Molly’s Place

It had been a long day. Sean was tired, upset and fragile; three things that men did not normally admit to unless they were worried.  He had been in the waiting room for four hours, feeding the vending machine so its contents would feed him with food or liquid.  The soft music in the background was soothing, but irritating at the same time.  The clock ticked loudly, or was that his heartbeat?  The last time the door to his right opened a tired-looking nurse came out.  She smiled as he approached her but said she had no current information about the patient he mentioned.  That was the third rebuff.   The ‘patient’ was his wife, young happy and pregnant; now in the operating theatre. Suddenly the door opened again. A man, whom Sean judged to be in his fifties, clad in theatre uniform approached him, smiling.

“Mr Dixon, I am Sam Lawson.   “you have a daughter, and your wife is going to be okay, but...”  he smiled indicating the sofa Sean had just vacated “shall we sit down?”

BABY STEPS

Sean and Molly Dixon, driven both by ambition and disgust about employment situations that worsened, strove to keep their little shop in pristine working order.  With his inheritance, courtesy of his Grandmother and some frugal measures along the way, Sean had done some hard yakka and built “Molly’s Place”; from the insipid cafe that it was, to a chocoholic’s dream.  The shelves were filled with confectionery and allied lines and varieties of coffee in bean or ground form. Together, especially when the coffee grinder was in rhythm the aroma would tempt the appetites of most folk; and gradually Sean and Molly were building their clientele.

They were over the moon to discover that Molly was expecting a child due in the new year.  Arrangements needed to be made for the business to function, but with a little help, they managed to get a local lady willing to work part-time and any other time as needed. Jenny was proving her worth. On this particular day at the beginning of December, they expected to be busy, but the health inspector decided to call on one of his routine visits.  Lately, there had been more of these than normal, Molly went over to him.

“What may I ask is wrong with our shop?” she was determined, angry, her eyes had gone steely blue.

“Nothing Molly, it is just a routine inspection.” Robert Day was surprised at her reaction.

“Routine! once a week for the last six weeks? Not just by you but others.  Surely there are other businesses needing attention or are we the closest to the office, airconditioned and we count on the statistics?  If there is nothing wrong here, get out before I report you for harassment.”

Robert tried the professional “keep your distance” approach.

“There is nothing wrong Mrs Dixon…”

“Then get out.” she opened the door and stood until he left.

This was so unlike Molly.  She recognised that her behaviour was odd and mumbled something about needing milk. Taking her bag, she left the shop, close to tears

Jenny came up to Sean smiling. She had been down this path when she was younger.

“She just needs a breather, Sean.”

The shop began to fill and the happy sound of the cash register singing put the incident out of Sean’s mind until he realised the only one left in the shop was a kid who had been up to no good on his last visit and looked mighty suspicious now.

“I hope he’s going to pay for that chocolate bar because I had to” whispered Sean to Jenny. As he walked towards his customer, the distinct sound of cars crashing made them stand to attention.  The boy stood recognising someone they all knew, lying inert but not alone.

Mister isn’t that your wife lying on the road?”

 All thoughts of stolen chocolate bars left Sean’s mind as he rushed outside.  Molly lay on the crossing and two ladies near her; one on her mobile phone, calling for help the other trying to assess the situation.

“Hi Sean.” the woman beside Molly greeted.   He recognised her from the shop and nodded.

“I’m Heather, I’m also an RN. I can stay with you until help arrives or beyond.”

“Thanks, appreciate it.”

The sirens could be heard; police and ambulance officers arrived.  Molly’s waters had broken, it was imperative that she be taken to hospital and checked from top to toe as it were.  Sean who had a briefcase with him out of habit travelled with Molly.  He was treated for shock and sat quietly, at least in the long hours to follow he would not have to stare into space.

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In the hospital waiting room, two tired men sat facing each other.

“You must be worried sick” Sam Lawson stating the obvious was trying to gauge Sean’s understanding.  Sean just wanted to know the update, yet not wanting to hear anything that would spoil his dreams.

“How is she?”

