* * *
Part 8
The past hour had been the longest and most crucial to Pie Eater. He had been deathly afraid those hours he spent with Kay while she was in labor, but this was far worse. For all he knew, his father could have died. Kay held him and offered comfort as they waited.
He was thankful, however, that Evelyn Bauer was summoned to help Joseph. She was an old friend of his, and had delivered Little David. He was unaware that she was skilled in other medical capabilities than maternity and prayed she would be able to help his father.
When she finally appeared, Pie Eater leapt from his seat to see her. Her hands were shoved in her overcoat pockets, unable to deliver any good news.
�We have determined that it was a massive heart attack.� She reported. �It could have been prevented if he had come earlier. How long had he been having pains?�
�A month, I think.� He replied. �But �e said �e saw a doctor.�
�If he had, he wouldn�t be in the condition that he�s in right now.�
�Ya think �e lied?�
�I�m afraid it looks that way.�
�Will he be all right?� Kay wondered.
�The next few hours are very critical. He�s been unconscious, and aren�t sure when he�ll wake up. But when he does, he may have permanent damage.�
�What�s that mean?� he demanded.
�He could have constant heart trouble for the rest of his life. There�s other things that could happen as well, but we won�t know until much later.�
�We was gonna move out of the house. Does this mean he�ll need us with �im for th� rest of �is life?�
�I told you, we aren�t sure yet. We�ll need to wait and see. It�ll take time.�
�When �e wakes up, can ya get us?�
�It could be a while, even days. Are you sure you want to stay here?�
�We�ll stay a few hours.� Kay decided. �Then we�ll leave.�
�Very well.� She set her arm on Pie Eater�s. �You know I�ll do everything I can.�
He took her at her word and nodded. When she left, he fell heavily into his seat and sighed. Kay wrapped her arms around him and stroked his hair.
�I�m so scared.� He said. �I ain�t been so scared since you got sick when you was five months along.�
�Everything will be fine.� She soothed. �Just another few hours. Then we�ll go home and see the baby.�
�I hope you�re right. Pa�s gotta survive. I mean, ya know how stubborn �e is. �E�ll fight �is way t� survive. An� �e wouldn�t leave without puttin� up a fight.�
* * *
The baby had been sleeping nearly an hour already, and Bumlets was unsure of what to do when he awoke. Though he�d spent four days here already, he had only held Little David a few times and done nothing else. How was he supposed to care for something that he knew nothing about?
He began to think through the worst case scenarios. What if he became hungry? Bumlets knew that he was still to young to be weaned off his mother. And he had no way or means to feed a nursing baby. And what about diaper changing? He had never changed a diaper in his life. �At least he�s a boy.�
He grew tired of sitting and waiting for the baby to wake up and decided to tidy up the room. He put the dishes away and washed the dirty ones, and cleaned up the mess that was made when Joseph dropped the syrup pitcher. Afterward, he swept the kitchen area and put away the blankets he used to sleep on. Then he made sure that the shop was still closed by turning the sign over.
By then, the baby had awakened and began to fuss. Shrugging, Bumlets went to him and lifted him from the crib and shouldered him. When he didn�t stop crying, he knew that he was either hungry or wanted one of his parents. Carefully, he shifted the baby to a cradled position.
�Sorry, kid.� He said. �But it�s jus� you �n� me now.�
Little David began to squall even louder, prompting Bumlets to jiggle him a little to calm him. When he wouldn�t quiet, Bumlets plopped down into a chair and moaned. Somehow, this kid knew that his parents were gone and that he wanted them with him. Bumlets was clueless as to how to calm him down.
It occurred to him that Little David may have a soiled diaper, so he checked that out. Thankfully, it was still dry. His crying was also not one of being hungry, but just of wanting his parents. Bumlets sighed, knowing it would be a while before Little David was ready to stop crying.
For several minutes, he held the squirming baby until he began to cough. Bumlets was alert instantly, knowing that there could be something wrong with him if he coughed in this way. He lifted him up from under his arms to free his airways. But he still cried and coughed.
�C�mon, kid!� he moaned. �Couldn�tcha jus� shut up for a little while? I can�t bring your parents home!�
The baby released a burp, and with it came vomit, which spattered over Bumlets� shirt. He shrieked and nearly dropped the baby.
