{"id":105,"date":"2016-09-02T20:53:21","date_gmt":"2016-09-03T00:53:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.herbheineman.com\/?page_id=105"},"modified":"2024-07-24T15:09:58","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T19:09:58","slug":"chapter-4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/edensgarden\/chapter-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 4: Consequence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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PART I: 1970<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The last trimester of her pregnancy was not as uncomfortable as Karen feared. There were days when she felt she could have worked till she went into labor, had the baby, and been back next day. But she knew it was useless to suggest anything so radical to her obstetrician \u2014 or to Alan \u2014 so she took leave two weeks before the due date. A baby shower awaited her on the last day, filling her with a turmoil of emotions that only Frank would have understood. Alan, who had contrived to disable her car that morning, picked her up when it was over.<\/p>

During the drive home there was no conversation. Alan hummed to himself, undisturbed by her silence. She entered the house as he garaged the car and, after wandering aimlessly for a minute or two, made for the study. There he found her, staring out the window.<\/p>

\u201cTired?\u201d he asked.<\/p>

\u201cI guess so.\u201d The accompanying smile faded the moment she withdrew the conscious effort to sustain it. Addressing her vacant expression a second time, he asked:<\/p>

\u201cAre you OK? You don\u2019t look like someone coming from a party in your own honor.\u201d<\/p>

Karen asked herself, is it possible for a person to be so insensitive? Is this the way men are? Rising with an effort from the chair, and patting herself on her abdomen, she said:<\/p>

\u201cCan we go out for a light supper tonight? I don\u2019t feel like making anything.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOf course, dear. It\u2019s been a little overwhelming for you. I understand how you feel.\u201d<\/p>

He walked to where she was standing and held her briefly. She did not resist.<\/p>

\u201cWhat am I going to do between now and labor?\u201d she asked later over soup and salad.<\/p>

\u201cAs little as you can. Save your strength. The first labor\u2019s always the hardest.\u201d<\/p>

Her eyes flashed. \u201cHave we now decided to have more?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cNo, no, no. We haven\u2019t decided anything. I was only talking about labor. If you\u2019d been through it before, it might be easier this time. That\u2019s all I meant.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cWell, the first is going to be the last, so I won\u2019t experience the pleasure of easier labors.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cKaren, honey, don\u2019t let it get to you. I know it\u2019s a drag being wedged up against that uterus day and night. But it\u2019s a self-limiting disorder. It\u2019ll cure itself in a couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>

The joke fell flat. She threw her napkin on the table. \u201cIsn\u2019t it obvious to you that the whole idea of having a baby is bothering me? Not some stupid pregnancy, or labor.\u201d<\/p>

He looked steadily into her eyes. \u201cYes, it is obvious,\u201d he said slowly. \u201cIt\u2019s been obvious for the past eight months. What happened after we agreed back in the spring?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cNothing happened, except I\u2019ve had time to think. I feel I\u2019ve been railroaded, what with your wanting it, reassurances, proud grandparents-to-be, all that crap. Everything except my own needs. I\u2019m doing this for everyone except myself. And ruining my life in the bargain.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cI’m sorry to hear you talk that way. I really am. We talked about your doubts months ago, and after that I thought you felt OK. But it seems you didn\u2019t. I don\u2019t think I understand.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cI do understand. What I don\u2019t understand is how I could ever have agreed in the first place.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cYou do remember, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cYes, I remember. I remember wanting an abortion and being talked out of it.\u201d Her voice rose and angry tears rolled down her face. \u201cThat\u2019s what I remember. It was never my decision.\u201d Guests at neighboring tables discreetly looked the other way.<\/p>

\u201cWhy have you kept all this bottled up?\u201d he asked in a whisper. She lowered her voice.<\/p>

\u201cIt didn\u2019t hit me till today. All these months I\u2019ve been putting down my doubts. As you just reminded me, I had agreed. Now I\u2019m out. From here on, it\u2019s toilet training, snotty noses, PTA, bridge parties. Enter Mrs. Doctor Alan Avery; exit Karen Brooks Avery, Esquire.\u201d<\/p>

Alan sensed a hint of absurdity in this tirade but refrained from laughing. No matter how comically she put it, she was in distress. Besides, her analysis was rational even if exaggerated. He felt a twinge of guilt at being the beneficiary of her sacrifice, but it barely detracted from his joyful anticipation. If he had dared, he might have said, \u201cDarling, I know I put one over on you, but the statute of limitations has run out.\u201d Instead, he resolved to be more supportive.<\/p>

\u201cYes, today was a landmark. Baby shower, last day, and so on. That sort of shocks you into realizing it\u2019s truly happening. But don\u2019t forget, Frank did say he\u2019d take you back when you\u2019re ready, and our son \u2014 OK, our daughter, maybe \u2014 will grow up and you\u2019ll be right back on track. Do you have any reason to doubt that Frank meant what he said?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cNo. As a matter of fact, I had another long talk with him a couple of months ago. He called me in. Claimed I didn\u2019t look too happy. So he repeated his reassurances.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cHe said you didn\u2019t look too happy?\u201d Alan realized how much easier it was for Frank to talk with Karen than it was for him. \u201cDid you talk about anything else?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cThat was about it.\u201d There was no point in relating the rest.<\/p>

\u201cWell, I know this sounds shallow and like a pat on the back, but I do think you\u2019ll feel better in a few days. And years from now, you\u2019ll be boasting of having a child and<\/em> a career.\u201d<\/p>

She felt obliged to smile at the prospect, remote as it seemed on that day. Claiming total exhaustion, she managed to escape to bed without continuing that distasteful conversation.<\/p>

