A First Class Act

by Mildred Riley

  “You do know, my dear friend, I don’t mean to meddle, because any way you slice it, it’s your life and I want you to be happy.”

  “That’s what my Gram always said, ‘It’s your life.’ ”

  “Wise woman.”

  “She was. I owe her big time.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  A successful living arrangement between the two women was quickly established.

  Dina prepared breakfast, then went to her room to work on her Ph.D. research.

  Nora drove to the supermarket to shop for food and prepared both lunch and dinner.

  Each did her own laundry, and Dina already used a cleaning woman twice a month to keep the small apartment up to snuff.

  Nora told Dina, “I don’t want you to be shut away in your room all day. After lunch you’re to sit down with your feet up for at least an hour. And in the early evening, I suggest a short walk. This will help bring the baby down into the birth canal. The exercise will be good for you. After all, you’ll be going into labor, which is hard work.”

  “Yes, ma’am! Whatever you say! I’m in your very capable hands!”

  And soon Dina found herself in her last few weeks of pregnancy. Her obstetrician decided to have her come to the office weekly.

  So it was a sunny January day when Dina returned home to report to her friend, “She says any day now, Nora.”

  “Great!”

  “I’ll give the parents a call. They’re only five minutes away at a bed and breakfast.”

  “I presume you’ve got your bag packed and ready?”

  “Yes, all set. Robin and Coleen are bringing the baby’s clothes and the car seat. They plan to take the baby home as soon as it’s medically cleared and can be discharged.”

  “Well, that makes sense.”

  “And, Nora, thank God that you’re here.”

  “Yes?”

  “Because you’re a registered, experienced nurse. As soon as I’m cleared, I can be discharged home into your care!”

  “Perfect! Sounds like a good plan to me.”

  * * *

  With Nora’s encouragement and bedside mentoring, Dina delivered the baby at four in the morning on February fourteenth, Valentine’s Day, a few days after she had successfully taken her orals.

  The excitement in the delivery room was almost palpable: Robin, pacing the floor, Coleen, transfixed, scarcely breathing as she watched the exciting drama unfold. Every time Dina pushed in her effort to give birth to the infant, Coleen found herself holding her own breath, exhaling deeply. At the head of the delivery table, Nora counted down with Dina’s efforts, telling her how well she was doing.

  “Doing just fine! Almost there! Keep it up, a few more pushes,” she encouraged.

  Conan Ellis Dineen made a loud, crying entrance into the world.

  Dr. Taylor turned to the baby’s father. “Welcome your son, Robin. But first there’s a job for you.”

  He handed the very shaken new father a pair of scissors.

  “When you cut the cord, be firm, because the cord is thick and tough.”

  Dina never saw the baby. As soon as Robin cut the cord, the nurses took over. After being weighed—seven pounds—he passed the Apgar test, had his footprints taken, along with his fingerprints, and then was cleaned, wrapped, and placed in the arms of his mother, who cried tears of joy.

  “Robin, honey, he looks just like you! Red hair and all…”

  “Damned if he doesn’t! It’s such a miracle! I can’t believe it! How can we ever thank Dina for doing this heroic deed for us?”

  Coleen looked at him, still clutching her son. “I don’t know,” she said soberly.

  At noon that day they visited Dina for the last time.

  Robin had a dozen roses, which he presented to Dina.

  “With our sincere thanks.”

  Coleen asked Dina, “Are you feeling all right? There are no words to really thank you, but we want you to know, Robin and I,” she looked at her husband, who nodded his head in agreement, “we both pledge to pray for you and your happiness every day for the rest of our lives.”

  Dina thanked them, asked about the baby. “The baby, Conan, he’s okay?”

  The new parents beamed. “He’s perfect, just beautiful! We can hardly believe that we have a son,” Robin said.

  “I’m so glad that it all worked out so well for you both. You have been very good to me, helping me reach my own dream.”

