The Question (4 page)

A few minutes later, Dr Hagan breezed into the office.  “How’s my favorite patient today?”

Gail rolled her eyes. “I’m good. I’m eating. Can I go home now?”

He clucked his tongue at her. “Answer a few questions for me first then I’ll answer yours.”

A few questions turned into a barrage, some of which were directed to her, others aimed at Rashid. She was amazed at the accuracy of the answers Rashid gave, even for those questions directed to her that he answered when she hesitated. Rashid had to have been monitoring her very closely to know these things. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.

“Gail, lay back. I want to listen to the baby. Rashid, would you like to hear your child?”

“Yes,” he answered, his posture showing just how interested he was as he watched the proceedings.

The nurse pushed the waistband of Gail’s pants down below her still flat stomach and tucked a towel in them, overlapping the outside to protect the material.  Then she lifted her shirt until it gathered under her breast, out of the way of the goo the doctor was squeezing onto her belly.

Dr. Hagan placed the monitor on her stomach and rolled it around. The strong, rhythmic beat of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room. Overcome by emotion, Rashid reached out and gripped Gail’s hand tightly.

“Nice, strong heartbeat. The baby is fine. Now, for its momma,” Dr. Hagan said as he put the monitor away. The nurse wiped her stomach clean and readjusted her clothing. When she stepped out of the way, Rashid helped Gail to sit up.

“So, what’s the verdict? Can I come off of bed rest? Is it alright for me to return to work?” she asked anxiously.

Rashid stood by her side, saying nothing while they waited for the doctor to answer. Dr. Hagan took a seat and motioned for Rashid to do the same.  Once he was seated, Dr. Hagan directed his attention to Gail.

“I know you want to return to work, but I’m still concerned about your weight. You’ve lost too much. In the last two weeks you’ve gained a pound, which is good. But since you’ve been pregnant, you’ve lost twenty, far more than is safe for you to lose and be healthy. I’m keeping you on bed rest until you gain at least five more pounds. I’d really like to see you gain ten.”  He waited expectedly. 

Gail’s response wasn’t long in coming. “But I can go home, right? I want to go home. I want to be in my own apartment, in my own bed. I can stay off from work for another couple of weeks. That’s no problem. Just let me go home.”

Dr. Hagan shared a look with Rashid before answering.  “I think it would be better if you remain in the Jabbar’s home, at least until your next visit. You’re already showing signs of improvement just in the short time that you’ve been there.”

When Gail opened her mouth to argue, he said firmly, “Doctor’s orders. You live alone. At home, you would be tempted to overdo it. At least with Rashid, I know you’re being properly cared for.”  Dr. Hagan paused, allowing Gail the opportunity to respond.  When she remained quiet, he continued.  “You’re scheduled to come back and see me in four weeks. We’ll re-evaluate the situation at that time.”

When she still didn’t respond, Rashid stood. “Thank you, Dr. Hagan. I’ll make sure that Gail is taken care of. We’ll see you in four weeks.” Rashid shook Dr. Hagan’s hand.

“See the receptionist on your way out,” he said and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Rashid turned to Gail and watched her quietly. When the silence became too much, she glared at him and snapped, “What?”

“Is it such a trial, living in our home?” he asked quietly.

Gail took a deep breath and turned her face away until she could compose herself. His calmness made her feel like an unreasonable shrew. “Rashid, I get that this is your child, and you have a vested interest in its development, but your child is in my body. And my body wants to be in its own home, around its own things, sleeping in its own bed,” she finished softly.

“Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “This is better discussed somewhere else. I’m sure they have need of this room.”

She didn’t want his assistance getting off of the exam table, but to refuse would be churlish. Gail took his hand and allowed Rashid to help her down. She waited while he opened the door for her and then walked through, very aware of Rashid’s presence at her back.

A quick stop by the receptionist desk and they were heading out the door. A few minutes later, Gail watched as Rashid crossed in front of the Mercedes after seating her inside. He slid smoothly into the car and started the engine. “Where would you like to eat? We can talk over lunch.”

“It doesn’t matter to me.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headrest.

“We’ll go to my club,” he said decisively as he spun out of the parking garage.  “It’s not too far from here and we can speak privately.”

“Fine,” Gail answered and remained quiet for the rest of the drive. She was bitterly disappointed. The only way she’d been able to manage being away from home was by telling herself it was only for two weeks. She could handle two weeks. Two weeks was a vacation. Something she hadn’t had in a long time. 

Now Dr. Hagan was talking another month; a month of living in someone else’s home, away from familiar surroundings and familiar things, like the pictures of her family. She couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t do it.

It was too much to ask of anyone.

Chapter Three

When they arrived at the club, Rashid told the Maître D that they needed privacy to discuss sensitive business. He took one look at Gail’s tense face and escorted them to a private alcove in the dining facility.

Rashid kept Gail waiting while they went through the tedious procedure of ordering their lunch.  “We’ll talk after we’ve eaten,” he informed her.

“Why can’t we talk now?”

“I don’t want any interruptions.”

“Just be aware that nothing you say will alter my desire to go home.”

Rashid allowed that challenge to pass. Their food was delivered in record time. Rashid ate heartily while Gail nibbled on the fruit salad she’d ordered. Too soon, he laid his utensils down and set his plate to the side. “If you are finished playing with your food, I should like us to begin.”

Gail narrowed her eyes at him. “If you want this to be a rational discussion between two adults, you’d better watch the condescending remarks. Keep speaking to me as though I was a child and I’ll retaliate as one would.”

Rashid spread his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “You are right. I apologize. That remark was uncalled for.”

