~~~~~~~
(Part 7)
The Spare Room
Two days later, Dee Dee once again stood in the doorway, of the spare room. When she and Alex moved into the house, she had visions of the room someday becoming a nursery. She began to daydream about how she and Alex would bring their baby home from the hospital, and place him or her in a beautiful crib in this very room that would be filled with tons of baby items; some of which would be knitted by her own two hands. She knew she wasn’t an expert, but she could make a decent pair of booties, with a matching hat and sweater. She had already decided on cherry furniture, with soft pastel colored bedding, with complementing curtains, and carpeting. It was beautiful in her imagination, and it would be beautiful in reality.
When Alex came home, he found her upstairs… standing there, daydreaming. She heard him come in, so she wasn’t startled by his hand on her shoulder. “What are you doing, standing here?”
Dee Dee turned to greet him with a smile. “Hi. I’m just thinking.”
“About…?”
She smiled broader with her answer. “I was thinking about how great this room would be….as a nursery, someday.” She stepped inside the empty room, and began to tell Alex how perfect it could be. She walked to the left corner in the back of the room. “You have to picture, cherry furniture.” Her eyes lit up. “I think the crib should be over here, in this corner.” She shook her head, disagreeing with herself. “No. Maybe it should be a little closer to the door….or maybe not.” She changed her mind again. She thought for a second, and then made her way across the room as her eyes sparkled with another idea. “Now, a rocking chair…no, a glider/rocker with an ottoman, would be great, right here.” Alex hadn’t said a word. He leaned against the doorframe; arms crossed over his chest, watching his wife as she expressed her excitement. He didn’t show any obvious signs of interest. Dee Dee didn’t pay much attention to his demeanor; as she was too busy “furnishing” the room. She was smiling, and getting more and more excited, as she walked around the room. “The chair should be close to the window, so the baby and I can enjoy watching the birds in the trees. A changing table would look nice right here. Of course we’d have to change this beige paint on the walls before anything else would begin to look like it belongs.” For the next five minutes, she continued to walk around the room, and add more ideas. Slightly winded from all the talking she’d done, she walked up to Alex, with a huge smile on her face. “Well, what do think? Do you have any ideas you’d like to add?” She anxiously awaited his input; wanting to know what ideas floated around in his head.
“I think the paint is fine, and I like the room just as it is.”
Dee Dee laughed at the idea. She knew he couldn’t be serious. “What do mean? Don’t you think this paint is a little drab for a baby’s room?”
“I guess.” He answered, coolly. “But it’s just fine for my office.”
With an expression of puzzlement, she asked -“What do mean….your office?”
“You know what an office is. It’s where a person has files, a computer, or typewriter, a desk, and whatever else they may need to work with. You used to work in an office when you were a secretary, and sort of an office, when you were a cop. Remember that?”
Dee Dee didn’t find his sarcasm the least bit amusing. “Alex, this room is for our baby. You do all of your work in the den, anyway.”
“I’m sick of working in a small corner area in the den. I’m going to make this room my office.” Alex turned and walked to their bedroom.
Dee Dee didn’t hesitate, to follow him. Unfortunately, following him from room to room was becoming routine. “Wait a minute. Why haven’t you mentioned before, that you wanted to use one of the spare rooms as your office?”
“I didn’t think I had to mention it. This is my house too, you know.”
Dee Dee still standing…her arms crossed in front of her. “Alex, I know this is your house too. But I just wanted to know why you want that particular room. If it’s because I do my painting in the other room; I’ll move my supplies into the den, and you can have that room.”
Alex didn’t respond to her solution as he changed out of his suit, and into jeans a t-shirt. “I’m done discussing it, okay?”
With crinkled brows and raised voice, Dee Dee’s irritation increased. “I’m tired of you running from our problems! Talk to me! Please!”
“What else am I supposed to say?! I made my point about the room….my office! Isn’t that enough?!”
After Alex left the room, Dee Dee sat on the bed with thoughts of his determination to discuss the subject. Unwilling to give up the debate, she went downstairs, and joined him in the kitchen.
