wife is in the hospital and could have our baby any day now. I would hate to miss being there for that.”

  “Congratulations on being a father. I will have to limit you in helping with the pushing though. Find someone else and you hold her hand and speak words of encouragement—that would be about all your neck can handle.”

  “Thanks, doc.”

  * * *

  Later that evening, the phone rang in Robbie’s room. He answered. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Robbie. It’s me, Steph.”

  “Hey. I miss you. How are you and the baby doing?”

  “We’re still here waiting for you. I don’t feel good and they keep checking me, but the little one is not ready, and they are not sure about inducing. The doctor is suggesting a Caesarean might be safer.”

  “C-section? But that’s major surgery.”

  “I know. They are concerned that I could have problems during labor because of the blood pressure. The C-section would be less stressful on my system.”

  “We’ll have to pray. You said you don’t feel good. What’s wrong?”

  “Headache and nausea. Probably because of the blood pressure issue. I get dizzy, though, if I stand up too quick, too. It’s just not stable.”

  “And baby?”

  “Baby’s heart rate is dropping at times which isn’t good, and the baby shows signs of distress. I am having some contractions too. Not too bad yet. I want you here.”

  “You miss me and forgive me?”

  “Well, there is that, but you still haven’t taught me how to swear in Spanish. I’m not ready for labor.”

  Robbie laughed, and they talked about possible baby names before saying goodnight. Robbie slept easier that night, knowing Stephanie had forgiven him. He missed having her close. He fell asleep with a prayer on his lips for her health and the baby’s, and that if God would allow, he would be there for the birth.

  * * *

  Roberto was allowed to go home the next morning with restrictions on his activities. He shaved, showered and dressed. After lunch with his parents, he was ready to go visit Stephanie at the hospital.

  Robbie walked in the room with a bouquet of flowers in a vase. He was shocked at how worn and pale she looked. “Hey, babe, I brought you some flowers. A guilt offering from the prize idiot you married.”

  Stephanie gave a weak smile and touched the petal of a rose before dropping her hand. “They are beautiful, Robbie, thank you.”

  Robbie set the flowers on a shelf across the room where she would be able to see them and took off his coat and laid it on a chair. He returned to her side and clasped her hand in his. “You don’t look so good.”

  “I don’t feel so good either. But thanks for the compliment.”

  Roberto pushed hair behind her ear. “You are still beautiful to me, no matter what.”

  “Thank you.” She squeezed her eyes shut and gripped his hand tight. He looked across the bed and could see a monitor hooked up with a reading on it with large spikes and smaller ones.

 
“What’s that for?”

  “It monitors my contractions. The last one was pretty intense. They are lasting longer and coming faster.”

  “You’re in labor?”

  “Pitocin.”

  “They induced?”

  “Starting at seven o’clock.”

  “Guess I came in time, huh? Will the baby be born today?”

  “Could be, but I’m not progressing. I can’t get up and walk around. They won’t allow me any pain meds because it could slow things down. If I don’t progress they will stop the Pitocin and start it up again in the morning.”

  “How long can they keep this going?”

  “Until I have the baby or they do a C-section.” She grimaced again and shut her eyes tight, and Robbie felt helpless. He watched as the spikes grew smaller and laid a hand on her stomach. When the next one came, he could feel the muscles contracting hard, and he winced in sympathy.

  When that one had passed she asked, “How is your pain today?”

  “Better. I ache which is to be expected. I feel less pain in my neck than I have in years. I’m hopeful for a complete, pain-free, full recovery. Then I plan to return and do it all over again with my lower back.”

  Stephanie smiled. “I’m so happy for you, Robbie. I really am. It hurt me to watch you in so much pain.”

  “I think I’m beginning to understand a little what I put you through.”

  “Oh, but this will be worth it when we get to meet our baby. Oooomph!” Another contraction hit.

  “Is it too late to teach you those swear words?”

  “I think I’ll survive without them as long as you are here.”

  Robbie leaned over to give his wife a kiss. “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

  Robbie stayed by Stephanie’s side. Friends and Robbie’s parents came to visit and kept them company through her labor pains. The doctor found that as Stephanie’s blood pressure stabilized on medication, the baby showed less signs of distress. Labor had not progressed. It was considered a failed induction, and Stephanie was sent home to wait, on bed rest, for the eventual arrival of their baby.

  When Noel and Linda were satisfied that Robbie had recovered well enough, and that Stephanie was not in any need of them for the time being, they chose to drive back to their home in St. Louis.

  TWENTY-SIX

  La risa es el mejor remedio.

  Laughter is the best medicine.

  ~Mexican proverb

  December 2011

  Roberto went back to work and settled into a routine of leaving early in the morning after breakfast and prayer with Stephanie. Stephanie chafed at being home all day but was glad that the baby was waiting a little longer before being born.

  * * *

  Stephanie received another letter from Tony’s uncle in Chicago, becoming more insistent that she come to work there.

  Tony called Stephanie.

  “Steph, it’s Tony.”

  “Hi, Tony. How’s DeLuca’s going?”

  “Fine, but I need to talk to you. Will Robbie be home tonight?”

  “He should be here by six.”

  “Can I come over, say seven, to talk with you both?”

  “Sure. Is everything okay?”

  “I’m not sure. That’s what I’m going to need you to tell me.”

  “Tony, what’s this about?”

  “We’ll talk tonight.”

  “Okay, see you at seven.”

  Stephanie texted Robbie to let him know Tony was coming so he made sure to get home on time. They ate a simple meal Stephanie had prepared.

  Roberto answered the door. “Hey, Tony. Good to see you, man.” Robbie gave his friend a pat on the back and offered to take his coat. “Come in and sit down.”

