Sleeping Beauty (16 page)

My biggest problem is not getting enough sleep, I admitted. Thats when everything starts to get the best of me.

Are you sure that the doctor cant help you? She held up a hand to stop me from speaking. I know, I know, youve spent huge amounts of time and money trying to figure this out already and nothings worked.

Ill be fine, Mom. Really.

Then she got a shrewd look in her eye. Even if you wont agree to follow his direction, you do have your biological clock to think of. He seems like a very nice man, a Christian, too, you said.

I tried hard not to let smoke come out of my ears. Mom, even if I do have a ticking clock, the twins will no doubt have shut if off by the time I hand them back to Mickey. Have you thought of that?

After my parents left, I checked on the boys. They were curled, as usual, into a ball so that I could barely tell whose arms and legs were whose. Their cheeks were a perfect pink, their lashes dark against their skin. Each had his own thumb in his mouth tonight. I love them so much when I see them like this, calm and beautiful, I want to weep for joy.

Other times they just make me want to weep.

In the morning, I ran them to the babysitter early and returned home to get ready for work. Id been coming in later and later, and working harder and harder while I was there, hoping that no one would notice a decline in my productivity. These morning moments have become the only bit of sanity in my day.

Thats why I was disappointed to hear the telephone ring.

I was tempted not to answer it but I didnt recognize the phone number on caller ID and Im just too curious for my own good.

Suze? Hi, its me, David.

My stomach did one of those roller-coaster dips that it does when Im nervous or excited. Im not sure which it is David makes me, maybe both.

Am I calling too early?

No, not at all. Im getting ready for work. The twins are already at day care. Ive found its easier to get ready without them around.

No doubt. He sounded sympathetic and amused, and that somehow comforted me. He, at least, seems to understand the familial pickle Im in.

What can I do for you so early in the morning? I asked. He could hardly be calling me to ask me out for breakfast.

Youre probably going to be angry with me, but I have to give it a try. I just came into the office and at our staff meeting, someone mentioned that there had been a cancellation for tomorrow morning with one of the doctors. Hes top-notch, the guy Id go to if I needed a sleep specialist. It will be no problem to fill the appointment because he books out so far in advance that people are always waiting to get in sooner. I wanted to check with you and see if youd reconsidered seeing someone.

Not that Im trying to force or coerce you in any way, he added quickly. Just giving you the option. After this I wont bring the subject up again unless you ask me to.

Now thats tempting. Never bring it up again?

There was silence on his end of the line. He was probably not sure if I was teasing or telling the honest truth. I was doing a little of both, I guess.

David, you know

I just want you to have the opportunity to see one of the finest specialists in the nation if you wanted to take it. Im not going to push, Suze. Im just laying it out for you. In fact, I dont even want you to give me an answer. Ill have the receptionist hold off for one hour before filling the appointment. If you want it, call her within the hour, if not, dont. Youll never hear about it from me again.

I heard some commotion in the room David was in.

I have to go. Take care. And the line went dead.

That left me staring at the phone wondering what to do next.

Furious, I stomped into the bathroom and turned the shower on full blast and as hot as I could stand it. Then I got in and began to have a conversation, by turns furious, frustrated and frightened, with myself.

How did he know he could get to me by not pushing me? No one else in my familyor even Darlaseems to have discovered that key to my personality.

He can read you like a book, thats how.

Why? No one else can?

Hes smart, thats all.

If hes so smart, why is he hanging out with you? Why does he care?

That stopped me mid-scrub.

Why does he care? He likes me. I suppose he doesnt want to see me unhappy and he believes he has an answer for me. MaybeI refused to allow my mind to travel down those lines. I dont know why its so difficult to be on a sabbatical from relationships. It was easy until David came into the picture. But David and his medical specialty have messed me up royally. If I do go to the doctor against my will, Ill resent him. If I dont do all I can to take care of myself, hell take exception to my behavior. This relationship is doomed already, thanks to my parasomnias.

