by Paula Austin
Dave Reilly closed Billy’s door behind him. The boy was sleeping peacefully for the first time in over two weeks. That was how long it had taken Dr Koenig to release him from Medical Center to come home. Dave wasn’t complaining though. Billy’s life had hung in a balance for the first week and thanks to Dr Koenig and her staff Billy survived and kept his leg. Dave said a silent prayer of thanks. He was certain that if he lost another member of his family that he would have trouble finding a reason to get out of bed again.
As he headed into the kitchen to fix a drink, the door chimed. He was certain it was another of Billy’s friends coming by to check on the progress of his recovery. Without bothering to check the monitor he opened the door. Dave Reilly was taken by surprise. Instead of a nappy headed ten year old he was met by a beautiful and lithe blonde.
"Nurse Mendel, what a pleasant surprise." very pleasant, he thought to himself. "Please, come in." he led her into the living room. "I was just about to have some juice. Would you care for some?"
"That would be nice, thank you." Laurie had not intended to stay more than a few minutes, but she liked the big Irishman and didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
In a couple of minutes Dave returned with their drinks. Placing hers on the table in front of the couch where she sat, he took another seat just to the right. "Billy’s asleep right now. Poor boy, the pain medication Dr. Koenig gave him really put him out." He emphasized the last statement by slicing his hand through the air horizontally.
"I’m sure it does. He’s a very lucky boy, Mr. Reilly." Laurie reached up and replaced a wisp of blonde hair that had fallen from her ever-present bun.
The big man looked down for a moment. He had never been one to express his feelings openly. "I know I never thanked you properly for the way you looked after Billy while he was in your care. I just want you to know that I know you went above and beyond in what you did for my boy." Having said it he looked up again. He knew he would never be able to repay the endless hours she spent by Billy’s bed when his life hung by a thread. She had made a promise to watch over him and she kept it.
Embarrassed by the turn of the conversation Laurie glanced away. "Think nothing of it. I’m very fond of Billy. He’s a very brave boy." Reaching beside her she took a package and handed it to Dave. "I read this to Billy while he was in Medical Center he really liked it. I would like him to have it."
Dave took the package and opened it. It was a copy of Treasure Island. From the feel of the rich leather cover he could tell it was an expensive copy. Especially given the fact that it could not be replaced on Alpha. "This is very nice, but are you sure you want him to have it? A copy like this must be priceless"
"I would like him to have it very much." She knew she could never give it to its intended owner. "I must go now. My shift starts in a few minutes. Please tell Billy that I will try to see him later."
A couple of hours later, as promised, Maggie returned home. She had met a couple of friends at the Rec center. She promised to be home early so Dave could turn in early. They had been taking turns watching Billy for the first few days. After a quick shower, Dave crawled into bed certain that he would be asleep almost immediately. Despite the exhaustion of the past couple of weeks he found himself tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Finally, after many failed attempts to get to sleep he slipped on his robe and headed to the living room.
Maggie was busy working over her slate and didn’t notice when he entered the room. Not wanting to disturb her he sat down in a chair off to the side and watched her. He was amazed at how much she had come to resemble her mother recently. Not only in physical appearance, but in her mannerisms and speech. His heart ached at the thought.
Sensing his presence she looked around; her dark hair falling around her shoulders. "You’re supposed to be in bed."
"Couldn’t sleep."
"No wonder the way things have been going around here. Want me to fix us some cocoa?"
Dave nodded his head and followed his daughter into the kitchen. "How are your studies coming?" Maggie had decided to apprentice in hydroponics.
"Pretty good" she said spooning cocoa into the cups and stirring. "I can tell you more about the way your food is grown than you really want to know."
Dave smiled at the thought. He could tell her some stories of the things his Irish ancestors had done to make the potatoes grow. Perhaps another day, he thought.
Returning to the living room they sat next to each other on the sofa. Maggie contentedly snuggled against him sipping her cocoa.
"Daddy?"
"Hmmm?" The cocoa was very hot and he had to sip it slowly to avoid being burned.
"Do you ever think of Mum?"
Dave stopped in mid sip. It had been a long time since either of them had mentioned Aoife, even though he knew they both thought of her frequently.
"Of course, honey. Why do you ask?" he placed his cup on the table in front of them.
"I dunno. Just curious I guess." she sat he cup next to her fathers and leaned back comfortably. There was a long silence between them where it seemed neither of them could find the right words. Finally, Maggie continued. "You know, if you want to go out on a date sometime it would be OK."
Dave was taken by surprise. He had been unprepared for this conversation and where it was leading. "Don’t you think I’m a little old to be going out on dates?"