Her labor pains began during the night and by next evening she was settled in the delivery suite at Cresheim Valley Hospital. At three in the morning she delivered a vigorous eight-pound-eight-ounce girl who took less than five seconds to yell her objections. Her Apgar score, a measure of the health of a newborn, was 9\/10 at one minute and 10\/10 at five minutes.<\/p>

The mother paid the price with serious tissue laceration. Two days after delivery she was complaining of increasing pain and her temperature was 103 degrees. \u201cGracious!\u201d said Rosetta Brand. \u201cYou have puerperal fever. I guess you\u2019ve heard of that. Not surprising with such a plump firstborn. She demanded more space than you were able to give her, but don\u2019t take it out on her; she didn\u2019t know how to say \u2018excuse me, please.\u2019 Anyway, we\u2019ll take care of it, and when you\u2019re well you can celebrate with her. First I need to take specimens from the birth canal and your blood, then start you on antibiotics.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cShe is big,\u201d Karen agreed, with a modicum of pride. \u201cTore me up on the way out. Fighting already.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cGood spirit.\u201d Doctor Brand went along with the joke. \u201cNow, do you have any allergies?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cNot that I know of. My nose gets stopped up sometimes, but that\u2019s about all.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cHow about penicillin?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cNot that I remember.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOK. I\u2019ll order ampicillin and gentamicin. Call the nurse if you have any trouble.\u201d<\/p>

There was no trouble, and within twenty-four hours she felt better. The laboratory identified group B streptococcus. Doctor Brand explained.<\/p>

\u201cWe don’t see many of these. Group B strep is related to the bug that causes strep throat and some nasty complications, but you don\u2019t have to worry about any of that.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cUgh! Thanks for telling me. I could have died.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOnly if you hadn\u2019t been treated. In the days before antibiotics women did die from strep septicemia.<\/p>

\u201cAnyway, now that I know, I\u2019m stopping the gentamicin injections; ampicillin will do the job. In a couple more days, if you\u2019re feeling up to it, you can go home and take it by mouth for a week.\u201d<\/p>

Four days later she was discharged. They named the baby Edlyn Endora, after her two grandmothers. Having paid the expected tribute to their forbears, they set about applying those quaint names to a child of the 1970s. Karen suggested the contraction Eden, which happened be a recognized name in its own right. The original names were relegated to the birth certificate. To the rest of the world, she would be Eden.<\/p>

\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c\u223c<\/p>

If she could have avoided it gracefully, Karen would not have gone back to the office to show off the baby. Even with her pride of motherhood \u2014 which both delighted and surprised her \u2014 she could not banish the mixed feelings attendant on such a visit. But her friends expected it and, besides, she could not afford to offend Frank by neglecting this courtesy.<\/p>

No greeting was more enthusiastic or sincere than Janine\u2019s.<\/p>

\u201cWell, now, isn\u2019t that worth taking a few weeks off for?\u201d she asked with obvious delight.<\/p>

Karen dodged the unintended connotation. \u201cI couldn\u2019t have done it here. I had a pretty bad strep infection. Could have got scarlet fever, or other horrible things. I\u2019m lucky I didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cWow! I had no idea. But you look great. They must\u2019ve taken good care of you.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cYes, I bounced back pretty fast. Had to. The baby wouldn\u2019t let me take sick leave.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOh, they can be demanding. But lots of fun. You won\u2019t miss this place.\u201d<\/p>

Karen swallowed before answering. \u201cIf I do, I can visit. Maybe even do a bit of work.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cDon\u2019t even think of working. Don\u2019t be torn two ways. She\u2019ll need all your attention.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cIs Frank around?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cIn his office. I\u2019m sure he\u2019d love to see the baby, and you too. Just knock.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cCome in,\u201d he said. She showed her head, holding Eden out of his line of vision.<\/p>

\u201cKaren!\u201d He jumped up and came round his desk. At that moment she pushed the door open all the way and brought the baby in.<\/p>

\u201cMy goodness, a new associate! Sign her up,\u201d he said with a huge grin. \u201cAh, what a cutie. Edlyn\u2019s the name, right?\u201d<\/p>

\u201cOnly legally. Eden to the real world.\u201d She explained.<\/p>

\u201cJust looking at her takes me back twenty years. No. More. Shana\u2019s twenty-six. But I remember as clear as yesterday the day she was born. She was a beautiful baby.\u201d He looked back at Karen. \u201cAnd how are you? We got the birth announcement, of course. You must feel on top of the world. Was it an easy delivery? Tell me all.\u201d He motioned her to a chair.<\/p>

Ignoring his remark about feeling on top of the world, she described her postpartum infection and assured him that she was fully recovered.<\/p>

\u201cYikes, that sounds scary. In the old days they used to have epidemics like that, with high mortality. The doctors themselves were spreading the bacteria. That was before they even knew what bacteria were. Anyway, now we have antibiotics. You were lucky, I\u2019d say.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cYeah. When the OB told me what all might have happened . . . \u201d<\/p>

\u201cI’m glad nothing did. It\u2019s good to see you. Be sure to stay in touch.\u201d<\/p>

\u201cWe both thank you, and I think your new associate has sprung a leak. Also, she\u2019ll need to be refilled. So I’d better run along.\u201d<\/p>

With her baby only a month old, Karen felt squeamish about broaching the subject of returning to work. Frank had not committed himself, but he had invited her to stay in touch. Declining his offer to leave her alone in his office to attend to the baby\u2019s needs, she left.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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<< Chapter 3<\/a><\/div>

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Chapter 5 >><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PART I: 1970 The last trimester of her pregnancy was not as uncomfortable as Karen feared. There were days when she felt she could have worked till she went into labor, had the baby, and been back next day. But she knew it was useless to suggest anything so radical to her obstetrician \u2014 or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":21,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-105","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":732,"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/105\/revisions\/732"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/herbheineman.com\/Eden\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}