Forget the Yellow Brick Road

by Liz Green

  The Captain, however, although shocked, was delighted by the news. He was, at that very moment, searching through his scuba gear for something he had hidden several weeks before and had been waiting for the right time to give to Dorothy.

  Returning to the stateroom, The Captain knelt beside the bed where Dorothy was sitting. He held out in front of him a lacquered timber jewellery box. Dorothy’s jaw dropped. He opened the box. A platinum solitaire diamond ring delicately sat inside, shining up at them.

  “Dorothy, will you do me the honour of marrying me?”

  As her tears obscured her vision, Dorothy could barely see the ring in the box held in front of her. She blinked furiously to focus and, without a second thought, responded with a resounding, “Yes.”

  Six weeks later…

  CHAPTER 21

  Catherine Lyons Becomes a King

  The first trimester of Dorothy’s pregnancy was not the easiest stage of her life. Dorothy worked for the not-for-profit organisation to the end of her contract, but she was relieved when it came to an end. She could then attempt to struggle her way through the torture of her morning sickness. Her doctor had promised her that the sicker she was, the healthier the baby was. Dorothy’s scepticism prevented her from totally believing him, but she secretly hoped that he was right.

  Knowing that Catherine Lyons had been through it all before, Dorothy often called Catherine to share her concerns and to ask for advice. Pregnancy and babies were the furthest thing from Catherine’s mind, however. Since Catherine had taken the leap of faith to become a consultant and start her own business, she had been inundated with clients and exceptionally rewarding projects. So much so, she had begun looking for office space to lease so she could expand her business and hire her first employees.

  After weeks of looking and not finding quite the right space, Catherine began to think her vision for her new office did not exist. She wanted to create a bright, open, and inviting space where people would want to come to work. One morning, while browsing the online property advertisements, Catherine spotted a small ad that described just what she was hoping for. Immediately she called the listed number of the commercial property agent and made an appointment to meet her there.

  Catherine pulled up in her car outside of the building. It was a relatively new development, located just a fifteen-minute drive from the central business district and a two-minute walk from a train station. Catherine felt a sense of excitement, as her intuition told her that this space was the one. The office was on the ground floor, in the corner of a medium-sized building, and two of the exterior walls were floor-to-ceiling glass. Conveniently, there was plenty of parking available another bonus. Catherine parked her car and sat impatiently waiting for the agent.

  Catherine was delighted with the green space that surrounded the buildings and the cafÈ precinct just around the corner. She was desperately attempting to reduce her expectations, however, because the advertisement said that the space was already fitted out. Considering her budget for the move, that was one of the problems she had continually faced when inspecting all the other properties: Poky with lots of small boxed in offices and a lack of natural light seemed to be the trend.

  Catherine must have been daydreaming. When she next looked toward the office, she saw the agent unlocking the front door. Catherine grabbed her bag and notebook and headed across the road.

  As Catherine stepped inside the foyer, she fell in love with the neutral-color painted walls and laminated timber floors. She could imagine two primary-coloured contemporary lounges sitting brightly in the reception space, along with a glass coffee table neatly adorned with magazines. Around the corner would be a wonderful, open-plan office space, with enough room for as many as ten people, but with just four beech-coloured desks, strategically placed so people could focus on what they were doing. At the end of the office would be two glass-partitioned rooms: one a small meeting room and the other a manager’s office. The manager’s office would be small but perfectly proportioned for the glass-and-beech desk and return. The wall of the office would feature a large canvas painting of a luscious green bamboo forest. At the far left-hand corner of the office were bathrooms and a small kitchenette.

  The most exciting part of the office, however, was at the left of the office just behind the entrance foyer, behind a closed door. Catherine opened the door and peeked in. The room would be perfect as a large training room, for a facilitator and fourteen training participants to engage themselves in their training. The room would be perfectly furnished with white desks, lime green chairs, inspiring artwork, and all the technology one could want in an ideal learning space.

  Catherine was pleased that the agent had given her the time and space to inspect the office without interruption. As she returned to the foyer where the agent was waiting, the agent said to her, “I know it can be difficult to imagine how the space could look when you’re inspecting a vacant property.”

  “Oh not at all,” replied Catherine. “I can see exactly how this space will work perfectly!”

  Four months later, Catherine was sitting at her desk in her glass-partitioned office, looking out at her wonderful and dedicated new team working away at their desks. She could hear the laughter of a group of participants emanating from behind the walls of the training room.

  She unexpectedly felt hunger pains and noticed the time on her computer screen. It was almost lunchtime, and she remembered that Dorothy was due to arrive any moment. Catherine knew that it was important for her to be supportive and provide a sounding board for Dorothy, but now, with her focus on building her business, pregnancy and babies just felt so foreign to her.

  During lunch, the women each talked about what was important to them, and each desperately wanted their old friend back. Dorothy felt that Catherine was not being as sympathetic as she might have been when she herself was pregnant or a new mother. Catherine felt that Dorothy was not giving her the business advice she might have given her before she was pregnant. They each felt as though they were on completely different trajectories.

  Dorothy was perplexed by the situation and asked Catherine, “You seem to have wound up working harder and even longer hours than before. What happened to you wanting more life balance working from home?”

