Local Lit

“We’re well, Dan. How’s life on the Hill?

Dan desperately wanted to avoid a conversation about politics. Dr. Spencer was Chief of Surgery at Georgetown Hospital and a conservative Republican. Leigh, active in Democratic Party politics, disagreed with her husband on most important issues. Dan had never understood how their marriage had lasted 40 years.

The Spencer home was like an Ethan Allen Showcase, lovely but unlived in. As kids, Rita Jane and Dan had usually played at Dan’s house where you could put your feet up on the coffee table and not worry about spilling soda on the sofa. Dan’s parents had been public school teachers – his father had taught science and his mother had taught social studies. Their home had swarmed with pets: cats, dogs, birds, and hamsters were regular occupants. One time they even had a tarantula. The Spencers had never had a tarantula in their home.

Aesthetically, it was a lovely home, a renovated townhouse from the turn of the 20th century located in a desirable section of Georgetown, tastefully decorated with art from around the world. A Persian carpet in an intricate floral design adorned the hallway that led to the living room, which had a large overstuffed chartreuse-colored sofa decorated with Chinese silk pillows, also in floral designs. Leigh changed pillow covers depending on the season.

Rita Jane plopped down on the couch next to her mother. Dan wandered over to the wet bar where Dr. Spencer was mixing drinks. The Spencers drank Manhattans every night before dinner. Rita Jane, who very rarely drank anything beyond an occasional beer or glass of wine, requested a gin and tonic. Dan decided to stick with Diet Coke.

Rita Jane and her mother were sitting on the couch holding hands as Rita Jane caught her mother up on her life.

“It’s been so great living at TLC, mom, you’ve got to visit. My apartment is great, small but great. Everyone is really nice and socially conscious.”

“Is there a shared mission or philosophy?” Dr. Martin asked.

Rita Jane shrugged her shoulders and looked at Dan for an answer. “Not really. We make all our decisions by consensus. We try to keep certain principles in mind like sustainable development and equality. We operate a day care center out of the common house.”

“It takes a village to raise a child,” Leigh said. “That’s what Hillary Clinton said and I think she’s right.”
“Anything Hilary Clinton says should be ignored at all costs,” Dr. Spencer said.

Rita Jane ignored them both. “The Common House is beautiful. There’s a large living room and dining area and kitchen and a children’s play area, an office, a work-out room and a huge shop where I paint.”
“You were born under a lucky star,” Leigh beamed. “It’s not easy to find good housing in the District.”
Rita Jane smiled. “Are you going to get a real job?” her father asked.

“Martin, don’t start.” Leigh interrupted.

“I’m just asking questions, Leigh. Like any concerned parent would.”

Her face burning with frustration and her fists clenching in anger, Rita Jane tensed. Ever since she had graduated from college, and after traveling through Europe, Rita Jane and her father had fought about her “career.” Dr. Spencer didn’t like to lose, and had been known to have a temper tantrum on the golf course after playing a bad round. But he was losing the battle with his daughter. To have a conventional profession that paid a healthy salary and had health insurance and a retirement plan, was what Dr. Spencer considered appropriate employment. Rita Jane’s idea of a job was something one did to get money to buy art supplies.

Rita Jane contemplated whether to argue with her father. “I do have a job, dad, as you know. I’m waitressing at Paul’s Place. And I told you I’m having a show there next month.”
“I have a colleague who is on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Institute. I’m sure he can put in a good word for you.”

Rita Jane was spared from answering the question by the arrival of Tillie, the housekeeper and cook, who announced dinner. She escorted the group to the formal dining room, the showplace of the Spencer home. A glass wall with a southern exposure overlooked a large forested lot. An outside light illuminated the woods, where Rita Jane and Dan had shared their first kiss when Rita Jane asked Dan to help her practice kissing before she went to the eighth grade prom with Bill Parker.

They took their places at high-backed chairs with tastefully embroidered cushions in a southwest motif. Dan sat across from Rita Jane at the large mahogany table that could easily seat sixteen. Light from the chandelier reflected off the gold-rimmed white china, the Waterford crystal wine glasses, and the silver engraved with an “S.”

