Course of Action

by Gun Brooke

  “All right,” Francine muttered. “No onion rings and lots of salad, Harvey.”

  “Yes, dear.” Harvey rubbed his hands. “I’ll go see if I can help the chef. Just to carry things out here, dear. Not doing any tasting, I promise.” He disappeared toward the back of the plane.

  “For an actor, he’s such a bad liar,” his wife sighed, making the others laugh.

  “I’ll have to issue a statement tomorrow,” Annelie murmured to Carolyn. “Margo said several newspapers and networks won’t give up.”

  “Can’t you do it through her?”

  Annelie considered. “No, she spoke for me all last week. If this has taught me anything, and you have a big part in this, it’s that I have to know when to stop hiding. I’ll call a press conference and read a brief statement. If anyone wants any comments after Monday, they’ll have to settle for Margo.”

  “Good girl. I’m proud of you. I know it’s not in your nature to do this, but you have a point. You’ll do fine.” She patted Annelie’s knee.

  “You’re good for me.”

  Carolyn’s heart picked up speed. “And you’re even better for me,” she whispered.

  “Look here, isn’t this heaven, I ask you?” Harvey’s delighted tone of voice made them turn their heads. He stood next to the coffee table in front of the couch, holding a tray weighed down with hamburgers. “French fries and onion rings coming up!” He shot his wife a sheepish grin. “And salad.”

  *

  Carolyn pulled her cell phone from her pocket, switching it on as she walked through LaGuardia. Her shoulders ached from sleeping in an uncomfortable position on the plane.

  “One missed call,” she observed, frowning. “Who on earth’s calling me at this hour?”

  Annelie reached for the phone. “Here, let me show you how to check it. There, it says Joe’s Cell. If you press Dial, it’ll automatically call his number.”

  As Carolyn dialed her brother-in-law, an unsettling feeling soured her stomach. No one answered. No one answered at their house either. “Oh, my God, what’s wrong?” she murmured. “Why would he call me in the middle of the night, unless—”

  Annelie joined Carolyn in the backseat of the waiting limo.

  “Do you have any other number you can try? The help they hired?”

  “No, I don’t have her number. She doesn’t work weekends, anyway.”

  “Did you try your voice mail?”

  Wanting to slap her forehead, Carolyn punched in the numbers. She turned the phone sideways so Annelie could listen too.

  “Carolyn, it’s Joe. Beth’s in the hospital. Call me as soon as you can. If I can’t answer the phone, call my parents.” He gave another D.C. number, making her scramble through her purse for a pen, cursing violently.

  “Easy, Carolyn. Wait till I find a pen, and then let me listen to it again.”

  Carolyn stared at the passing traffic with unseeing eyes while Annelie wrote down the number.

  “There. Now you can dial.”

  “I…What if she’s lost the baby?” Carolyn’s voice was barely audible. “It’ll destroy her. Oh, God…”

  “Don’t think the worst. Make the call, and then we’ll figure out what to do.”

  Reaching for Annelie with one hand, Carolyn began to dial with the other. Vaguely she noticed her fingers had gone numb.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Annelie glanced at Carolyn, who sat with her hands clenched in her lap. Driving the Volvo down I-95 toward D.C., Annelie was relieved about the lack of traffic at this hour. The car, which handled easily, was more comfortable than her own small sports car.

  “I’m glad we decided to take your car. It’s only a four-hour drive, probably less at this time of day.” Annelie reached out and caressed the fisted hands. “Why don’t you take a nap? You’ll be exhausted when we get there.”

  Cold fingers curled around Annelie’s hand. “I know. I’m just so worried.”

  “I’m sure Joe will try your cell phone again as soon as he can. His parents seem nice.”

  “Yes, they are. When I talked to his mother, she kept trying to comfort me, even though she’s worried too. They’ve really taken Beth to their hearts.”

  “So no in-law problems for your sister?”

  “Perhaps in the beginning, but that was mostly because of me.”

  “Because of you? Whatever for?” Annelie frowned, surprised at Carolyn’s desolate tone of voice.

  “I suspect they thought I was this dubious Hollywood person who’d spoiled her young sister rotten. Finally, they came around and started treating Beth like a long-lost daughter. They even warmed up to me eventually.”

