Delia's Gift (Delia 3)

“He probably thinks he’s still inside you,” Fani remarked.

I looked up at her. “Sí. Maybe.”

Nurse Cohen shrugged. “That could be,” she said. “Where he is and what is happening is about as close to being in the womb as we can get. On the other hand, he needs to feel your touch, too.”

She showed me how to put my hands in to stroke his tiny hand and arm gently. He moved a little again, and then he looked as if he smiled.

“That’s just gas or something, right?” Fani asked.

Nurse Cohen shrugged again. “Who am I to say?” she replied, and smiled.

“How much longer will he be in there?” Fani asked.

I was too occupied with studying every little part of him, his tiny fingers and fingernails, his feet and knees, and the features of his face, which were still in the process of forming. Even so, I was sure I could see Adan in him.

“It could be anywhere from four to six weeks. We can’t release him until he’s breathing well on his own and has gained enough weight. We have to keep monitoring him very closely to prevent infections, but I must say, he’s off to a good start. Of course, you can see him every day,” she added, looking at me.

I nodded.

“But you also have your own recuperation to get through,” she continued. “Premature babies need a lot more care after they are sent home. You want to be strong and healthy for him.”

“She’s going to have lots of help,” Fani said.

“That’s fine, but a mother’s care is always special,” she told Fani.

I remained until I was feeling tired and uncomfortable, and then Fani wheeled me out and to the elevator. She could see my discomfort. I was due for a pain pill.

“I guess it will be a while before you go dancing, Delia,” she said.

“There you are,” my nurse cried when Fani wheeled me out of the elevator. “You have to tell me if you’re leaving the floor.”

“We couldn’t find you,” Fani said.

The nurse looked at her askance and indicated that she should wheel me into my room. I got back into bed and took my pills.

“Even though he’s tiny, he’s a beautiful baby, isn’t he, Fani?”

She laughed. “Sí, Delia. Although I have dolls so much bigger that it’s hard to think of him as a real baby.”

“Oh, he’s real, all right.”

“Okay, you call me if you want anything. Oh,” she said, returning from the door. “You probably don’t know. Edward and your aunt had one helluva fight, apparently. He left college.”

“What? Where is he?”

“I don’t know. Jesse doesn’t know, either. One day, he just upped and walked out. You come from one crazy family. Your cousin Sophia has already been asked to leave the College of the Desert. I heard she was caught stoned in one of her classes. Best thing that happened to you was your moving in with my cousin. Don’t get him upset. He’s your meal ticket as well as every other ticket.”

I said nothing.

She smiled and fixed my blanket. “See you later, alligator,” she told me, laughed, and left.

I stared up at the ceiling. I wanted to think more about all she had told me. I was very worried about Edward, especially, but I felt so exhausted, and the pill was starting to kick in. I fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake up again until it was dinnertime. The nurse’s aide brought up the back of my bed, and I was given my tray. Just as I started to eat, Señor Bovio entered my room. I held my breath in anticipation of hearing him express his anger. For a long moment, he simply stared at me.

“Hola, Señor Bovio.”

“I didn’t want to see you until you were strong enough to talk,” he said, unsmiling. “How could you do such a thing, Delia?”

“What do you mean, Señor Bovio? This isn’t my fault.”