�Cheese it!� he screeched. �Ya jus� puked all over my shirt!�
Tiny giggles were now emerging from Little David. Apparently, he was amused by his latest action, and he clapped his hands together proudly. Bumlets lifted him off his lap and put him back in the crib before shrugging his shirt off and examining it, wondering how to keep it from staining.
Little David gurgled and cooed as Bumlets pumped water into the sink and scrubbed the stain with soap. He scrubbed for five minutes before rinsing and wringing it out. The stain was gone, as was the stench. Sighing with relief, he shook it out, causing happy giggles from Little David, and hung it on the clothesline right outside the kitchen.
He returned to find Little David gumming on his fingers and burbling happily. Bumlets was relieved that he did not want to be held at this moment, and took his seat and watched. Little David stared at him while still gumming, but did not cry or fuss. He only stared with wide eyes.
It wasn�t long before his eyes began to droop. He released an enormous yawn and kicked his legs a little before closing his eyes and falling asleep. Now even more relieved, Bumlets moved a little closer to see him and to make sure he was okay.
The baby was sprawled on his back with one hand still in his mouth. He sucked on it, obviously dreaming about his mother. For the first time, Bumlets looked him over completely and saw what he really was.
Little David, almost three months old, had a pudgy face, arms and legs, and his fingers and toes were curled and tiny. His skin was white and so soft for lack of hair. The only hair on his body was growing on his head, and there wasn�t even that much there. Only the tiny brown hairs that had recently sprouted. And his eyes, though blue when he was born, were now green.
Bumlets could see Pie Eater very well in this baby. They had the same facial features, hair coloring, ears, and even something about the baby�s hands were much like his father�s. But his eyes, they were definitely from Kay. Bumlets had never though Kay to be very pretty, save for her eyes. She had the prettiest green eyes he had ever seen.
As he thought of Kay, he began to think of Seven. As his gaze swept across the baby more, he began to wonder if he and Seven would have children as quickly as Pie Eater and Kay had. Not that he wanted to, of course, but he was sure he would want to have children soon.
His thoughts continued to drift, and he mused of what his own children would look like. Because of the differences in their racial backgrounds, Bumlets knew that their kids would probably look more like him. However, he hoped that they would also receive attributes from Seven that would make them complete.
When the baby stirred, he was alert, ready for him to awaken and begin wailing again. Little David did not wake up, but was only dreaming again and remained asleep. His tiny outstretched hands flexed his fingers as his dreaming endured.
A sudden urging instructed him to reach in the crib and touch the baby�s palm. When he did so, his fingers enclosed around his. Even asleep, the baby seemed to sense the presence of one of his protectors. And because of this, Bumlets grinned. He was trusted by this little one.
He allowed the baby to hold his finger until it grew cold and numb, and that was when he drew it away. He left the baby�s side and fixed himself a sandwich for lunch when he heard tiny whimpering. Shrugging, he set the sandwich on the table and went to the baby.
�Gee wiz.� He muttered. �Ya sure got a way with not wantin� me t� do what I wanna do.�
Carefully, he reached inside and lifted Little David out. He cradled him, then jiggled softly so he would calm down. When he did so almost immediately, Bumlets assumed he just wanted to be held.
�Sure, I�ll hold ya.� He said. �On one condition. An� that�s if ya don�t throw up on me again.�
He seated himself and took a large bite from his sandwich. He devoured the rest of it within three more bites. Tiny crumbs fell onto Little David, but they were too small for him to touch or even eat. His mouth began to open and close, wanting to be fed. Bumlets scowled.
�Sorry, but I can�t feed ya. That�s your mama�s job.�
Little David was unable to understand and began to fuss. Bumlets jiggled him more, and had no luck. The baby was hungry and there was nothing he could do about it.
Sighing, Bumlets leaned back into the chair. It was going to be a long afternoon.
* * *
Four o�clock. Pie Eater had been counting the hours and there was still no news of his father�s condition. Evelyn appeared and suggested that he and Kay return home and come back in the morning. With Kay�s urging, he was convinced.
He was exhausted by the time he returned. And once they entered, Kay gasped loudly. Little David was crying loudly.
�The baby!�
She rushed back into the kitchen and found Bumlets sleeping in a chair with a sobbing Little David. How he could sleep while the baby was making such a fuss, she had no idea. She scooped him and jiggled him softly.
�Shh, it�s okay, honey.� She soothed as she went up the stairs.
Bumlets had awakened when she took the baby, and was still not fully alert. When he saw Pie Eater, he yawned and asked how everything was.
