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As Things Change - Part IV Late Friday morning…   Nora is working in her office at the Center when Marcie pokes her head through the open door. “Hi, Nora. I don’t mean to disturb you, but do you have a minute?”   Nora sets down her pen. “Sure. I could use a break. Come on in.”   Marcie walks in, closing the door behind her. “I just wanted to run something by you. It’s a legal question, sort of…”   “Okay, what can I do for you?”   “Well, you know, Michael and I have been trying for a while to have a baby…”   “I didn’t know that…”   “Well, it’s been kind of off and on since he’s had so much stress with his job and…” She stops, taking a breath.   Nora nods slowly. “I know it can be difficult sometimes. I never dreamed I would get pregnant with Matthew and what a mess that turned out to be.”   Marcie looks at her curiously. “Are you sorry?”   Nora is taken aback. “For having Matthew? Absolutely not. He’s the joy of my life, along with his sister Rachel. No, I meant all the drama surrounding my pregnancy, which was my own fault.”   “Oh, I didn’t mean to bring up unpleasant memories…”   “It’s okay, Marcie. Bo and I have put all of that in the past and we’re focusing on parenting Matthew. That’s trying enough these days.” Marcie smiles. “Is Matthew in trouble?”   “Not really, he just seems to be flexing his independence lately. He quit the baseball team.”   “Uh oh. Bo must be upset.”   “Yeah, they’re having a battle of wills at the moment. I have to figure out if Bo is really upset because Matthew is missing an opportunity or just trying to live vicariously through his son’s sports.”   “It must be hard being caught in the middle.”   Nora shrugs. “For now, I’m going to just step back and let them work it out. I’m sure you didn’t stop by to hear about my domestic battles. You said you had a legal question.”   “Yes. I could be getting way ahead of myself because I don’t know if Michael is ready but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.” Marcie looks away, almost talking to herself. “I think Michael would be okay with it but he’s so busy that…” She looks back at Nora. “Sorry, I know I’m babbling and wasting your time…”   Nora smiles, shaking her head. “I don’t think I’ve heard your legal question yet.”   “Oh! Right… I should get to the point. Do you think Michael and I would be good candidates for adoption?”   “Adoption? I didn’t realize you were looking to go that route.”   Marcie shakes her head. “We’re not necessarily… I mean, we’re still trying on our own but it’s not happening and I just… I just want to know what our options are… Just in case, you know…”   “I know. Well, I would say your chances for adoption are very good. You and Michael have a stable marriage, he has a good job and you certainly have shown you enjoy children through your work at the high school and here at the Center. I would be happy to help you with the legal end of things, if that’s what you’d like.”   “Oh! Nora, I would really appreciate that. I don’t have a clue how the system works… I’m not sure, right now, you know… I need to talk to Michael…”   Nora laughs, holding up her hands. “I understand. I will keep this conversation between us and you just let me know when you need my help and I’d be happy to discuss it with you and Michael.”   “Thank you. That would be wonderful.” She looks at her watch, jumping to her feet. “I have to run. I’m meeting Lauren for lunch. Thanks for the information, Nora. I will get back to you soon.”   Nora stands. “Good luck, Marcie. Say hi to Lauren for me.”   Marcie rushes out of the office. “I will. Bye.”     Stevie is digging through his locker looking for a book for his next class. Matthew walks up beside him and pulls his locker open. He reaches inside and pulls out a notebook, handing it to Stevie. “Check it out. I was on the web last night taking notes on the camp. Have a look at my list and see if you can think of anything else I can use to convince my parents to let me go.”   Stevie shakes his head. “I think you need a miracle, dude.”   “Just look at it and let me know what you think.”   