Chapter 5

I put in some long overdue domestic admin work, and then went looking for Laura in her room, but she wasn't there. I found her curled up in an ancient Chesterfield in the library immersed in a book. "That looks very comfy!" I said.

"I love it here," she replied without looking up. "I could stay here for ages and never get bored. Your library is almost better than the public one at home."

I sat down in an armchair opposite her. I was about to speak, but before I could say anything, she beat me to it. "How were the phone calls?" she asked still without looking up from her book. She knew perfectly well that those calls would have to have been about her and had obviously taken my previous urging to heart.

I decided on a concise summary, just like before. "Fine, really fine. First I talked to a chap at work that will get you a computer. He'll come round tonight for dinner and set it up. Next I talked to my lawyer to make sure I don't have one foot in prison. He essentially OK'ed the forms we're sending to your parents by the way. And last I talked to my secretary about getting you employed and enrolled in the medical insurance thing."

"And what did they all think about what you've done?" she asked still without lifting her eyes from the book. She tried to sound cool, but a slight quiver in her voice gave her away.

"They were all very curious. Jock is more intrigued, really and wonders what it is all about. But he'll see you this evening. My lawyer, Abe, is not easily ruffled. He has seen a thing or two in life since he stumbled out of a concentration camp at age 3. We are invited to dinner at his place on Thursday, by the way. But my secretary Joyce!" My change of voice finally made Laura look up. "Oh God. She exploded when given only the raw details, like your name, age, address and the fact that you're pregnant. Perhaps that was unkind, but I didn't want to waffle. Her partner was more understanding. She and Joyce have four kids between them, and offered that you could talk to them if you wanted advice."

Now she was staring at me. "Joyce is living with a woman?" she asked. The confines of her small suburban world had obviously never exposed her to much diversity.

"Yup, Lisa." I said. "Lovely girl. An ex-novice just like Joyce. Their youngest is just two, so they know a thing or two about babies. My knowledge is somewhat out of date, so you could do much worse than talking to them."

Laura's eyes had gotten bigger and bigger. "They were nuns. And now they're living together. And they both have babies?" she asked.

"Nearly and yes and yes. Their parents tried to force them into being nuns. They found each other and left. And yes they have taken turns being pregnant and now have four kids under six. A lovely flock, if somewhat of a handful." I chuckled. "You can look forward to meeting them."

"But how, I mean who..." Laura started and colored up beet red.

"There is more than one way to get pregnant," I said gently. "At least voluntarily."

"Good for them!" Laura said. "Anyway. I guess we will be leaving soon so I'll go change."

She left, and I decided to change into a suit. Not my style, really, when 'off duty', but I decided to rise to the occasion too.

We met in the hall. She had platted her hair in a French braid and in her new dress she was a stunner. She got her new boots and coat on, and hung on my arm during the brief walk to the Convent Church. We looked the model of middle class respectability, and I felt proud in her company. The Church was not very full, so we sat close to the front. I have always liked the office of Vespers, especially the music and on the rare occasion that I go I have always - to my daughters' despair - sung along. This, in my opinion, can only be done standing up. Laura was slightly hesitant, but got up with me, found the text in the hymnal and let up her voice too. She sang beautifully. I smiled at her warmly. A dozen or so nuns - that is to say almost all of them except the oldest and most infirm, were there. At the end of the service I made a bee-line for the Mother Superior. "Mother Marianna," I said, "Id' like you to meet Laura."

"George!" she exclaimed. "Lovely to see you, and lovely to meet you my child. Are you George's niece?"

Before Laura could answer I interjected. "She is not. Listen, Reverend Mother. Could we have a word in private?"

"If you call me 'Reverend Mother' it must be serious. Shall we go to my study?" she replied, intelligence alight in her old eyes.

"The Church will be fine," I said and we held back while the other nuns, the priest and the congregation left.

"Well?" she inquired.

"Laura has been subjected to a sexual assault," I started. "It has had consequences and she has courageously refused to let her baby suffer, even at the cost of losing her home and schooling."

"Poor child. How shocking." Mother Marianna's voice was warm as her gentle eyes fell on Laura.

"The 'home' bit, I can take care of - with her parents' somewhat grudging acceptance, and I hoped you could help with the schooling bit - again with her parents' consent." There was no point in being anything but direct with Mother Marianna. "Laura is a straight A junior. Her baby is not due until the summer holidays - late July it is, and I think she should continue her education while she can."

"I agree entirely," Mother Marianna replied. "Sister Joanna is our junior-year coordinator," she said and nodded in the direction of the nun who was busy tidying the Altar after the service. "She will make the arrangements."

"Jo!" she called. "Can you spare us a moment?"

The nun came over. Sister Joanna teaches science. She is also the computer coordinator, so I have met her on several occasions.

Mother Marianna demonstrated her legendary efficiency. "Jo, this is Laura. She is transferring to us and starting tomorrow in junior year. Can you take her to your office, get her details, and work out which home group she should be in and what electives she is taking?"

Sister Joanna didn't bat an eyelid. "Certainly Mother," she said, turned to Laura with a smile and said. "Come with me Laura and we will work things out."

Laura left in a daze.

When the door had closed behind them, Mother Marianna turned to me and said "Well, George. Can I have the full story?"

She got it - I told Mother Marianna absolutely everything. Unlike Abe, Joyce and Lisa, she even got the bit about Laura trying to prostitute herself. The old nun was silent for a while. "Laura has reasons to be glad of you," she said finally.

I was somewhat taken aback by that. "Eh, I suppose so," I said lamely. "She actually thanked God when I offered she could stay with me."

"Obviously you would call it simple chance you happened to be there, wouldn't you?" she challenged, mischief shining in her beautiful old eyes. "You don't think God had a hand in that?"

"Listen," I said not feeling very comfortable or sure of anything. "I can't analyze it. I don't know why I acted the way I did. I feel a strong urge to protect and help her, but I am not sure my motives are all that pure. Obviously she needs my, or someone's, or anyone's help, but I enjoy her company. Her presence is joy to me."

The old nun smiled. "No one's said helping others should be without reward. On the contrary, we experience it frequently in our line of work. I am glad this child has pierced your armor, marched into your life and dispelled your loneliness," she said. I was staring agape. Who needs a shrink if they can have five minutes with Mother Marianna!

"Anyway," she continued, "the crunch will come when she falls in love with you - as she will, believe me. That's when you have to have worked out what your motives are."