�It was a heart attack.� Pie Eater replied. �We stayed for hours, but th� doctors said �e didn�t wake up yet.�
�Are you okay?�
�I will be.� He released a shuddering exhale. �But I�m scared. I don�t wanna lose my pa. I couldn�t keep th� business goin� if �e was gone. So much could �appen if �e dies.�
�Don�t think about that. Think about now. Yer pa told me not t� live in th� past. His attack�s in th� past now. An� don�t think �bout tomorrow, either. Think about now. Take it one day at a time.�
�But I wanted Little David t� know �is grandpa.�
�Ya don�t need t� make excuses. Lissen t� me. Everythin�s gonna be okay.�
�How sure are you?�
�Pretty sure. Somethin� deep inside me�s tellin� me it�s gonna be okay.�
�I hope you�re right.�
�Me too.�
�So, are you gonna leave for that interview ya told us �bout?�
His eyes widened. �I forgot �bout that! I was too busy baby-sittin�.�
�Ya�d better go then. Speakin� of which, how was �e?�
�Pretty good till �e got hungry. Except for the fact that �e�uh oh.�
�What now?�
��E puked on my shirt! It�s th� only one I got!�
�I�ll get ya one �f mine. Don�t go �way.�
He rushed up the stairs and returned with a dark blue shirt he�d purchased a week ago. He tossed it to Bumlets, and he pulled it on and buttoned it.
�Fits.� He reported. �Thanks.�
�No problem. Now go get that job!�
* * *
Seven lay on her bed with her hands behind her head, using everything she could to drown out the voices that surrounded her. It seemed that ever since Twilight and Specs had announced their engagement, a �love bug� had overcome every couple in the lodging house, and each one was constantly talking of their significant other.
�Swifty�s been so affectionate lately!� Princess chattered. �He�s given me flowers, taken me to a play�oh, it�s wonderful!�
�Aw, that�s nuthin�!� Snicker challenged. �Spot gave me the key he wears around his neck! He says it�s the key to his heart, and that it belongs to me.�
�Well Mush and me,� Psyche bragged, �he takes me to the beach and we watch the sunset. And when we do, he puts his arm around me and says that the one thing prettier than the sky is me.�
�I say Snoddy�s the best!� Books stated. �He buys me chocolates! And not just any, some that are real expensive!�
�No no no!� Balla argued. �My Race beats you guys by far. We went to that Italian restaurant he always takes me to, and he paid some of the singers there to serenade me with a song!�
�Dutchy snuck me into an Italian opera.� Cyanne said meekly. �That was a lot of fun, even though we didn�t understand a word.�
From then on, every girl with a boy brought up some trait of their boy or event in their relationship to beat out everyone else. They seemed to have forgotten that Seven even existed. She could care less, however, for she could not join in with them.
Yes, there were plenty of times when she and Bumlets had memorable moments. Some of them were only too wonderful to remember, such as when he took her to the zoo in Central Park. The animals were so soft and sweet, and he would watch her as she played with some of them.
Another time she loved was during Halloween. There was supposed to be a costume party that night, and she had dressed up as a Greek goddess when Bumlets appeared, riding a horse. She had mistaken him for Jack, especially since he was dressed as a cowboy. He tipped his brown cowboy hat to her and told her to �hop aboard, cuz they was goin� on a ride �round th� city.�
She shut her eyes as a grin spread across her mouth. He was such a wonderful young man. And he was a man�at least, by some men�s standards. Her grin faded. Did she need to think of this again? It was hard enough already. Although it had only been five minutes, and he regretted it, it still held a sharp tinge of pain in her heart.
�Seven?�
She had long since drowned out the girls� voices and did not hear Twilight say her name. When Twilight looked at her friend, she could tell she was deep in thought, most likely about Bumlets, and that she did not hear her. She tried again.
�Seven of Nine.�
Blinking, Seven turned her head toward Twilight�s voice. She forced a smile, but one that was obviously phony to Twilight.
�Hi Twilight.�
�Seven, are you okay?�
�Of course I am. Why wouldn�t I be?�
�You know you can�t lie to me.� She paused. �Is it about Bumlets?�
Sighing, she nodded. �Yes.�
�Get up. I�m going to the washroom, and I want you to meet me there.�
Before Seven could react, Twilight strode toward the washroom. Shrugging, she sat up and slid down from her perch on the top bunk, then turned toward the direction of the washroom. She found Twilight drying her hands on a washcloth that had been hanging on a post nearby.
