Misconceptions
Breakaway + 10 years 8 months
“Aunt Helena?” A tiny voice came from the doorway to the children’s room.
“Danae? Are you still awake?” Helena was curled up on the end of the sofa letting the hem out of a pair of pants for David. He was growing so fast this had become almost a weekly occurrence. There was a box on the floor beside her with a pair of Stephen’s pants to patch where he ripped the knee while playing the other day, and at the bottom, a little jumper and some colored thread. When all other chores were done she was embroidering flowers around the edges of the jumper for Eliza. The new baby stretched and moved inside her and she rubbed her side to move Kelly’s knee back into a more comfortable position. Kelly would grow into the jumper too one day. “Come here, Sweetheart.” Helena held out her hand to the tiny child with the silver hair.
Nightgown trailing the floor, Danae dashed across the room and crawled onto the sofa next to Helena.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried about Maisey.” Danae said, snuggling close as Helena put her sewing back in the box and put her arm around Danae.
“What about Maisey?”
“She wouldn’t come to play this afternoon. And she wouldn’t come last week either.”
“Maybe she had to work, Danae. Or she had something else to do.”
“This is her regular day off,” Danae said. Her eyes filled with tears. “And she acts like she doesn’t even want to talk to me when I see her in the cafeteria. She won’t look at me.”
Danae was a very sensitive and observant little girl. Helena had to admit to herself that she had hardly noticed Maisey at all, who served her meals just about every day since before Breakaway until Danae had started inviting her to play on family night a few months ago.
“I think something is wrong.” Danae said firmly.
“She’s been a good friend hasn’t she?” Helena asked.
“Yes. I like the way she calls me Danny. Like how you call Stephen, Stevie. She always likes to come and play. It’s always made her happy. And now she’s unhappy. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, no.” Helena assured her. Typical of a small child, they always thought everything in the world revolved around them. “I’m sure you didn’t do anything wrong. She must be sad for another reason. Do you want me to talk to her tomorrow?”
“Please, Aunt Helena? Maybe she’s sick. You can make her better.”
Kelly took that moment to wiggle again, poking at Danae through Helena’s stomach. Danae put her hand over the small bulge on Helena’s side. “The baby is moving.”
“The baby moves a lot. That’s her hand. She must want to come out and play.”
Danae leaned close like she had seen her Papa do to her Mama’s belly when there was a baby in there. “Hello Kelly. You can come out and play soon. How do you know that’s her hand?”
Helena took the little girl’s hand and placed it over another spot. “That’s her knee. And that’s her foot, pressed up against my ribs.”
“Is she upside down?”
“Yes, she is. She’s getting ready to be born. She’ll come out head first.”
“Did I do that too?”
“You sure did. Right in the passenger compartment of Eagle 15.”
Danae smiled, she had heard the story before, but never tired of it. “With Papa outside the door and Uncle Tony holding Mama’s hand.” Danae snuggled closer and stifled a yawn. She was used to pregnant bellies that prevented sitting in a lap.
“Will Kelly be my sister too?”
“Kelly will be Eliza’s sister, and David’s and Stephen’s. But she’ll have to be your friend.”
“Okay. You’ll make Maisey better won’t you?”
“I’ll see what I can do.” But Danae had already fallen back asleep leaning trustingly against Helena. Helena smoothed back the silver hair and smiled. John would be home soon and could carry Danae back to bed then.
Morning was busy, with all the children to get ready for the day. Annette dropped by to assist with dressing. Helena might have forgotten about her midnight conversation with Danae, but as they arrived at the cafeteria, Danae slid her hand into Helena’s and gave her a signifigant look. “Don’t forget,” she said.
“Ok,” Helena nodded and smiled at the tiny child. David was holding her other hand, nearly two years younger and almost a head taller. John held Eliza and Annette had taken Etienne. Bill joined them and was carrying Richard. Alan and Sandra were waiting outside the cafeteria and Danae dashed forward to greet her parents.
