Chapter 49: Preparations

March 21, 1984, Chicago, Illinois

On Wednesday, 3COM's IPO was completed, and I received my full allocation of 5000 shares. There was a ninety-day lock-up period during which I would pay a small 'fine' to the M&A firm that took them public, but I didn't feel I'd need to sell before then. If, for some reason, I did have to sell, so long as the shares rose by more than 35¢, I'd make a profit, even after the penalty was imposed. I had wanted more shares, but the total float wasn't large enough for that to happen.

At the end of the day, Violet and I left the Hancock Center together, as we had tickets to see the Hawks and the Winnipeg Jets.

"What are we doing for two hours?" she asked.

"I'd suggest dinner, but I know you enjoy our tradition of hot dogs, nachos, and Cokes at the stadium. How about Water Tower Place? We can browse the shops and get a snack if you want."

"Sure!"

That was what we did, opting to have soft pretzels as a snack. We spent a total of an hour in the mall before walking back to the Hancock Center to retrieve my car. We drove to the stadium, parked in the special lot, then made our way inside. We bought our hot dogs, nachos, and Cokes and made our way to our seats. I received knowing looks from several traders who had their girlfriends or secretaries as their guests, though what they thought they knew simply wasn't true.

The game was hard fought, with the teams tied 1–1 at the end of the first period, but the Hawks blew the game wide open in the second, scoring three goals in less than seven minutes to build a 4–1 lead. The Jets scored a goal in the third period, but the Hawks answered with back-to-back goals in a span of thirty-four seconds to go up 6–2, which is how the game ended.

"That was more like it!" I said happily as Violet and I left the stadium.

"Sure," Violet agreed, "but the Hawks are 27–40–8, and the Jets are only slightly better! This season is a write-off!"

"And yet, they have a shot at making the playoffs," I replied.

"And they'll be knocked out in the first round unless some miracle occurs!" Violet declared. "They need to get their act together!"

"Are you saying you don't want to join me for playoff games?" I asked.

"You'll be in big trouble if you take anyone else, Mr. Kane!"

"I would never do that, Miss Clemmons!"

"Did you see the looks that Mark and Bob were giving us?"

"Ignore them," I said. "There is literally no way to prevent them from assuming that we're just like them."

"I can't believe they're married and show up with their secretaries or mistresses!"

"You mean like when I was married and brought you to games? Where they saw us together before I hired you?"

"Oh!" Violet gasped. "But it's different because we weren't sleeping together!"

"We aren't now, either, but you know they assumed we were, even then. Externally, it fits the pattern."

"Except my chest is nowhere near as big as their dates' chests!" Violet declared.

"That does seem to be the primary hiring criterion," I replied. "That said, yours are nicer."

"Nice try! Their girlfriends both have like double-D's! I'm way smaller!"

"And yet, perfect for a pixie such as yourself!"

"Only compared to you!" Violet declared. "OK, I'm not tall by any means, but most girls are only four or five inches taller than me. You're like a foot taller!"

"How about I just say you are properly proportioned and very sexy?"

"You really think that?"

"Long black hair, brown eyes, great smile, perfectly proportioned breasts, slightly flared hips, a cute butt, and muscular legs. What more could I possibly want? Add in a great personality, and you're a real catch, Miss Clemmons!"

"Flattery will get you ... breakfast on Saturday!"

"I already get that without flattery!"

"You really mean what you said?"

"Yes. It's what I thought that very first night in class. But after the gum incident, things went very differently from the way I thought they might."

"That was an invitation to have sex, wasn't it?" Violet asked as we reached the car.

I didn't answer until we were in the car, buckled in, and pulling away.

"More or less," I replied. "It implied 'swapping spit'."

"Implied nothing! You got my saliva in your mouth!"

"True," I agreed. "And obviously, a French kiss is the start down that particular road, though it doesn't always lead there."

"I think," Violet said quietly, "that if you French kiss me, it's going to be like you and Bev."

"Except for one thing — I promised we'd take things slowly, in stages."

"Right, because hormones don't override EVERYTHING!" Violet declared. "You and Bev didn't use birth control, right?"

"No, we didn't."

