One Little Bit

by Tey Holden

  Karen saw some medical tools being moved closer to Helena on a tray, and her fear peaked. “Fuck!”

  “Are you going to start cursing now?” Addy asked.

  Karen pulled her closer. “Don’t get funny, I’m scared shitless! This is very serious.”

  Addy smiled. “Sssh, I love you, baby.”

  “Fuck! You’d better! That’s the least you can do!”

  “Karen! Sssh! Baby, we are not alone.”

  “Who cares? Adriana, I can’t believe for the life of me that I’m doing this! Oh God, I want this to be so over! I hope this thing sticks wherever it has to stick because I don’t know if you are going to get me in this position again!” Karen was lying on a gurney and her legs were propped up on high stirrups as Helena performed the procedure.

  Helena was wearing her surgical mask and was absorbed in her task, but Addy could see the crinkles in her eyes and could tell she was enjoying Karen’s comments and cursing. The same was true for the nurse assisting her. Addy chuckled and peeked over the divider that had been placed over Karen’s belly to prevent her from seeing the action taking place on the other side.

  “Karen, this is not going to hurt at all, and it will be quick. You are not going to feel a thing, I promise. Addy, let me ask you a question, are you sure you want to get this woman pregnant?”

  “Ha, ha, kind of late for that question Dr. Helena. Is everything going well over at your end there?” Karen asked.

  “All is perfect here. I’m just concerned about Addy’s mental health for the next few months.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to be concerned about your patient here?” Karen protested.

  “No, my patient is doing very well. Not concerned at all about her. But, frankly, Addy, the patient here may be a force to be reckoned with during nine months of pregnancy.”

  Addy smiled and kissed Karen’s hand. Addy was thankful that Helena had started her silly conversation because it had taken Karen’s mind off what was happening.

  “Is this supposed to be funny? Because if it is and I’m supposed to laugh, I would like to be in some other type of less revealing position.” Even the nurse chuckled. “You people are heartless. Please, be quick and finish up. I need to get on with my life.”

  “I don’t know Addy, this may prove to be a bigger challenge than you bargained for.”

  Addy laughed. “Don’t worry Helena, I can tame this tiger. Didn’t you hear her? I’m heartless. Have you ever heard anyone call her spouse heartless, or is this your first obnoxious patient?”

  Helena spent most of the procedure smiling or laughing. Addy’s teasing was delightful, and although Karen appeared to be outraged, Helena could tell that both women were used to the sweet bantering. Karen again and again grimaced and gave Addy a menacing look. But she kept holding her hand close to her heart.

  Addy came close and caressed Karen’s face with her own, and kissed her. “Close your eyes.” Karen did as requested. “I’m right here with you, baby, all the way.”

  “I want to go home. I want this over with.” Karen sounded shaky. Just then, Helena announced that she was done. “Now we wait and see if your little seed is going to absorb her juice and blossom.” Addy grinned when she heard Helena use Karen’s terminology when referring to the process.

  Time had gone quickly as the women had been absorbed in their conversation. Fortunately for all, Karen didn’t feel a thing. They, they had done a great job distracting her. Helena and Addy had talked about methods to keep Karen distracted to take her mind from the actual procedure.

  “That was quick and easy.” Addy happily declared after hearing Helena’s statement.

  Karen gave her a killer look, “easy for you to say.” Addy stood next to her and kissed her. “You feel okay down there?” Addy whispered in her ear

  “Not sure, you might want to check later.”

  “I love you.” Addy wrapped her arms around her, and Karen leaned into her shoulder.

  “You two are going to be great parents. This will be one lucky kid. Everything went well, and I expect good results. We are going to move you to a recovery area and if everything is fine in a couple of hours, you can go home. You did great Addy. You are a great coach.”

  “What about me? Don’t I get any credit? I was the one exposed with my legs up in the air.”

  “You did great Karen, I’ll see you both in a few days.” Helena left the room smiling.