  “Thanks. Where’s Steph? I need to talk to you both.”

  Stephanie entered the room, “I’m here, Tony. What’s this about?” She motioned to a chair, and he seated himself. Stephanie and Tony sat together on the loveseat.

  Tony pulled out a letter from his pocket and unfolded it. “This is why I came.” He handed the letter to Robbie and Stephanie and they read it together.

  Robbie looked at Stephanie. “I thought you told Mr. DeLuca you were having nothing of his deal?”

  “I did. I have informed him several times that my answer was ‘no.’”

  “So you have been in contact with my uncle about this? When were you going to tell me?” Tony’s voice had a hard edge to it. “He must have at some point thought you were considering his offer.”

  “I was, but not seriously, and that was before I married Robbie. I thought that if I gave the baby up for adoption, I could leave and have a fresh start. Something didn’t feel right about the offer, and I could never get myself to give him a yes.” She looked at both men who did not look pleased. “Robbie, you knew about this. I told you it was not an option to be considered. I gave him a very strong ‘no!’”

  “Do you have copies of those letters?” Robbie asked.

  “Yes, I do.” Stephanie rose and went to the desk in the corner and pulled out a drawer and grabbed a folder. She took it over to Robbie and handed it to him and left the room. She closed the door to their bedroom and laid down, stunned that this issue had come to haunt her once more. Why wouldn’t Mr. DeLuca leave her alone?

  * * *

  Robbie glanced at Tony and opened up the file. The correspondence was in there with the most recent on top. He paged through and was satisfied that Stephanie had done her best to discourage Mr. DeLuca. “It all seems in order. Here.” He handed the file to Tony who likewise looked through it.

  Tony slapped the folder down on the coffee table when he was finished. “It’s a great offer. I cannot match it in any way. The business couldn’t support it. Heck, I don’t even pay myself that kind of salary and benefits.” He ran his finger through is hair. “Something seems wrong with this. I’m not saying Stephanie isn’t worth the money or that I don’t value her expertise and partnership. I do. She’s been a great asset to the restaurant. Something doesn’t add up, and it bothers me.”

  “Do you feel like she had betrayed you by talking to him?”

  “No. She is a free agent and can talk to whomever she likes. If it had been me, that initial offer would have been tempting. But he kept upping it. It makes no sense.”

  Robbie reached for the folder, took out the initial contract offer, and scanned through it again. “You are right. I’m not sure how I missed this. Something doesn’t add up here. I’ll have a partner of mine look this over and see what he thinks. He has a better eye for business contracts.”

  “Let me know what you find out. I know it’s really not something that should concern me, but…”

  “Stephanie has been a friend, partner and employee for many years, and she is like sister to you. You care, and I, for one, appreciate it. You do know that I don’t intend on her returning to the restaurant after the baby’s born?”

  “I understand the value of a wife at home raising children. Still, I hope you might let her do some very part time work and still be involved in the silent partner stuff.”

  “I won’t make any promises, Tony. If Stephanie still wants to have her finger in the pie that is DeLuca’s in Germantown, I can probably live with that. This”—he held up the folder—“is another matter entirely.”

  “So you knew about it?”

  “I found out after she had already started corresponding. I was angry she was keeping her options open and not giving us a chance. Now I think she just felt trapped. She’s too nice and doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, but her letters indicate a now and forever ‘no’ to his offer. Why do you think he would still pursue her?”

  “I haven’t a clue. I wish I knew. I don’t trust my uncle. He is not the most, well, let’s say, ethical, man around. Think old-world Italian.”

  “Like mafia?”

  “Something like that, but I have no proof. Only my gut.”

  Robbie whistled. “This could be a far more dangerous
situation than I realized.”

  Tony nodded and stood, extending his hand to Roberto. “Thanks for letting me come by and hearing me out. Please assure Stephanie I didn’t mean to upset her and I’m not angry with her.”

  “Will do. Thanks for bringing some clarity to things. With everything else we’ve been through, this one just kind of slipped off my radar.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good night, Tony.”

  “Good night.”

  * * *

  Robbie found Stephanie laying on her side on the bed with her eyes closed. Robbie sat down next to her and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

  “Tony gone?”

  “Yeah. He’s not angry with you, you know.”

  “I know.”

  “Why’d you leave?”

  “I felt guilty. I had never told him there was even an offer made. Maybe I should have.”

  “Most employees don’t tell their bosses about other job offers. You knew he could never match the Chicago salary.”

  “I know. I would never want to betray Tony, but I feel guilty that I initially even entertained the thought of accepting, even only as a ‘what if.’”

  “There’s nothing wrong about dreaming about a better life for yourself before we married. Now you’re stuck with me instead, and the offer is no longer tenable. His letters seem to be taking on a threatening tone I don’t like.”

  “They make me uneasy.”

  “They should. They were intended to.”

  “It sounds so cold and calculating.”

  “It is. You are just too sweet to think evil of others. That’s why Luis got under your radar too.”

  “I hope that doesn’t mean you did as well.”

  “I did, but now you are trapped. I was the most conniving of them all.” Robbie let a finger trail down her chin to her neck. She shivered in response.

  “You were, huh?” Stephanie smiled as she rolled onto her back to look up into his eyes.

  “Yup, I used my sex appeal to win you over and I sealed the deal before you got wise to me.”

  Stephanie laughed and raised her hand to the side of his head and brought him closer for a kiss. “I don’t think I got a bad bargain with you, Mr. Rodriguez.”

  “I know I got the better deal with you, though. Two for one.” He lay down next to her and placed his hand on her stomach to feel the baby moving.