And why, I wondered, as I scrubbed myself dry with a fluffy white towelone that hadnt been in the washing machine when the twins dumped a package of powdered Kool-Aid in the tubwas I being so stubborn about this? What could it hurt to just talk to a doctor again? Maybe they had learned something since Id gone through this before. Could it be I hadnt had the right physician the first time? Perhaps

I glanced at my bedside clock. Fifty-eight minutes had passed since Davids call. Maybe Id already missed my opportunity.

M y phone was ringing when I walked in the door after work. It was Charley, ostensibly calling to see how Chester was doing.

He didnt fool me for a minute.

The cats okay. Getting fatter and his fur is improving. He still has some pretty strange personality quirks and hes psychologically attached to that rag of a blanket he came with. He loves the twins and is growing to love me as well.

He loves the kids more than you? Thats unusual, isnt it?

I dont feed him my entire meal under the table, for one thing. He is, by the way, the only cat Ive ever met that likes green beans. By the time dinner is over and the boys have funneled everything they dont like to Chester, he waddles out from beneath the table like Garfield after eating a lasagna.

Why dont you put a stop to it? Should the kids be doing that?

I dont cook anything that could harm the cat. And as for the kids, Im doing my best to spoil and ruin them so that my sister never gets the idea of leaving them with me for three months again.

Got it.

I waited for Charley to say something else, but he never did.

Have I answered all your questions or are we going to sit here and listen to each other breathe for the rest of the evening?

Then the real reason for the call came out.

Do you see much of that Darla friend of yours?

Shes been doing a lot of traveling back and forth between Minneapolis and Chicago. She stays with me when shes here. In fact, shes coming in tonight. Which meant I could get a good nights sleep.

Charley sucked in his breath like a human vacuum cleaner.

Are you all right?

Sure. Fine.

You dont sound fine. You sound as if you are strangling.

Do you think theres any chance shed like to see me again?

So youve got a crush on her?

I didnt say that. He was indignant.

No? I know you. You dont make a first move unless a woman is more interesting to you than animal rescue or the current theater production.

Im sure shed like to see you again. Do you want to come over?

No. I just wanted to know if shed like to see me. I didnt say I wanted to see her.

Shades of junior high.

Well, shes going to be here a couple days, in case you are interested.

Yeah, whatever. Thanks. And he hung up.

It must be something in the air. I am getting the weirdest calls from men these days.

Darla arrived at seven, just in time to see the boys polishing off their snacksice cream with jalapeño jelly, sunflower seeds and coconut. The seeds and coconut were new to the mix. If I ate that, Id be up all night but it seems to tranquilize them and make them sleep. Im not one to argue with success.

Darla, looking every bit the executive tonight, flopped down on a kitchen chair and gratefully accepted a bowl of ice cream sans toppings. I am so looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Sorry I didnt get your room cleaned since you were here last. I nodded toward the twins. Its been a bit hectic.

Thats an understatement, Im sure.

Just so you dont mind. I peeked under your bed a few minutes ago. Theres nothing but dust under there.

The twins, as if on cue, sat up straight, slid off their chairs and disappeared down the hall, leaving their ice-cream concoctions half-eaten.

Whats going on? Darla wondered. Ive never seen them leave ice cream behind.

I dont know, but Im going to check it out. I stood up to follow the twins with Darla close on my heels.

Theyd gone into Darlas room and were both flat on their bellies with their heads stuck under the dust ruffle of the bed. They were giggling and chattering to each other.

Darla and I each grabbed a pair of feet and pulled them out. What are you guys doing under there?

Were looking for butt dust.

Darla and I glanced at each other in confusion. What?

You said there was butt dust under here and we want to see it.

Nothing but dust under Darlas bed. Of course. Butt dust. How could I have missed it?

Darla, meanwhile, doubled over in hysterics.

