Chapter 3 12 страница

“Are you sure you’re all right?” Werner asked again, his concern obvious.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m so glad to see you both. Wanna meet the kids?”

Eleanor chuckled and said, “Try and stop us. Your father talked about the dogs during the entire flight.”

Blair opened the back door and was met by much excitement from the terriers. “This one is Nora, and this one is Nicky, or at least that’s my best guess. We’ve taken to putting different colored collars on them. Saves having to lift them up to look.”

“They’re adorable,” Eleanor gushed. “Aren’t they cute, Werner?”

“Very,” he agreed. “But is it a good idea to let them be so close to you while you’re pregnant, Blair? Can’t they transmit … something?”

“Other than fleas, I don’t think so,” she said, smiling at his concern. “Believe me, if there were any risk to my health, Kylie would have the little guys in quarantine. She’s more of a worrier than you are, Dad.” She wrapped an arm around her father and kissed his cheek. “You’ll like her.”

“Well, I should think we would,” Eleanor said. “She must be a very generous woman to welcome you into her home.”

“She is that,” Blair said. “She’s become a very close friend, Mom. Just like a big sister.”

„G

By the time Kylie got home, the threesome was sitting outside in the warm afternoon sun, one dog on Werner’s lap, the other on Blair’s. “Well, isn’t this a happy-looking group?” she said, her grin wide. Both dogs leapt from their respective perches to circle her, then both sat up and pawed at her legs. “Those are expensive nylons, guys, let’s watch it.” To Blair’s parents she said, “Hi, I’m Kylie Mackenzie.”

“This is my mom, Eleanor, and my dad, Werner,” Blair announced.

Werner stood and shook Kylie’s hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” he said.

“The pleasure is mine. I’ve been spending the last month listening to your entire catalog. The CSO has always been one of my favorite symphonies, Werner, and I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to meet one of its members.”

“It’s rare to meet someone your age who even knows of the symphony,” he said. "Are you sure that Blair didn't force you to listen?"

“Don’t get him started, Kylie,” Eleanor warned. “He’ll talk your ear off, if he thinks you’re really interested.”

“I am, Eleanor. Actually, that’s how Blair and I met. We found that we went to the same cultural events. The first time we really talked was at a chamber concert, remember?”

“I do,” she said, smiling at Kylie. “At the Getty.”

“Oh, I’d love to go to the Getty,” Eleanor said.

“Great. That'd be fun,” Blair said. “We can shop a little, spend a day at the museum and then you two can go home. I know you wanted to check on me in person, but I also know that this isn’t when you’d scheduled your vacations. I bet you’re missing a concert in Grant Park this weekend, Dad.”

“The second chair cello can use the increased exposure,” he said, smiling slyly.

“And I know you’re in the middle of getting the fall season lined up at the theatre, Mom. Once you see what good care Kylie takes of me, you can go home and rest easy.”

“Well, you do look absolutely wonderful, Blair,” her mother admitted. “I thought you'd look ten years older after all you've been through.”

“It's been tough,” she said, “but I’m being very well taken care of, and Kylie makes sure I’m eating well. Having the dogs really brightens my spirits, too. So, given what’s happened, I’d say I’m doing remarkably well.”

Werner, his eyes narrowing, said, “I’d like to pay a visit to David while we’re here. I want to have a man-to-man talk with him.”

“No way, Dad,” Blair said. “You and Mom are not getting in the middle of this. This is our issue.”

“What kind of man would leave his pregnant wife?” he demanded, his face turning red.

Kylie leaned over slightly, muttered, “Hear, hear,” and went into the house, asking, “Anyone for a little snack?”

„G

A few minutes later, Blair went into the kitchen, giving Kylie a swat on the seat. “You’re not allowed to aid and abet my father. You’re supposed to be neutral.”

Kylie turned to her and gave her a very serious look. “I could never be neutral about you, Blair. Never.”

Blair tucked her arms around her friend’s waist and held on tight, fighting tears once again. Eleanor came into the house just then and blinked her eyes in surprise before discretely walking down the hall to find the bathroom on her own.

„G

Blair was bed-bound by nine o'clock, the emotional reunion with her parents having thoroughly drained her resources. Her mother went to sit with her while she got ready for bed.

“Kylie's such a lovely woman,” Eleanor said. “You’re awfully lucky to have met her.”

“You don’t have to tell me, Mom. I know how lucky I am.”

Eleanor watched her daughter brush her hair. "Why don't you let me do that, honey? I haven't brushed your hair since you were a girl."