  Annelie heard the exasperation behind the mock sarcasm. And you suffered through it for Beth’s sake, didn’t you? You knew how they perceived you and you didn’t say a word. Oh, Carolyn, if you only knew how apparent your vulnerability is to me. You may think you’re hiding it well, and perhaps you are, from people other than me. Knowing only too well how prejudice stung made Annelie want to protect Carolyn in any way she could. She realized how impossible that was, but, glancing at the pained expression on her lover’s face, she vowed to try. You’ll never have to face such a thing alone again, Carolyn.

  “Close your eyes, Carolyn,” Annelie suggested, raising their joined hands to her lips. “I’ll put on some music.” She turned on the stereo, which was tuned to a station playing classical music. “Excellent.”

  Carolyn reclined her seat and stretched out. She reached behind her for a blanket from the backseat and spread it over her legs. “She has to be all right,” she murmured. “She has to.”

  “Shh, just relax now.”

  Annelie set the cruise control to 65 miles per hour and settled back, rolling her shoulders. Traffic was still sparse, and she was confident they would reach D.C. quicker by car than by air. This way, they could drive straight to the hospital where Beth was undergoing treatment for premature labor. According to Joe’s mother, who was keeping little Pamela, Beth was hemorrhaging and having contractions.

  Carolyn had told her more about Beth’s previous miscarriages while they drove from the airport to Carolyn’s condo. Not only had she lost the babies, but she’d also gone through some painful complications. Beth is certainly brave to try again after such ordeals.

  A soft whimper came from the passenger seat. Annelie turned her head and saw Carolyn curling up, a deep frown marring her forehead. Her breaths came in short bursts as she apparently fought some demons in her sleep. Annelie reached out and shook the shoulder closest to her. “Sweetheart, you’re dreaming. Wake up.”

  Carolyn shied away from her hand, moaning. She was trembling under the blanket, and tears outlined her lashes.

  Reading the road signs, Annelie saw they were only minutes from a rest area. She pulled off the interstate, parked, and turned to Carolyn. “Sweetheart? Wake up. Come here.” She leaned in to hug her.

  Carolyn fought her embrace for a short moment, but then seemed to recognize the touch. She looked at Annelie through tears while blinking fiercely. “Annie?”

  “You had a bad dream. You’re okay now.”

  Clearing her throat, Carolyn tried to sit up but changed her mind. “Where are we?”

  “About halfway, maybe a little more. Are you okay?”

  Carolyn’s eyes narrowed and a wry smile appeared on her face. “You ask me that a lot, you know.”

  Annelie smiled, nuzzling her lover’s hair. “And so do you. Want some coffee?”

  Carolyn raised her seat back and tossed the blanket aside. “Coffee might just do the trick.”

  “Want me to get it for us?”

  “No thanks, love. I need to stretch my legs.” Carolyn got out of the car, pulling her coat closer around her as the autumn breeze played havoc with her hair.

  Annelie circled the car to stand close to Carolyn. Without hesitation, she pushed the disheveled tresses out of her lover’s face, letting her thumb quickly brush against her tightened lips. “Don’t worry. We�
�ll be there in no time.”

  “I know. It’s just…”

  “…she was once your baby.”

  Hooking her arm under Annelie’s, Carolyn nodded. “I’m so glad you understand. If I didn’t already love you, I’d fall in love with you this instant.”

  *

  “Carolyn!” Joe was pale and needed a shave. “Beth’ll be so glad to see you. Hell, I’m glad you’re here.” He pulled her into a firm hug.

  “How is she?” Carolyn pulled back, examining Joe’s features for any signs of disaster and noticing the dark circles under his eyes.

  “She’s doing everything they tell her and she’s not complaining, but she’s scared.” Joe glanced over Carolyn’s shoulder. “You must be Ms. Peterson?”

  “Oh, sorry.” Carolyn sighed, wanting to kick herself. “Joey, this is my good friend, Annelie Peterson. Annie, this is Joseph Rossi.”

  “I guessed as much. Nice to meet you, Joe. Please call me Annelie. I just wish we’d met under happier circumstances.”

  “Nice to meet you too, Annelie. I’m so glad you could come. Beth can’t wait to meet you. Perhaps you can distract her a little.” Carolyn noticed her brother-in-law didn’t seem convinced. “Come on. She’s in room 1412.”

