Chapter Four

"What on earth?" Gitana said, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"I went shopping." Chase was wearing a stethoscope. She pulled at Gitana's arm, rolled up Gitana's pajama sleeve and put the blood pressure band around her bicep and pumped the rubber ball.

"Chase, I'm fine really."

"We're not taking any chances." She put the stethoscope under the armband and inserted the earpieces. She listened intently and watched die dial per the instructions which she'd memorized. "One twenty over eighty. That's outstanding."

"You're crazy, you know that."

"Is that news?" Chase undid the armband and gently wrapped up the device. "Luckily, nature is not at play here, genetically speaking. We'll just have to watch the nurture." She put the stethoscope to Gitana's chest and listened to her heart. "It sounds fine. I couldn't find the thingy-jigger that goes in your ears and up your nose, but I'm sure I can find one on the Internet."

"You scare me. Can I have some coffee?"

"Try being me. At least you can get away. I'm stuck here."

Chase followed her into the bathroom and watched her wash her face and brush her teeth.

"What are you looking at?" Gitana asked.

"I want to see if you're getting fat."

"I'm not. Let's go have some coffee."

They went downstairs. The dogs came flying in the doggie door and jumped at Gitana. "Hey, be careful. Remember there's a baby in there." Chase gave each of them a biscuit. "Now, go play."

"What did you do to the coffee?"

"It's decaf," Chase said lightly.

"What's the point of that?" Gitana peered into her mug with obvious distaste.

"Caffeine isn't good for you or the baby."

"You're going to be a real pain in the ass aren't you?" Gitana poured her coffee down the sink.

"You get used to it." Chase poured herself another cup to make her point. She'd already had four. Usually by now, she'd be having heart palpitations from all the caffeine. "How about we do fifty-fifty?"

"I'm all about compromise." She stuck a Dr. Pepper in her pajama pocket.

"I saw that." Chase tried to grab it.

"I can't function without caffeine. Don't make me go cold turkey," Gitana pleaded.

"All right, but only half a can."

"I promise. Now, what's on your agenda for the day?"

"Shrink's office called yesterday morning. They had a cancellation, so I can go in this afternoon." She watched as Gitana gulped down as much Dr. Pepper as she could. "A lot of sugar isn't good for the baby either."

Gitana ignored her. "I'm really proud of you for going."

"I'm not sure it's starting out right, though. The receptionist asked for my other Social Security number, because they can't find mine in their database." She rolled her eyes. "I told her I'd have to look for it."

Gitana laughed.

"What?"

"That someone who's bipolar would have two Social Security numbers. One for me and one for myself."

"All right, I guess it is kind of funny. But, you know, I'm a little sensitive about this."

"It's going to be fine. Besides, you might run into your other half someday and we could all have coffee."

"That's not even funny. It'd be like having a twin. Do you really want to have two of me?"

"No. I don't think the world is ready for that." Clutching the Dr. Pepper, a now prized possession, she went upstairs to shower and dress.

"Only half of that," Chase called out to her.

"What? I can't hear you the water's running."

Chase scowled despite knowing no one was around to see it. It was always the conundrum of doing something like burping or farting and saying "excuse me" when you were alone—was it necessary? Maybe it was just good to keep in practice.