Maisey was putting out fresh fruit when they entered. She glanced furtively their way and turned toward the kitchen. Her eyes looked red rimmed, as if she’d been crying. Someone put a large pan on the pass-through and called to her. She obviously wanted to disappear, but she dutifully took the tray of warm buns and put them on the serving line.
“Hi Maisey,” Danae sang out, jumping slightly to see over the counter.
Maisey looked down at the tray of buns. “Hi Miss Danny.” She finished with the tray and dashed toward the kitchen door. Helena noticed that she put her hand over her mouth as she dashed through the door.
Helena gave John a glance, and turned over the children to him though unspoken agreement. She slipped behind the counter and into the kitchen. Warm moist air and the smell of things cooking enveloped her. She wasn’t surprised when Juanita stepped from the prep counter with a worried expression on her face.
“Doc. I’m glad to see you. I think Maisey may be sick.”
“Where is she?”
“She headed toward the bathroom.” Juanita pointed to the back of the large kitchen.
Helena found the bathroom door unlocked and walked in. Maisey was kneeling in one of the two stalls heaving, but with little result. Helena took a towel from the dispenser and wet it. She put her hand on Maisey’s shoulder who immediately flinched.
“I’m all right, you go on girl. There’s work to do.”
“Maisey,” Helena said firmly. “Let me help.”
“Doctor Russell. I mean… Doctor Koenig.” Maisey straightened up immediately, trying to go to attention on her knees.
“Your stomach is empty. Did you eat anything this morning?” Helena wiped Maisey’s reddened face.
“No, ma’am. It all smelled bad. Not that it is or anything!” She corrected quickly.
“Of course not.” Helena soothed. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up and we’ll go to Medical Center and see if we can figure out what’s wrong.”
“Oh no! No call for that. Not for a little stomach ache.”
“I think you’ve had this little stomach ache for a while, haven’t you?” Helena said, leading her to the sink to continue her washing up.
“Well, not all the time or anything. It goes away.”
“Then it comes back?”
Maisey nodded.
“How long has this been going on?”
Maisey frowned, trying to remember. “I don’t rightly know. One day is pretty much like another around here.”
Helena smiled. “That it is. Still, Danae said you didn’t want to play with the kids last week, or yesterday. And you’ve been avoiding her. She’s worried about you.”
Maisey blushed furiously. “I just. If I’ve caught something, I didn’t want to give it to Danny or the others.”
“Well, why don’t you go with me and we’ll make sure it’s something they can’t catch.”
Maisey nodded, evidently an idea she liked. “But you haven’t had breakfast yet.”
“Someone will bring something down for me, I’m sure. Believe me, I don’t like the idea of missing meals right now.” They exchanged a smile.
Helena shepherded her charge out the door and through the kitchen. Juanita was waiting outside the bathroom.
“Is she all right?” Juanita asked the doctor.
“I’m going to take her over to Medical Center and make sure. Let your supervisor know?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And could you fix up a little something for me and give it to the Commander? Let him know where I’ve gone and ask him to bring that down to me once the children are fed. Maisey is worried that I won’t get breakfast.”
“Of course we’ll make sure the doctor is fed,” Juanita put her arm on Maisey’s shoulder. “You let her take care of you. I’ll come check on you after the breakfast rush is over.”
Maisey’s eyes were wide, scared. “Okay, Juanita.”
Helena took Maisey’s hand and let her away.
Maisey was scared. Helena had performed a few simple tests, gave her something to calm her stomach, asked her some questions and told her to stay there and rest. She left the examining room and headed for her office, meeting both John and Juanita arriving at the same time. She beckoned them to follow her.
Juanita was carrying the tray, while John still had Eliza with him. It was his habit to keep each of the children with him for an hour or so each day. Stephen and David both had lessons in the morning now, and unless there was some sort of emergency, John picked up Stephen for an hour after lunch while the little ones were napping, then he would return after naps and take David with him. Eliza he frequently kept after breakfast. Some days he handed her off to Alan. Both Helena and Sandra were concerned that the two men, both of whom were completely besotted by her, would soon hopelessly spoil the little girl.