She turned and gave her mother a smile, then nodded. "I'd like that." Blair sat on the edge of the bed and let out a contented purr when her mother started sliding the brush along her scalp. "Good lord, that feels good. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to add that to the list of things Kylie already does for me."

The brush paused for a moment, then Eleanor asked, "What else does Kylie do for you, honey?"

"I'm embarrassed to say the list is endless." She laughed softly. "If I had to pay someone to do everything Kylie does, I'd have to find a second job."

"Like?"

"I don't want it to sound like I take advantage of her," Blair began. "She offers to do so many things that I find myself saying yes more than I should. She cooks for me every night that I'm at home, and I have to fight her to clean the kitchen."

"Who could resist that?" Eleanor asked. "I hoped you'd inherit your grandmother's love of cooking, but I'm afraid you got stuck with my love of dining out or ordering in."

"Yeah, that's my idea of fun," Blair agreed, "but it's so nice to have a home-cooked meal. We've been eating outside every night, and most nights, we stay out there until it's fully dark. We're watching less TV, which is really great, too. It gives us more time to talk." She was quiet for a moment and then said, "I know more about Kylie's work than I did about David's, and David did something that I understood!"

Her mother didn't respond to that comment; she just kept brushing, hoping that Blair would continue to talk.

"Kylie usually rubs my feet or my shoulders when we're outside, and I've gotta tell you — I've never experienced such tranquility. Sometimes we're completely silent for an hour, with Kylie just rubbing my feet. You can hear all of the sounds of the neighborhood and the little nocturnal animals coming out. Of course, seconds later, those little animals are running for their lives," she laughed. "Nicky and Nora are two ferocious little hunters. Thank God they haven't had their first kill yet."

Eleanor laughed, thinking of the sweet little puppies becoming hunters. “So, what are your plans, honey? Are you going to stay here until the baby’s born?”

“Yeah, at least that long.”

“At least? You aren’t planning on living here permanently, are you?”

“I don’t know, Mom,” she said thoughtfully. “I mean, I’d like to meet someone at some point, and Kylie wants a partner, too. I've been just the tiniest bit worried because she's met someone. If she and Julie work out, I guess I’d have to leave.”

This time the brush stopped completely. There was a brief pause, then Eleanor asked, “A woman?”

“Yeah, Kylie’s gay, Mom.”

Blair couldn't see her mother's face, and Eleanor's voice didn't change much, but the older woman's expression was one of intense surprise. “Oh. You didn’t mention that.”

“Mmm," Blair nodded. "I don’t think her being gay is one of the most notable things about her. I have a long list of attributes that I’d comment on before talking about her sexual orientation. Besides, to tell you the truth, I forget she’s gay sometimes. She’s just my friend.”

"I suppose I forget that some of my friends and co-workers are gay," Eleanor agreed. "I doubt that they ever forget it, though."

Blair turned and gave her mother a puzzled look. "What do you mean by that?"

"Oh, nothing, really. I was thinking of something one of the artistic directors at the theatre said to me once. He said that straight people stop thinking of him as gay once they know him. But he never stops thinking of himself that way."

"Hmm … I don't know how Kylie feels about being gay," Blair said thoughtfully.

“Are you sure that Kylie’s not … interested in you, honey? To be honest, you two act like you’re more than friends.”

Blair nearly fell off the bed. She got up and gave her mother an indignant look. “Because we care for each other?”

“No, sweetie. Not at all. I’m glad that you have a friend like Kylie. But she’s a lesbian, honey, and she might be looking for more from you than you’re able to give.”

Blair said, “Not everyone is looking for something when she offers her friendship. I love Kylie, Mom, and she loves me, but our love is entirely platonic.”

“Honey.” Eleanor got up and put her arms around her daughter. “I can see I’ve upset you, and I hope you know I didn’t mean to. Maybe I’m not used to your being this close to a woman. You have to admit that this is very different for you. You’ve never been much for women friends.”

“That’s only because I’d never met a Kylie before,” Blair said, putting an end to the discussion.

„G

A few minutes later, Blair tossed and turned in her bed. She’d been relaxed and half-asleep while her mother brushed her hair, but now she had a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her body. She can say so much with a few careful questions, Blair thought. She can get inside my head without even trying.

I’ve never given a second thought to the way Kylie and I interact, and now Mom has me obsessing about it! She thumped her pillow like a punching bag, annoyed that she was letting her mother’s casual comments get under her skin.

