Part 44 (1/2)
”That ride I told you about, from LA back up here with the idea of somehow meeting you? I heard 'Teach the Children' on the radio on the way up. It hit me like a cyclone. I had to stop in Fresno to find the tape. I played it over and over. I thought, yeah, teach them well, and do it with computers. I mean, it's what I knew I had to do, with what I was thinking about language, the idea of it applied to Joeys and letting kids learn with them. And somehow my hormones and whatever else was in me when I met you thought, 'Do it with your own kid, like with him, you, make a baby out of it all and the program will write itself.' I waited until it was the right time of the month to make you that dinner I made, so we'd do it, and get it all going the way I saw it.”
”You did this on purpose? This baby?”
”Yes. But stop it. I mean, we're talking about the other now.
We're on that, what's in your hands.”
”What's it got to do with what you said?”
”It means Intelligent Speech and Language Environment. There's a little box in there too, synthesizer and recognizer all in one.
But it's not just for kids, or learning. It's whatever you want it to be. You'll see what I mean. Go ahead, take it, the notes and code lists and everything, it's all in there. See if it's worth anything to you. h.e.l.l knows, I'm gonna have a s.h.i.+t load of bills when I'm through with this rinse cycle.”
”Okay.”
”'Okay' is all you say. No thanks? Jesus. That's just like you.”
”Thanks. I mean, we'll figure this all out. We will.”
”Blah, blah, blah.”
The door opened behind him. He turned. The nurse and a middle-aged couple entered the room. ”Mr. Jones, Ivy's parents would like to be with her now.”
He looked at Ivy. He could not see her face.
”Get better,” he said to her and she responded with a huffing sound.
The man came before Peter. His face was tanned and pleasant, and the woman at his side was attractive. Her hair was bright, like Ivy's. She looked at Peter sadly, and pressed her husband forward an inch.
He spoke. ”Mr. Jones, we'd like to know how you intend to take care of this.”
”Dad,” Ivy said to the window, ”lay off. We're dealing with it.”
”We had hoped you wouldn't come,” Mrs. Green said. ”We would be the child's guardians if you hadn't. We'll gladly take care of her.”
”Get out,” Ivy said, poking Peter in the ribs. ”Just get out with it all.”
”This child's an enormous responsibility,” the father said.
”Please let us take her.”
”Right, Dad. Like you know all about it. Got a joint on you?”
”I can take care of her,” Peter said, clutching the knapsack with both hands. ”And I will provide for Ivy.”
”You sure will,” Ivy piped in. ”I'll send you the tab.” She snorted and laughed, then she started crying. Her father glanced her way, then looked at Peter. He shook his head in disappointment and went to his daughter's side.
”I'm so sorry,” Peter said to Mrs. Green.
”To say the least,” she said, joining her husband and daughter.
Peter exited the room carrying the knapsack. From the hallway he took one last look at Ivy and her parents before the door closed, shutting out the image huddled behind it. He was dazed by the events of the last forty-eight hours. He slowly made his way down the corridor, turning once to look back at the closed door to her room. The first thought to surface through his haze of emotions was of the baby. He had promised these people that he would care for her.