"Hardly logical, practical, or analytical," Violet observed.

"My brain might have been addled by hormones," I allowed.

"As I said!"

"And yet, I also promised not to do anything that would hurt you, and that means emotionally or physically. In my mind, that means taking it slow and being gentle. The only way I'd consider anything else is if you expressly asked for it."

"Do what Lily said?" Violet asked with a smirk.

"That is an option, but not one I recommend for you. But then again, you have free will and are in control. If you decide you want to, and you want anything other than slow and gentle, you need to tell me."

"If we do, you'll still want to sleep with other girls, right?"

"It's safer to say I won't rule out being with other girls unless I make a commitment not to, and I am not ready to make any commitments that might be permanent. Remember, that's not never, just not now, and not something to assume will happen in the future. I think Nancy's surmise that my thinking will evolve is correct, but neither I nor anyone else can predict how."

"So it would just be sex for fun?"

"No. With you, it could only be making love. That's not to say it won't be fun, or that it won't be intensely pleasurable, but to say I care deeply for you. I just can't make any commitments now."

"You said something similar before Keiko," Violet countered.

"I did, but it was a question of 'when' not 'if' I would marry, and I was saying that I wasn't ready. Well, until I was. But now, it's 'if' with the odds heavily on 'no'. So, while it's similar, it's not the same. Does that make sense?"

"Yes."

"There is no rush," I said. "Nobody will come between us, and if I won't make a commitment to you that would guarantee you would fulfill my fantasies, I'm not going to make one to anyone."

"Me? Fantasies?"

"I told you what I thought of you that first night! The things we might do flashed through my head."

"Because you're a guy!" Violet declared mirthfully.

"Guilty as charged!"

March 22, 1984, Chicago, Illinois

"Good evening, Master Jonathan," Karl said when I arrived at Jeri's house on Thursday evening. "Miss Jeri is waiting in the drawing room."

"Thank you."

"May I bring you a drink?"

"Bourbon, please."

"Very good, sir."

He walked me to the drawing room, announced me, then went to fix my drink. Jeri greeted me with a hug.

"How are you doing?" she asked.

"Things are going fairly well," I replied. "Can I ask something?"

"You know the answer is 'yes'!" Jeri smirked.

"Obviously, and that's your 'once per encounter'. Why is it a 'drawing room'?"

"Bummer! Short for 'withdrawing room'. The men would stay at the table to drink, and the women would 'withdraw' to a room set aside for their use."

"That actually makes perfect sense. Well, minus the patriarchal BS of sending the women away."

"Different times, but it's also the case that men need time with other men, and women need time with other women."

"True, so long as it isn't forced."

"Jonathan Kane, feminist!"

"Jonathan Kane, meritocratic egalitarian."

"Are you going to schedule your trip to Saint Martin now?"

"Already did. Angling for an invitation?"

"Always! You know I'll go with you! I should invite you to go with me to Monaco in June. We'll be at the Grand Prix. But Noel Spurgeon will be there, and the last thing I want is for him to know I'm sleeping with anyone!"

"Rumors suggest you're too old for him."

"It's not a rumor that he beds fourteen- and fifteen-year-old girls; it's a fact. I know some. And you can bet he'd absolutely want to bed the shy, quiet, mousey, blushing seventeen-year-old virgin!"

"Do I know her?" I asked.

"Me, you nut!" Jeri declared. "What he thinks, not the reality that I demanded you fuck me in every way possible on multiple occasions!"

Karl brought in my drink, and I was positive he'd overheard Jeri's comment, but she insisted that he and Karolin would never betray her confidence.

"I think my uncle and aunt will be there," I said. "And Lisa."

"Yes."

"Miss Jeri," Karl announced, "Miss Allyson and Miss Marcia."

Allyson and Marcia came in, and a minute later, before Karl could bring their drinks, he showed in Pete and Nelson. Ten minutes later, Gary had arrived, and everyone had their drinks. About fifteen minutes after Gary's arrival, dinner was served, so we all moved to the dining room. Dinner was excellent, as always, and the dessert was great. After dessert, we had coffee and brandy in the drawing room.