  “How are your studies going?” Robin asked.

  Dina smiled, happy to tell them she’d finished.

  “I’m so glad that your son waited to make his appearance until I took my orals. I passed.”

  “Wonderful!”

  “Thanks.”

  They all shook hands and the happy parents left her room.

  * * *

  Nora was not hesitant about informing Drew of Dina’s delivery. She felt it her responsibility to do so and informed Dina of her plan.

  For her part, Dina realized that having Nora with her the last two months was a godsend. She knew full well that everything would have been much more difficult without Nora’s help and Drew’s acknowledged concern.

  “I would have had a very hard time, Nora, if I’d had to do this all by myself. To be truthful, I really didn’t know what I’d bargained for, but you knew, and so did Drew.”

  “Indeed he did. And I know he would have done much more for you, if you had allowed him to do so.”

  “Well, I’m back home now, and as soon as I get myself settled I’ll let him know….”

  “Don’t wait too long,” Nora admonished her.

  “I won’t.”

  She did not have to, because a few days later she received another dozen roses. The card read, Love and best wishes, and at the bottom were the words in capital letters, CALL ME!

  A cell phone number was listed, so she called.

  She heard the ring tones, then Drew’s warm baritone said, “Yes?”

  She responded, “This is Dr. Raines.”

  “Dr. who?”

  “Dr. Raines.”

  “Dr. Raines? Raines? Oh, Dina! How are you?”

  “I’m doing just fine.”

  “Dr. Raines! My goodness! You are really a doctor now?”

  “Yes, Drew, I have an earned Ph.D. in Nursing Science.”

  “Congratulations! I can hardly wait…”

  “I plan to return home on April first. I’m not sure where I’ll be living. My condo is leased on a month-to-month basis, so I must check with my tenant, let her know I’m back in the area….”

  Drew interrupted, and Dina heard the smile in his voice as he said, “There’s plenty of room for you here at my place, you know.”

  “That’s kind of you, Drew…”

  “Kind! Girl, you know it’s been a year. I’m not feeling kind! I’m desperate!”

  Dina laughed. “Drew, I know it’s been some time, and now that I’ve completed my doctorate, I’ll have more time to restart my life. And maybe, just maybe, we can establish some type of friendship.”

  “You bet! Can’t wait to see you and have you meet my family. They’re going to be very happy to get to know you. Trust me.”

  * * *

  Drew’s mother, Vanessa, met them at the front door.

  “Come in, my dears, come in!”

  She gave Dina a warm hug.

  “Welcome to our home, Dina. We are delighted to have you.”

  Then she gave her son a kiss on his cheek, telling him that his father and brother were out on the deck.

  “Since you’ve been away, Drew, we’ve enclosed the deck and enjoy it even more than before. Take Dina outside. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes….”

  “Can I help, Mrs. Tyler?”

  “Oh, no, not a bit. You are our honored guest.”

  The dinner was delightful. It was apparent that Drew’s family were comfortable with her. The meal Mrs. Tyler served was indicative of their relaxed ease. Dina felt at home, and she sensed that Drew
was pleased.

  The first course of chilled cucumber soup, creamy and delicious, served in crystal bowls, only whetted Dina’s appetite. The entrée was a standing rib roast, with Franconia potatoes, buttered carrots, gravy, and an elegant tossed salad. There were hot rolls, butter, and iced tea served in tall glasses with slices of lemon.

  “Do you like your beef well-cooked or rare?” Drew’s father asked Dina as he prepared to carve the roast.

  “Well done would be fine, sir.”

  “Coming right up. And, Drew, I know you prefer rare.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  They ate their meal mostly in a comfortable silence, with Mrs. Tyler pressing more food on them.

  “I’ve not enjoyed food like this in a long time, Mrs. Tyler,” Dina said to her hostess.

  “I’m glad. And you know that you are always welcome at this table.”

