Post by Mimi on Sept 28, 2006 19:06:33 GMT -5
3.9 And You Told Me Of Your Plan
“Destiny is not a matter of chance,
It is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for,
It is a thing to be achieved.
--William Jennings Bryan
It’s dark and wet. They are safe; they are together. A glint of life, miniscule as a seed, essential like the wind, capsulated in her womb and they can feel the pain. A pain of pure sadness. They are one, bound together by heartstrings uneasily severed. She must know this. She has felt this. And she will feel whole again. Destiny travels murky roadways, winding roads, which lead to the end of the wholeness of destiny and there at the final destination: faith, love, and hope. Joy unspeakable; she must count it all Joy in spite of the pain.
She touched her stomach; it was a natural inclination of late. She’d always enjoyed the feeling of being pregnant. It was a powerful elixir to swallow, more so with her the loss of absolute control in her life; she desperately needed to be in control of something. She was seated in the cool examination room, the surveying of her womb complete.
A peaceful week following the chaos of the previous; she’d closed herself and the children up in the Salem Inn. No John, no Roman; the bond of mother and child had been enough. She’d put off patients and all things required of her to take time for herself. John’s insistence on her seeing a doctor had finally pulled her from the island of self-exile.
“So Doctor what’s the verdict?” Marlena inquired swaying her legs nervously across the edge of the examination table. Her professional abilities, calmness and sensibility, were failing her miserably. The reserved nature of Dr. Barbara Tensley, her newly acquired Obstetrician, seemed familiar at best. She’d been a doctor of the same resolve and calmness; pregnancy jitters prevailed.
“As near as I can tell, I’d say you were about eight weeks,” Dr. Tensley said smiling warmly, brightening her face. She was small in stature, giving her an appearance of marked geniality. Her voice was gentle and clear. “Are you okay Dr. Evans,” she asked, seemingly reading her patient’s nervousness.
Marlena half-smiled, “Nervous…I’ve done this twice now. I shouldn’t be nervous anymore.” She forced her wondering fingers to her lap. The inkling of something—a terrible joy—bubbled within her nervous limbs. She looked up into Dr. Tensley’s kind face.
“Well, I’ll alleviate your nervousness—the fetus is growing healthily. I assume that you chose me because I’m a specialist in late in life pregnancies; I understand your nervousness.” She told her plainly. “I am a late in life mother myself. I have a twenty-three years old son and a two-year-old daughter. So you see I understand…childbirth and motherhood are nervous notions.”
Marlena sighed deeply, “Yes they are.” She thought carefully before speaking again. “It’s not my age at all Dr. Tensley. I simply can’t believe I am pregnant again.”
“Well, you apparently forgot the six-week rule, or someone forgot that magic number,” Dr. Tensley said laughing unexpectedly.
Marlena smiled at her humor. “Yes, someone did. Isabella is only a couple of months old. She’s still a baby. I don’t know where the energy is going to come from.” She said allowing herself that ounce of joy.
“Believe me,” Dr. Tensley said leaning forward to brush Marlena’s arm lightly, “you’ll find it. By some force of reason or god, you’ll find yourself catching second winds like those that you’ve never had.”
“I hope so.” Marlena said with images of Belle scurrying across rooms while she held the baby on her shoulder.
“It’ll be interesting…I’ve never been so tired, obsessed, or consumed in all of my life.” Dr. Tensley told her compassionately.
“I bet. Children have a way of doing that, don’t they? I’m excited and afraid…this will begin a new chapter in my life,” Marlena said ambiguously. “Everything will change with the birth of this baby,” she whispered conspiratorially. The truth hindered on the tip of her tongue. Release was inevitable. “I think I should tell you that I am going through a divorce currently. I’m sure the stress level will be high. I know that my emotions are connected to the baby.”
“Yes they are. Even now, that tiny vessel of growing life is feeling the thoughts and emotions that you convey. I believe pregnancy is more spiritual than society tends to think. As a mother, you are bonding with this child. You are its lifeline.”
“Thank you,” Marlena said softly as she considered her words. “I’ll keep those beautiful thoughts in my mind.”
“Yes, you should. We’ll see you again in six weeks.” Dr. Tensley said tapping her knee.
“Okay.”
“No stress.” Dr. Tensley said before exiting the room.
