Love Goes Both Ways

The front door swung open and Jillian shouted, “Hey everyone, come and see what I have.” The sound of dropping toys and shuffling feet came from the corners of the house to greet mom in the living room. Jillian gently set down the basket and stood smiling from ear to ear as the children peeked in. Finally, but looking puzzled, Jaimee looked up at Jillian and said, “It’s a baby. Mom, what are you doing with a baby? Where is her mother?”
Jeff jumped in. “Why is that thing taped to her nose?”
“She’s cute” laughed Julee.
“I got her at work” mom responded.
“They’re giving out babies at work?” Jaimee asked.
“Sort of,” Jillian answered. “There were six there today and the DCFS only allows a house to have five and since it is Friday, one would have to either go back to the hospital or they decided a Registered Nurse caregiver could bring one home for the weekend. I thought it would be fun to bring Jeanine home, so I did. Her smile is absolutely precious.”
“What will dad say” Julee asked smiling.
“He’ll be fine.” Jillian responded. “She is only staying for the weekend. I will take her back on Monday and most likely DCFS will have a permanent place for her next weekend.”
“So what’s the thing in her nose mom” Jeff asked, still wanting to know.
“It’s how we feed her,” she answered.
“You’re kidding, right? what’s wrong with a bottle like normal kids.”
“Well, that’s a problem. She’s not a normal kid.”
“She looks pretty normal to me. What’s wrong with her?” Jeff continued.

“It’s a long story that I can share with you at dinner tonight. Right now I need to clean the feeding tube before I feed her. You might not want to watch this; it looks kind of scary pulling the tube out of her nose.”
“Cool, I’ll watch,” said Jeff.”
“Of Course,” Jaimee quipped. “Boys never have a problem with the gross stuff.”
“How about you Jaimee? Do you want to see me pull the tube out?” mom asked.
“Will it hurt her? I don’t want to watch if it hurts her.”
“I am sure it is a little uncomfortable but I don’t think it hurts. We wouldn’t be doing it if it really hurt her.”
“Okay, I’ll try” Jaimee responded cautiously. Jaimee was fourteen at the time and was always a little skittish about medical issues. Blood had a way of causing her dizzy spells. Getting her tonsils out rivaled open heart surgery in her mind, so the idea of pulling a 14” tube out of the baby’s nose was a little scary.
“C’mon Jaimee, you are such a whimp,” teased Jeff. Jeff was two years younger than Jaimee at the time and naturally a self confident young man without any reservations concerning blood and guts.
“How about you Julee?” Mom asked.
“Okay.” Not quite sure what was going to happen and being only 7 years old she sided with her tough brother.
“All right then, here goes” Mom announced. Jillian grasped a hold of the end of the flexible tube that was protruding from the baby’s nose. With one quick motion she tugged on the tube. It seemed like it would never end. The baby flinched and gasped a little as the tube came out. Jaimee jumped up and moaned as she headed for the other room. Julee just sat a little startled, and of course Jeff let out the expected, “Ahhhh that was coooool.”
The baby wiggled her nose and blinked a little, then gave everyone a big smile. It certainly didn’t seem to bother her too much.
“Why do you have to do that mom?’ asked Julee.
“It’s the only way we can feed her right now. The tube goes through her nose, down her throat and into her stomach. I attach a syringe to the tube and we pour the milk right into her stomach.”
Still not sure Julee responded, “Are you sure it doesn’t hurt her?”
“I’m sure Julee”, mom responded with a smile.
“It’s a good thing that you are a nurse. It makes it easier doesn’t it?”
Jeff had already headed outside knowing all the gory stuff was over. Jaimee came back in the room asking as she came, “Are you done yet mom?”
“Yes, Jaimee and there is blood all over the place it’s a mess….just kidding.”
Jaimee sat down next to Jillian and the baby. “How long is she going to stay with us mom? Why can’t she take a bottle like other babies? Who does she belong to? What’s her name?”

Jillian responded, “How about I get a salad made to go with dinner and we can talk about it then.”She headed off to the kitchen leaving Jaimee and Julee to watch over the evening surprise.