�I knew when you didn�t say anything to support you and Bumlets that something was wrong.� She reported. �Especially after Autumn�s story.�
�I didn�t hear hers. What�d they do?�
�She was showing off her tattoo.�
Her eyebrow arched. �Tattoo?�
�She and Jack got each other�s named tattooed to their shoulders.�
�Good gravy.� She bent over a sink. �Someday, one of those girls is gonna go way too far.�
�How far have you and Bumlets gone?�
Her head shot up. �Not far at all! Do you think I�d have such low morals like that?�
�I didn�t mean that, Seven. But I wanted to make sure you didn�t do anything you�d regret.� She lowered her voice. �Did you two elope or something?�
Shaking her head, she stared downward again. �Hardly.�
Twilight�s face dropped. �Did you�call it off?�
�No.�
�Something happened between you. I can see it in your eyes.�
�We didn�t do anything. He did.�
�What did he do?�
Remembering her vow, she tucked his truth deep into her mind. �I can�t tell you.�
�Why not?�
�Because I can�t. He did something�I told him if I told anyone about it, Spot Conlon would go bald.�
Twilight�s eyes widened. �Bald?�
�Yeah.�
�Uh oh.�
�What�re you �uh ohing� about?�
�You mean you didn�t hear?�
�Hear what?�
�Snicker was telling us just a minute ago that one of his older newsies decided to play a trick on him with his hair and ended up taking off a chunk, so Spot cut off all his hair to even it out! He�s pretty much bald!�
Groaning, Seven slumped to her knees, crossed her arms on the countertop, hid her face inside and shook her head. �Me and my big mouth.�
�You mean you told someone?�
�No. And I still won�t tell.�
She set her hand on Seven�s shoulder. �Does it involve another girl?�
Knowing that as long as the whole truth, especially the part that counted, remained hidden, it was okay. She nodded.
�When did it happen?�
�Before we got together.�
�Then I�m glad that I jumped to the wrong conclusion.�
�Twilight�please don�t probe me anymore. I told him I wouldn�t talk about it, and you�re making it harder for me.�
�I�m sorry. But how are you taking it?�
�I don�t know.�
�You don�t know?�
�I don�t know how I feel. Everything I�ve felt for him is just a big mess now. I love him, and yet�I don�t love him. I know a part of him that I never knew before. And part of me is afraid he�ll use it on me.�
�You told me that you told him before that you love him.�
�I know I did.� Her voice was choking past the lump in her throat. �I still love him. I�ll never stop loving him. But I don�t know if I can love him anymore.�
�Why not?�
�Because of what he did. Part of me doesn�t trust him anymore. But I still love him for it. He�s made me love him less yet love him more.�
�How so?�
�Less by what he did. But more because he told me now.�
�Does that justify it?�
�I don�t know.� She brushed a stray tear from her eye. �I don�t know what to think now. I�m in a wreck.�
Twilight offered a comforting arm around her friend and allowed her to breathe several minutes and gain control of her emotions. When she was tranquil, she continued.
�Seven,� she said, �you�re my best friend. And I know how much you love Bumlets. Now I don�t know exactly what he did that could hurt you so much, but I do know that you two have a love story that�s very unique.�
�Unique? That�s a colorful way of putting it.�
�I mean to say that your relationship is very different. You treat each other with respect. You�re more than just lovers, you�re best friends. And you�re always gonna love each other. I know that Bumlets loves you very much.�
�But I don�t.�
�Then hear me out. You said that he told you about what he did now. I think he told you now because he�s ready to sweep you into his life forever. He wants you to marry him.�
�He hasn�t proposed.�
�And I think that�s why he told you what he did. I think that even though he loves you, you needed to know about what it was that he did. And I believe that he told you that because he knows that he loves you, and he wants to see if you�ll still love him even though he�s not what you thought.�
She glanced at her friend. �You think so?�
�I think I know so. He�s a wonderful, wonderful young man. And I love him too. Not in your way, of course, but just as a friend. And I believe that he loves you now and that he�ll love you forever. Listen to your heart, Seven. If it tells you that you love him and that you�re to be together, go for it.�
A smile tugged at Seven�s mouth. Slowly, it began to take form into a small smile. Twilight had said all of the right words.
�Thanks for everything.� She said. �But I won�t know anything until I see him again.�
* * *