  While recovering, Karen fell asleep. This gave Addy some time to relax as well. Helena passed by and saw the serene scene, and waved for Addy to come with her. “Helena, if she wakes up and I’m not there, she’s going to freak out.”

  “Addy, She’s going to be fine. Karen is not the only one who needs to calm down, you know?”

  Addy smiled sheepishly. “I can’t fail her, Helena. I promised to be there 100%. I have to live up to all her expectations, and my promise.”

  “And you will, Addy. You are not going to fail. You are a great partner, and she knows it. Don’t overdo yourself, though. You don’t have to. She knows that you are there for her. This is why I talk to my patients before the procedure. I like to get to know them and assess whether they are really ready for what they are getting into. I don’t just inseminate anyone who wants to be a parent. I have a responsibility to fulfill to the couple and to the unborn child. If I consider that a couple is not fit, I don’t do it. Parenting is a great undertaking and not everyone is prepared for it. Karen may still have some reservations, but she’s here and doing her part. She also knows that she can count on you. There’s no need for you to stress out. In fact, I can tell you that she knows that you are stressing.”

  “Yes, I know she knows. She knows me too well. I want everything to be perfect for her. I told you that this was initially my idea, so—.”

  “No, Addy, you are in it together. This is not just something for you to carry on your shoulders. She agreed to this because she knows that the two of you can do it.”

  “She’s doing this for me, Helena. She wouldn’t have done it otherwise.”

  “I know. Just be yourself and enjoy each other as you always do. Even, now, not being pregnant yet, I can tell that Karen is a person with a strong character. And yet, you know you can handle her and I can also tell she likes the way you handle her. You are doing great. Just relax and be yourself, that is all you need to do.”

  “Okay, I’ll try. Thanks.” Helena had seen Addy’s apprehension, and her attempt to conceal it from Karen. In fact, it had been Karen who had asked Helena to talk to Addy about trying to relax and not put up a show for her.

  Helena chuckled. “I am just so glad, I’m not going to be in that delivery room when this child decides to come out. You should plan on recording the scene. It could make for a good movie.”

  “Are you kidding me? If I come so much as to insinuate a camera in there, she’d eat me alive!”

  Helena laughed. “You see? You know her damn well. Come on, get over there before the tiger wakes up and chews up one of my nurses.”

  As Addy reentered the room, Karen’s eyelids were beginning to open. “Addy? Addy? Where am I, Addy?”

  “I’m right here, baby, I’m right here with you, and all is fine. Relax.”

  “I don’t feel too good. Is this over? I want to go home.”

  Helena smiled from outside the door. Addy saw the smile but immediately came back to the anguished face on the bed. “You are doing fine. You are probably feeling the effects of having been in that awful position for so long, and the medications. But don’t worry, we are staying here for a little while until you feel better and then we can go home and relax.”

  Karen looked tired and nervous. “I don’t know why I agreed to go through with this ordeal. What if this doesn’t work? This could be a fucking mistake. Oh God, maybe I wasn’t meant to have children. I should have been firm. I give up too easily to you. This could be a nightmare, hell!”

  “No, it won’t. You are just getting cold feet. If you had gotten knoc
ked up, you wouldn’t feel like you do now. It would have been unplanned and you would have had to deal with it.”

  “No, it wouldn’t have been like that at all! I would have used all possible preventive devices. Face it, this is only happening because of you. You knocked me up!”

  “Alright, I take full credit for that. I knocked you up and you are having my baby. Guilty as charged. Happy now?”

  Karen didn’t have a comeback for that reply so she just assumed her pathetic look. “Did you at least ask Helena whether it’s okay to get in the hot tub?” Then she pulled Addy closer and whispered. “And about sex?”

  Addy shook her head and chuckled. “No I haven’t asked yet, but I will before we leave.” Addy wasn’t sure how she would ask Helena about those details but, apparently, there was no way out of it.

  Before Karen was released, Addy did have that chat with Helena. “Yes, Addy the sex question is a common one, but the hot tub, well, it’s a new one for me.” Helena laughed again and answered Addy’s questions. They picked up dinner on their way home, and once there they ate.