“No stress,” Marlena said patting her belly, the blessing in the storm. Joy mounted suddenly and with a burst of elated energy, she dressed and headed toward the waiting room. She wanted to see his face; and she also felt guilty for having him away from the examination room; old habits die hard. She found John waiting patiently in the waiting room. The wide grin of his mouth erased the worry on her face.
He looked up, standing as he strode briskly toward her. His lips moved unexpectedly to her mouth as he immediately encased her frame within the width of his arms. Relaxing against his body, she tilted her head back and allowed him to continue the enveloping crush of his mouth. The euphoric rush of impending motherhood and John’s love swallowed her whole. She relished feeling the joy of his body pressed ceremonially close to hers. The feel of their baby, safe and sound, in her belly lifted her to the peak of this euphoria. Freedom came with great casualty. He held her face between his hands, pulling her closer, within a hair of a breath from her mouth; he stared into the hazel windows of her soul. “I’ve been going crazy waiting for you. How was it? How’d it go?”
Her breaths caught thickly in her throat as she tried to find words. The touch, the nearness of his body suspended all breath, all thoughts. He kissed her again. She responded desperately, sending her tongue into the depths of his mouth. She felt desperate to be close to him. And finally as she pulled away, she said breathlessly, “The closer I get to you…I forget how good it feels to be right here until I am right here again.” She said kissing him passionately. In this ardent exchange, Marlena relinquished the tight reigns of formality and loved John as passionately as she could. Her hands clutched underneath his arms as she caressed his back, tracing the curve with her fingers. “We’re going to have a baby John…another baby that we’re going to love together.” She mumbled between kisses. She wished that she could actually voice this happiness. There weren’t words enough. Simple words couldn’t express the sentiment proficiently. As a woman, Marlena was grateful for another human being’s gestation within the confines of her body. It was all too much to fathom. She fought to contain herself, to contain the love she felt for the child in her womb, and its father holding her so close to his heart. It was a feeling she had never fully known. “Thank you.” She said, realizing how powerful those two words were. They covered a multitude of mountains and valleys from which they had fallen and still would climb. It was enough.
“Baby, I feel so close to you right now. I’ve never felt this connection before.” John said still holding her face between his hands. The clench of his palms cupped her face in a possessively adoring manner. “Don’t move…,” he whispered, “just let me hold you.”
She obliged willingly, closing her eyes as his hands spidered across her cheeks deftly. “Eight weeks,” she said remembering. “I’m eight weeks along.”
“The night at the loft.” John said knowingly.
Marlena pressed her forehead to John’s, “A summer baby,” she said calculating in her head.
“With your beauty and my brains.”
She laughed, “We’ll see.”
“So everything is good then? You’re healthy? The baby is healthy?” John asked while surveying her face curiously.
“Yes. We’re both fine.” She declared happily. “My word, I’d forgotten how exciting this is. I haven’t allowed myself to feel the joy of this gift.”
“I know. You’re beaming Doc.”
“I’m happy…so happy to have this gift again.”
“And now I have a gift to give you,” He said lowering his hands in a slow progression toward her waist. “Actually it’s a gift for my children.”
Her eyes widened, “a gift?”
“Yes. A gift…a home for our children to live in.”
“John I…”
“No arguments. I don’t want you living in the Salem Inn…it’s not a home. Eric and Belle need a real home.”
“I was going to look.” A heavy resignation layered her voice. She hadn’t thought beyond the Salem Inn; notions of real estate and school districts were the furthest from her mind.
“You can look with me. It’s a wonderful place. In fact, I was looking it over for myself and Brady before I found out about the baby. It has great space. It’s already decorated. You have nothing to worry about.”
“John.”
“Doc, I’m not taking no for an answer. So, let’s go.”
“I’m just going to look at it John.”
“Whatever you say,” he told her grinning. “Belle and Brady are waiting very patiently with Maggie and Mrs. Horton at the Horton house. We’ll drop by and pick them up and head over to the penthouse.”
“Penthouse,” she said bewildered. “I don’t know about this.”
“Don’t worry,” John said leaning in for a quick peck.