I’ve never thought that Kylie was being too familiar, but we do touch each other nearly as much as David and I did. Is that normal?

She looked back on their relationship, considering how their physical affection had progressed. I don’t think that Kylie has ever touched me in a way that I didn’t ask for. I asked her to cuddle with me in bed after she got home from Maine. I’ve asked her to hold me when I’m sad. I started kissing her head when I come home at night. Hell, I’m the one who tosses my feet in her lap at night. She doesn’t come sneaking into my room, trying to rub my feet when I’m asleep!

Her analysis was starting to take effect, and Blair felt herself start to relax. Kylie’s a wonderful friend who offers me all of the affection I want. There is nothing in the world wrong with that! Just because I haven’t done this with other women simply means that Kylie and I are closer than I’ve ever been with my other friends. That’s all there is to it!

„G

The next day, Eleanor and Blair made plans to go shopping for some of the necessities that Blair had finally agreed to buy for her changing body. "Any chance of your coming with us, Kylie?" Blair asked.

“No, I think I’ll hang out with your father. He should be back from his walk with the puppies soon. I thought we could chat about music. Of course, I’ll make you a sumptuous dinner. All you have to do is call me when the mood strikes you for a particular thing, and I’ll have it ready when you get home.”

At Eleanor’s surprised expression, Blair commented, “Now I know why men want wives.” She got up and stood behind Kylie, bending slightly to kiss the top of her head. Eleanor watched the interplay between the two women, trying to stop a kernel of worry from sprouting in her imagination.

„G

The Schneidhorst women were driving from one maternity store to the next, so far only choosing some panties and a couple of supportive, expandable bras. "I've never bought such unattractive underwear in my whole life," Blair grumbled. "Underoos were sexier than these things."

"You won't have to wear them for long, honey. As soon as you don't need them, you can burn them."

"I'm not sure they will burn. They might just melt. I swear the panties are made from recycled soda bottles."

"I didn't know you were so particular about your underthings," Eleanor said, smiling at her child.

"Well, I am, and being with David all these years made me worse. He was definitely a lingerie guy."

Eleanor looked at her daughter for a moment, loving to watch her profile when she was concentrating. Despite all that had happened, Blair looked happy and healthy and content, and Eleanor was completely puzzled by that. "Do you want to talk about David, honey?"

Blair glanced quickly at her mother and said, "I don't particularly want to, but I will. What do you want to know?"

"I suppose I don't want to know about David, to tell the truth. I'm much more concerned about you and how you're taking all of this."

"I'm fine, Mom, I really am. I'm moving on with my life."

"You know, honey, I see that," Eleanor agreed. "I just don't understand how you can do that so … easily."

The look Blair gave her mother this time wasn't particularly kind. "Easily? You think this has been easy?" She pulled over to the curb at the first opportunity and put the car in park. Knowing that she was on the verge of snapping off a sharp comment, she tried to calm down. She opened the sunroof and took a few deep breaths, then said, "It might seem sudden to you and Dad, but this has been going on for months. From the time I got pregnant, I knew that there was something seriously wrong with our relationship."

"You did?" Eleanor's voice was half an octave higher than usual.

"Yeah. I did." She was quiet for a few seconds, trying to remember the chain of events. "It's like the people in Malibu who are losing their houses to erosion. The house might only move an inch or two a month, but they know that they can't rely on the foundation to save them. It's only a matter of time before they slide down the hill." She let her head drop back against the headrest. "I knew that our foundation wouldn't hold. I knew it almost from the start."

"But, honey, you never said —"

"What could I have said, Mom? I wasn't about to worry you and Dad with my troubles. There was nothing you could do about it. Besides, I thought there was a ghost of a chance that David could try to pull it out."

"A ghost of a chance? That's all?"

Blair nodded. "I know him well, Mom. He has a lot of good qualities, but he's not a very flexible guy — especially emotionally. He gets something in his head, and I swear it turns to stone. I didn't think he was going to be able to change, but I wanted him … I needed him to try."

Eleanor grasped her daughter's hand and held it to her chest. "I'm sorry you didn't tell me sooner, honey. Why didn't you?"

"You know how I am, Mom. I'm not good at sharing my troubles. I like to wait until I know where I stand before I start talking about things like this."

"That's not good for you, sweetheart. And it puts the whole weight of the situation right on your shoulders."

"I know, Mom, but I don't know how to be different. I went through a very, very hard time, but I worked my way out of it. I'm looking forward now and focusing on my baby."