"I dunno. Lots of the first generation were older than you are now before they got married. I was just thinking the Billy and I aren’t going to be living here forever and you should have someone to have fun with." she stifled a yawn. "I just thought you ought to think about it anyway."
"Well, I’ll think about it." he hugged his daughter close. "Right now, I think you should turn in. I’m not sleepy and I think I’ll read a while."
"OK. ‘night, Daddy." she said as she kissed his cheek.
Dave smiled to himself as Maggie left the room. It was remarkable how mature she had become. But then she had to grow up fast to help him raise Billy after the accident. Reaching for his cup on the table he noticed the book Laurie had brought by earlier. He picked it up and began thumbing through the pages, savoring the feel and smell of a finely printed book. As his eyes scanned the pages his thoughts went back to his visit with Laurie today. It had seemed that for the first time he had noticed how attractive she was. He wondered if she made house calls to all her patients.
The alarm sounded out. Dave lifted a large hand and muted its obnoxious beeping. Bounding out of the bed headed directly to the shower. He was returning to work today and he looked forward to it. Freshly showered and shaved he headed to the kitchen where he was met by Maggie who was preparing her specialty, oatmeal. He made a mental point to find someone who could teach her some cooking skills. Not being a good cook himself Dave found he was unable to contribute to that part of her domestic education.
"Morning, Daddy" she said as he kissed her cheek. "Billy’s up and asking for you."
Dave nodded his acknowledgment and headed down the hall to his son’s room. When he opened the door Billy was sitting up with his slate in his lap.
"Hi, Dad." he beamed at the sight of his father.
"Morning, Pal. How’re you feeling?" he sat on the edge of the bed.
"I’m achy, but OK. Is Maggie getting breakfast?"
"Yea. Your oatmeal should be here soon." Dave pretended not to notice the face Billy was making. "What’s on your mind, Pal?"
"Is it OK if Richie comes over for a while today? I’m so bored and I promise I’ll stay in bed."
Dave knew that the weeks in bed must be driving Billy crazy. "OK, but for only a little while. Then you need to get lots of rest." Satisfied with Billy’s response he turned to leave, then remembering something faced Billy again. "I almost forgot. You had a visitor yesterday. Nurse Mendel brought this for you." He pulled the book from beneath his jacket.
Billy’s eyes lit up at the sight. "Treasure Island! That’s great. Nurse Laurie is great."
Dave snuck out as Billy became immersed in the adventures in text. Heading out the door he instructed Maggie to call him if she needed anything and he would be home after his shift.
When Dave opened the door to their apartment that evening he did a double take. Ducking back through the door he checked the name on it before going on in. The aroma coming from the kitchen took him back years to his tiny home in Belfast where his mother’s cooking was known for miles around. Even if Maggie had taken a crash course in the culinary arts she could never reproduce it. To a true Irishman, Irish Stew was an art. Just then he caught the scent of potato bread. He closed his eyes and lifted his nose to savor the aroma.
Curiously he turned the corner into the kitchen to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. Looking up from setting the table Maggie saw him and raced to his side. Standing on her toes she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Hi, Daddy. Surprise!"
Surprise was the word. At that moment Laurie Mendel came from the kitchen wiping her hands on a makeshift apron. She gave Dave a smile that sent tingles of electricity through his body.
"Hello, Dave."
He tried to return the greeting, but no sound came out when he opened his mouth. He looked from the table to Laurie to Maggie. Finally, he leaned against the wall.
"Oh wait Daddy. There’s more." She twirled and ran down the hall towards Billy’s room.
Dave watched her go unable to believe there could be anything else.
"I hope you don’t mind. I came over to give Billy some new medicine and she was having a terrible time. She wanted to make you something special for dinner and well-----"
"Daddy knows what a terrible cook I am." Maggie said as she entered.
Dave turned at his daughter’s voice. He was about to raise an objection then noticed Billy behind her. He was sitting in a wheelchair. A special wheelchair. It was just his size and made to keep his leg immobilized.
"Hi Dad. Surprised?" In Billy’s lap lay the copy of Treasure Island that Laurie had given him.
Laurie stepped up and explained. "Alan Carter made it. Dr Koenig told him exactly what she wanted and he brought it by this afternoon."
It’s great dad. It’s kinda tough to get around corners, but now I can get out of my room."
"Are you sure it’s OK?" Dave asked Laurie.
"As long as he gets plenty of rest and doesn’t do anything crazy." She looked at Billy.
"I promise" he feigned disappointment. Perking up he smiled "Now can we eat? I’m starved."
Dave couldn’t remember when he had eaten anything as delicious as Laurie’s version of Alphan Irish Stew. Eventually, he was able to recover from his shock and participate in dinner conversation. Billy’s fondness of her was obvious from the courteous way he talked to her and to his surprise Maggie seemed quite taken with her also. The conversation flowed smoothly and soon their plates were empty.
