Cancelled (16 page)

He picked up his phone and dialed Anna's number. He hoped cell phone use was okay in the cafeteria. As the phone rang, he scanned the tables around him and saw numerous people doing the same thing he was doing. It finally occurred to him that he should probably update Anna about Kellie. She would want to know.

“Yes, Johnathan?” Anna answered, seeing her stepson's name on her caller ID.

“I'm at the hospital. Kellie is in preterm labor and they're trying to stop it.”

“Which hospital?”

“St. Catherine's over in Fairfax.” Johnathan could hear sounds of hurried motion on the other side of the phone. “Wait, I need a favor.” Johnathan hoped this plan would work. He needed to tell Alex about the baby, but didn't want to do so while all of this drama was going on.

"What is it?” She sounded annoyed.

“I don't think you need to come down right now, her parents are on the way. They're probably going to keep her overnight, so I will need to be here in the morning. I don't want to go back to Alex's tonight.”

“You mean you don't want to go home because you haven't told her."

“I wanted her to enjoy our engagement a little before ruining everything. I want to tell her, and soon. But right now, I can't tell her and give her the attention she'll need while I'm worried about Kellie in the hospital.” Johnathan explained, and finishing the last of his coffee.

“You better tell her the first chance you get. Before she finds out another way.” Anna admonished.

Two people Johnathan recognized were lost in the atrium next to the cafeteria.

“I need to go. Can I crash your place tonight or not?”

“Of course.. You know you're welcome anytime." Anna sighed. "Just make sure you aren't running from your trouble, or it's going to rise up and smack you in the face.”

Johnathan chuckled.

“Okay, okay. I won't. I promise. I should be there fairly soon; Kellie's parents just arrived.”

“Take care of my grandbaby. Tell Kellie I'm praying for her. And you.” Anna finished the conversation and both of them ended their calls.

Johnathan stood up to wave over to Mr. and Mrs. Szachowski. The hurried over to him.

“Johnathan! Where is she? Did we lose the baby?” Linda Szachowski asked.

“She's okay. Baby's doing well, but throwing one hell of a tantrum. They gave her some fluids and ran some tests. I can take you to her.”

Before leading his child's other set of grandparents back to the maternity ward, he bought an apple juice and a bag of chips to sneak to Kellie. He held up the bracelet on his right hand the nurse put on him when Kellie was admitted to the ward. The nurse behind the glass pushed a button to open the double-wooden doors.

They walked past the nursery on their left, a fishbowl full of screaming girls and boys new to the world around them. Mrs. Szachowski made a few oohs and aahs before they arrived at labor room 8, where Kellie was resting.

She looked a great deal better to Johnathan, laying on her left side. Her eyes were closed in a peaceful rest, but her emerald-colored eyes popped open when their party entered.

“Mom!”

Mrs. Szachowski rushed to Kellie's side and sat on the edge of the bed. The mother inspected her daughter and tsked at the IV and monitor cables. “I'm okay, Mom. They said I have a kidney infection. Baby's fine.”

“A little antibiotics and you'll be good as new?” Johnathan asked, expressing his own relief.

“Yep.” Kellie flashed him a smile.

“Well, I brought you some things from home.” Kellie's mom held up a duffel bag that Johnathan had missed. She pulled out shampoo, a change of clothes, and a blanket from home. Johnathan and Kellie's father shared a moment of solidarity as men who never would have thought to pack an overnight bag.

A nurse walked in and started checking Kellie's vitals and sensors. Once she counted the people in the room, she frowned. “We only allow two people in the birthing room with the mother at a time. One of you will need to wait out in our waiting room across from the courtyard.”

“But I'm not giving birth. I just can't go home, yet,” Kellie said.

“I'm sorry. Hospital policy.”

“It's okay, I think you're in good hands. I can come back in the morning.” Johnathan said to Kellie. He fidgeted for a moment before deciding to tell her about the bank account. “Um, Mr. and Mrs. Szachowski, would you mind giving us a minute alone? To discuss the baby?”

Kellie's parents looked at each other, and Mrs. Szachowski nodded. Mr. Szachowski didn't look too pleased.

“It'll be quick, you can probably wait in the hall.” Johnathan made eye contact with nurse to see if that was acceptable.

