Mindbend

Cheryl leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Like Candy said, I used to do a lot of drugs. Pot, acid, you name it. Dr. Foley said that I should have the test to check the chromosomes. But he made it easy. If you have to have it, don’t worry. I was really nervous, but I’d do it again in a flash.” She sat back, pleased with herself.

Je

Cheryl nodded her head. “Dr. Foley is the nicest doctor I’ve ever met. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have done anything. And his nurses are nice, too. In fact, the whole Julian Clinic is just great. I’m sure Candy would call and make an appointment for you if you’d like.”

Je

Cheryl wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know, to tell you the truth. I’ll have to ask Candy.”

After making plans to meet Cheryl the following morning, Je

Biting her lower lip, Je

It was nearly six o’clock when Je

“How did the meeting go?” she asked, making an effort to be pleasant. “Was your father helpful?”

“He was a delight,” snapped Adam. “He gave me a valuable lecture about responsibility and consistency.”

Je

“Worse,” said Adam. “Now he believes I’m the cause of my mother’s depression.”

“But her depression started with your brother’s death.”

“He seems to have forgotten that.”

“What did he say when you told him that we are going to have a child?”

“I didn’t,” said Adam. “I never had a chance. He made it very clear that I was on my own before I could even broach the subject.”

“I’m sorry,” said Je

Je

At first, Adam sat and brooded. Gradually, he realized that he was acting like an adolescent. Getting up, he went into the bedroom and stripped off his clothes. Then he opened the door to the bathroom. “Leave the water on,” he shouted over the sound of the shower. While he was brushing his teeth, Je

Adam had always found it difficult to apologize. Maybe they should do something crazy, like go out to di

“Got a great idea,” said Adam when he came into the bedroom. “How about going out for di

Je

“What do you mean, no?” said Adam. “Come on. We need to get out. It will be a real treat.”

“We can’t afford it,” said Je

Adam towel-dried his hair while he considered this unexpected negative response. Je

Je

“I hear you,” she said. “I bought groceries. As soon as the news is over, I’ll make di

“Tonight I want something different than Hamburger Helper,” said Adam.

“I didn’t get Hamburger Helper,” said Je

“I meant that as a figure of speech,” said Adam. “Come on. Let’s go out for di

“You don’t have to leave school,” said Je

“What kind of job?” asked Adam.

“At Macy’s. In the shoe section. The only problem is that I will have to work alternate weekends, but hopefully we can coordinate that with your on-call schedule. Surprisingly, I’ll be making the same salary as I did dancing. Anyway, you don’t have to drop out of school.”

Adam stood up from the bed. “You’re not working at Macy’s and that’s final.”

“Oh,” said Je

“Je

“Isn’t it?” said Je

“I’m in no mood for an argument,” said Adam, as he went to the bureau for clean underwear. “You are not going to work at Macy’s. I don’t want you standing for long hours while you’re pregnant. Subject’s closed.”

“You are forgetting that this is my body,” said Je

“That’s true,” said Adam. “But it is also true that it is our child.”

Je

“In any case, I’ve made up my mind,” said Adam. “I’m taking a leave of absence so that I can work for a year or two. Your job will be to take care of yourself and the baby, and that doesn’t mean standing around in a department store.” Hoping to end the dialogue, Adam stepped into the living room. Because of the small size of the bedroom closet, his clothes were in the hall closet.

“Why can’t you stay here and discuss this?” Je

Adam came back into the bedroom. “There’s nothing more to discuss.”

“Oh yes there is,” said Je

“Oh yes I have,” snapped Adam. “I’m going to Arolen Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey. I called this afternoon and they are eager to see me. I have an interview tomorrow.”

“Why are you being so bullheaded about this?” said Je

“If you call bullheadedness my desire to keep you healthy and keep your parents from interfering in our life, then, yes, I’m bullheaded. One way or the other, the issue is closed, the discussion is over. I’m leaving school and you are not working at Macy’s. Any questions?” Adam knew he was taunting Je