Helena gestured for Juanita to place the tray with breakfast on the desk, then asked her to sit down. John sat as well. She took a bite toast before starting. “Juanita, I do not routinely discuss my patients’ health with the Commander, but I think there are things about this that he needs to hear. I’m discussing Maisey’s health with you because you are listed in the records as her next-of-kin.”
“Yes’m. We been together since high school. Don’t reckon there’s anyone here or on Earth that cares as much about her.” Juanita sat stiffly on the edge of her seat. “Is there something bad wrong with her?”
Helena ignored the question for the moment. “Juanita, does Maisey have a boyfriend here on Alpha?”
“Maisey? A boyfriend? No’m!” Juanita was surprised by the question. She glanced between the two officers. “She’s not like, funny, or anything. But she had some bad things happen to her when she was just a kid. I don’t think she wants anything to do with fooling around at all.”
“I gathered that. The CMO at your last post included records from Georgia Child Services. Bad things, indeed.” Helena frowned. “She was first placed in foster care at the age of three, removed from her mother for child neglect. Returned a year later when the mother returned from drug rehab. In and out of foster care for the next three years. Her first grade teacher reported possible child abuse, evidently by a man living with the mother. The third grade teacher reported the same thing, different man, her stepfather this time.” Helena closed her eyes and touched her own large belly. How could this sort of thing happen to a child? How could a mother allow this to continue? “Foster care again, then taken in by her paternal grandmother at age nine.”
Juanita shuttered. “She was even younger than I thought. We met when we started high school. She was standing there just off the bus, looking lost in some hand-me-down made-over cotton dress that looked like it was first worn in the 1930s. That high school crowd would have eat her up and spit her out in a heartbeat. She didn’t know where to go, how to get her schedule, how to find her classes.” She shook her head. “Poor little thing, just shuttled along by the teachers. She didn’t belong there at all. Her grandma did the best she could, but she was ancient when she took her in. Her great-grandma, she was, but they never told nobody that for fear they’d take her away. Didn’t get a penny in help from the state. Her trailer wouldn’t pass for foster care housing, and she was family, so she could take her in, but couldn’t get any help.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why you asking about a boyfriend, Dr. Russell? Somebody been messing with Maisey?”
Helena took a sip of tea before responding. “Juanita, I asked something similar of Maisey, and she swears not. But tests confirm she’s pregnant, about six weeks.”
“Lord have mercy! Oh, lord have mercy!” Juanita jumped up and paced around the room, hands over her mouth, then bending over as if this were causing her some sort of physical pain.
Eliza sat on her father’s lap, looking startled, but interested, not scared. John leaned forward. “Helena, I have the feeling you’re telling me this because you don’t think this was the result of consensual sex.”
Juanita sat back down. “Maisy wouldn’t have consented, Commander. She’s a good girl and obedient, but I can’t imagine her consenting, even if she couldn’t find it in her to say no.”
“Could she tell us who did this?” He asked.
“She wouldn’t tell me,” Helena said. “Might she tell you, Juanita?”
“She hasn’t said anything to me about this at all.” Juanita rocked back and forth, thinking. “Not that I think about it, I think she’s been avoiding me. And I didn’t even notice! Oh lawsy! Oh lawsy! What kind of friend am I? I knew she was feeling a little left out that I was stepping out with Jack, and when I told her Jack and me were thinking about moving in together, she went all quiet like. Six weeks?” Juanita gathered herself together. “Six weeks,” she repeated. “Jack asked us both to go to a party around then. A birthday party for one of his buddies, someone on the maintenance crew. It was in someone’s quarters, I don’t remember whose. There was music and people were dancing. I looked around after a while, and Maisey was gone. Jack and me had been dancing, and I figured Maisey got bored and went home.” Her eyes went wide. “Could someone have done something to her at the party? Or left with her?” Juanita was on the edge of tears.
Helena sat down the toast she had been nibbling. She had learned the hard way with previous pregnancies, even in the third trimester an empty stomach was the quickest way to queasiness. She had to eat something, and she knew Juanita hadn’t been bothered by this at all. Juanita was barely registering who was in the room with her. But Helena came around the desk and took Juanita’s hands in hers.