  Drew raised his iced tea glass. “Hear, hear!” Then he added, “I’d like to propose a toast to Dr. Dina Raines, who has just earned a Ph.D. in Nursing Science!”

  They touched glasses and Dina, somewhat overcome by the unexpected attention, quietly said, “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

  Being with the Tyler family, a warm, loving group of people, was a new experience for Dina.

  Even Drew’s brother, John, had been friendly and welcoming. He had asked questions about her educational experiences.

  He told her, “Not sure if I want to go to a historically black college or one here in the New England area.”

  “I think,” she said, “it depends on your field of study.”

  “Computers,” he grinned. “I’m a computer nut.”

  “Couldn’t do better than someplace here. MIT, for example…”

  “Whew! Don’t know if I’m good enough….”

  “Won’t know if you don’t try, son,” his father said.

  Vanessa Tyler smiled at her younger son. “Dad’s right, you know.” She rose from the table. “Now you all go back out on to the deck. We’ll have dessert out there. Strawberry shortcake.”

  There was a scraping back of their chairs, and Dina started to remove the plates from the table.

  “You don’t have to do…”

  “But I want to help. I have to help. My Gram trained me that way.”

  “Can’t go against our elders, now, can we?”

  “No, ma’am, we can’t.”

  * * *

  After Drew and Dina left, the Tylers went into the den, as they usually did to talk over the day’s events.

  Each knew what the other was thinking. Often, they discussed their work. As the director of human resources for his company, Ross had many anecdotes to share, and his wife, as a high school teacher, had plenty to tell her husband.

  It was Van who began the conversation. “What do you think about Dina?”

  Arching his eyebrows, he said, “She’s just what our son Drew wants in a wife. She’s beautiful, smart, very smart, knows what she wants and how to get it. Never met anyone like her. What do you think?”

  “Like you, Ross, I believe that anyone who has accomplished so much is very special, and of course the best part is that they love each other. We’ve raised good sons and all I want is for them to be happy.”

  “Amen to that,” her husband said. “Let’s go to bed.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  As Dina waited for Drew, she thought about the kind of person she had found him to be. He was serious-minded, kindhearted. When she was with him, he never passed a poor street person without giving a handout. He was loyal to his teammates, a diehard football player. He was devoted to his parents and his brother.

  He had insisted on taking her to meet them as soon as she had returned to her condo. It had turned out to be a wonderful evening.

  The sound of the doorbell interrupted her musings. When she opened the front door to Drew, he whistled.

  She was dressed in a vibrant blue silk blouse and a beige suede cloth skirt that fell to her ankles. On her feet were sleek black leather sandals.

  Her dark hair swung around her shoulders, emphasizing the exotic luminescence of her eyes. Gold hoop earrings added to her dramatic appearance.

  Her figure was elegantly slender. No one would have believed that she had delivered a baby a couple of months ago.

  He had been trying hard not to push her, to be patient, to let her make the advances, so he was very pleased that she seemed to be doing just that.

  For her part, Dina knew she was drawn to Drew. All during her teens and in college she had dated, but none had attracted her the way that Drew did.

  Was it his persistence, his willingness to offer help and support despite her constant refusals to accept that assistance?

  She recognized, too, his athletic ability, his loyalty to his teammates. And he was handsome. Not one bit pompous or overbearing. She really appreciated those traits. And despite everything, he seemed to respect her.

  Sitting on Dina’s couch in her living room, Drew wondered what she wanted to tell him. She had sounded mysterious on the phone. He picked up a copy of Time magazine, began to leaf through it.

  She had to know that he cared for her. He had been careful not to push too aggressively; he wanted their relationship to move forward at an acceptable pace. He knew what he wanted, had wanted, since he first saw her at the football game.

  She had gone upstairs to change into more comfortable clothes.

  “I’ll be right back down and we’ll have coffee,” she told him.

  She came back within minutes, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, not an Anchor shirt, he noticed. He’d have to remedy that.

