Dickens and Me

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
(COPYRIGHT 2009 Anita Birt)
Greg fed the baby his infant cereal. "What do you think I should do, kid? Give up on her? I get the feeling she's holding back something. Keeping me at arm's length. Why? I don't bite and I shower every day.
"Ma, ma. Da, da."
"Hey you put two sounds together. Maybe that's an omen. Tell you what. When your grandmother's here to look after you, I'll try something different with Caroline."
"Da. Da." Davie squeezed his lips together, shook his head and refused more cereal.
"Not a good idea, is that it?" He gave Davie a wooden spoon and a pot lid to bang on while he had breakfast.
He cleaned up the kitchen and fed the dog and the cats, made up two bottles, put one in the fridge, wiped cereal from the baby's face and carried him outside to rock on the swing.
While Greg held the bottle Davie clasped his little hands around it. Smiling contentedly he studied Greg's face. It'd be nice to have a kid. He was getting like a broody hen anxious to raise chicks of his own.
They rocked in the swing until Davie finished drinking. "Okay, now we're ready to face the world. I'll lock up the house and we'll go to the park. Your grandmother won't be here until after lunch." He chased a fly away from Davie's face.
"After we've played in the park we'll go to the toy store in the Mall and buy some toys. What do you think of that?"
"Ma. Ma. Da. Da." Davie smiled toothlessly.
"We'll shop for groceries on the way home."
Greg loaded his baby bag with a bottle of water, a clean diaper and a few arrowroot biscuits. Ready for the expedition he secured Davie in his car seat and set off for the park in the center of town.
The playground was alive with young mothers and children of various ages and shapes. Greg got the stroller out of the car, put a hat on Davie and wheeling along like a proud father approached the baby swings. They were all in use.
A pretty mother in short shorts and a tight T-shirt lifted her small child from a swing. "I'm finished with this one. You can have it."
"This is our first time in the park," Greg said and hoped she hadn't noticed his quick admiring glance at her bouncy breasts, thrusting nipples, bare midriff and exposed belly button. He quickly suppressed the vague arousal humming deep in his gut.
It was definitely time to start dating before he turned into an ogling old gent haunting the park for stimulation.
Greg studied the swing. Davie was too little to sit in it unless he held him. After a struggle to poke kicking legs into the leg openings, Greg whooshed the swing slowly back and forth
"How do you like it?"
Davie held on to Greg's hands. "Da."
"Is that yes?"
"Da, da." He loosened his grip on Greg's hands and grasped the bar at the front. "Da."
He caught the rhythm and swayed as Greg pushed. "We can't stay too long, kid. We've got things to do." He glanced at his watch. "Five more minutes."
Greg learned quickly that time meant nothing to the baby. Davie screeched when Greg stopped pushing.
"Okay. Okay. Cool it. A few more minutes and that's it." Time to show the kid who was boss.
When time was up he wrestled an angry struggling baby from the swing. The kid refused to sit in the stroller. Arms and legs flailing, he squirmed like a hooked fish. Determined not to be defeated by a six month old infant Greg held him at arm's length and looked into his eyes.
"Enough already or I won't buy you a treat."
The baby howled. His hat fell off. Greg squatted down to pick it up and Davie grabbed a fistful of Greg's hair and tugged.
"Okay, I give in. You don't have to go in the stroller." He loosened Davie's fist, tucked him under one arm and pushed the stroller with his free hand.
So much for adult intelligence, he mused on the way to the car. Davie had won that round. He'd stopped howling.
They returned home at noon, exhausted. Greg had seen mothers at the park and the Mall with kids in tow from babies on up, and wondered how the women kept track of their children. Must be a secret female thing that came from giving birth.
Greg fed Davie and put him down for a nap. Having a nap while the baby slept had an undeniable appeal.
He didn't expect his mother until late afternoon, time to rest up for her arrival. He stacked groceries in the cupboards, perishables in the fridge, made a sandwich, poured a glass of milk and carried his lunch up to his bedroom.
He'd eat and read for a while.