  “I wasn’t all that hungry. I just feel very tired.”

  “Ker, why don’t you go rest then? I’ll clean up the kitchen.”

  “Okay.” Karen got up and walked to the bedroom. A little while later when Addy entered the room, she found Karen sound asleep. Addy smiled relieved that Karen was finally relaxing. Although it was Karen who had undergone all the medical procedures and testing, Addy was mentally and emotionally drained. She was before and during the procedure. She was as worried as Karen, but in spite of all her concerns, she put on a smiley face and did all she could to reassure Karen.

  When she saw Karen resting peacefully, she went to the bathroom, came back, turned off the lights, and got under the covers. She spooned Karen and placed her arm around her waist. When Karen felt the warm body behind her, she squirmed and pushed back against Addy’s body. She laced her fingers over Addy’s while moaning.

  “Good night, love.” Addy kissed her on her bare shoulder. Karen squirmed and mumbled good night.

  ***

  The following morning Addy’s phone rang. It was JP. He knew that the procedure had taken place the day before and was calling to check on Karen. “So how is she doing?”

  “She did well. Everything went well. We came home, ate and then went to bed. It was a long day.”

  “Yeah, I thought it would be, that’s why I didn’t call. James was really worried.”

  JP always made it seem as if James was the generator of a lot of ideas, which were really his. Everyone knew how he always dumped everything on poor James. Addy and Karen thought that James was the closest man to sainthood they had ever known on earth. Putting up with JP was a full-time job. They had concluded that James, who was pretty much a subdued fellow, either loved JP beyond the imaginable or the sex was outrageously good. They always laughed when making these comments. All and all they were two fantastic guys, and the bests of friends.

  “Here, let me put him on.”

  “Hi, Addy.”

  “Hi, James. I hear that you are very worried.”

  “Yes, Addy, drinking soothing tea to stay calm.”

  “With Scotch?”

  James chuckled. “You know me, always so worried.” Addy chuckled. She knew he was talking about JP.

  “So, I hear all went well.”

  “Yes, thank God.”

  “Well. I’m really glad. Here, let me give the phone back to JP since he is the calm one, and I have to leave for the distillery. Take care, and give my love to Karen.”

  “I know you guys are making fun of me, the innocent victim. Now, can I please talk to my dearest friend in her moment of insanity?”

  “Sure, love, here she is.” Karen was sitting next to Addy and had heard the entire conversation.

  “Oh! Don’t call me that! You are going to make the blonde jealous, and she’s going to rip my eyes off!”

  Karen laughed. “I heard that JP, be careful! I’m watching you.”

  “Oh, dear God, am I in trouble again? How are you sweetie, have they treated you right over there? Do you need a friend to share your moments of anguish?”

  “I’m okay, JP. I’m just taking this as some sort of penance for any naughty behavior in my youth. It actually went pretty well, no pain at all. I think it was more my nerves than anything.”

  “Well, that’s good. Frankly, girl, I’m still surprised you went ahead with it. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever see you in this scenario.”

  “That makes two of us. Weren’t you the one who said that life turns on a dime? I guess love makes us do crazy things. I have no other explanation. So, how are things up there?” She looked at Addy as she made her comment. Addy was sitting next to her, busy with her Sudoku booklet. She smiled knowing that she was being observed. It was obvious that Karen was not letting JP in on her true feelings about the pregnancy.

  “All is fine, but are you ready for some town gossip?”

  Karen smiled. This reminded her of the old JP with news about love conquests and possible prospects for her. It had been JP who found out that Addy was married back when they first met. JP always managed to get all the dirt on people, and Karen loved it. “Sure, what could possibly be happening in Altee?”

  “Honey, during the day nothing, as boring as ever, but at night is when all the rats come out. Okay, here it is. I know who Mary is shacking up with!”

  “Oh God! Do tell! That remains an unsolved mystery.”

  “No more! The other woman is Sarah.”