  Carolyn stopped in the doorway, looking at her sister lying in bed with several IVs connected to her arm. Beth was beyond pale.

  Carolyn stepped inside. “Hello, kiddo. How you doing?”

  Beth’s eyes snapped open. “Lyn!” She stuck out a hand and burst into tears. “Oh, Lyn, it’s happening all over again. I’m going to lose my baby.”

  Carolyn rushed to the bed, pulling her little sister into her arms and rocking her. “You don’t know that, honey. Joe just told me how brave you are. He says you’re following the doctor’s orders to the letter. Have faith in that.”

  “I can’t go through this again. I’m so scared. I was doing everything right at home too. Staying off my feet, letting the help do everything. And Pamela’s been good as gold. Why’s this happening now? We never should have tried again.”

  Carolyn’s heart ached. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Annelie and Joe waiting. Annelie raised her hand, indicating she knew Beth was in no shape to meet a stranger. Wiggling her cell phone, she motioned toward the exit. Carolyn nodded.

  Focusing on her sister, Carolyn ignored her uncomfortable position, not about to let go of the distraught woman. “I don’t know, but I’m here now. So’s Joe. We’ll see this through, and you and the baby will be all right. I’m not leaving you until you’re okay, I promise.”

  Carefully rocking Beth some more, she hoped her acting skills wouldn’t fail her. She wanted to believe her own words, but it was hard.

  Carolyn felt the thin form in her arms gradually relax. “That’s it, sweetie. Just go to sleep. It’s the best thing for you. I’ll be right here. Joe too.”

  Joe came in and helped her lower the now-sleeping Beth onto the pillows. “Amazing,” he whispered, stroking his wife’s hair. “She’s had a hard time relaxing, even when the doctors told her it’d be best for her and the baby. You two have an astonishing connection.”

  “Yes, we do.” Carolyn reached out for Joe’s hand. “And so do the two of you.”

  “Yes, but sometimes you need the person who comforted you when you were little.”

  “I know I’ve certainly missed our mother over the years. Beth doesn’t remember her, of course, but I do. When Mom died, though I was young, I knew I had to be a mother to Beth. It was odd. Our father was wonderful in many ways, but he couldn’t fathom how difficult it all was.” She flashed Joe a wistful smile. “Don’t get me wrong. Beth was a gorgeous baby and I loved tending to her.”

  Joe pulled up two more chairs around the bed. “I know you did. You were just a child, and suddenly you had two children of your own.”

  “True.”

  Joe stroked his wife’s damp forehead. “She was afraid to fall asleep earlier. She was convinced the baby would be gone when she woke up.”

  “Oh, God, poor Beth. No wonder she was so wound up.”

  Almost soundless steps approached from behind, making them both turn their heads. Annelie looked hesitant, but Joe rose, pointing to the empty chair next to Carolyn. “Please have a seat. Beth’s asleep, but I know she won’t mind us sitting here. In fact, I know she’d feel safe if she wakes up to the sound of our voices.”

  “You sure? Thank you.” Annelie sat down. “Carolyn, I called Margo and let her know where we are.”

  “Good. Everything okay at her end?”

  “Yes. I told her to enjoy her Sunday. Everything going on can wait till we go back.”

  The three of them sat in silence, occasionally engaging in small talk as Beth rested. Joe had been awake all night but refused to leave his wife and go home for a nap. Carolyn admired his stamina.

  Looking at Beth’s face, almost transparent in its paleness, Carolyn wanted to make a bargain with the devil if only her sister wouldn’t lose her child. Suddenly Beth jerked and woke with a start, her body curling up as she gave a muted cry.

  “No! Oh, it hurts…”

  Joe pressed the alarm and Carolyn rose, taking Beth’s hand. “Calm down, Beth. We’ve called for help. Try to relax, sweetie.”

  “I can’t! It hurts too much.” Beth yanked her hand free, pressing both hands onto her stomach as if to protect the endangered fetus. “No, no, no, this can’t be happening…” Her voice rose to a loud cry as pain wracked her body.

  Annelie disappeared out the door when several of the medical staff entered. Carolyn pressed her back against the wall, watching them administer more drugs and try to calm her sister. Unless they threw her out, she was not about to leave. She’d promised Beth to be there.