Tillie served the meal: a mixed green salad with walnuts and blue cheese, Gazpacho, broiled salmon (a veggie burger for Dan), and steamed broccoli. “We’re trying to eat low-fat,” Leigh explained apologetically.

“It looks divine,” Dan said.

Tillie poured white wine into the tall glasses and left the room. “Will you say grace, Martin?” Leigh asked.
Dr. Spencer mumbled, “Thank you Lord for this bounty and help us to use it in Thy name.”
“Mention our guests, Martin,” Leigh chided.

“And thank you for bringing Rita Jane and Dan to visit us this evening.”

“Amen,” Leigh proclaimed. “Here’s to a healthy and happy new year for all.”

They lifted their glasses for a toast, but they were seated too far away from each other to clink glasses.
The wine warmed and relaxed Rita Jane giving her confidence to go forward with her mission.
“So what are your plans, Rita Jane?” Dr. Spencer asked. “Is the situation at Paul’s Place temporary?”
Rita Jane stopped herself from saying that everything in life is temporary. She said a little prayer for strength under her breath. There was no easy way to say what she had to say. “I’m going to be a mother.”

“What?” Leigh choked on her drink. “Are you pregnant? Is Sean the father?”

She looked at Dan for reassurance. He shrugged his shoulders. “No, Mom. I told you, Sean and I broke up because he doesn’t want to have kids. I’m not actually pregnant. I’ve wanted to be a parent for a long time. You know that.”

“How do you propose becoming pregnant?” Dr. Spencer asked suspiciously.

“I’m going to adopt,” Rita Jane said wondering how many of the circumstances she had to tell them. Talking to her father was like removing a band-aid. It was better to get it all over with in one pull.

“That can take years,” Dr. Spencer said.

“The mother is pregnant now. She’s just starting the second trimester. The baby is due in July.”

The Spencers were, not surprisingly, confused. Both blurted out questions at the same time, “Who’s the mother?” Leigh asked. “Why is she giving the baby up for adoption?” Dr. Spencer asked.

“Her name is Claudia Connors. She may not give it up for adoption. We’re going to raise it together.”

“Are you a Lesbian?” Dr. Spencer said the L word with such disdain that Rita Jane wanted to yell out “yes” just to spite him.

“I’m not a lesbian,” Rita Jane said. “We’re just friends.”

“You’re going to raise a child with a friend? I don’t know which is worse. What about the father? Where does he fit into the picture? Are you friends with him, too?”

Rita Jane hated her father’s sarcasm, which he used like a weapon, to threaten anyone who disagreed with him.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Nobody said anything for what seemed like a long time. The Spencers were clearly waiting for more information.

“I’m the father,” Dan said.

“You?” Leigh asked, “I thought Dan was gay,” she said as though Dan weren’t in the room.

“He is,” Rita Jane said. “Lots of gay people have kids. We’re going to raise the child together. TLC is a perfect place to do that.”

“It sounds like some hippie commune,” Dr. Spencer said, “raising children together without being married. It’s a sin.”

Leigh tried to mollify the tension between father and daughter, as was her usual role. “Now Martin, calm down.”

She turned to Rita Jane. “Honey, I’m afraid I have to agree with your father on this one. Raising a child is a very big commitment. I mean nothing against Dan but -- this is all kind of a shock. You moving back so unexpectedly, and now this, eh, baby idea.”

“But it’s not a new idea, really. I’ve been talking about having a child for years. You know that.”

“We didn’t know you were a lesbian,” Dr. Spencer said. “We never dreamed you’d raise a child out of wedlock, and raise it with a total stranger,” Dr. Spencer said.

Dan, who had been silent throughout the unfolding drama, said, “We’re hardly strangers. We’ve been best friends for thirty years.”

“This is your fault,” Dr. Spencer said. “You and your influence.”