“John, it’s beautiful.” She said as he led her slowly into the penthouse by hand. Fourteen floors above the elegant River View Drive, the skyline of Salem lingered against the backdrop of the balcony. It was the most beautiful edifice she’d ever seen; the beautiful furnishings accented the pale yellow and golden hues that basked the apartment. Warm tones colored the walls and comfortable and inviting furniture filled the spacious room.
“Look around,” he said taking Belle from her. He balanced Brady and Belle in his arms as he watched her reaction to the penthouse. “It suits you perfectly. Elegant and classic.”
“John, I couldn’t possibly afford a place as beautiful as this.” She said walking to the balcony. She pressed her face close to the glass. “I never dreamed of living in a place as beautiful as this. Really…I was thinking of something simple. A small house maybe.” She said turning back around to meet his eyes.
“Doc, money is no object for me. This is on me.”
“I don’t want you to do all of this.”
“Take care of my children,” He asked.
“No, this is more than taking care of the children. You can’t buy me a penthouse.”
“I already have.”
“No John,” she protested in disbelief. “You couldn’t have.”
“I did. This is my little girl here.” He kissed Belle’s head. “I’m going to take care of them and you…you’re their mother.”
Her heart filled with gratitude. “I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?”
He shook his head slowly.
“We could possibly work out an arrangement. I’ll pay…”
“No, I’m not going to take anything from you. Now that’s it. There is no more discussion needed. Right?” He said facing Brady, who was squirming to get down. “This little guy wants to show Belle the place.” He set Brady on the floor.
Brady balanced himself quickly and scurried past John to Marlena. He angled dangerously past the corner of the coffee table in his excitement, causing Marlena to kneel swiftly in an attempt to stall his movements. She held out her arms and he jumped into them.
“Honey, you have to be careful,” she said squeezing him tightly. After a quick examination, she kissed his cheek, causing him to squeal.
“Mama.” The word dipped unprovoked from his sweet mouth.
“See Brady gets the idea already.” John said admiring their exchange. “This is your new place.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
“John, I’ll never be able to repay you for this,” she said walking towards him. “I appreciate how much you care about us.”
“Doc, it goes a hell of a lot deeper than that.”
“I know.” She said dropping her head to his chest. Brady took his opportunity to press his mouth into Belle’s hair, causing Marlena and John to laugh at the apparent distaste on Belle’s face.
“This is your home Doc.” He said giving her the key.
“Thank you. I hope you know that Brady’s welcome here…always.” She kissed the corner of his tiny mouth, to his delight. He reached up to wrap his arms around her neck.
“Mama.”
She smiled and turned to John. “I love him as much as I love Belle.”
“I know.”
“Oh,” she said exhaling deeply, as her emotions threatened to burst. “It’s been a long morning.” She checked her watch. “I completely forgot…I have a new patient I have to see today. I told Chloe I would be in today after my appointment. I’m also meeting Laura.”
“No problem. I’ll handle everything here.”
“Oh, John, you’ve done enough.”
“No, it’ll never be enough.”
“Well, leave some things for me.” She told him winking. “Belle can go with Maggie and Alice.”
John’s face soured, “Belle is going to stay with her father in her new home. We’ll get things worked out here while you’re at work.”
Marlena smiled instantly, “She’d love that. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. So Brady, you keep an eye on Daddy,” she said adding another kiss to his face before putting him back on the floor. “Don’t let him do anything with a hammer. And you,” she said turning to Belle, “be good for Daddy. Mama will be back just as soon as I can.”
“Go.”
“Okay. Are you sure?”
“Am I sure,” he said mockingly. “Of course I am. I’m the Daddy.”
“Well Daddy, Eric’s expecting to be picked up from school by two thirty. I hope to be finished but if not, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you picking him up.”
“I’ll get Eric and have dinner ready when you get home.”
“John.”
“No arguments. I’m not being presumptuous Doc. I just want to make sure you and the children have a decent meal…because we all know you are not capable of that.”
She struck him lightly on his arm. “I take issue with that Daddy…Belle, he’s so clueless honey.” She kissed Belle on the back of her head as she rested against her Daddy’s strong chest. “Call me if things get hairy.”
“They won’t.” He said confidently. “Now you go woman. Go work. Don’t overdo it.”
She walked a few steps before turning swiftly back to kiss John. “I go work…you be Daddy,” she said laughing. Taking one last look at her new home and essentially her new life, she walked out of the door.
