Chapter 58

“He’s good with his kids.” Kim looked up from her files on her desk and saw Fran standing in the doorframe. “…and you are good with them too.” Kim smiled.

“They are sweet kids. I think it’s hard not to get along with them.”

“Maybe, but nevertheless, you are still the new woman in her father’s life and they seem to be fine with it.”

“Well, probably because I wasn’t the reason why they separated.”

“Yeah, probably.” Fran said and sat down across from the desk. “So, where’s his ex-wife?”

“She’s in D.C. for a karate event. Jon couldn’t get a hold of her yet.” Kim told her. Fran nodded.

“You know her, how will she react when she finds out?”

“I’m guessing she’ll worry like hell.” Kim answered and leaned back in her chair. “Her kids mean everything to her, if she’d known Romeo would get that sick, she wouldn’t have left for the event.”

“Interesting how different the ex-wives are, considering that the men all come from the same background.” Fran said thoughtful.

“You mean Heather wouldn’t worry about Ava being in a hospital?” Kim wondered.

Fran had told her about the meeting with Richie’s ex and Ava’s fear. She still couldn’t believe a mother would do something like this to her child only to make the ex-husband look bad.

“Oh, she would worry. But I’m not sure she would drop whatever she is doing just to get to her daughter, especially when Richie would be with her.” Fran said a bit bitter.

“I get the feeling, she is one of those mothers who don’t wanna be limited because of her kid, you know. I’m really glad Ava has Richie; there is more warmth, more…heartiness. He adores her.” Fran told her.

“Maybe Heather reacts differently, because Ava is already 12 years old?” Kim said. She really hoped Richie’s ex wasn’t as bad as Fran told her. But it was getting harder to believe especially after Jon shared some stories with her.

“Are you defending her?” Fran asked in disbelieve.

“No, no, no…I’m just trying to say that a 12 year old surely needs a little less attention than a seven or five year old and maybe that’s the reason why Heather appeared a little ‘cold’ towards Ava when you met her.”

“Well, I don’t know. And I’m pretty sure you would have my opinion when you met her. You can be really lucky that you and Dorothea get along so well.” Fran said with a hint of jealousy.

Kim’s eyes narrowed a little. “You are saying that as if her and I are best friends.”

“Well, you two can at least talk without her bitching around! And tell me if I’m wrong, but she would not use her kids to manipulate Jon’s relationship.”

Kim sighed. “Yeah, you are right. She isn’t that way.”

“That’s what I thought.” Fran told her.

An uncomfortable silence formed between the two women. You could only hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

Lately they were having such small arguments more often. They both knew that their time together was coming to an end. And even if it was totally irrational Kim knew Fran was a little bit angry that she was getting along quiet well with Dorothea while Fran would live in California soon without her best friend and a bitchy Heather.

The ringing of the telephone ended the quietness between the two friends.

“Dr. Anderson. Children’s medical unit.” Kim answered.

“Kimberly? Is that you?” A female voice asked irritated.

“Yeah, Dorothea?”

“Yes, oh my God what’s wrong? Are the kids ok?” the fear was evident in her voice.

“Dorothea, please calm down. They are ok.” Kim said soothingly and indicated to Fran to leave the room. She pouted, but got up and left.

“Jon had to bring Romeo over, because he got a real high fever and he couldn’t get a hold of your pediatrician.” Kim explained calmly.

“Oh, my God. My little baby. What’s wrong?”

“He has a Tonsillitis and because of the fever signs of dehydration. I gave him an electrolytic solution and antibiotics. Now he’s sleeping. Jon and Steph are with him.”

“The pain in his throat! I should have never left. But I didn’t think he would get that sick. None of the kids ever have a problem with their throats. They only have it for a couple hours and then it’s gone again.”

“I know. Steph said Jesse had a cold a couple days ago that probably weakened Romeo’s immune system and that’s why it hit him so hard. You couldn’t know Dorothea.” Kim assured her.

“Yeah,…” She could hear the other woman wasn’t convinced yet. She was blaming herself.

“Listen, he only has to stay one or two days, it depends on when he starts drinking enough on his own and then you can take him home again.”

“Ok, can I talk to Jon?”

“Yeah, sure. Wait a second I need to go down the hall to Romeo’s room.” Kim hurried down the hall and opened the door carefully. Jon looked up immediately.

“Dorothea.” She whispered and gave him the phone.

“Thanks” Jon whispered back and stepped outside in the hall.

Kim walked over to the bed and checked on Romeo. He was sleeping peacefully and felt less warm. It seemed the antibiotics kicked in.

Through one of the huge glass windows, which separated the room from the hall, she could see Jon talking on the phone. He seemed upset and was gesturing wildly, but suddenly his expression softened and it seemed he was now trying to calm his ex-wife.

After a while he hung up. Kim exited the room. “Please don’t tell me you blamed her. She was already worried enough.” She said silently.

Jon sighed. “Yeah, I know, but I couldn’t stop it. I already apologized for it.”

Kim softly touched his cheek. “When will she be here?”

“In the next couple hours. She’s taking a private plane out of D.C.”  

“She is still allowed to start and more importantly to touch down here?” Kim checked her watch surprised. Normally the landings were reduced overnight.

Jon grinned. “We have a certificate of exemption.”

“Really? Where can I get one?” Kim asked joking.

“Ah, you won’t need any, honey. You can take my plane whenever you want.” He said smiling and pulled her close.