“Alex.” Dee Dee began in a softer tone. “It seems like every time I mention having a baby, you get uneasy about it. And now you want to use what could be a nursery, as an office.” She sat at the table with Alex, to continue. “I know it’s pretty earlier in the marriage to have a baby, and I’m fine with waiting for a while. But, since we’re not taking precautions, we could have a child right away. I’d be fine with that too, but I need to know how you really feel about it.”
Alex; now up and gathering snack items from the pantry, sighed with aggravation before his questioning. “What is this obsession you have, with wanting a baby? That seems to be the only thing you can talk about lately.”
“I’m not obsessing. I’m just being realistic, because we’re not using any birth control. And every time I bring it up, you tell me not to worry about it or you just ignore me. But…I’m still not a hundred percent sure of how you feel about a baby so soon. I’m confused, Alex, and I need some answers.” Whether his reaction is good or bad, she needed to know his thoughts. In order to find out, she had to share news of what could change their lives and their marriage forever. She took a deep, sighed, and pushed the words out. “Alex, we need to talk about it, because I think I’m……”
“Let it go, Dee Dee.” Alex quickly interrupted.
“But, I….”
“I’m not in the mood, okay? If you can’t let it go, at least give me a break until tomorrow.”
She thought of continuing on, but figured a few more hours of waiting wouldn’t hurt. “Okay.” She stood from the table. “Tomorrow, we’ll talk about this, and a lot of other things.” She’d hoped to have dinner with Alex, but she had gotten so frustrated with him that she lost her appetite. “I’m not very hungry.” Watching as he bit into a vanilla cupcake, she felt queasiness in her stomach. “If you still want dinner, there are some leftovers in the fridge, and some microwavable stuff in the freezer, and pantry.” Giving Alex a quick glance before leaving the room, she noticed a red spot under his nose and handed him a paper towel. “In case you haven’t noticed, your nose is bleeding again.”
She was trying to show as less concern about the nosebleeds as Alex did, but it was her caring nature that caused her to worry about him. They were becoming more frequent, and she couldn’t help but wonder about the cause. After handing Alex a paper towel, she went to the living room, and decided to lie down, and watch television. Due to Alex’s grumbling, as he searched for something else to eat, she had to increase the television volume. She thought a little about what she tried to tell Alex in the kitchen and wondered if the subject would bring more difficulty to their relationship, or bring much needed peace. It was hard to tell one way or the other.
While half watching Television, and half wondering what Rick was up to, she thought to herself: (This is when I need my best friend. Someone I can talk to.) She didn’t dare call
him in front of Alex, and she felt she should learn to handle problems in her marriage without Rick….for the time being.
****
(Los Angeles)
Rick was just about to head out on a case, when Charlie caught him at the elevators.
“Hey, Rick. I’ve been meaning to ask you, when’s the last time you heard from McCall….uh, Mrs. Turnan? Mrs. Turnan.” Charlie repeated the name. “I guess that’ll take some getting used to, huh?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Rick thought of the name change as well and hoped that was all that had changed of Dee Dee. “I haven’t heard from her in about a month. She called to thank me for making sure all of her stuff was packed and sent over to her, but she was in a hurry about something, and couldn’t talk long.”
“Well, I expect the newlyweds are too busy to make a lot of phone calls.” Charlie smiled.
Rick knew what she was busy doing, and it settled in his stomach like one of Sid’s blue plate specials.
Charlie didn’t know about the romantic situation between his favorite team. However, he did know that Rick cared a great deal for his former partner, and that he missed her terribly. From the look on Rick’s face; a look from a jealous man, Charlie felt he should have offered to share a bottle of his favorite antacid. “I guess we can be patient in hearing from her, right? We just want her to be happy.”
Rick replied with little enthusiasm. “Right, Charlie….as long as she’s happy.”
The elevator’s bell rang at its stop. “Well. Here’s your ride.”
“I’ll see you later, Charlie.” Rick entered the elevator. “Don’t work too late.”
“Right….good luck on that lead of yours.”
It had been a pretty long day for Rick and before going home, he found that the lead he’d gotten earlier didn’t put him any closer than he already was. He called and updated Charlie by way of radio as he drove home.
