Author Anon

“You’ve got yourself a beautiful, healthy, little girl,” says Dr. Ray.

“She is beautiful,” says Rick.  “Just like you, honey.”

“You gave us a little scare there for a while with your blood pressure skyrocketing,” says Dr. Ray.  “It’s come down some, but still a little too high for me.  How are you feeling?”

“I’m tired, but that’s to be expected, I guess,” says Lisa.

“Yes.  Still, I’m a little uncomfortable with your pressure,” says Dr. Ray.  “I think I’ll have one of the internists check on you later and give an opinion.”

“Oh, that won’t be necessary, Doctor,” says Lisa.

“Maybe not, but I’d rather not take any chances,” says Dr. Ray.

“He’s right, honey,” says Rick.  “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.  Besides, if your pressure comes down later, there won’t be anything to worry about.”

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“I’m applying for the secretarial position,” says Melanie to the receptionist.

“Oh, yes,” says the receptionist.  “If you’ll take a seat, I’ll inform Mr. Golde that you’re here.”

Melanie is examining her surroundings when William comes out of his office.

“Mrs. Black, if you’ll please step this way,” he says, standing aside for Melanie to enter.

“You seem to have had quite a lot of experience as an administrative assistant,” says William.

“Yes, but they were all small businesses.  This is quite a different enterprise,” says Melanie.

“No need to be modest,” says William.  “As long as you can keep your head under pressure, that’s your best asset.  But I see there were some gaps during your employment.”

“Oh, I took some time out to raise my girls.”

“But what of your husband?” asks William.  “Why did you not take a longer break to raise your children?”

Melanie hesitated a little.  “He ran out on me.  I’ve had to raise the girls on my own and try to hold down a job to support us as well.  It hasn’t always been easy.”

“No, I suppose not.”

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“Tracy, what brings you out here?” asks Alex.

“I wanted to make sure Granddad was OK,” says Tracy.  “Also, I figured I should mend some fences.”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you see the article in Falling Star?”

“Oh, that trashy thing.  Who reads that?”

“Apparently, a lot of people.  At least, that seems to be the talk.  I hope Granddad is not too upset over that article,” says Tracy.

“Why should I be?” asks Phillip, entering the room.

“Airing family skeletons at a time when we are mourning shows very bad tastes,” says Tracy.

“And if we aim to cover any of them up would set us up for blackmail,” says Phillip.  “Show me a family without its skeletons.”

“Yeah,” says Alex.  “So what if we have our usual family arguments and rifts.  So what if we have drunks, womanizers, possible murderers in the family?”

Tracy laughs.  “Well, we don’t want to degrade the family and become laughingstocks.  Our anchor is gone and we are vulnerable.”

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“Michael, what would happen if the Golde family decides to sue Mr. Cole for libel and such?” asks Tara.

“I guess he’d have to reveal his sources,” says Michael, “to prove his side.”

“Do you think the Goldes will go ahead with it?”

“I don’t know.  Why?”

“Do you think the rumors will die down?”

“Well, they’re hardly rumors since there is some truth to them.  It’s just that it is causing them some embarassment.”

“Do you think they can bear to put up with the embarassment until people forget?” Tara continues.

“I don’t know.  But why are you so interested?” asks Michael.

Tara is pacing the room.  “I’m afraid that I may have inadvertently provided some food for Mr. Cole’s story.”

“What?!”

“We were standing around talking at the viewing and I noticed a man standing near, but I didn’t think he was listening.”

“When will women learn to hold their gossip for the privacy of their own rooms?” he asks.

“I’m so sorry, but if it was my fault, then we can’t let the Golde proceed with any legal action.”

“I’ll talk to them.”

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“Hello, Mrs. Copperfield,” says Amanda.  “I’m Dr. Steele.  Dr. Ray asked me to see you regarding your high blood pressure.”

“Oh, I’m feeling fine, now,” says Lisa, staring at Amanda.

“Yes, but your blood pressure is still quite high,” says Amanda.

“It’s probably just due to stress,” says Lisa.

“I can understand your stress during labor.  But it’s been twelve hours since your delivery, and although your blood pressure is improved, it is not normal.”

“Well, my stress is not over,” says Lisa.

“What do you mean?” asks Amanda.

“I still have issues that worry me and I’m afraid they won’t go away.”

“Is there anything I can help you with?  If we can address what is bothering you, perhaps we can avoid the use of medication.”

“Unless you can find a way to change the past, I’m afraid you can’t help me,” says LIsa.

“How so?” asks Amanda.

“I’m afraid the baby is not my husband’s.”

“I see.  Would it help if you got a paternity test to confirm or refute your suspicions?”

“No.  I think it would make it worse because I feel almost sure my husband is not the father.”

“Perhaps telling your husband the truth will relieve some of this tension,” says Amanda.

“But then I may lose him,” says Lisa.  “And I cannot afford to do that.  I love him too much.”

Amanda is at a loss for words and in the silence, Rick walks in.

“My parents are coming in to visit in the next few days,” he says.  “They are absolutely thrilled.”  He turns and sees Amanda standing at the foot of the bed.

After staring for a few moments, he bursts out, “Oh my God, Amanda, is that really you?”

Amanda is stunned and looks from Lisa to Rick.  “Rick, I can’t believe you’re in Brighton.”

“Do you know each other?” asks Lisa, innocently.

“Honey, this is Amanda, the little girl from back in Clearwater,” says Rick.

“Oh, what a nice surprise.  And now she’s grown up to be a doctor.  You must be proud of her, Rick.”

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Filed under: All That Glitters