“For just a few minutes.” The nurse in hot pink scrubs left the room, with Kellie's parents in tow.

Kellie pushed herself up on the bed so she was more in a sitting position. Johnathan opened up his laptop and pulled a piece of paper and pen out of his messenger bag.

“I didn't want to really discuss this with your parents around. I hope you don't mind,” he said. She shrugged so he continued. “I set up a joint account for us, and here's the account number. A debit card should arrive at your parent's house in the next week or so. There's $2,000 in there right now, should you need to start buying things for the baby.” He took a breath. Silent tears began running down Kellie's cheeks and she tried to dab them away with the pads of her fingers.

Johnathan scanned the room furtively as he babbled on. Finally, he spied a box of cheap tissues near the sink. He brought them over to Kellie. “Did I hurt your feelings? I was just trying to help...provide. I know we haven't discussed visitation and child support, and we can with my lawyer soon or if you prefer with an attorney of your choosing.”

“No, no. I'm not upset. I'm, I'm—it's so much. I thought we were losing the baby, and now you're setting up a joint account for us,” her hands instinctively rubbed the side of her belly to avoid the monitor on the top. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Johnathan handed her the piece of paper with the account details and returned his laptop to his back. He pulled out his car keys. “You have my cell if anything changes. I'm going to let you get some rest and spend time with your parents. I'll be at my step-mom's house tonight, so I'm right around the corner, okay?”

Kellie nodded and Johnathan gave a slight wave before opening the door to a very impatient future-grandmother. The Szachowskis rushed by him to tend to their daughter, and Johnathan made his way to the parking lot over by the Emergency Room.

Part of him dreaded facing Anna tonight. He wanted answers about the trust fund account, in person. Tonight would give him a chance to do that. He wasn't sure what to say to Alexis, so he opted to text her.

EVERYTHING FINE. FAMILY DRAMA. STAYING WITH ANNA TONIGHT. WON'T BE AT WORK TOMORROW, WILL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING.

Stuck in 4:30 PM gridlock, Johnathan planned ahead. He kept a change of clothes at Anna's place. There was no reason to stop at the townhouse and risk running into Alex. Now that Kellie and the baby were safe, his thoughts turned back to the mess with the money. He hadn't completely lied when he said he had to deal with family drama.

11

“
I
s everything okay with the baby?” Anna tried to make conversation with her listless stepson.

“Yeah, they're both fine. Kellie texted me an update a few minutes ago. They're keeping her overnight but the contractions have stopped. Going to see her tomorrow morning.” Johnathan gulped half of his water down. Dinner with Anna was tense. The scallops in the dish were sautéed to perfection and melted in his mouth. Still, he pushed the pasta around as he mulled over discussing the trust fund.

“That's good. I was so afraid they wouldn't be able to stop it."

Johnathan sighed, remembering his earlier thoughts of the baby not making it. “I set up a joint account for her and me. To start paying expenses related to the baby.”

“You did? That sounds like a good plan,” she said, taking another bite of her own pasta. "Did you discuss that with Simms?"

“No. It's the right thing to do.”

“I know it is, honey. You are doing the right thing, but you still need be careful about opening yourself up for future obligations.” Anna had experience in this. “There might come a day when Kellie figures out how much money she could milk out of the father of her baby.”

The dig against Kellie pissed him off. She wasn't like that. “I noticed Jenn's trust fund is back to the full amount.” Johnathan watched Anna's reaction, but her expression remained as smooth as glass.

“I told you I would get the money back.” Anna gave a slight smile, to reinforce her triumph.

“Funny how the money came back from your account.” Johnathan waited for his stepmother to make eye contact. She focused on her wine glass instead. When Anna resumed eating her meal, he knew she wasn't going to answer to him. “Fine, you don't want to tell me the details, I don't care.”

Stabbing at an uncooperative pasta shell with his fork, he resolved to take matters into his own hands. He should have from the beginning. As a grown man, he didn't need his stepmother fighting his battles for him. Come Monday, he would call the authorities to investigate the matter to bring criminal charges against Nancy Jean.

“So why haven't you told Alex about the baby? It's been weeks since you've known for sure.”

