Chapter Fourteen

Opening her eyes, to the light of morning, Jayme realized she had slept all night. Her stomach still hurt but she was feeling better. Pulling back the covers, she went to the bathroom to relieve herself, then returned to her room to put on some clothes.
The effects of the food poisoning still left her feeling weak and tired. But other than some slight cramping, she was no longer nauseated. And she was hungry. But she knew better than to just eat anything. She had to start bland, like chicken noodle soup and crackers. It sounded good to her and she knew she could always find it in mom’s pantry.
Eating a hot breakfast, she decided to take it easy for the day. She went to the couch to lay down and relax. Flipping through the channels, she settled on a show and watched a few minutes before dozing off.
Hearing a loud knock, Jayme nearly jumped off the couch. She went to the door but saw no one through the peep hole. Opening the door, she still saw no one. Realizing it was just a dream, Jayme shut the door and returned to the couch. Sitting down, she could hardly believe it was a dream, it was surreal.
Looking at the clock, Jayme knew it was time to get ready for her prenatal appointment. Climbing up the stairs, she dressed in a flannel dress that was warm for the season. Then she slipped on her knee-high boots. Pulling her hair up into a long pony tail, Jayme secured it with an elastic scrunchy. Grabbing her jacket, keys and purse, Jayme headed out the door.
Checking in, Jayme gave the nurse her information, then sat down and waited. She realized she would need to secure other health insurance before the beginning of next month. Looking at the end table, she picked up a recent magazine and flipped though it. Before long, they called her back.
Already knowing the routine, Jayme began answering questions before they were asked. The nurse nodded as she began taking Jayme’s vital signs. Jayme explained her visit to the emergency room yesterday and told her the medication they put her on. The nurse asked her other questions and Jayme answered them.
After the nurse left, Jayme changed into the paper gown they left for her to use. Then she waited for the doctor. The room felt cold as she felt the air around her. Reaching over, she grabbed her jacket and swung it around her shoulders, leaving it just draping over her.
A few minutes later, she heard the knock before the doctor entered. As he looked at her chart, she thought he appeared much older, like her father’s age. Closing the folder, he looked at her and spoke. “So, you’re Dr. Grayson’s daughter?”
“Yes, that is correct. Jayme, you can call me Jayme.”
“Yes, of course, Jayme. I’m Dr. Adams. Your father has been a great colleague of mine for many years. And he tells me you’re a nurse?”
“Yes, my last job, I was an emergency severe traumatic injury nurse in the ER.”
“Your last job? You’re not there anymore?”
“No. After my husband was murdered, I decided to move back to Hillman.”
“You’re husband was murdered? You’re merely eight months pregnant… so he was murdered within eight months ago?”
“Well, to be blunt, it was October tenth. I remember it vividly…” Jayme said.
“So, like two weeks ago? Wow… do you need something to help you deal with this, emotionally?” The doctor commented.
“No, I’ve been dealing with it. I have to keep in mind he fact that he was cheating on me, for three years, with the same woman. That’s the entire length of our relationship.” Jayme said.
“You are a very strong woman to have to deal with all that. If you need something to help you relax and calm you, just let me know. Added stress is not good for the baby.”
“No, thank you, I’d rather not take any kind of drug if it’s not really necessary.” Jayme said.
“Ok… why don’t you lay down so I can examine you.” The doctor said.
Laying down, Jayme turned and looked out the small window by the ceiling. All she could see were treetops and birds flying about them. She tried to relax while the doctor examined her. Asking her questions pertaining to her pregnancy, the doctor stated everything seemed to be coming along as it should. Then he looked at the ultrasound pictures from the emergency room and confirmed his decision.
With a smile, he instructed her to get dressed and come to the front desk, he wanted to see her again in two weeks. Waiting for the doctor to exit the room, Jayme sat on the bed, her legs hanging over the edge of the end. When the door closed, Jayme stripped off the paper gown and began to get dressed.
Meeting the nurse at the desk, Jayme paid her co-pay and scheduled her next appointment before leaving the office. By now, she was feeling much better and the stomach cramps have subsided. And although she was hungry, she didn’t want to overload her stomach. She still wanted a bland diet for at least the remainder of the day.
Stopping at a popular restaurant she had been to many times, she went inside and found a seat during a time that business was slow. There was only one other customer in the seating area. Jayme looked around and saw the salad bar with soup. Greeted by a waitress, she simply ordered the soup and salad bar and a glass of ice water.
Finding homemade chicken noodle soup, Jayme used a salad bowl to get a bowl of the chicken noodle soup. Then she grabbed a handful of cracker packets. The soup was hot and delicious. She made three trips to the soup bar without getting anything else but crackers.
Paying for the meal, Jayme left and returned to her car. She was feeling restless and not sure what to do. She didn’t feel like going home and sitting around the house. Knowing of a shopping center some thirty miles away, she decided to drive to the mall and do some clothes shopping.
With the heavy afternoon traffic, Jayme made her way to the mall, arriving some fifty minutes later. Locking her doors, Jayme went inside the store closest to where she parked. Stopping first at the baby store, she found some cute outfits for a gender neutral newborn. She also purchased a stroller with attached car seat. She knew it wouldn’t be long before she would be needing them both.
Using the stroller to collect the baggage as she shopped, she pushed it all over the mall, also buying new clothes for herself. Just as she was leaving the mall, she heard her cell phone ring. Answering it, she realized it was her buyers agent, informing her of the closing on Mrs. Humphrey’s property. The closing was scheduled for the upcoming Friday.
Excited, Jayme returned to her car where she packed everything inside then got into the drivers seat. The drive home seemed shorter then the ride there as she pulled into the driveway. Again using the stroller, she hauled everything into the house. Her mother was the only one home. Hearing the commotion at the front door, Paige came to the foyer.
“Jayme….”
“I know mom, I went shopping again.”
“Yes, but at least you’re buying for the baby as well.
“We’re closing on the property on Friday.” Jayme stated.
“Great news.” Paige said and hugged her daughter. “Here, let me help.”
Helping Jayme carry the items up to her room, Paige suggested they go out for dinner to celebrate Jayme’s new win. They agreed they would wait for Simon. Waiting until nearly six before Simon returned home, Jayme was starving.
Simon drove them to the nicest restaurant in Hillman to celebrate. Seated in the upper area, their window view overlooked the large deck that abutted Crescent Lake. The sunset in the background made for a beautiful view from their window. The colors of the sunset were stirred together like a cup of rainbow coffee.
After ordering their food, Jayme spoke to her parents about her plans to build on her new property. But she knew it would be a year before she would be moving in. In the meantime, she, and her child would continue to live with her parents. Jayme would be there to care for her child all day, every day.