Listen, guys, theres a little misunderstanding here. There is nonone of that under the bed. Go finish your ice cream, okay? They slumped off, the picture of dual disappointment. I could hardly blame them. What four-and-a-half-year-old boy wouldnt want to be the first to discover butt dust?

By the time Darla gathered herself together, tears of laughter had streaked through her mascara. Her blouse had come untucked from her pencil slim-skirt and she looked as disheveled as I did after a day with the boys.

It wasnt until we were sitting in the living room that I brought up Charleys name.

Do you think youd like to see my friend Charley again? I ventured. You seemed a little interested in him the first time you met.

Darla screwed her face into a frown. Yeah, I dont know what that was about. When I met him I thought he was cute in a weird, over-the-top way, but Ive thought about it since then. I dont think hes my type. It might be interesting to find out though. She picked up the mug of tea from which shed been sipping. I havent had much luck with men Ive met lately.

So theres still a chance for Charley. Things were looking up.

Now if Id met someone like Dr. Grant that would be different.

You did meet him.

But hes attracted to you. Youd have to be blind not to see it. He thinks youre cute and funny. She smiled slyly. And you are like a science project for himthe woman who walks in her sleep. Youre perfect for each other.

My heart sank. I know he thinks Im cute and funny. Thats fine. But that science experiment part? It was what I was most afraid of. David is writing a book on people just like me. Is that why hes so interested? Everything in me wants to say no except for a small, intuitive part of me that screams yes.

I was feeling sorry for myself when the doorbell rang. Darla looked up, surprised.

Are you expecting someone?

No. When I turned on the porch light, I saw Charley standing outside, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, looking nervous.

Hey, buddy, whats up? I greeted him when I opened the door. I lowered my voice. Darlas here. Want to come in?

Ive got a big favor to ask, he blurted.

That usually means he has some unwanted creature he wants me to take in.

This thing came in tonight and I cant get any of the volunteers to take it so I thought you might

If they wont, why should I?

Because you are loving, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of animals?

Good try but Im not buying. What is it?

A white rat.

Charleeeee I whined. You know I dont do rats . Besides, you just left me with a cat. You might just be bringing Chester his dinner.

Hes in a cage. All the people who usually take pet rats and mice have their quota. Since you just got rid of Hammie, I thought

I didnt get rid of him. I placed him. Hows he doing, by the way?

The little girl adores him. Hes never been happier. You could do the same for this rat if only

No.

It was if he hadnt heard me. Charley spun and returned to his car. When he came back he was carrying a cage with one very large, very cranky-looking white rat in it.

Ive got a home for it, I think, but they wont take him until after they get back from vacation. Hell be here two weeks, tops.

No.

Charley is selectively hard of hearing. No is one of the words he chooses not to hear. Instead he loped into my house and put the cage down on my foyer table.

Darla appeared in the doorway. Hi, Charley. We meet again. She smiled and her dimples winked at him. She looked particularly lovely in her pale pink suit that flattered her peaches-and-cream complexion. I heard Charley suck in his breath.

Would you like to come in and sit down? I just made tea.

Charley acted as if drinking tea were his number-one priority in life and followed her into the other room like one of the Pied Pipers rats, which, under the circumstances, seemed highly fitting. They sat across from each other and made small talk as if I werent even in the house. By the time theyd made plans for Darla to sit in on rehearsal for the new play Charley was directing, I knew that something special could come of this. Ive known both my friends a long time, and the understated fireworks and nuanced subtext happening between them was something Id never observed in either of them before.

I did mental cartwheels and clapped my hands as we all walked back to the foyer when Charley was ready to leave.

So youll be there on Saturday? Charley asked hopefully. I havent really studied him for a while or noticed how good-looking he really is. With no parrot stripes on his head, he looks subdued and handsome. It didnt hurt that he was wearing a Ralph Lauren shirt either. Darla likes that sort of thing.