Once home, he changed into a pair of sweat pants, and reached for his t-shirt, but decided he’d be more comfortable without it, picked up the phone and dialed seven digits he’d chosen from his address book. He spent a few minutes talking to one of his female friends…Yvonne; a tall, slender, brunette, whom he hadn’t talked to in quite some time. After about ten minutes, when she asked if the Disney movie “Bambi” could have been based on actual events, he soon realized why he hadn’t talked to her in such a long time. A startling thought rang through his head – (Actual events? She’s really serious about it too. Wow!) He knew she was no McCall, and she didn’t have to be, but he could easily do better than Yvonne. He just wanted someone attractive, intelligent outgoing, with a good sense of humor, and could enjoyed a good Hitchcock movie on the tube, while scarfing down half a pizza. Yvonne didn’t have all of the requirements. She did have other assets, that had kept him interested in the past, but he had grown accustom to someone with more to offer. Much more to offer. Unfortunately, that someone was no longer there.
After twenty minutes of mindless drivel from Yvonne, he pounded the wall with his fist, in the manner of someone knocking at the door. “Yvonne. I’ve really got to go. There’s someone knocking at the door.” As the woman ignored his excuse, Rick took the game even farther and pretended to welcome Charles Devane inside. “Come on in. I’ll be off the phone in a second”. Giving it one more shot, he explained - “It’s my captain. Yeah…it’s important police business. You have a good night now. Goodbye.”
Banging the telephone receiver against his forehead, Rick asked himself why he listened to Yvonne for the nineteen minutes that followed the first minute. He put the receiver in its proper place, and had a bowl of cereal for dinner. After the feast fit for a king, he lay on the sofa to watch television; unknowingly, doing the same as his ex-partner/ex-lover. He was half watching television and half wondering what she was up to. He kept thinking about how she just seemed to marry Alex out of the blue, and it really bothered him. He still felt strongly that she made a rushed decision. A bad rushed decision at that. (How could she marry Alex so quickly? What did she really know about him?) He knew that the decision he and Dee Dee made, wasn’t what either of them truly wanted. But as it was, she found someone that could give her what he couldn’t, at the time she wanted it. It was just so unfair, that Alex could just waltz in, after almost two years, and take away his heart. She really was his heart, and with it gone…he didn’t feel alive anymore. He wanted to hear her voice, and the only way to do that would be to call her. He asked himself: (Does she want to hear from me? What would I say to her? What if Alex answers?)
As the questions drifted through his mind, he knew he had to get up enough nerve to call her. But…..when? Maybe he shouldn’t call her at all. After a second thought, he reached for address book.
***
It was quite late into the night while Dee Dee put the last of the dishes into the dishwasher. Just as she shut the machine’s door the telephone rang. “Hello, Turnan residence.” She was never one for such a formal telephone greeting, but with the insistence of her husband, she answered as such. A smile came across her face, when she heard the familiar voice on the other end of the phone.
“I’m fine. How are you?”
“I’m fine sweetie. Dad sends his love. How’s our son-in-law?”
“Oh, he’s fine.”
Anna Kimball continued. “Well, now that we know everyone is fine, how about telling me something new, about your adventures with married life?”
Dee Dee was a little slow with her response, and hoped that her mom didn’t notice. “I guess everything is going the way it should go.”
Anna did notice. “Is something wrong?”
“No. There’s nothing wrong.” Though Dee Dee was speaking with her mother, she didn’t feel that sharing marital problems with her would be wise. Anna would most likely give advice she should be trying for herself, but wouldn’t. “I just haven’t gotten adjusted to my new surroundings yet. There’s also Alex’s new job, being away from the States, and my getting use to not chasing the scum of L.A.”
Anna doubted her daughter’s explanation. “D’Andrea….” Dee Dee knew her mother was about to be serious, because she called her by her first name. “You know I’m always ready to listen if you want, or need to talk. I know we don’t see eye-to-eye on many things, but no matter what, I’m here for you. Do you understand?”
With thoughts of her troubled marriage, Dee Dee held back tears, and kept her voice steady. “Yes, I understand, mom. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart. And as I promised, I’ll do my best to make our relationship better. So, I hope you’ll confide in me at any time.” Still not satisfied with Dee Dee’s answers, Anna asked again - “Are you sure everything’s okay?”