Eleanor gazed at her child for a few moments, then nodded. "I've got to admit that I'm worried about your staying with Kylie, honey."

"Worried? What is there to worry about?"

"I think it'll be upsetting if she falls in love with someone and you have to move. Wouldn't your life be more settled if you found a place now?"

"Well, yeah, I guess it would be more settled, but I don't want to do that. I love living with Kylie, and I don't want to leave until I have to." Blair was quiet for a moment, then said, "She claims she wants to find a partner, and I still can't figure out why she hasn't. She's the best catch in the world!"

"I don't know, honey, but there's usually a reason for everything."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Blair asked a little irritably. "Don't you like her?"

"How could anyone not like her?" Eleanor asked. "I simply meant that it's hard to know what someone really wants. Maybe she prefers being single."

"No, Mom, and she wants to be loved. She has a real need to be connected to another woman. I'm sure of that."

Eleanor gave her daughter a puzzled shrug. "I can't venture a guess, honey. Only Kylie knows why she's single."

„G

Kylie and Blair dropped the Schneidhorsts off at the airport on Sunday evening, and as they drove away, Kylie shook her head. “I’m gonna miss that guy.”

Blair beamed at her. “You two were as thick as thieves. How late were you up last night?”

“I don’t even know,” Kylie said. “We started talking about the difficulty of getting audiences to listen to newer symphonic works, and before I knew it, I was half-looped. I haven’t had that much to drink in years!”

“My father loves a good bottle of Scotch,” Blair said. “He doesn’t drink often, but he can’t resist an excellent single malt.”

“Well, my single malt is gone,” Kylie said, “but it was worth it. I had a great time, Blair. They can visit any time.”

“They were really serious about inviting you to visit, you know. Dad really wants to take you on a thorough backstage tour of the symphony.”

“Hey, I’m going home in two weeks. Why don’t you go with me? You’ll still be able to fly then.”

“Two weeks, huh? I think I can make it, and I’d like to visit Chicago before winter. Are you going for any particular reason?”

“Yeah. My birthday. My family is having a big party for me.”

“Oh, your forty-first birthday.”

“No. My fortieth.”

“But you’ve been telling me all year that you’re forty,” Blair said, giving her a puzzled look.

“This is the year that I turn forty. I always click my age up in January. Then I don’t have to remember what month it is.”

“You’re an odd one, Mackenzie. But I can’t resist the lure of meeting a whole house full of your clan. Will all of your brothers and your sisters be there?”

“They’d better be,” she said. “How often does Doctor Baby Sister turn forty?”

„G

The next morning, Blair was up when Kylie came into the kitchen. “Hey, what’s got you up so early?” Kylie asked, tousling Blair’s already tousled hair.

“Just nerves,” she admitted. “I’m going to the doctor today, and I'm nervous. I’m always worried that she’s not gonna hear a heartbeat or something equally horrific.”

Kylie sat down and gazed at her for a moment. “I thought we had a deal. It doesn’t do much good if I’m over here being all positive, and you’re thinking bad thoughts. You’re gonna cancel out all of my good vibes.”

“I know,” she moaned. “I can’t help it.” She shook her head. “I used to be such an optimist. But ever since I’ve been pregnant, I have these horrid dreams and wake up certain that his spinal cord isn’t going to close or that he doesn’t have a brain.” She shivered. “It scares me half to death.”

Giving her a warm smile, Kylie said, “That’s not going to happen, bud.”

“I wish I could feel his heartbeat when I’m lying in bed, worrying about him.”

Kylie reached out and took her hand. “Have you noticed that you call the baby 'him' almost all of the time?”

She looked at Kylie. “I guess I do. He’s always seemed like a boy to me, but I kept forcing myself to say ‘he or she.’ I’ve given up the ruse.”

“Why does he seem like a boy?”

“I’m not sure. It’s a feeling I’ve had.”

“Do you want to know? I mean, if Monique does an ultrasound, and gets him in the correct position, she’ll be able to see. His genitals are formed by now, you know.”

“I’m kinda ambivalent, to tell you the truth. Part of me really likes not knowing. But if he’s gonna be an exhibitionist, I guess I won’t have much choice, will I?”

“Nope, not unless you don’t want to look.”

“Oh, sure, like that’ll happen. I’ll make sure she gives me the little printout so you can see, too.”

“Are you going this morning?”

“No, three o'clock.”

“I should be at the hospital then, checking on patients. Page me when you leave, okay? I should be able to call you back immediately.”

“Will do, Doc. Now you’d better get going. Nobody likes to be kept waiting in an operating room.”

