Part 14

The theme from M*A*S*H was blaring out into the hallway. "Except for the location," commented Sam, balancing the three shakes, "it's status quo."

"That's good," replied Dr. Houseman.

As they walked into Jenny's room, the six juvenal eyes escaped the spell of the screen, and in unison the girls yelled "Chocolate shakes." Even Jenny who was immobilized in soft traction seemed more upbeat than before Charlotte and Sam went for coffee.

As Sam handed out the cold bounty, and Charlotte was helping Jenny drink through a straw, she noticed Sarah was paying strict attention to Dr. Houseman who had engaged Jenny in a light banter, asking her about school, and if this ploy of her's was excusing her from homework.

Jenny played along. Saying, her arm could really move, she was just trying to get out of her times table test. "I'll be okay after Wednesday."

Just then Charlotte's cell phone started it's annoying ring. "You should really change that," offered Sam. "It's so annoying."

"That's why I leave it," answered Charlotte frantically diving into her cavernous purse to find it. Thinking the hospital was a no cell zone, she answered in a whisper, "Yes." It all came back to her, the article, the deadline, the pictures. How could she have forgotten? How could she possibly be asked to remember: a pregnancy, a fall, and almost an entire day in a hospital. "No, I'm not near my computer... No, I don't think I'll be getting there anytime soon... Well, if it's not ready then it's not ready..."

Everyone listened intently, even Dr Houseman.

"Sorry, but if the piece requires more work than an editor can do, then it's not going to happen... Why? Because Jenny had an accident and from all these smiling faces, we're going to be camping out in her hospital room for a day or two."

Charlotte noticed a wave of relaxation pass over Lovie and Sarah. Were the fighting threesome worried that they would be separated? Perhaps there was more than sibling rivalry holding her daughters together after all.

The phone call ended. The room returned to normal, and Sam pulled Charlotte aside, "That was your editor," he stated.

Charlotte shook her head, looking past him at Jenny laughing with the man who had pulled her feet first into the world.

"Do you want me to go home and get the laptop?"

"No, what's one byline? I wouldn't miss this fun for the world." And it was fun. They were together as a family, and dino gyno. Laughing, watching TV, waiting to see if surgery was necessary. The hospital might be a no cell zone, but it was definitely a no work zone.

"Well I have real patients two floors away, so I better go," announced Dr. Houseman. Then turning to Charlotte he said, "That test can happen here as well as at the office. Should I make arrangements?"

Jenny, who must've been attuned to the word test, said, "What test?"

To which Sarah answered, "Mommy's having another baby."