“We’re going to need your help to find out. And you’re going to have to compose yourself before seeing Maisey. She may talk to you about things she won’t talk to me about.”
“Does she know yet? That she’s pregnant?”
“Not yet. Perhaps you and I can talk to her about that together.”
Juanita nodded. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Helena reached into her desk and handed her a handkerchief. Juanita nodded gratefully.
“Helena?” John asked. “Will her baby be…?” He wasn’t sure how to put this properly.
“She’s slow, Commander, but she’s not stupid. I helped her get her high school diploma, but she earned it.”
“That slowness,” Helena nodded approvingly at Juanita for the term. “Is caused by fetal alcohol syndrome. She’s young and healthy and doesn’t drink herself. The baby should be at no higher risk than any other child born here. Lower than some.” Helena looked at John steadily and she knew he read between the lines that they had been luckier than they had any right to be with their own children.
She returned to her desk and checked the monitor. Maisey was not asleep, as Helena had hoped. She was too scared to sleep most likely. Helena doubted that visits to doctors had been common occurrences in her life, and then usually only for the most gravest of matters.
“She’s in exam room three. You can go see her now if you wish, and I’ll join you after I’ve finished my breakfast.”
Juanita nodded. “I think I’ll go wash up some first. Don’t want to scare the girl any more than she already is.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes or so.”
Juanita nodded. “I’ll see what I can get her to tell me.” She shook her head as she stood. “I feel like this is all my fault. When I started seeing Jack, I guess I kind of neglected her.”
“You’ve been a good friend to her for a long time,” Helena said. “But you can’t protect her from the whole world. And we still don’t know what the whole story is.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” Juanita said, comforted, if not convinced.
John and Eliza sat with Helena while she finished her breakfast. Helena watched as Juanita went to sit with Maisey and talk to her. Even without listening in, John and Helena could tell that Juanita was getting nowhere.
“I’m going to have Tony do some asking around. He can talk to Jack about this party.”
“We still don’t know what, if anything occurred,” Helena reminded him.
“We’ll keep it low key.”
“John, because of what she went through as a child, she may block out any memories of what happened that night.”
“What would our options be then?”
“Well, once the baby is born, we can do a genetic scan and match up the baby’s DNA to look for the father. I could do that with a genetic sample later in the pregnancy, but that’s more invasive that I prefer unless there are health reasons. Maisey is young and healthy, and I won’t do any unnecessary procedures on her.”
“Helena, if there’s a rapist out there, I don’t want to wait another seven or eight months.”
“And I’m saying that rape may not be the right term. The man who is responsible may never have realized that Maisey wasn’t willing.” Helena sat back and rubbed her side, trying to get Kelly’s knee to move from the nerve it was pinching. She smiled at John and their daughter. Eliza was pulling up, standing balanced on her father’s knees. “I do agree that it would be best if we found out who the father was, and what the circumstances were. I don’t think Maisey is going to be able to tell us.”
“We’ll start with Jack. See what he may know.”
Helena nodded. “And I’m going to go talk to Maisey and Juanita.”
“How are you feeling?” John asked as they both stood.
“Whale-like. I know I have nearly another month, but Kelly is so much more active.”
“Tell me about it. She was kicking me in the kidney last night.”
“Did she? I didn’t realize it.”
“You were soundly asleep. Too tired to feel her kicking any more?”
“I must have been.”
John gave Helena a kiss and he and Eliza went about their morning. Helena watched her monitor as Juanita talked to Maisey, but didn’t listen in. She gave them about ten minutes then went to join them. She could at least give Maisey the good news that she didn’t have anything the children could catch.
Maisey still looked scared and anxious when Helena came through the door. She was holding tightly to Juanita’s hand. Helena put on her best comforting smile and breezed in, pulling up a stool on the other side of the bed.
“Maisey, I’ve got the test results. First, I want you to know that you’re fine and there’s nothing the children can catch from you.”
A look of relief crossed her face. “Really?”