Kim's wild barking wakened him. He shot out of bed and ran downstairs. He found his mother hunkered down in the front hall patting the dog.
"Welcome home, Mom. You're early. I was having a nap."
She straightened up and hugged him. "You look great. Has the baby been good? Not keeping you up at night?"
"No. He sleeps like a top until six. I've had fun with him. We had a busy morning and crashed after lunch. He's probably awake now."
He linked his arm through his mother's. "I suppose you want to see him?"
"How did you guess?" She tilted her head. "I think I hear him crying." She darted away from Greg and ran up the stairs. "Bring up my suitcase."
"Mom." Greg called after her. "Do you know he's black?"
"I know. I met his father in Vancouver."
He carried her suitcase to the master bedroom. He heard his mother talking to the baby who had fallen silent.
Greg approached Davie's room and paused at the door. His mother had the baby in her arms. Tears trickled down her cheeks. She turned to Greg.
"Isn't he beautiful? He's like a little angel. You've taken good care of him."
"It was fun after I figured out how to change his dirty diapers. I bought him a yellow duck to play with in the bath."
Greg thought he'd be happy to be free of baby minding duties. Why did he feel vaguely sad?
Davie peeked at Greg. "Da. Da."
"Uncle." Greg waved at him. "Uncle."
"I have to change him." His mother said.
"I'll do it." Greg held out his hands.
"You've been on duty for three days. I'll take over." She kissed the baby and put him on the change table. "Your Grandma's here so Uncle Greg can have a break."
She glanced at him as she expertly changed Davie. "So what have you been up to since we left? Did you join the Tennis Club before Laura came with the baby? You talked about it."
Greg shook his head. "I forgot." He knew what was coming next and decided to take the conversational ball and run with it. "Funny you should mention that. A friend of mine is playing in a doubles match at the club tonight, I thought I'd drop by."
His mother picked up the baby. "Friend? Male or female?"
Greg grinned. "Mom, you are so obvious, still trying to marry me off."
"What else are mothers for? We all want grandchildren. So tell me, who is it?"
"Caroline Balfour. She's a doctor at the Markbridge Clinic."
"Are you two serious?"
Greg shrugged. "I wish. I'm working at it."
"So how did you meet her?"
"Bring Davie down to the kitchen, I'll make you a cup of tea and tell you how it happened."
"Sounds good. I'm parched." She cuddled the baby as they walked downstairs together. "Your Grandma is on the case. Let's go hear what your uncle has to say."
Greg filled the kettle and plugged it in. "There's not a lot to tell."
His mother listened intently to his story from his first meeting with Caroline at the clinic, to the accident and the aftermath, to calling at her apartment in the old Somerville house, to Caroline bandaging his heel, to his invitation to dinner and her excuses why she couldn't accept. "She's playing a doubles match tonight at the tennis club."
"What do you like about this woman?"
Greg tipped back in his chair. "Like? It's not so much like as being attracted. Wanting to get to know her. Wanting to know why she's so guarded around me. Maybe I'm making a damned fool of myself."
His mother poured a second cup of tea. "Well it sounds to me that you like her a lot so go for it. Check out her tennis game tonight. If you haven't seen the new club now's a good time to have a look. Ask Caroline for a drink in the lounge. It's very elegant."
She sipped some tea. "You mentioned the Somerville house. I heard it had been converted into apartments."
"That's the other news. Jack Somerville came by the other day. He's visiting with his wife and kids."
"Jack is married? Someone you know?"
"Tansy Thomas. She went to school with us. They've got three kids and another one on the way. They live in Detroit. Jack's brother, Pete, is married to Sarah Moreland. Her parents invited me to dinner tomorrow night, a kind of reunion for Jack, Pete, Tansy and me."
His mother finished her tea. "You've been out of the country so long, catching up on who is doing what should be fun. Show me what you have in the way of food. I'll cook dinner."
She played pat-a-cake with Davie and clapped his hands together. "Before dinner we'll have a swim. After that Uncle Greg will be ready to roll."