“Destiny is not a matter of chance,
It is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for,
It is a thing to be achieved.
--William Jennings Bryan
It’s dark and wet. They are safe; they are together. A glint of life, miniscule as a seed, essential like the wind, capsulated in her womb and they can feel the pain. A pain of pure sadness. They are one, bound together by heartstrings uneasily severed. She must know this. She has felt this. And she will feel whole again. Destiny travels murky roadways, winding roads, which lead to the end of the wholeness of destiny and there at the final destination: faith, love, and hope. Joy unspeakable; she must count it all Joy in spite of the pain.
She touched her stomach; it was a natural inclination of late. She’d always enjoyed the feeling of being pregnant. It was a powerful elixir to swallow, more so with her the loss of absolute control in her life; she desperately needed to be in control of something. She was seated in the cool examination room, the surveying of her womb complete.
A peaceful week following the chaos of the previous; she’d closed herself and the children up in the Salem Inn. No John, no Roman; the bond of mother and child had been enough. She’d put off patients and all things required of her to take time for herself. John’s insistence on her seeing a doctor had finally pulled her from the island of self-exile.
“So Doctor what’s the verdict?” Marlena inquired swaying her legs nervously across the edge of the examination table. Her professional abilities, calmness and sensibility, were failing her miserably. The reserved nature of Dr. Barbara Tensley, her newly acquired Obstetrician, seemed familiar at best. She’d been a doctor of the same resolve and calmness; pregnancy jitters prevailed.
“As near as I can tell, I’d say you were about eight weeks,” Dr. Tensley said smiling warmly, brightening her face. She was small in stature, giving her an appearance of marked geniality. Her voice was gentle and clear. “Are you okay Dr. Evans,” she asked, seemingly reading her patient’s nervousness.
Marlena half-smiled, “Nervous…I’ve done this twice now. I shouldn’t be nervous anymore.” She forced her wondering fingers to her lap. The inkling of something—a terrible joy—bubbled within her nervous limbs. She looked up into Dr. Tensley’s kind face.
“Well, I’ll alleviate your nervousness—the fetus is growing healthily. I assume that you chose me because I’m a specialist in late in life pregnancies; I understand your nervousness.” She told her plainly. “I am a late in life mother myself. I have a twenty-three years old son and a two-year-old daughter. So you see I understand…childbirth and motherhood are nervous notions.”
Marlena sighed deeply, “Yes they are.” She thought carefully before speaking again. “It’s not my age at all Dr. Tensley. I simply can’t believe I am pregnant again.”
“Well, you apparently forgot the six-week rule, or someone forgot that magic number,” Dr. Tensley said laughing unexpectedly.
Marlena smiled at her humor. “Yes, someone did. Isabella is only a couple of months old. She’s still a baby. I don’t know where the energy is going to come from.” She said allowing herself that ounce of joy.
“Believe me,” Dr. Tensley said leaning forward to brush Marlena’s arm lightly, “you’ll find it. By some force of reason or god, you’ll find yourself catching second winds like those that you’ve never had.”
“I hope so.” Marlena said with images of Belle scurrying across rooms while she held the baby on her shoulder.
“It’ll be interesting…I’ve never been so tired, obsessed, or consumed in all of my life.” Dr. Tensley told her compassionately.
“I bet. Children have a way of doing that, don’t they? I’m excited and afraid…this will begin a new chapter in my life,” Marlena said ambiguously. “Everything will change with the birth of this baby,” she whispered conspiratorially. The truth hindered on the tip of her tongue. Release was inevitable. “I think I should tell you that I am going through a divorce currently. I’m sure the stress level will be high. I know that my emotions are connected to the baby.”
“Yes they are. Even now, that tiny vessel of growing life is feeling the thoughts and emotions that you convey. I believe pregnancy is more spiritual than society tends to think. As a mother, you are bonding with this child. You are its lifeline.”
“Thank you,” Marlena said softly as she considered her words. “I’ll keep those beautiful thoughts in my mind.”
“Yes, you should. We’ll see you again in six weeks.” Dr. Tensley said tapping her knee.
“Okay.”
“No stress.” Dr. Tensley said before exiting the room.