“I was waiting for things to settle down at work, from the engagement, and moving in. After I check on Kellie in the morning, I'm meeting Alex for lunch. She needs to know.”

“I'd say.” Anna picked up her napkin and dabbed her lips, before rising from the table to take her plate back into the kitchen. As she walked back into the dining room she dismissed any further time for Johnathan's questions. “I'm going to catch my program in my room. You know where your things are. I'll see you in the morning.”

Johnathan clenched his jaw. He didn't know if he was angrier that his mother hadn't given the money back, or that Anna was shutting him out from the specifics of what exchanged between the two of them.

“Good night.”

“'Night.” Johnathan sat alone at the dinner table. Breaking one of Anna's cardinal rules, he pulled his phone out and dialed Alex. She picked up after one ring.

“I've been worried sick about you! Where are you? Is Anna okay?”

“I'm fine. Anna's fine.”

“What's going on?”

Johnathan was stuck. He didn't want to lie anymore, even by technicality. But he couldn't tell her over the phone. “I noticed the money came back into Jenn's account today.” He heard Alex taking a breath, waiting for him to explain how that prompted him to leave work so early. “The money came from Anna's account.”

“No!”

Johnathan picked at the corner of his napkin still lying on the table. “Yeah. Nancy Jean took Anna for a ride. The worst part is she won't tell me anything.”

“I'm so sorry. But if she won't talk to you, maybe you should come home?” Alex asked, her choice of answer clear in her tone.

Johnathan ran through as many options as he could for an excuse to stay. He settled on blaming Anna. “I'm hoping she'll come around and fill me in. I'm ready to get the police involved, but I want to make sure Anna isn't involved with anything. Just in case.”

“How are you going to do that if she won't tell you what happened? Come home and talk to Simms tomorrow. He might be able to convince Anna to explain.”

“I want to give it a night. I think if I leave now, it'll just reinforce her feelings of keeping me out of it.” Johnathan deftly defended his stay at Anna's. He couldn't tell Alex the real reason was to remain only five minutes away from the hospital.

“But, there is something I wanted
—
no need
—
to talk to you about. I know tomorrow is Friday and I'm missing work, and it's a terrible time, but could we eat lunch together? I can meet you somewhere.”

“Is this about the money?”

“No, it's something else that impacts our future.”

“Jesus, Johnathan. Just say it.”

“I can't. In person. I need your feelings on it, but not while I'm dealing with this crap.”

There was a brief moment of silence before Alex agreed.

On Friday morning, Eric hesitated outside Alex's office door. He wasn't sure if he should tell her about his conversation last night with Callum. Pushing jealousy aside, he felt she deserved to know.

Eric poked his head in and saw a deflated Alex sitting in her high-back mesh chair. She stared at the glistening silver dragon embellished with azure crystals that sat on her desk. The dragon statue was in place of a name plate, standing long with its head cocked to the right, ready to breathe fire if it could.

“I think I know why Johnathan keeps disappearing without great explanations.”

Her face snapped to his and the lines around her eyes softened.

“You do?”

“Yeah. He's going to be a dad.”

Alex began laughing hysterically. “What are you talking about? Is this his pregnant friend? You're the father.

“Me? Why would I be the father?”

Alex said nothing and just gave him a look that said it all. Eric shoved his hands in his pockets and took another step further into the office so he could lower his voice.

“Remember the birthday to end all birthdays where I absconded with the car company's limo and ended up in Atlantic City?” Eric winced, knowing she hadn't truly forgiven him for the incident.

“Yeah, but Johnathan wasn't with you. He was in Paris.”

“The following day. That night we hooked up with some friends of mine at the club, after you left. I dropped Johnathan and a girl off at his apartment before continuing on the escapade.” There, he had confessed his part.

Alex pondered Eric's statement for a moment, looking at her computer screen.

“Wait, how do you know about all of this? Did Johnathan tell you he's having a kid?” Alex waited to hear the connection.

“The girl is friends with my, uh, fun provider.” Eric raised his eyebrows to see if she caught his euphemism.

“Your drug dealer.” Alexis slid away from her computer screen so she could look him directly in the eye. “I've seen you. I wanted to ream you for popping pills. Johnathan told me to leave it alone, that you managed it. But that kinda crap could cost us contracts.”