"Don't get your hopes up." His hopes had hit a wall but it would be worth a try to meet Caroline after her match.
* * * * *


Marjorie Moreland had said to dress casually. Greg pulled a rugby shirt over his head and left it hanging loose over his shorts.
Last night had turned him off Caroline. She'd deliberately misled him about the double's match. It was scheduled for next week. Why couldn't she have said she had other plans instead of inventing an excuse?
His mother was in bed when he got home from the club and hadn't pressed him for details in the morning. She'd sensed he was in no mood to talk and had taken Davie out for the day to visit friends and show him off.
Already Greg missed his busy days with the baby. He missed their conversations. He missed making up silly rhymes. He missed Davie's infectious giggly laugh when he blew bubbles on his belly.
A jealous pang skipped around his heart. He wasn't needed. Like an elderly relative of little use he had no one special to love and care for.
If he didn't want to end up like a grumpy old man he had to start socializing. Like tonight.
He made a mental list.
Make an effort to meet women.
Where? Tennis Club?
Find a suitable companion/friend/lover.
How? A newspaper advertisement?
"Wife wanted for charming..."
Words failed him.
He'd have to rely on luck.
Given his failure to interest Caroline in his brilliant mind, quirky sense of humor and his not bad looking body he'd begun to wonder if he'd lost the ability to attract women.
He had all his teeth, no bad habits, a work history second to none and money in the bank. He even had recent experience caring for an infant.
Not bad for a man barely into his thirties.
He had to start the wife-hunting ball rolling or sit on the shelf a miserable, gloomy old gent.
Greg locked up the house. His Corvette gleamed in the late afternoon sun. Not a car for a wife and kids, a car for a guy looking for action. Maybe he'd luck in tonight. Maybe luck in with a luscious female who liked guys with good taste in cars.
He shifted into gear and headed down the drive to the road. The Moreland's lived on Park Lane Circle on the far side of town. If he stuck to the speed limit, it'd take a half hour.
If he floored it?
Better not. The cops were doing spot checks.
Greg slowed down in front of the Moreland home. Three cars were parked in the driveway, one with Michigan plates, Jack's car, and one from Ontario. Greg thought his car was safer on the street in case one of the guests had to leave early.
Leaning on the side of caution he locked the steering wheel and set the alarm. Corvettes were prime targets for thieves.
He ran up the wide stone steps and rang the bell. A handsome middle-aged woman answered the door and held out her hand.
"Marjorie Moreland. You must be Greg. Come in. We're out on the patio." She escorted him through the house. "We have another guest coming. She's been delayed but should be here any minute."
Greg's socializing antennae reacted to the news. The expected guest might be an elderly family friend or a young friend of the family. Not too young and not too old, he hoped. A sensible, attractive woman in her late twenties would fit the bill.
They stepped on to the patio. "I think you know everyone except my husband and our son, Mark."
Her husband held out his hand. "Gerry Moreland. Glad you could come. Mark will get you a drink while I fire up the barbeque."
Mark stood to greet Greg. "What can I get you?"
"A beer, thanks." He settled in the chair next to Tansy. "Good to see you again. Who's the missing guest? Someone you know?"
Tansy shook her head. "A friend of Dr. and Mrs. Moreland, I think. Sarah's never met her."
Jack waved his bottle at Greg. "Isn't this great? Four of us from Markbridge High, older and wiser, I hope." He chugged down beer. Jack had always been a chugger.
"What do you think of Pete? Looks great, doesn't he?" Jack downed the last of his beer.
Greg hadn't seen Pete for years. Time hadn't been kind to him. The long, lanky, athletic teenager had gained weight and developed jowls. Sarah sat beside him on a padded wicker love seat.
"He sure does. Marriage must agree with you, Pete." Greg said. And wondered if he'd changed that much. He surreptitiously felt his chin and neck. No jowls.
Pete grinned. "We've been married two years. You should try it before you get too old."
Despite the sting Greg grinned. "Can't find anyone who'll have me."
"Give me a break, Greg. You must have women beating down your door." Tansy rested her hand on his arm.