Dee Dee simply answered – “Yes, I’m okay”.
“Alright.” Anna changed the subject, and began telling Dee Dee about what was going on around town, and about her dad; Paul and his latest fishing trips, and golf games. Dee Dee told her mom about her decision to get a part-time job.
“That’s a great idea. I was wondering how you were doing by stopping work…cold turkey. If I know one thing about my daughter, it’s that she can’t be still for too long.” Dee Dee agreed with her mom, and they both laughed about it. “Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck, and much happiness with it.”
“Thanks mom. I know you mean that, and I appreciate it.” It wasn’t often that Anna agreed with Dee Dee. This was a welcomed change.
“Do you and Alex have any special plans, for the weekend?”
“Well, I don’t know for sure. We’re invited to the home of one of his colleagues for a get-together, on Saturday. So, that may be something worth going to. I might make some new friends.”
“I’m sure you will.” Anna replied. “You were never one for being shy. If they have a stage and a piano…watch out.”
Dee Dee laughed. “You know who you sound like?”
Both women replied simultaneously - “Rick Hunter!”
The rare and welcomed laughter between both women continued for a few moments.
“Speaking of your former partner, have you heard from him lately?”
“No, I haven’t. I guess I could give him a phone call. I just really haven’t had the chance.”
“He’ll be glad to hear from you. I know you’ve been busy, but I’m a little surprised that you haven’t called him. The two of you were so close. You don’t have to let marriage cost you your friendship.”
“I know.” Dee Dee felt a little scolded with her mother’s comments. “And I won’t let that happen. I told him he’d always be my best friend, and I meant it. I’ll call him soon…maybe, tomorrow.”
“Be sure that you do. Alex may be your husband as well as your friend, but you still need friends on the outside. You need friends who know you well enough to talk about anything with, day or night that you may not be able to talk to Alex about. Don’t lose that because you’re married. You don’t want to lose Rick.”
Once again a scolding had been dished out, and Dee Dee was tired of it, no matter if Anna did speak the truth. “I’m not letting Alex keep me from Rick. I just haven’t had time to call him. Can’t you just leave it at that?”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend any harm. It was just a suggestion.”
“It’s alright.” Dee Dee sighed, with an apology at hand. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m just tired.”
Anna didn’t take the reply to heart. Her feelings weren’t that easily hurt. “Well, I guess I should let you go. I thought your dad would have come back from fishing in time to talk to you. He’ll give you a call soon.”
Dee Dee wondered about the situation between her parents. “Are things any better for you two?”
“We’re trying. He asked if I wanted to join him for a day of fishing, but I’d already made plans to have breakfast with friends. He didn’t seem to mind. We plan to have a nice evening out together. Keep your fingers crossed.”
Dee Dee wasn’t sure if having her parents continue their marriage was a good idea or not, but she admired that they were putting some effort into it. “I’ll give you guys a call in a few days. Maybe I can catch him at home then.”
“Well, D’Andrea ….”
“What’s with the full name again?” Dee Dee cut her mom’s sentence off. “You don’t have bad news do you?” Although Dee Dee never used her given first name, she actually liked it. It was just that she always had to explain to everyone, that they didn’t have to put a one second pause, in between D and Andrea, so she only introduced herself as; and went by Dee Dee.
“Sorry. Well….Dee Dee. Is that better?”
“Yes ma’am, it is.”
A light chuckle came from the both of them, easing the bit of early tension.
“No, I don’t have any bad news. I just like calling you by your name sometimes. Is that a crime?”
“It could be, in some states. I’ll have to check on that.”
“My daughter, the former cop, turned comedienne. Well, Mrs. Turnan, I guess I should be getting off the phone. It’s getting pretty late on your end.”
“Okay. Be sure to give dad my love, and you two have a great time. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Anna and her daughter said their goodbyes, and hung up their phones.
Dee Dee felt a sting, from what her mother said….the truth. She knew she should have talked to Rick again by now, but feared he’d pick up on any little thing that might tip him off about her troubles. She was good at acting out roles while undercover, but this wasn’t anything of the sort. Fooling him would be a much more challenging task.
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