Gail pushed her plate to the side and sat back, disgusted because Rashid was right. She had been playing with her food. Her stomach was too tight for her to be able to enjoy it. She was more subdued when she responded.  “What did you want to discuss?”  She was more than ready to get this conversation over with.

“I would like for you to live with us until you deliver the baby.”

“No.”

“You did not allow me to finish. As the child’s father, I would like to watch its development through every stage, right through its delivery.”

“Rashid, I know you want to be an active participant. That’s why I allowed you to accompany me today. I am willing to be reasonable and accommodating up to a point. Moving in with you and Crystal is an action I’m not willing to take. I understand that this is your child, but as I stated before, your child is in my body and I have a life, a home. I’m already sacrificing a year of my life to do this for you. Don’t ask of me more than I can give.”

Rashid placed his forearms on the table and leaned forward intently.  “When you signed the contract, you agreed to do whatever was in the best interest of the child. I feel, and I’m sure Dr. Hagan and my attorneys will agree, that your staying with me where you can be adequately monitored and cared for is in the baby’s best interest.”

“Are you threatening me?” she hissed at him, outraged that he would do such a thing after all she was doing for them.

“No, simply informing you of the measures I’m willing to take to be a part of this pregnancy.” Rashid’s tone was utterly implacable.

“Bastard,” Gail said as she shoved her chair away from the table. She snatched up her purse and stalked off, her anger apparent in every inch of her bearing.

“Gail, come back and let’s finish discussing this.”

“Screw you and your discussion,” she called back over her shoulder as she weaved through the other diners on her way to the exit. Bastard! How dare he threaten me? He wouldn’t be having a child if it weren’t for me, she mumbled under her breath.

She reached the lobby and lengthened her stride, the exit in sight. She’d catch a cab back to her place and Rashid and his demands could just go to hell.

“Gail, wait!”

Almost there, she thought. Her hands were reaching for the door when she was pulled up short.  Rashid snaked an arm around her waist, lifted her off of her feet, and stepped off to the side of the entryway.

Gail immediately began to struggle for her freedom. “Let me go!”

“Not until you hear me out,” Rashid demanded as he set her down, spun her around by the arm, and locked his arm around her waist. He pulled her tight against his body, restricting her ability to move. They glared at each other, a contest to see whose will was stronger.

“Mr. Jabbar. Ms. Henderson. Is everything alright?” The concerned voice of the club manager interrupted the stare down they were engaged in. 

“We’re fine. Ms. Henderson has just received some distressing business news,” Rashid informed the man.

“Ah, perhaps you would consider moving somewhere a little more private to finish your conversation,” the manager discretely suggested.

Rashid finally turned away from Gail to address the manager directly. “We shall be but a minute more. If I see that the discussion will extend longer, I will, of course, seek your assistance in locating a place more suitable.”

“Very good, sir.” He nodded to the both of them before walking away.

Gail stood very still, pressed against Rashid as she was, and prayed for strength. Rashid’s arm was an iron bar against her back and every inch of her body, from chest to thigh, was molded against his.  The interruption by the manager had allowed her space to become aware of the riot going on inside. She was grateful for the padded bra she wore that disguised her traitorous nipples, which were responding to Rashid’s nearness.

Of all the rotten times for her body to come alive. This couldn’t be happening to her. Not now and not with Rashid, her best friend’s husband. She turned her face away from him, hoping he wouldn’t see the confusion and reluctant desire she was feeling. It must surely be reflected on her face. God must have heard her prayer for Rashid loosened his hold, allowing her to take a small step back and put some space between them.

“Gail, I’m sorry.”

She almost turned to look at him to see how sincere he was. At the last moment, she realized what she was hiding and gazed at his nose instead of meeting his eyes.

“I should not have threatened you, but please, put yourself in my position. I’ve already lost five children to miscarriage. This child is my final hope. I want to be a part of every minute of it, and I fear the same thing happening to this one as has happened to the others. I know it is an imposition, but please consider it. This may be the only child I’ll ever have.”

Well, spit. Now that he put it in those terms, not to do as he asked would make her seem churlish. Gail took a deep breath and looked Rashid in the eye. “Maybe we can come to some compromise that will give you the contact you need and me the space that I require. I know you’re worried and want to be involved, but please, put yourself in my position. I need to maintain a bit of distance, a bit of separateness, or I’m never going to be able to turn over this child to you when it is time.  I can’t get so involved in your lives that I forget that I have a life of my own.”

Rashid gazed deeply into her eyes, as though trying to gage the depth of her sincerity. He released her and took a couple of steps back, turned away, and gazed at the ceiling. Gail watched his shoulders rise and fall as he took a couple of deep breaths.

She allowed him time to compose himself. She needed time herself. Her mind was still reeling with shock at her body’s reaction to him.  By the time he turned back to her, she was outwardly composed.

“What are you willing to do? I do not want to be responsible for creating a stressful situation. It is not good for the child.”

Of course, everything is about the child, she thought snidely before she could catch herself. Then she was horrified by her reaction. Of course, his concern was for his child. It would be terrible if it weren’t.  “Let’s just wait and see what Dr. Hagan says when I return to him in four weeks. I’ll stay with you until then, and in the meantime, we’ll both see if we can come up with a compromise that meets both of our needs. I’m willing to allow you to come with me to all of my checkups, along with Crystal.”

Rashid nodded his head in acknowledgement and acceptance of her terms. Holding his arm out, he asked, “Shall we go.”

“If I’m going to be in your home for the next four weeks, I need to stop by my place to pick up more things,” Gail said as she preceded him out the door.