  “What? Sarah, from the inn? The one with the kid we took to the hospital?”

  “Yeap.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned! Never would have guessed it.” Karen was genuinely surprised.

  “That Mary is a smart bitch, room and board, and sex. She’s got all her angles covered.”

  Addy, who was still sitting next to Karen looked at her, first enjoying how animated she was in the conversation with their friend, and then somewhat startled when she heard the word ‘sex.’ Now she was intrigued.

  Karen looked at her and bit her lip to hold her smile. “JP, I have Addy’s full attention now, I’m going to have to pause to update her.”

  “Oh go ahead.”

  “By the way, how did you happen to see her?”

  “Sweetie, didn’t I tell you that the rats come out to play at night? I ran into her. She was coming out of Sarah’s inn at three am.”

  All of a sudden Karen became serious. “Hum, and just what were you doing out there at that hour? And where was James?”

  “Sssh, Addy is going to hear you! I was doing some research. He was in London meeting with the marketing people.”

  Doing ‘research’ was a term they’d used when checking someone out before ‘taking them down’ to bed. Those were the days when they were living it up in New York.

  Karen was a bit quiet now. All of a sudden she couldn’t care less about Mary or Sarah. She looked at Addy. Karen thought about whether to say what she was about to say now or in private. There had never been secrets between her and Addy and this was not the moment to start. So she spoke her mind.

  “JP I hope you’re thinking with your head and not with your dick. Make sure you don’t fuck up your life.” Karen’s tone was menacing.

  Addy frowned, astonished when she heard Karen talk in that tone and suspecting something big was going on. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear more and got up wanting to give Karen some privacy. Karen grabbed her hand and pulled her back down to the sofa. They laced their fingers together. Addy sat and listened, looking worried and nervous.

  “Karen! Hush! Addy is going to hear you!”

  “Sweetie, I don’t keep secrets. What I know, Addy knows. It’s the way we operate. I’m very serious when I say this to you, as serious as I have ever been. If I find out that you are screwing around behind James’ back, we are done. Did you hear me clearly?”

  “Yes. Oh, my God, Karen, please, don’t tell A
ddy!” In his nervousness, it was all JP could say.

  “She already knows. She’s right here with me. Grow up. You are not a kid anymore. Your screwing around days are over. You should be glad you didn’t get AIDS from all the fucking you did. So, count your many blessings, and play by the rules because I’m writing you off like a bad check if you don’t! Is that clear? I’m as serious as hell. You show some decency and respect, or you are out of our lives. We are getting ready to have a baby in the house and we want the best for him or her, so get your act together or you don’t get to be a part of it!”

  “Sweetie, I don’t know if you should get so agitated in your present almost to be condition.”

  “Don’t you sweetie me! Just clean your act.”

  “Okay, okay! I will.”

  “I have to go now. Don’t want to talk to you anymore. You’ve upset me.” She said goodbye and hung up.

  Addy looked at her in disbelief. “What happened?”

  “JP seems to think that Mary’s lover is Sarah from the inn.”

  Addy’s jaw dropped. “What? And, the other part? How did he find out? Was he at the inn with someone? I hope not. If he did, everyone in Altee will know.”

  “Shit, I didn’t think of that possibility. I hope he was not so stupid to have gone to the inn! Apparently, he saw her coming out of Sarah’s inn at a very late hour of the night.” Addy was now serious. Before Addy could say anything, Karen spoke. “I don’t know what JP was doing in town at three am. I’m afraid that he may be playing around and that is the part that upset me. I don’t give a damn about Mary or Sarah.”

  “Shit.”

  “Addy, JP is a great friend, but the truth is that he likes the game. He was always a player. When we were living carefree in New York, it was fun to hang out with him, and later getting together with him always led to some action. He liked to operate that way. For me, it was a way to let off steam from my studies and life. For him, it was a way of life. I still don’t know how he and James ended up together, or how they’ve been together all these years. I think it might have been us, and the inn that kept them tight. God only knows what’s happened between those two and he’s never told us about it.”