“Big day,” she said. “I’ve got two vasectomy reversals and a pair of fallopian tubes to clean out.” Bending, she picked up the dogs and let them lick her face. “You two be good today. Maybe Mama Blair will give you a new toy to fight over before she leaves.”

“Mama Blair sounds so darned funny,” the blonde said while she giggled.

“Hey, they sleep with you, so they must think you’re their mama.” She kissed the top of Blair’s head. “They know a good Mama when they see one.”

„G

Blair was only half-undressed when someone knocked on the door of the exam room. “You can come on in if you don’t mind watching me strip.”

“You never make that offer at home,” Kylie’s low voice teased. “Do you like Monique better than me?”

“Kylie!” Blair whirled around, clad in her bra and panties, and threw her arms around her friend. “Damn, I’m glad to see you.”

“I heard that Baby Spencer was going to be on TV, and I had to be here for his big performance.”

Blair squeezed her tight, then pulled away. “I’ve got to get undressed. I don’t wanna keep Monique waiting.”

Kylie took the paper gown and held it in front of her friend, so she could have a modicum of privacy. When Blair had the gown in place, she held up the panties she’d just removed and showed them to Kylie. “Have you ever seen a less appealing pair of panties? This is the new sexy lingerie that my mother insisted I buy.”

Eyes wide, Kylie said, “I have to admit that those wouldn’t get my engine running, but then again, I’ve never dated a pregnant woman. If the woman in the panties made me hot, I guess that before long, the panties themselves would make me hot. I’m very adaptable.”

“I wish more men thought like you did,” Blair grumbled.

“I’m not most men — thankfully. I’ve seen how temperamental their equipment is, you know. They break down too easily.”

With a soft rap on the door, Monique entered, then paused to give Kylie a look. “Don’t tell me I’m gonna have you in here from now on.”

“‘Fraid so,” she shrugged. “The AMA has asked me to keep an eye on you.”

“Are you sure about this, Blair? Your care might actually be compromised by having Shakes in here looking over my shoulder.”

“I’m most certainly not going to be looking over your shoulder,” Kylie said. “That’s a view I don’t think Blair wants me to have, anyway.”

“No, I’d rather you were near my head,” the patient agreed. “There are some things only your doctor should have to see.” Blair thought for a second, and decided to tell Monique the truth. "The bad news is that my husband and I are getting divorced."

"Oh, Blair, how awful that must be for you." Monique sat on her rolling stool and gazed at her patient with sympathy. "How are you handling it?"

"I'm okay," she said. "I moved out of the house and moved in with Kylie."

"Kylie? You moved in with Kylie?" The sparkle was back in the doctor's warm brown eyes. "You poor, poor thing."

"She must not show you her best qualities if you think that, Monique. Doctor Mackenzie is the best roommate I could ever hope to have."

"Well, well, Shakes has hidden qualities," Monique teased.

"Not very hidden," Kylie insisted. "You haven't been looking." She stuck her tongue out at her old friend and said, "If Blair doesn't mind, I thought I'd come to some of her appointments. But don't you even think of keeping us waiting," she warned. "I'm a very busy woman!"

"I'll pay you fifty bucks to lie to her about your appointments," Monique said to Blair, adding anaggrieved look. "She'll be good," Blair promised. She turned and looked at the surgeon. "Won't you?"

"Yeah, I'll behave," Kylie agreed.

"We'll see," the obstetrician said. She turned around and washed her hands, then put on a pair of examination gloves and sat down again. Monique looked at Blair. "I want to talk about some pretty personal things today. Are you sure you don't mind having company?"

Blair's eyes grew a little wide, and she shook her head. "No, I want Kylie to be here." She stuck her hand out, and Kylie was there immediately, holding it. "My heart's pumping here, Monique. Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that, Blair. But I want to talk about genetic testing, and I know this is a sensitive issue for almost every woman."

"Oh." Blair let out a breath, profoundly relieved.

"Kylie's been the one I've talked to about this. She's been a tremendous help, Monique. She nows exactly how I feel about the testing."

"Great," Monique said. She gave her friend a smile. "You really do come in handy every once in a while, don't ya?"

"Not often, but I remember every time," the doctor said, smiling thinly.

"Well, we talked about amniocentesis last time, Blair. What are your thoughts about having it?"

"I don't want to have it," Blair said, and Kylie felt her friend squeeze her hand. "The results wouldn't make me terminate, and the risks are too high just to have the information."

Дата добавления: 2015-09-04