“No stress,” Marlena said patting her belly, the blessing in the storm. Joy mounted suddenly and with a burst of elated energy, she dressed and headed toward the waiting room. She wanted to see his face; and she also felt guilty for having him away from the examination room; old habits die hard. She found John waiting patiently in the waiting room. The wide grin of his mouth erased the worry on her face.
He looked up, standing as he strode briskly toward her. His lips moved unexpectedly to her mouth as he immediately encased her frame within the width of his arms. Relaxing against his body, she tilted her head back and allowed him to continue the enveloping crush of his mouth. The euphoric rush of impending motherhood and John’s love swallowed her whole. She relished feeling the joy of his body pressed ceremonially close to hers. The feel of their baby, safe and sound, in her belly lifted her to the peak of this euphoria. Freedom came with great casualty. He held her face between his hands, pulling her closer, within a hair of a breath from her mouth; he stared into the hazel windows of her soul. “I’ve been going crazy waiting for you. How was it? How’d it go?”
Her breaths caught thickly in her throat as she tried to find words. The touch, the nearness of his body suspended all breath, all thoughts. He kissed her again. She responded desperately, sending her tongue into the depths of his mouth. She felt desperate to be close to him. And finally as she pulled away, she said breathlessly, “The closer I get to you…I forget how good it feels to be right here until I am right here again.” She said kissing him passionately. In this ardent exchange, Marlena relinquished the tight reigns of formality and loved John as passionately as she could. Her hands clutched underneath his arms as she caressed his back, tracing the curve with her fingers. “We’re going to have a baby John…another baby that we’re going to love together.” She mumbled between kisses. She wished that she could actually voice this happiness. There weren’t words enough. Simple words couldn’t express the sentiment proficiently. As a woman, Marlena was grateful for another human being’s gestation within the confines of her body. It was all too much to fathom. She fought to contain herself, to contain the love she felt for the child in her womb, and its father holding her so close to his heart. It was a feeling she had never fully known. “Thank you.” She said, realizing how powerful those two words were. They covered a multitude of mountains and valleys from which they had fallen and still would climb. It was enough.
“Baby, I feel so close to you right now. I’ve never felt this connection before.” John said still holding her face between his hands. The clench of his palms cupped her face in a possessively adoring manner. “Don’t move…,” he whispered, “just let me hold you.”
She obliged willingly, closing her eyes as his hands spidered across her cheeks deftly. “Eight weeks,” she said remembering. “I’m eight weeks along.”
“The night at the loft.” John said knowingly.
Marlena pressed her forehead to John’s, “A summer baby,” she said calculating in her head.
“With your beauty and my brains.”
She laughed, “We’ll see.”
“So everything is good then? You’re healthy? The baby is healthy?” John asked while surveying her face curiously.
“Yes. We’re both fine.” She declared happily. “My word, I’d forgotten how exciting this is. I haven’t allowed myself to feel the joy of this gift.”
“I know. You’re beaming Doc.”
“I’m happy…so happy to have this gift again.”
“And now I have a gift to give you,” He said lowering his hands in a slow progression toward her waist. “Actually it’s a gift for my children.”
Her eyes widened, “a gift?”
“Yes. A gift…a home for our children to live in.”
“John I…”
“No arguments. I don’t want you living in the Salem Inn…it’s not a home. Eric and Belle need a real home.”
“I was going to look.” A heavy resignation layered her voice. She hadn’t thought beyond the Salem Inn; notions of real estate and school districts were the furthest from her mind.
“You can look with me. It’s a wonderful place. In fact, I was looking it over for myself and Brady before I found out about the baby. It has great space. It’s already decorated. You have nothing to worry about.”
“John.”
“Doc, I’m not taking no for an answer. So, let’s go.”
“I’m just going to look at it John.”
“Whatever you say,” he told her grinning. “Belle and Brady are waiting very patiently with Maggie and Mrs. Horton at the Horton house. We’ll drop by and pick them up and head over to the penthouse.”
“Penthouse,” she said bewildered. “I don’t know about this.”
“Don’t worry,” John said leaning in for a quick peck.
“John, it’s beautiful.” She said as he led her slowly into the penthouse by hand. Fourteen floors above the elegant River View Drive, the skyline of Salem lingered against the backdrop of the balcony. It was the most beautiful edifice she’d ever seen; the beautiful furnishings accented the pale yellow and golden hues that basked the apartment. Warm tones colored the walls and comfortable and inviting furniture filled the spacious room.