  Catherine considered the question and contemplated her response. “I may have only a little more work-life balance, but at least now I am calling the shots. I’m probably the toughest boss I have ever had, but I’m definitely the best boss I ever had!” she said.

  The friends laughed, and the mood lightened.

  “I guess working from home had a certain appeal, but as soon as I realised I had something more to offer and my services were in demand, I felt the need to expand and rise to the challenge,” Catherine said. “The kids are older now, and now there is time for me again. For the very first time in my career, I feel as though I have achieved something truly great, that I have arrived and discovered what all the hard work was for,” Catherine added, reflectively. “Perhaps you could say I feel like I’m the king of the castle!” she said proudly. “But I suppose I could ask you a similar question. What happened to your goal of becoming a CFO, Dorothy?”

  No one had directly asked Dorothy that question yet. She had been afraid to even ask it herself. The pregnancy had come at a miraculously perfect time, and it had given her the freedom and space to let go of her professional drive and simply focus on the pregnancy.

  “I honestly don’t know, Catherine,” Dorothy replied, “but you know what? I don’t think I really care at this point.”

  Dorothy looked around Catherine’s office and said, “In fact, I don’t think I want any of this. I imagine I would rather be at home with The Captain and our kids.”

  Catherine looked at Dorothy, amazed at her peacefulness and calm. Catherine could remember feeling the same way when she was pregnant and when her children were still babies. She wondered if perhaps women somehow were programmed this way. She also wondered if Dorothy would co
ntinue feeling the way she did now.

  Two months later…

  CHAPTER 22

  The Land of the Twins

  The doctor had advised Dorothy and The Captain to postpone their annual winter trip to the tropics, at least until the end of Dorothy’s first trimester. The Captain was able to reschedule his first few bookings, which were, thankfully, all for his regular guests. Their excitement over the news that he was to become a father outweighed the inconvenience of postponing their annual holidays.

  The first trimester ended, but, unfortunately, the nausea remained. Dorothy was sure she would be unable to travel at sea while feeling this sick. The Captain also realised that it was not going to be feasible for Dorothy to come with him. He was feeling torn and guilty. His clients were relying on him, and he did not want to let them down and, of course, there was no way he would let Dorothy down either. His overwhelming desires to provide and protect were, he felt, in conflict of each other. He needed to work and fulfill his commitments to provide for Dorothy and their baby, but he also felt the need to stay with her and protect her. They had both decided to wait until the ultrasound, which was scheduled eighteen weeks into Dorothy’s pregnancy, before making any final decisions.

  Dorothy and The Captain waited anxiously in a small dark room for the ultrasound technician. Dorothy was lying on the bed, dressed in a surgical gown. The Captain perched on a stool, holding on tightly to Dorothy’s hand. The many pregnancy books that Dorothy had purchased and read, devouring every single word, had listed copious potential concerns with the pregnancy, but had done nothing to put their minds at ease.

  Both of them jumped when the ultrasound technician opened the door and entered. Clearly, each one was as nervous as the other, and they apprehensively giggled at each other.

  The technician went about her business, scanning Dorothy’s pregnant belly and staring at the monitor with concentration. A few minutes passed while she took photos of unintelligible shapes on the screen.

  “Right, then,” the woman said. “Let me now show you, and I’ll tell you what I see.”

  Dorothy and The Captain were eager to see their baby on the screen.

  “Here is the baby’s head, and here you can see its arms and the beating heart,” the woman said.

  When she saw the baby’s heart, Dorothy’s own heart skipped a beat. It was simply the most amazing thing she had ever seen.

  “Can we see the baby’s feet?” asked The Captain excitedly.

  “Well, actually no,” replied the technician.

  “What do you mean? Is there something wrong?” gasped Dorothy.

  “Oh no, not in the sense you’re thinking. There is something in the way. There is actually another baby in the way,” the technician said. “You’re pregnant with twins.”

  Neither the lapping of the water against the sides of the yacht nor the trusty sound of the marine bell did anything to assist Dorothy or The Captain in sleeping soundly the night after the ultrasound appointment. Although they were thrilled at the prospect of two healthy babies and an instant family, neither of them could quite comprehend what this would mean to their lives.

  Dorothy could not imagine bringing up two babies on a boat one maybe, but definitely not two. She could still remember The Captain once saying, “I feel my truest, my strongest, and my most inspired when I am at sea on my own yacht. It took me years to discover my true passion in life.” His words haunted her, and each time she rolled over in bed to try to escape them, she heard them even louder.

  The Captain, on the other hand, was tossing and turning, trying to determine the best plan of action. He knew that tomorrow he would need to cancel all of his guests for the winter season, and he would need to find a suitable home for Dorothy and the babies.

  The following morning, although both Dorothy and The Captain were incredibly tired, they discussed the situation over breakfast. The Captain offered to sell his yacht, but Dorothy feared he would be filled with resentment in the future if she allowed him to do that. Dorothy suggested The Captain go away for the winter season while she move into her apartment and wait for his return. The Captain could not bring himself to leave her to manage the pregnancy on her own. If anything happened, he thought, he would never forgive himself.