“Your wife has undergone tests and caesarean surgery; your little daughter will be fine.” Sam began with a smile “we will watch her too in fact If you want to see her, I will take you to the nursery presently.”

“And Molly?” Sean persisted

“We will know in the next few days how badly injured she is, a knock to the skull particularly against concrete…”

“Dr Lawson, I don’t mean to be rude but I need some answers.  If I am about to be widowed and have to rear my child alone, I don’t need platitudes.”

“Be prepared for paraplegia; she had no feeling in her legs but she can move her arms.”

It was as though someone had punched Sean in the gut

As promised Lawson took Sean to the nursery. As they came out of the elevator, Dr Lawson said

“Had you thought of a name?”

“Not for a boy, we had discussed Grace.”

Dr Lawson pulled out a memo card and a pen from his folder held the card up on the wall and wrote “Grace Dixon.”

“The little girl has a name let’s make sure we use it instead of “Baby” Dixon,” Sam said

He found a gown for the new Dad and let him see the cherub.  She was so tiny and fragile as you would expect of a prem baby.

“She’s mine alright,” said Sean

“How would you know unless I told you?”

“Look, she has her thumb between her fingers.” replied Sean “I do that”

 Sam Lawson looked and smiled, determined that he would do all in his power and skill to make the young woman well.

It was still too early to assess the damage, and Sean had a business to run.   Two days later the shop, was busy from the moment it opened.  Robert Day, came in the door and waited until the customers were served, and seated.

“Look Robert.” began Sean “I am not in the mood for a “routine” inspection today.  My wife…”

“I know Sean,” said Robert “I witnessed the accident from behind the window of the grocers.  I saw Molly and figured there were enough around you at the time; I just came to say ‘I’m sorry.  Here is my card with my private mobile too If you need help in any way call me.  Jan, my wife sent this casserole over and says she will feed you every night if need be.   We live locally, please don’t hesitate to call us.”  Robert patted Sean’s shoulder and as he departed, he said “I will check in tomorrow.”

Even Sean laughed at that “Thanks, Robert.”

A week before Christmas the shop was busy and Sean and Jenny were rushed off their feet.  Then quite suddenly Sean’s mobile phone rang.  The caller ID had him concerned

“Sean Dixon speaking.”

“It’s Sam Lawson Sean.”

“Oh hello.”

“Don’t be alarmed.  We report progress, but I think you would prefer to see it rather than be told.” he laughed “I will be here until five o clock. Get the sister to page me.”

“Go now,” said Jenny “you will be like a cat on a hot tin roof if you stay.”

A little fearful Sean entered the ward, seeing Dr Lawson and Molly waiting

“Better to show him, Molly.” Sam Lawson stood with a stick by his side, but Molly was having none of it.  She walked confidently towards Sean and hugged him.

“Home for Christmas, I’d say,” said Sam

“Treatment?” asked Sean

“Nothing that physiotherapy won’t help.  We are satisfied everything will be okay.”

A YEAR LATER

Sean drove the car into the drive, turned the engine off and looked at the home he and Molly had purchased together. The picturesque front garden, where a Norfolk pine stood sentinel and gum tree showing her magnificence, took up the opposite side of the path; it made him smile. The spreading branches almost formed an arch over the path that led to the house.  Getting out of the car he smiled again, noticing the soft toy, on the path.  He picked it up and placed it in his pocket as he climbed the steps up to the veranda. He felt the tension drop from his shoulders as he opened the front door.   Immediately the aroma of a roast spitting its way to perfection met his nostrils.  Molly was humming to herself as the finishing touches to one of her delicious apple pies were being added.  She looked up and smiled, her eyes shining with love and devotion. The table was set in a manner that indicated guests were expected; probably Robert and Jan.

“Dadda” Grace’s piping voice and outstretched arms greeted him. He lifted her up to shoulder height and kissed her.

He thought of the past year, the terror of the accident; the surprising friendship that developed between Robert Day and Sean, the kindness of strangers when life was tough and the fact that the girl of his dreams had recovered well. Molly still had her place of importance.  Life, like a book, had many chapters some sad, most exciting, but at that precise moment Sean had one thought to sum life up; it was Wonderful.