Husband By Request

Downtown traffic in Athens was pure chaos at the lunch hour. She lay back against the seat, thankful someone else was at the wheel. It took a native-born son to know how to dodge cars and navigate through this huge city which was still relatively new to her.

Besides all the monuments and museums, it would take years to explore all the little side streets and historical districts.

In less than ten minutes they came to a newer residential area with more modern-looking buildings. The chauffeur let her out in front of a five-story apartment. Apparently Olympia and her aunt lived on the third floor.

She thanked the driver and hurried inside. After finding the right button on the wall, she buzzed it and waited for the elevator.

Half a minute later she emerged and walked down the hall. Andreas had indicated it was the second door on the left. Dominique pressed the bell.

Within seconds Olympia opened the door. A surprised cry escaped her to see Dominique standing there.

“Where’s Andreas?”

Paul had asked her if she was going to confront Olympia. This was as good a time as any.

“He has a big meeting this afternoon, Olympia. You had no business calling him. Now that you have a baby, you need to find some sitters you can phone at a moment’s notice. Since I happened to be at his office when your call came through, I offered to come and tend Ari.”

“It’s difficult to find someone you can trust,” Olympia said, without revealing the least bit of embarrassment. Dominique’s father would call Olympia a cool customer.

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to.”

“Ari doesn’t do well with strangers.”

“No baby does,” Dominique rejoindered. “But there are hundreds of thousands of single moms out there who manage to get help and do just fine. I’m sure you will too once you try. However, I’m here now, and I can drive all of you to the clinic. Or, if you’d prefer, I’ll stay here with Ari while you go with your aunt.”

Clearly this wasn’t the way Olympia had envisioned things turning out.

“Ari cries with you.”

“Give me a little time with him and he’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know…” She looked fit to be tied.

“Please don’t worry. I promise I’ll do everything I can for him until you get back.”

“Come in, then.”

At last.

Dominique followed her into the living room, where her aunt was seated on the edge of a chair, her breathing strained. The older red-haired woman only knew a little English. After meeting her at the wedding, this was only the second time Dominique had seen her.

“Hello, Mrs. Costas. Do you remember me?”

“Yes.”

“I?

??m sorry you’re not feeling well. I’ve come to watch Ari.”

“He is sleeping.”

“I’ll take good care of him while you go see the doctor.”

“That’s very kind of you. Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Olympia hurried back in the living room. “His bottles are in the fridge. He’s due to wake up for one in a half-hour. Then he’ll play for a while. Unless this is something serious with my aunt, I hope to back for his next bottle, which will be around five.”