  After much discussion and debate, they decided that the most practical solution would be to give notice to the tenants in Dorothy’s apartment, move in there together until the birth of the babies, and then take it one step at a time. The Captain would extend the period of time in which he worked for others out of the harbour, but would also offer his own yacht for private functions and events.

  The plan was put into action, and everything was perfectly in place for the birth of the babies.

  Despite Dorothy’s fears, the birth of The Twins was uneventful except, of course, for the moment when she held her babies for the first time. The delivery suite was painted a dusty pink and furnished with a recliner chair, a beanbag chair, and the traditional hospital bed and medical paraphernalia. In the room were Dorothy’s doctor, midwife, paediatrician, and, The Captain. The Captain held one baby and the paediatrician held the other, and the two men walked toward her with the precious tiny bundles. One baby, tightly wrapped in a blanket, was placed in each of her arms. As she looked down at The Twins’ perfectly formed faces, the most overwhelming sense of responsibility, protectiveness, and love overcame her. Dorothy knew it was a moment she would never forget.

  The first year of motherhood was challenging. Dorothy’s body had changed, and she was always tired, consumed by the needs of her newborn children. Despite this, Dorothy was in love. She loved spending time with The Twins, she loved The Captain more than ever, and she loved the family they had created together.

  Her apartment definitely did not look the same. The third bedroom had been converted into The Twins’ bedroom. The leather sofa was draped in blankets, the high-gloss kitchen was covered in fingerprints and the spa bath was full of toys, washers, and sponges. Dorothy would not have had it any other way. The apartment proved to be a perfectly suitable home for the four of them. It was close to the wharf where the yacht was moored and just as close to the harbour where The Captain worked on other boats. A large park was just around the corner, and all other amenities were within walking distance. In this home as time passed, The Twins had their first smiles, said their first words, and took their first steps.

  Because of the kind of work The Captain did, their weekends were rarely spent together. During the traditional working week, however, they had opportunities for family time. One Monday afternoon, Dorothy and The Captain took The Twins to play in the park. Both of the children were walking now and had fiercely independent natures. Dorothy found it delightful to watch them interact with each other and entertain themselves. Next to her, The Captain sat relaxed on the park bench, with his legs stretched out in front of him, reading the newspaper. One of the twins stood at the top of a toddler-sized climbing frame, pulling on a rope. The rope was attached to a scoop-shaped bucket that had been carefully filled with wood chips by the other twin below. When the bucket reached the top of the frame, its contents emptied down a shoot and spilled out the bottom. The Twins’ giggles of laughter was the sweetest sound a person could ever hear. As their giggling eased, The Twins began the process all over again.

  Dorothy momentarily closed her eyes. She could hear the chatter of The Twins playing. She could sense the presence of The Captain next to her. She could feel the warmth of the sun on her face. She could smell the freshly cut grass. She believed there could be nothing more fulfilling than that.

  Three years later…

  CHAPTER 23

  Dorothy’s Wish Is Granted

  On their first day of school, The Twins waved good-bye to Dorothy without a second glance and disappeared among the crowd of children pouring into the classroom.

  They looked adorable dressed in their slightly oversized school uniforms with schoolbags propped onto their backs. Dorothy had chuckled to hersel
f earlier that morning when one of the twins fell backward from the sheer weight of the backpack and was pinned to the ground like a capsized turtle. Her twin babies were no longer babies and were off to school.

  During Dorothy’s walk home to the apartment after dropping The Twins to school, she felt an uneasy uncertainness about the future. In recent months, she had often become frustrated with The Twins and The Captain, in most cases for no reason at all. She had also noticed The Captain was becoming uncharacteristically irritable and taking it out on her and the children.

  She understood that The Captain had given up his dreams to build a family with her. Each winter season on the harbour, the demand for his services as a captain reduced significantly, and fewer customers wanted to hire him for private trips on his yacht. Dorothy thought it was likely he was becoming claustrophobic in the apartment and perhaps felt trapped.

  Dorothy had put these thoughts to the back of her mind for the last few months as she struggled to see how she could meet the needs of her young children and the needs of the Captain. However, now that the children were older, she thought, it was certainly time to start thinking about the future.

  When Dorothy arrived back at the apartment, there were a handful of boxes in the middle of the hallway. Attached was a sticky note from The Captain, asking her to sort through them. The Captain had been asking Dorothy to do this task for months. The boxes had been stored at the top of The Twins’ wardrobe since Dorothy and The Captain moved into the apartment during her pregnancy. It was so unlike Dorothy to procrastinate over anything, but for some unknown reason, she just had just not got around to this task.

  Dorothy made a cup of coffee, dragged the boxes over to the lounge room, and plonked herself on the floor. The first box was simply full of books no wonder it was so heavy. After a quick look, she pulled out the books she had not yet read and left the rest in the box to give to charity. The second box contained what on the surface looked like sheets and towels, but Dorothy then discovered that the sheets and towels were only in the box to wrap and protect a crystal vase she had packed away when she moved onto The Captain’s yacht. She put the sheets and towels in the laundry and gently placed the vase on the dining table.