"After you drop Allyson at Loyola, come by my place," Marcia offered, as everyone was getting ready to leave.

"No promises, but ask me again next month, OK?" I said. "Lunch next week?"

"OK. Tuesday is good."

Allyson and I left together, and I headed for Loyola.

"You seem like you're doing OK," Allyson observed.

"I am. How have you been?"

"Pretty good. You heard school is going well, and that's the most important thing. I have to maintain my 4.0 so I can be sure to get into med school."

"When do you take the admission test?"

"Anytime between now and February. I'll start sending applications in August."

"What schools?"

"Loyola, Northwestern, University of Chicago, and Rush. Loyola is my first choice."

"And you plan to apply to hospitals here?"

"Yes. That happens during the last year of medical school after I take the first two parts of the medical licensing exam."

"How many parts are there?"

"Three. You take the last one at some point during or after Residency. That's when you get your actual license. You can work as a doctor without a license under the supervision of a senior doctor. That's what Perry is doing now. When will you get your next license?"

"The exam is in May, and I'll receive the results in June."

"Which one is this?"

"The Branch Manager's License, or Series 30, which allows me to supervise other licensed professionals."

I pulled into the parking lot at Loyola and stopped by the sidewalk that led to the dorm.

"Want to come in and hang out and talk for a bit?" Allyson asked. "I have some Cokes and homemade cookies."

"What kinds of cookies?" I asked with a grin.

"They're homemade, so does it matter?" Allyson asked with a laugh. "Chocolate chip."

"Sure."

I parked and followed Allyson into the dorm and to her room. She got two cans of Coke from a mini-fridge and opened a tin of homemade chocolate chip cookies. I took two, popped open the can of Coke, and took a swig.

"Where's your roommate?"

"No idea. I wasn't concerned because we were only coming in to talk. Well, unless you had another idea."

"Tempting," I said.

Just then, the door opened, and a dark-haired girl came in.

"Barb, my friend Jonathan. Jonathan, my roommate Barb."

"I hope you have enough to share!" Barb said with a smirk. "Cookies, I mean!"

"Uh-huh!" Allyson replied with a laugh. "Cookies. Right."

"Well, if you're offering..." Barb said.

"Just teasing," Allyson said. "Jonathan just came in to talk. Well, unless he's changed his mind!"

"Not tonight, Dear, I have a headache!" I said, causing both girls to laugh.

I had a good time talking to Allyson and Barb, and after about ninety minutes, I said 'good night' and headed home.

March 24, 1984, Chicago, Illinois

On Saturday, I had breakfast with Violet, went to class, had lunch with Violet, then headed home to pick up Bianca for our childbirth class at Loyola.

"Are we going to have the Memorial Day party at the house or in the condo?" she asked.

"We'll have to check with Jack because we'll be moved out by then, but I can't imagine he'll say 'no'. I already cleared Katy's sister's graduation party with him, so I'm sure he'll be cool."

"Are we having a housewarming party?"

"I figure we'll schedule it once Natasha and Deanna are done decorating. Are you going to make it to April 6th?"

"So far, so good. It's only two weeks, so I think I will. I can change it at any time, according to Mrs. Peterson."

"Do you have everything you need at the house?"

"Yes, including infant disposable diapers and onesies. The girls are throwing a baby shower on April 1st, which is a Sunday."

"I'll make myself scarce!" I said. "Maybe Jack and I can do something that day. I assume Kristy will be at the shower."

"She will."

"Cool. For the Memorial Day Party, be sure to invite Rick, please. His number is in my address book by the phone."

"That's the new guy from the Art Institute, right?"

"Yes."

"And all Jeri's gang, too, right?"

"Yes, please."

"I'll take care of it."

We arrived at Loyola, and I helped Bianca from the car. I had real doubts about her making it to April 6th at work, but it was up to her. We walked into the classroom, and our instructor, Jenny West, asked us to sign in. I signed for both of us, and we took our spot on a cushioned mat. Ten minutes later, with nine other couples in attendance, the class began.

Jenny described the labor and delivery process, which I'd already seen first-hand when Heather was born. That made me the 'experienced' person in the room, as everyone else was first-time parents. After the description of labor and delivery, we spent forty-five minutes learning breathing exercises.