“Really.” Helena confirmed. She looked across the bed at Juanita who gave a small shake of the head. Maisey hadn’t told her anything. “I also know why your stomach has been upset.” Helena took a deep breath and continued. “You’re going to have a baby.”
Maisey looked blank for a moment, then turned to Juanita. “I’m going to have a baby?”
“The tests confirm it.”
“And that’s why you’ve been askin’ if I been fooling with someone?”
Juanita nodded. “We thought someone might have been messing with you at that party we went to with Jack.”
Maisey shook her head vigorously. She turned to Helena. “Mrs. Carter told me that there are ways to start a baby without messing with a man.”
Helena had a hard time keeping a straight face. The thought of the proper Sandra even coming up with a phrase like ‘messing with a man’ was hard to take. “There are ways, yes, we use those in medical center. But we haven’t used any of those methods on you. We would never do something like that without your permission.”
She mulled that over but didn’t respond to it. Turning to Juanita she said, “What if I can’t be a good mama?”
Juanita pulled Maisey into her arms and hugged her. “You’re going to be the best mama in the world. Just act like your grandma did with you. And Jack and I want to have a baby soon. So our babies can grow up together. Best friends. Just like we are.”
“Of course they will. And you’re so good with the children. You’ll be a wonderful mother.” Helena added.
“You really think so?” Maisey looked at her with so much trust.
“Yes, I do,” Helena said firmly. Maisey beamed. “Now, here’s what I want you to do to avoid some of the stomach upsets you’ve been having.”
Helena explained to the two of them about keeping something mild on hand for her to nibble on when she was feeling ill and to keep her stomach from being completely empty. Alpha’s diet did not have the wide variety of Earth so there were few tempting evils, but there were still choices that were better for her. Helena found both Juanita and Maisey very knowledgeable on this, but then, they fed all of Alpha, and knew about any dietary restrictions or requirements that were handed out. Both promised that Maisey would follow the recommended diet for pregnant mothers religiously. Telling them that she would clear it with their supervisor, she sent both of them on their way with the rest of the day off.
Maisey stopped at the door and asked one more question. “Can I tell Danny about this?”
Helena smiled. “Of course. Tell anyone you wish, but especially Danae. She’ll be thrilled. She’s been worried about you.”
“Come on, girl.” Juanita urged. “We’ll go get you cleaned up and take the jump ropes down to the crèche for after lessons.” And the two left, much happier than they came in.
Others weren’t so happy. John called Tony to his office and explained the situation, then they called in Jack. Both men were furious that someone would take advantage of Maisey.
“Commander. I have no idea who did this, but I’ll do anything I can to help find out.” Jack growled. “I grew up with a bunch of sisters. Maisey’s like another little sister to me. If I’d had any idea…” He trailed off, fists clenched.
“The doctor insists that even though Maisey doesn’t seem to remember the incident, it could be because of past experiences in childhood, not because she resisted now.”
Jack shook his head. “That still don’t make it right. You say she think it may have happened at the party?”
“According to Juanita, that’s about the right time.” John turned to Tony who was leaning against the wall frowning. “Tony, you and Jack find out who was at that party and see what you can find out.”
Tony nodded. “We’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Discreetly.” John cautioned the two men, both of them obviously angry.
They nodded and left.
By lunch it was all over the base.
It made people uneasy, and curious. Even those who had never noticed Maisey before, and that was most of the base. Those who had been at the party remembered the party, but didn’t remember Maisey being there. Everyone seemed very willing to cooperate, even the men who were at the party appeared concerned, but uninvolved. Several times Tony had to show them a picture of what Maisey looked like. How could someone have lived on Alpha all this time and be so invisible? When he expressed his frustration to Maya after dinner, his wife pointed out to him that he had not noticed Maisey either until little Danae had begun to play with her.
Over the next few days, Maisey got used to the idea of having a baby, and with Juanita’s encouragement, she was beginning to think that having a baby wouldn’t be such a bad idea. She didn’t quite know about the buzz of gossip whirling around her, not with Juanita protecting her, fierce as a lion when anyone came close. Only Mrs. Carter and Dr. Koenig were allowed past Juanita’s protection. Jack seemed to have an overwhelming urge to apologize to Maisey, but Juanita cut him off, angry.
