Cheryl leaned forward, lowering her voice. “Like Candy said, I used to do a lot of drugs. Pot, acid, you name it. Dr. Foley said that I should have the test to check the chromosomes. But he made it easy. If you have to have it, don’t worry. I was really nervous, but I’d do it again in a flash.” She sat back, pleased with herself.

Jennifer stared at Cheryl, remembering Dr. Vandermer and his chauvinistic attitude. “And this Dr. Foley, you like him?”

Cheryl nodded her head. “Dr. Foley is the nicest doctor I’ve ever met. If it hadn’t been for him, I wouldn’t have done anything. And his nurses are nice, too. In fact, the whole Julian Clinic is just great. I’m sure Candy would call and make an appointment for you if you’d like.”

Jennifer smiled. “Thanks, but my husband sent me to someone at the medical center. Now, to get back to business. What do I have to do to put myself on maternity leave?”

Cheryl wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know, to tell you the truth. I’ll have to ask Candy.”

After making plans to meet Cheryl the following morning, Jennifer got her coat and bag and went out into the street. Walking to the subway, she struggled against an almost overwhelming depression. She had always expected pregnancy to be a wonderful experience, but now that she was bearing a child, instead of feeling happy, she was confused and angry. And worst of all she knew that she wasn’t going to be able to share such feelings with anyone because she was certain no one would understand.

Biting her lower lip, Jennifer decided to try Macy’s first.

It was nearly six o’clock when Jennifer trudged up the stairs to their apartment. When she opened the door, she was surprised to find Adam on the couch. He usually wasn’t home this early. Then she realized he must have taken the rest of the day off after seeing his father.

“How did the meeting go?” she asked, making an effort to be pleasant. “Was your father helpful?”

“He was a delight,” snapped Adam. “He gave me a valuable lecture about responsibility and consistency.”

Jennifer hung up her coat and went over and sat next to Adam. His eyes were red with dark circles. “Was it that bad?”

“Worse,” said Adam. “Now he believes I’m the cause of my mother’s depression.”

“But her depression started with your brother’s death.”

“He seems to have forgotten that.”

“What did he say when you told him that we are going to have a child?”

“I didn’t,” said Adam. “I never had a chance. He made it very clear that I was on my own before I could even broach the subject.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer examined Adam’s face. She didn’t like what she saw. He seemed distant and cold. She wanted to ask him about Dr. Lawrence Foley but decided to put it off. “I think I’ll take a shower,” she said with a sigh as she stood up and walked into the bedroom.

At first, Adam sat and brooded. Gradually, he realized that he was acting like an adolescent. Getting up, he went into the bedroom and stripped off his clothes. Then he opened the door to the bathroom. “Leave the water on,” he shouted over the sound of the shower. While he was brushing his teeth, Jennifer got out of the shower and, without looking at him, took her towel and went into the bedroom. Although she left the water going as he requested, it was obvious that she was irritated.

Adam had always found it difficult to apologize. Maybe they should do something crazy, like go out to dinner. Stepping into the shower, he decided to take Jennifer to a restaurant called One by Land, Two by Sea. It was close enough so they could walk. They’d never eaten there, but one of Adam’s classmates had gone with his parents and had said it was fantastic and expensive. What the hell, thought Adam. He was going to have a real job soon and they needed to celebrate.

“Got a great idea,” said Adam when he came into the bedroom. “How about going out for dinner?”

Jennifer looked away from the TV and gloomily shook her head.

“What do you mean, no?” said Adam. “Come on. We need to get out. It will be a real treat.”

“We can’t afford it,” said Jennifer. She returned to the TV as if the matter were closed.

Adam towel-dried his hair while he considered this unexpected negative response. Jennifer was usually ready to try most anything. He sat down next to her and turned her head from the screen. “Hello,” he said. “I’m trying to talk with you.”

Jennifer raised her face, and he noticed that she looked as exhausted as he did.

“I hear you,” she said. “I bought groceries. As soon as the news is over, I’ll make dinner.”

“Tonight I want something different than Hamburger Helper,” said Adam.

“I didn’t get Hamburger Helper,” said Jennifer irritably.

“I meant that as a figure of speech,” said Adam. “Come on. Let’s go out for dinner. I think we need a break. I went to see the dean this afternoon and made sure we can’t borrow any more money. So I told him I’m taking a leave of absence.”

“You don’t have to leave school,” said Jennifer. “I already got another job.”

“What kind of job?” asked Adam.

“At Macy’s. In the shoe section. The only problem is that I will have to work alternate weekends, but hopefully we can coordinate that with your on-call schedule. Surprisingly, I’ll be making the same salary as I did dancing. Anyway, you don’t have to drop out of school.”

Adam stood up from the bed. “You’re not working at Macy’s and that’s final.”

“Oh,” said Jennifer, widening her eyes in mock surprise. “Has the king spoken?”

“Jennifer, this is hardly the time for sarcasm.”

“Isn’t it?” said Jennifer. “Seems to me you were being sarcastic just a few moments ago. It’s OK for you but not for me?”

“I’m in no mood for an argument,” said Adam, as he went to the bureau for clean underwear. “You are not going to work at Macy’s. I don’t want you standing for long hours while you’re pregnant. Subject’s closed.”

“You are forgetting that this is my body,” said Jennifer.

“That’s true,” said Adam. “But it is also true that it is our child.”

Jennifer felt the blood rise into her face.

“In any case, I’ve made up my mind,” said Adam. “I’m taking a leave of absence so that I can work for a year or two. Your job will be to take care of yourself and the baby, and that doesn’t mean standing around in a department store.” Hoping to end the dialogue, Adam stepped into the living room. Because of the small size of the bedroom closet, his clothes were in the hall closet.

“Why can’t you stay here and discuss this?” Jennifer called out.

Adam came back into the bedroom. “There’s nothing more to discuss.”

“Oh yes there is,” said Jennifer, giving vent to her anger. “I have as much to say about all this as you do. No one agrees with you about leaving medical school and the reason is simple: you shouldn’t. I’m perfectly capable of working right up until the last month, even the last week. Why do both of us have to interrupt our careers? Since I obviously can’t continue dancing, it’s only sensible that I get the new job. Your staying in school will be best for all of us in the long run. Besides, I already have a position and you don’t have any idea of what you could do.”

“Oh yes I have,” snapped Adam. “I’m going to Arolen Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey. I called this afternoon and they are eager to see me. I have an interview tomorrow.”

“Why are you being so bullheaded about this?” said Jennifer. “You don’t have to leave school. I can work.”

“If you call bullheadedness my desire to keep you healthy and keep your parents from interfering in our life, then, yes, I’m bullheaded. One way or the other, the issue is closed, the discussion is over. I’m leaving school and you are not working at Macy’s. Any questions?” Adam knew he was taunting Jennifer, but he felt she deserved it.