"They really should have done a single two-hour class instead of two one-hour classes," I said when we left the classroom.

"I guess they wanted to separate the 'normal delivery' from the C-section stuff, or maybe it's a different instructor.

"What would cause you to need a C-section?"

"I honestly don't know," Bianca replied. "Doctor Wisniewski said there were no complications so far, and Sofía is in the correct orientation. If you want to ask Doctor Wisniewski, you can do it at our appointment on Monday afternoon."

"I was just curious, and I'm sure they'll go over that next week."

I helped Bianca into the car, and we headed for the house. I dropped her at home, and Deanna joined me for my usual Saturday grocery shopping trip.

"Natasha called this morning," Deanna said. "The borders in the bedrooms will be finished by the end of this week, and the bedroom furniture will be delivered a week from Thursday."

"Sounds good. Who's painting the borders?"

"Three students from the school. One thing we didn't think about — a washer and dryer. There are hookups, and I figured you wouldn't take the ones from the house."

"The space is tight, so we'll need measurements and then a trip to Abt."

"I have measurements for each room, including that one. We had done all the other ones before we started looking for furniture; I remembered the laundry room yesterday."

"If you don't need to get home, we can make the trip now, before Jewel."

"That probably makes sense. The Friday after your new bed is delivered, you, CeCi, and I have a date to christen it!"

"The only caveat is if Bianca were to go into labor."

"That obviously takes precedence!" Deanna agreed. "On that topic, will you spend the night tonight?"

"I will."

We made the trip to Abt, where we selected a slightly higher quality washer and dryer than I'd purchased for the house. We arranged delivery on a day Deanna could be there, though I was the backup, as I could leave the office to meet the delivery men. After the appliance store, we went to Jewel and the dry cleaner, then headed home.

March 26, 1984, Chicago, Illinois

"Everything looks good," Doctor Wisniewski said after completing an ultrasound. "Sofía has sufficient amniotic fluid, her heart is strong, she's in the proper position, and Mom's blood pressure and blood sugar are great. I'd say Sofía is on target for some time between April 5th and April 12th. Are you still working, Bianca?"

"Yes, until April 6th."

"If you're up to it, that's fine, though if I may suggest, this Friday would be a better choice."

"I have to agree with Doctor Wisniewski," I said. "Steve Smith can handle things while you're gone."

"It appears I'm outvoted 3–1!" Bianca declared.

"If you need a note for your employer, I can provide one," Doctor Wisniewski offered.

"I'm pretty sure they know she's not faking it," I said with a grin.

Both Bianca and Doctor Wisniewski laughed.

"I won't need a note," Bianca said. "The Director of Personnel is cool, and Jonathan is my boss."

"I wasn't aware," Doctor Wisniewski said.

"We've been together for most of the past three years," Bianca said. "Our agreement to have a baby was made before he hired me."

"Sorry, that wasn't meant to sound accusatory, but now I realize how it might have. Do you have any questions?"

I thought about asking about a C-section but then decided against it.

"Jonathan is a pro!" Bianca declared. "He was with his best friend from High School when she gave birth about two years ago."

"Not mine," I said. "There was an absentee father, so I filled in."

"That's a serious commitment to a friend! If there's nothing else, I'll let you two go. Bianca, call me with any questions, if your water breaks, you have contractions, or you feel lightheaded."

We left, I paid the co-pay at reception, and then Bianca and I headed back to the Spurgeon offices to complete the day. Before we headed home, Bianca spoke to Mrs. Peterson and cleared the change for her maternity leave. Just before the end of the day, Gwen Meyer finally called.

"I filed my motions," she said. "Briefs are due next Monday. That's a bit sooner than I would like, but Mr. Switzer made a compelling argument for expediency. The hearing on the motions will be on April 10th at 1:30pm. The judge may issue an immediate ruling or may take everything under advisement and issue a ruling at a later date."

"Do I need to be at the hearing?"

"No, but I'd advise you to be there, on the chance you're wanted as a witness. If you don't attend, Mr. Switzer could argue you ceded your personal right to object if my motions fail."