“What you want to go apologizing for, Jack? You got something to feel guilty about?”
“Guilty? You mean.... No, I...”
“Cause I don’t hold with no man two-timing me. If it was you who did this, you better just own up and get out of my life.”
“Juanita! No! I just mean, I was the one who invited you to the party.”
“And I was the one talked her into going with us. How you think that makes me feel?” Juanita burst into tears and Jack held her in his arms. Soon they couldn’t tell whose tears were whose.
“That baby will need a Daddy,” Jack said with sorrow.
“Whoever done this, don’t deserve to be a Daddy.” Juanita replied with a sob. “Maisey deserves better.”
Helena entered the small cafeteria well before the lunch rush and settled her bulk carefully into a chair. She was to meet John, Alan and Sandra here and she was early. She didn’t regret a few moments peace. The baby rolled languidly inside her. Kelly was still moving constantly, but had grown so big she couldn’t do the fast motions that had sometimes left Helena dizzy earlier in the pregnancy. She put her hand to her belly and thought softly to her youngest daughter, soon, little one.
“Can I get you something, Doctor Koenig?”
“Oh, hello Maisey. No thank you. I’m having lunch with the Commander and the Carters and I seem to be a bit early. How are you feeling?”
Several weeks had gone by since Maisey’s pregnancy was discovered. The gossip had quieted down when the investigation had turned up nothing.
“Oh, I feel right fine.” Maisey said with a smile. “What you said about keeping something in your stomach really helps. Only thing, I’m sleepy all the time.”
“That’s not uncommon. Get as much rest as you can now. It not only allows your body to adjust to the changes its going through, but you won’t be sleeping as much once the baby is born.”
Maisey nodded. “I don’t know how you do it with three other little ones.”
“You get used to it.” Helena shifted and propped swollen ankles on the chair next to her.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, Maisey, any time. Please sit down.” Helena motioned to a chair across the table.
Maisey looked around. There was no one in the cafeteria yet, although all the food was ready to serve. She was the only one on duty today in this small remote facility. She wasn’t used to sitting down on the job, but she was used to following orders.
“Juanita and Jack. They’re awfully set on knowing who my baby’s daddy is.”
“We’re all concerned about that, Maisey, but you don’t need to worry about it. Once the baby is born, there are some simple tests I can do that will tell us.”
Maisey shook her head. “Do we got to know?”
Helena looked at her. She saw the same fear she had seen with Maisey thought she was sick. “You don’t want to know?”
“If we found out. Would I ... would I have to be with him again? You know, to raise the baby and... and all.”
“What gave you that idea, Maisey?”
“My mama. She always want to have a man around. Said a child needed a Daddy and she was always trying to find me one.” Maisey shuddered. “Some of those men, the ones she wanted me to call Daddy. They weren’t so nice.” Maisey looked pale. “Sometimes, sometimes they did awful things. I don’t want my baby to go through anything like that.”
“Oh, Maisey.” Helena moved awkwardly out of her chair and around the table to Maisey’s side. “Maisey, that’s not what a real father does. And we wouldn’t let anyone harm your baby.” She took Maisey’s hands in hers. “We don’t want anyone to hurt your baby – or you. That’s why we want to find out who did this.”
“I ain’t hurt none. I just don’t want no one hurting my baby, or anyone else’s.” Her hands were cold and clammy, but she gripped Helena’s hands tightly. “I don’t want to know who it was. I don’t want to remember. Do we have to know?”
Helena hugged the girl to her. “Maisey, if you don’t want to, no one has to know. No one at all.”
“Really?”
“Really. I promise.”
Maisey smiled at her, and Helena could fell her relax. “I’d like that.”
The door opened then and two pilots entered and headed for the food line. Maisey bustled back to serve them. Helena watched her go. John and Tony would not be happy, but her patient had spoken and Helena would not betray her wishes.
September 2006
ECL