Slightly embarrassed he raised his brows. "I guess I haven't been home long enough to lure them in."
Mark handed Greg a cold beer. "It's from a local microbrewery. Supposed to be excellent but I'm no judge of beer, never touch the stuff, I prefer wine."
Greg couldn't let that pass. Wine snobs rubbed him the wrong way. "Good for you. Beer is an acquired taste, like olives. It's a better thirst quencher on a hot day than wine."
Mrs. Moreland carried a loaded tray out to the patio. "I heard the doorbell, Mark. Would you answer it? My hands are full."
* * * * *
Caroline thrust her fingers through her hair still damp from the shower and hoped the party would be relaxing. She'd been on call since seven in the morning. Summer Saturdays were always busy with falls, cuts, bruises and sunburn. Today she'd attended two non-life threatening bicycle accidents.
Not as bad as hers though. Kids had fallen off their bikes and scraped their knees and hands. No cars involved. Kids on bikes and cars were a bad mix.
She was off duty for the next twenty-four hours. Sleeping late on Sunday morning would re-charge her batteries.
The man who opened the door resembled Dr. Moreland. He held out his hand. "Mark Moreland. You have to be Caroline Balfour. Dad's been keeping you a secret."
"A secret?"
"He didn't tell me he had a beautiful doctor on staff."
Caroline made her lips smile. "Thanks for the compliment."
Mark Moreland wasn't wasting any time. She wasn't in the mood to play flirty games until after she'd eaten and had a glass of wine to take the edge off her fatigue.
He grasped her elbow. "We're outside on the patio. I think you should sit with me so we can get to know each other."
Caroline's hope for a relaxing evening sank like a stone. She hadn't dated for years and supposed Mark's approach was typical of the new millennium. Hit hard and score.
He held her hand as they stepped out into the late afternoon sunshine. "Hi everyone. I want you to meet Caroline Balfour. She's on the staff at the clinic."
Mrs. Moreland paused to put down a tray of assorted hors d'oeuvres she'd been passing around.
"Welcome, my dear. I'm sorry we've not met before. Come and let me introduce you to the others."
Panic rooted her to the spot. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Her head reeled.
Get a grip! Get a grip!
She sucked in a deep breath. If there was a flaming hell on earth designed to shrivel her nerves this was it. Jack and Pete Somerville, Tansy Thomas and Greg, all in one place, all looking at her.
With her hand on Caroline's arm, Mrs. Moreland walked her to the group and introduced her. "Our daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Pete Somerville. Tansy is married to Pete's brother, Jack, and that's Greg Fraser sitting next to Tansy."
Caroline nodded and forced her lips into a smile.
"Jack, Pete, Greg and Tansy went to school together in Markbridge. We've planned a mini-reunion for them." Mrs. Moreland said.
Caroline's legs wobbled. Could she plead a sudden headache? Collapse from overwork? Fall down dead?
Greg stood. "I've met Dr. Balfour." He grasped her hand and held it a few seconds before releasing it. "I missed seeing you at the club last night."
He'd gone to the club!
Trapped, unable to meet his eyes, she struggled to breathe. Words stuck in her throat. Her pretence of not knowing him had come full circle. To this place. In front of witnesses. Guilt added to her misery. She'd lied about the tennis match.
"Come sit by me." Tansy's voice broke through the despair dimming Caroline's thoughts.
"Tell me how you know Greg. He's an old boyfriend of mine." A quirky smile tipped her lips. "That was before Jack and I started going together. I'm expecting my fourth in September. That's what love can do."
"Yes, love can do that." Caroline said and sank gratefully into the chair beside Tansy.
How was she going to get through the rest of the evening? If she smothered some yawns, talked about her busy day, she'd have an excuse to leave early. Two hours, max. She could handle that.
Or she could tell Dr. and Mrs. Moreland she was acquainted with the Markbridge High crowd.
And then? Caroline wilted inside. Her courage failed. What if Greg told them she had never mentioned the connection? She'd feel like a fool. So much for her plan to meet him in the park.

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