“Look around,” he said taking Belle from her. He balanced Brady and Belle in his arms as he watched her reaction to the penthouse. “It suits you perfectly. Elegant and classic.”
“John, I couldn’t possibly afford a place as beautiful as this.” She said walking to the balcony. She pressed her face close to the glass. “I never dreamed of living in a place as beautiful as this. Really…I was thinking of something simple. A small house maybe.” She said turning back around to meet his eyes.
“Doc, money is no object for me. This is on me.”
“I don’t want you to do all of this.”
“Take care of my children,” He asked.
“No, this is more than taking care of the children. You can’t buy me a penthouse.”
“I already have.”
“No John,” she protested in disbelief. “You couldn’t have.”
“I did. This is my little girl here.” He kissed Belle’s head. “I’m going to take care of them and you…you’re their mother.”
Her heart filled with gratitude. “I’m not going to talk you out of this, am I?”
He shook his head slowly.
“We could possibly work out an arrangement. I’ll pay…”
“No, I’m not going to take anything from you. Now that’s it. There is no more discussion needed. Right?” He said facing Brady, who was squirming to get down. “This little guy wants to show Belle the place.” He set Brady on the floor.
Brady balanced himself quickly and scurried past John to Marlena. He angled dangerously past the corner of the coffee table in his excitement, causing Marlena to kneel swiftly in an attempt to stall his movements. She held out her arms and he jumped into them.
“Honey, you have to be careful,” she said squeezing him tightly. After a quick examination, she kissed his cheek, causing him to squeal.
“Mama.” The word dipped unprovoked from his sweet mouth.
“See Brady gets the idea already.” John said admiring their exchange. “This is your new place.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys.
“John, I’ll never be able to repay you for this,” she said walking towards him. “I appreciate how much you care about us.”
“Doc, it goes a hell of a lot deeper than that.”
“I know.” She said dropping her head to his chest. Brady took his opportunity to press his mouth into Belle’s hair, causing Marlena and John to laugh at the apparent distaste on Belle’s face.
“This is your home Doc.” He said giving her the key.
“Thank you. I hope you know that Brady’s welcome here…always.” She kissed the corner of his tiny mouth, to his delight. He reached up to wrap his arms around her neck.
“Mama.”
She smiled and turned to John. “I love him as much as I love Belle.”
“I know.”
“Oh,” she said exhaling deeply, as her emotions threatened to burst. “It’s been a long morning.” She checked her watch. “I completely forgot…I have a new patient I have to see today. I told Chloe I would be in today after my appointment. I’m also meeting Laura.”
“No problem. I’ll handle everything here.”
“Oh, John, you’ve done enough.”
“No, it’ll never be enough.”
“Well, leave some things for me.” She told him winking. “Belle can go with Maggie and Alice.”
John’s face soured, “Belle is going to stay with her father in her new home. We’ll get things worked out here while you’re at work.”
Marlena smiled instantly, “She’d love that. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. So Brady, you keep an eye on Daddy,” she said adding another kiss to his face before putting him back on the floor. “Don’t let him do anything with a hammer. And you,” she said turning to Belle, “be good for Daddy. Mama will be back just as soon as I can.”
“Go.”
“Okay. Are you sure?”
“Am I sure,” he said mockingly. “Of course I am. I’m the Daddy.”
“Well Daddy, Eric’s expecting to be picked up from school by two thirty. I hope to be finished but if not, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you picking him up.”
“I’ll get Eric and have dinner ready when you get home.”
“John.”
“No arguments. I’m not being presumptuous Doc. I just want to make sure you and the children have a decent meal…because we all know you are not capable of that.”
She struck him lightly on his arm. “I take issue with that Daddy…Belle, he’s so clueless honey.” She kissed Belle on the back of her head as she rested against her Daddy’s strong chest. “Call me if things get hairy.”
“They won’t.” He said confidently. “Now you go woman. Go work. Don’t overdo it.”
She walked a few steps before turning swiftly back to kiss John. “I go work…you be Daddy,” she said laughing. Taking one last look at her new home and essentially her new life, she walked out of the door.