  Going into her kitchen, she said, “Coffee will be ready in a few minutes, Drew. How do you like yours?”

  He could hear her opening up a coffee can, pouring water into the coffee maker, and placing mugs on a tray.

  “Black for me, Dina. Thanks.”

  She laughed, a lighthearted sound that pleased him.

  “Me, too. Learned to drink black coffee working nights in many hospitals, trying to stay awake.”

  She laughed again.

  “Those were the days, or should I say nights?”

  Happy to hear the levity in her voice, Drew hoped the remainder of the evening would not be somber or disastrous. She had seemed so serious when she’d invited him over tonight.

  She came into the living room carrying a tray, which she placed on the coffee table where Drew had cleared a space.

  “Thanks, Drew.”

  “No problem.”

  On the tray were two mugs filled with steaming coffee.

  This time he chuckled heartily when he noticed that the mugs were marked with the gold-painted anchor of his team.

  “Right on, Dina!” He grinned at her and lifted the mug to salute her.

  “Thought you’d get a kick out of them. Crackers, cheese?” she offered.

  “The coffee’s perfect,” he told her, helping himself to some cheese and a few crackers. “I do like your place here, Dina. It’s like you, calm and pleasant. The colors you’ve chosen, beige, gold, soft blue…relaxing and homey.”

  “I’m glad you like it. I feel as if it’s really my first home.”

  “What do you mean, ‘first home’?”

  “When I finish explaining, I think you’ll know why. And I do want to thank you for being so patient with me.”

  Looking at her, her dark brown eyes that entranced him, the lush fullness of her lips that he ached to touch; if she only knew how much he wanted to take her in his arms. He had all he could do not to embrace her…hold her close.

  She took another sip of her coffee, placed the cup on the tray, and turned her body to face Drew.

  “Thanks, Drew, for being so patient with me. I know I’ve been difficult, and I do admire that you’ve tolerated my…irrational behavior, as it must have seemed to you.”

  “I care about you, Dina, very much.”

  “I know, and your wonderful family. I never had a family like yours
….”

  “Really? What happened?”

  As she had expected, his reaction, his sympathetic response, encouraged her to open up and explain her situation.

  She answered slowly, determined to reveal the truth of her past.

  “I was two months old when my mother died.”

  “Oh, my God! How awful!” Drew reached for her hand, found it to be trembling.

  “My father gave me away to my mother’s sister and her husband. I grew up thinking they were my birth parents. We were a happy family, but…” Her voice was low, and Drew saw that her eyes glistened with unshed tears. He held her hand more tightly.

  She continued, “I was only sixteen when they were killed by a drunk driver.”

  “Awful! I’m so sorry, Dina. What a terrible loss…at sixteen! Then what? What did you do?”

  “My…my dad’s mother, my grandmother Emily, took me to Connecticut to live with her.”

  Drew rubbed his thumb over her hand as if to reassure her. He wanted to hold her, comfort her, realizing that reliving the past was not easy for her.

  “That must have been so hard on you.”

  “It was. Being uprooted from my home, taken to a new community, a new school, I didn’t know if I could cope, but Gram was wonderful to me.”

  “Was she your only relative?”

  “At the time I thought she was my dad’s mother, and she was his mother, but she wasn’t my real grandmother.”

  With her free hand she reached for her mug, took another sip of her coffee, as if she needed more strength to go on.

  “It was after my graduation from high school that she told me.”

  “Told you what?”

  “That I was adopted.”

  “Adopted?”

  “Adopted. My adoptive parents were my mother’s sister and her husband.”

  “That must have been a real blow.”

  “Yes, it was. My real…I mean, my birth parents were Graciana and Henry Lawrence. When my birth mother died, my father gave me up. Lawrence would have been my last name, but since I was legally adopted, I became Claudina Raines.”

  Drew sensed that he was beginning to understand more fully what had motivated Dina. He waited patiently for her to continue.