“Stop it,” Rita Jane yelled at her father. “It’s not Dan’s fault.”

“It sure sounds like it’s his fault if he’s impregnating a woman he’s not married to. Hell, he’s not even straight.”

“It’s my idea.” Rita Jane said. “I probably won’t be able to have children,” she blurted out struggling to hold back the tears that were choking her throat. “I wanted to get married. I was engaged.” The words trailed off as the tears, angry and bitter, ran down her face.

“Don’t cry. It will be alright,” Leigh said. “You’re still young. You’ll meet someone else.” Leigh said.

“Of course you will,” her father added. “What’s this nonsense about you not being able to get pregnant? Who told you that?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Rita Jane said, feeling very tired. “Even if I can have a child, I’m almost 40. It’ll be too late soon. By the time I meet someone and we get to know each other well enough to get married, I’ll be in menopause.”

“Women are having babies later and later,” Dr. Spencer said. “There’s new reproductive technology coming on line every day. In fact, I have a colleague who runs the best fertility clinic in the area.”
“But what if I meet someone and he turns out to be like Sean,” Rita Jane said. “He told me he wanted to have children. I waited for years and then the bastard changed his mind.”

Tears were helpful with Leigh but not so helpful with her father, who hated female emotional outbursts. Rita Jane hated crying in front of him, but she couldn’t stop herself.

“It’s just as well that he changed his mind,” Rita Jane said between sobs. “He was a jer, jer, jer, jerk.” Tears were flowing in earnest now. “He’s way too selfish to be a good father. That’s why I want to raise a child with Dan. He’s my best friend and he will be a great dad.” Rita Jane avoided looking at Dan, hoping that she wasn’t stretching the truth too much.

Leigh got up from her place and walked over to her daughter, stroking her hair. “I’m sure he would be a good father.” She sighed. “It’s just very complicated.”

After dinner they retired to the living room for coffee and Girl Scout cookies. Leigh loved Thin Mints. She bought several cases every fall and froze them so she could serve them throughout the year. Tillie offered Rita Jane decaf from a heavy silver coffee urn. Rita Jane declined and requested a port instead. Her father went to the wet bar and returned with a bottle of Tawny’s. “What about you Dan? Will you join us?”

“I’ve got to drive home,” Dan said.

She was in to her second glass of port when her father said to Dan, “I suppose you were disappointed by the elections.”

Dr. Spencer was itching for an argument. Wanting to spare Dan, a partisan argument with her father, she brought up another issue that was sure to infuriate him.

“Isn’t all this talk of war horrible? It’s bad enough we invaded one country, two is outrageous.” She dangled the bait in front of her father, provoking him to turn his anger towards her.

“Oh honey, let’s not talk about depressing things,” Leigh said.

“I agree.” Dan said.

“But, it’s not going to go away if we ignore it,” Rita Jane persisted.

“It’s not going to go away if we talk about it, either,” Dr. Spencer said. “Besides, we’d be better off without that bloody dictator anyway.”

“But what about all the innocent people who will be killed if we go to war?”

“There are plenty of innocent people being killed already.”

Leigh started smoothing the pillows on the couch. Dan couldn’t take too much more of the Spencer drama. He looked at his watch, and then stood up. “We should be going. Thank you for dinner.”

“You’re welcome,” Leigh said.

They were nearly at the door when Dr. Spencer said, “Rita Jane.”

Rita Jane turned around slowly. “Yes, Daddy?”

“Do you need any money? If you do, all you have to do is ask.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” she said. “I’m okay now.”

“Yes honey, let us know if you need anything,” Leigh added. “And come again soon.”

Once they were safely inside the car, Rita Jane said, “That went well, don’t you think?”

“Considering that you told them you are planning on raising a child with two gay people, neither of whom you are married to, I’d say it went pretty well.”

The idea was so preposterous, he had to laugh.

“Usually all my Dad wants to know is what I’m doing for work. Now he has something else to worry about.”

“Yes, I’d say you succeeded in giving him something else to think about,” Dan said.