Billy, exhausted from the day’s excitement, asked Laurie to put him to bed to Dave’s surprise. Dave started to object, but Laurie said she would like to. As they headed off down the hall Dave got up to clear away the dishes, but Maggie objected claiming that she could get it done faster. As Laurie returned Maggie was just finishing up. Billy had asked Laurie to read her a passage from Treasure Island, so she had been delayed.
"Well, I should be going. Thanks for letting me help you, Maggie."
"Help me? You saved me. Do you have to go?"
Laurie opened her mouth to reply.
"I know," she interrupted "Daddy can walk you home and you can stop by the Biosphere on the way. Hydroponics is putting on a show of the new plants they’ve been developing. You’d hate to miss that" she said it with a little too much fervor as she shoved them out the door.
After they had taken several steps Dave looked at Laurie shyly. "The kids are very fond of you."
"I like them a lot. Billy and I got to know each other very well during his stay at Medical Center. I miss seeing him. Maggie is a wonderful young lady. You must be proud of her vocation."
Dave smiled "To be perfectly honest I’m in shock. Geology was never something she had the slightest interest in as a child, but plants! It’s a completely alien subject to me. She’s been such a tremendous help to me after what happened to her mother and baby brother...." he raised his hand in the air and gave her a puzzled expression.
"They must miss their mother and brother a lot."
"They do. Maggie misses having someone around to help her with things ... like her cooking" he smiled at Laurie.
"Yes, I see what you mean." They both burst into laughter. When they stopped they found themselves at the entrance to the Biosphere.
"Shall we go in and see what’s new?" Dave asked.
"Why not?" she said as she led the way in.
Surprisingly, there were few people browsing through the selections of flowering plants and bushes. They found a nice spot that had a stone bench and a fountain so they sat down. For several minutes they sat there admiring the beauty of the flora surrounding them. Dave finally broke the silence.
"How about you? Is there someone that you miss?"
Laurie was surprised by the question and sat there for several seconds looking at her hands and not replying.
"I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have..... I didn’t mean to----" he stammered. Ashamed he had asked. Some things were too personal.
"No. It’s OK. It’s just something I never discuss." She never discussed it, but never forgot it. She remembered everyday her family left on earth.
"I’m sorry"
They sat in silence several minutes. Dave was embarrassed he had broached such a personal subject when the barely knew each other.
After several minutes lost in thought, Laurie turned to Dave. "Perhaps it’s time I did tell someone. Maybe it would help" With a deep breath she began to tell her story.
"Back on Earth I married just out of college. Erich was a successful architect and I worked as a pediatric nurse at the hospital. We were busy with our careers and it was several years before we decided to start a family. Ten years and one month after we were married our first child was born. Rent was a beautiful baby. He was never fussy and everyone told me how lucky I was to have such a child. Then at around six months of age I began to get concerned over his development. He wasn’t trying to do anything. Not roll over, anything. The doctor decided to run some tests. Eventually they found the problem. It was very rare and little was known about it. What was known was that Rent would be severely mentally and developmentally delayed and would never progress past the age of a ten year old. This was a serious blow to Erich and myself. We had always envisioned him growing up to be an architect like his father or a doctor. I guess it really got harder as he grew older. His defects became more obvious. We couldn’t kid our selves any longer that he was going to get better. Erich, who was a bit of a perfectionist, had a very hard time. He became withdrawn from us and soon we began to fight. When Rent was five we were divorced. I knew I had to do something in order to support Rent and myself. An opening came available with ISO. It was almost too good to be true. The pay and benefits would meet our needs. The only catch was that I had to do a rotation on Alpha. So, I left Rent with my parents, and rest, as they say, is history."
"It must have been difficult for you." was all he could manage.
"I cried a lot. I would have gladly sold my soul if Rent had gotten a fair chance at life. Then after breakaway I almost lost my sanity. Everything reminded me of my child. My child I would have given my life to protect and would never see again."
Dave saw the tracks of her tears as she lifted her face in the dim light. He wanted very much to kiss her and to take her away her pain, but he knew she needed a friend more than a lover right now. He wanted to be that friend. He remembered his own pain after the loss of Aiofe and Paddy. He had felt like there was a black hole where his own heart had been. Sucking away his life, draining his energy and emotions.
He settled for placing a comforting arm around her shoulders. "It helps to have friends."
As she looked up into his eyes, he placed a kiss gently on her forehead. They shared a smile and she placed her head on his shoulder. He wanted to be much more than her friend, but there was time. All the time in the world.