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Chapter 106
Sunday night, wehad a family meal. The boys insisted on doing all the cooking and the cleaning up. I was wary of a prank. Then I heard Ricky was in charge. That’s how I knew it wouldn’t go too badly.
We all sat at the long dining room table as the four boys walked out, each holding a platter of food. It was a great presentation. When the platters were set on the table, I saw there were hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, and homemade coleslaw. I knew the coleslaw was Ricky’s contribution. It was a feast. Everyone seemed happy. No easy feat with thirteen people in New York City.
Later, Mary Catherine and I settled in bed with the news on our little TV. I had to watch a story about New York senator Lom Wellmy retiring immediately. The newscaster mentioned Wellmy’s daughter’s arrest for a homicide in Baltimore. The report said that Justice Steinberg had taken his wife’s arrest hard and was in seclusion.
Mary Catherine turned to me in bed and said, “That was because of you. Is it satisfying?”
“Finding Emily’s murderer was satisfying. This is just sort of amusing.” I shut off the TV with the remote.
Mary Catherine fixed those lovely blue eyes on me. She said in a low voice, “Did you love her, Michael?”
I didn’t have to think about my answer. I looked at Mary Catherine and said, “I love you.” She didn’t smile, but her eyes twinkled. I ran my hand across the smooth skin of her cheek. She was a work of art. Finally, I got around to asking what I wanted to ask. “Are you feeling okay? I tried not to be too intrusive. But you said you’ve been tired. You were nauseated a few times last week. Is there anything you want to tell me?”
Mary Catherine took a moment to gather her thoughts. I could tell there was something important she wanted to say. I kept my mouth shut and gave her my full attention.
Mary Catherine said, “I’ve been to see Dr. Jackson a couple of times recently.”
My heart started to beat faster hearing that she had visited her ob-gyn.
Mary Catherine sat up in the bed. She turned and looked into my eyes. “Michael, I’m not pregnant. I know you’ve been thinking I am. I’m not. Dr. Jackson thinks it’s unlikely I could ever get pregnant.” Mary Catherine looked at me for my response.
I sat up and hugged her. She started to sniffle. I cooed, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” I held her. After a moment, I added, “As long as you’re healthy, that’s all that matters.”
Mary Catherine said, “I’m fine. Well, except for the ability to have a child.” She tried to smile. Then she said, “Michael, cheer me up. Take my mind off it.”
I tried to think what to say. Finally, I came up with “I wish we had something to take our minds off babies. Maybe something like, I don’t know, ten kids.”
She smiled. She sniffled and wiped a tear from her eye and then smiled again. “So you’re okay with it?”
“Sweetheart, I have you. I’m okay with anything.”
She kissed me.
I kissed her.
We fell asleep in each other’s arms.