  Joe looked up at his sister-in-law from where he was leaning over Beth. “Carolyn? Please try to talk to her again. She’s shaking so badly.” His dark eyes were brimming with tears.

  Circling the medical staff working around Beth, Carolyn stepped close to the bed. She leaned down, hugging Beth. “Please, baby, stop fighting so. Let the drugs do their job and just relax. There you go, try to breathe in and out. Nice and slow. Settle down.”

  “You don’t understand,” Beth moaned, tears and drops of sweat mixing at her temples. “You just don’t understand. You’ve never been a mother, and you don’t know what it’s like to lose a child. It’s not like losing a damn role!”

  Stiffening at the stinging words, Carolyn swallowed hard, forcing herself to remember her sister was in a lot of pain and under great stress. “Shh, sweetie, calm down. That’s it. The medication’s working now, right? Can you feel it?”

  Slowly the cramps lessened, and after a while Beth fell back into a deep sleep. Carolyn stretched her aching back, looking at Joe and the doctor. “What’s happening now?”

  “We gave her a new medication,” the young doctor said. “All we can do is wait and see. You did a great job of calming Mrs. Rossi down. She’s been terrified ever since she was brought in.”

  “Thank you.” Carolyn moved out of the way to let Joe sit on the bed next to his wife. “She needs to see your face when she wakes up.”

  Joe pressed his lips together in a fine line. “I’m so glad you’re here, Carolyn.”

  “She’s my baby,” Carolyn said. “I’ll go see if I can find some coffee, okay? I’ll be right around the corner.” She walked out of Beth’s room and found Annelie waiting just outside the door.

  “You said something about coffee?” Annelie asked, holding up a cup. “Here you go.”

  Her lips trembling, Carolyn forced a smile, accepting the steaming drink. “Thank you.”

  “About what Beth said…it was her pain and fear talking. You know that, don’t you?” Annelie blew on her hot tea, carefully studying Carolyn’s face over the rim of her mug.

  “Yes,” Carolyn answered quickly. “Of course I do.”

  Sipping her coffee, Carolyn leaned against the wall, drawing a trembling breath. Beth’s pain was her o
wn.

  *

  “You look 100 percent better, sweetie.”

  “I feel better, too.” Beth managed a tired smile.

  Annelie stood in the doorway, not wanting to disturb the sisters. She recognized the guarded expression in Carolyn’s eyes and wondered if Beth noticed it.

  “If you’re up to it,” Carolyn continued, “there’s someone I want you to meet. Annelie?”

  On cue, Annelie stepped inside the room and walked up to them.

  “Beth, this is Annelie Peterson, my friend. Annelie, this is my sister Beth.”

  “Oh, it’s great to finally meet you, Annelie,” Beth gushed, color returning to her cheeks. The tormented woman Annelie had seen earlier had disappeared. Now, almost ten hours later, the danger seemed to be over, at least for now.

  “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better,” Annelie smiled. “I’ve looked forward to meeting you and your family.”

  “Thanks for helping Carolyn get here so fast.” Beth’s expression turned serious. “Joe told me you drove all the way.”

  “I was happy to help.”

  Beth looked at Carolyn, her cheeks reddening. “Lyn? Won’t you sit?” She gestured to the bed. “I…”

  Carolyn sat down on the side of the bed, taking Beth’s hand in hers. “The only thing that matters is you’re feeling better. Both of you.”

  “No, it’s not all that matters. I said horrible things to you. Lynnie, I didn’t mean it.” Beth clung to her sister’s hand. “I was scared, and I didn’t mean it the way it came out.” Tears dropped from blue-gray eyes so like Carolyn’s. “I’m sorry.”

  Annelie saw the tension lessen in Carolyn’s shoulders as she leaned forward to kiss her little sister. “Hush, now. I knew you were in pain. I understand, Beth. Don’t give it a second thought.”

  “You know everything, and more, about being a mom. You’re my sister, but you’re my mother too.”

  Feeling tears rise in her own eyes, Annelie had to swallow hard when she heard the love and sincerity obvious in Beth’s voice. Carolyn’s ready understanding and forgiveness also warmed her heart. Glancing at Joe, she saw him wink at her. Annelie smiled, nodding back.