Stevie takes the notebook. “No problem. It will give me something to do in class besides listening to Reiner’s boring lecture. Later.”   Stevie walks away as Matthew slams his locker closed and heads in the direction of his next class. Kallie catches up with him. “What’s up, Matthew?”   He turns to her with a smile. “Hey, Kallie. How goes it?”   She holds up her book. “Too much studying. I am so ready for summer.”   “Ditto.”   “At least you have baseball. When is your first game?”   Matt looks away. “Um. I guess you haven’t heard… I quit the team.”   “You what? When?”   He shrugs. “A couple days ago.”   “Why would you do that? You love baseball.”   “I just didn’t feel like playing anymore.”   “Why? What’s going on with you?”   Matt is relieved when the bell rings. “I gotta get to class. See you at lunch.”   Kallie shakes her head as she watches him run down the hall.     Marcie hurries into the diner, making her way to the booth where Lauren is waiting. “I’m so sorry I’m late! I was talking to Nora and…”   “It’s okay, Marcie. I just got here myself.”   “Oh, good. How are you? How is Rex? Is he behaving himself?”   Lauren smiles. “Rex is great. He really is a teddy bear. But you knew that or you wouldn’t have introduced us.”   Marcie blushes. “Don’t let him know, okay?”   Lauren laughs. “Your secret is safe with me.”   The waitress comes and takes their order. As she walks away, Marcie turns to Lauren. “So, why did you want to have lunch? Not that I don’t enjoy getting together but you sounded weird on the phone.”   Lauren takes a sip of her soda, stalling. She appears nervous. “I’m going to tell you something but I need you to keep it secret. I haven’t even told Rex yet.”   Marcie nods. “Of course. I’m great at keeping secrets. Like Fort Knox. You can trust me.”   Lauren chuckles. “It’s not like national security, Marcie.”   “That’s good to know.”   Lauren leans forward, speaking softly. “I think I’m pregnant.”   Marcie sucks in a breath. “Ooooh! That’s so great! What do you mean think?”   “I haven’t been to the doctor yet.”   Marcie takes out her phone. “Well, that’s easy enough. I used to work for Dr. Conklin. She’s the best. I’ll get you an appointment.” She holds up her finger as Lauren tries to stop her. “I’ve got this one covered.”     Bo strides into Asa’s study. “Hey, Pa. How are you?”   Asa sets aside his newspaper. “What brings you by, boy?”   Bo takes a seat in front of Asa’s desk. “Just stopping by. No reason.”   Asa chuckles. “Try again. If I were a betting man, I’d say Nora sent you since she didn’t get any information out of Renee.”   Bo grins. “Got me. So what is this big surprise for Matthew? Nora is freaking out not knowing what you’re up to.”   “She is a worrier, that one.”   “Well, when it comes to Matthew, there’s no stopping her. So, you can make my life a little easier and let me know what’s going on so I can calm her down.”   Asa shakes his head with a sly grin. “That’s between me and my grandson. I will give you a hint. There is a reason I wanted to take him up to the lodge.”   “We both know it’s not a horse. You don’t keep a stable up there.”   Asa shrugs. “So maybe I fibbed about that.”   “Are you going to tell me what you’re up to?”   Asa gets up to pour himself a glass of bourbon. “Nope.”   Bo rolls his eyes. “You shouldn’t be drinking that stuff with your heart.”   Asa waves him off. “I don’t need a lecture from you, boy.”   Bo changes the subject. “Is your plane available next weekend?”   “Far as I know. Why?”   “Well, I haven't run this by Nora yet, but I’d like to take it down to the ranch.”   Asa chuckles. “You’ve been trying to get down there for years. Why now?”   “Matthew gets out of school next week and he’s decided he’s not playing baseball this summer…”   “Whoa, whoa. Matthew quit the team?” Bo nods. “Why?”   “He says he wants to go to camp instead.”   Asa looks at him suspiciously. “What kind of camp?”   “Water skiing.”   Asa nods with a knowing grin. “Girls in bikinis. He’s definitely a Buchanan.”   Bo chuckles. “That’s my take on it too.”   “Nora must be thrilled.”   “I’m not sure she’s focusing on that yet. She’s considering letting him go.”   “So, you want to take Matthew to the ranch instead?”   Bo shakes his head. “Not really. The camp isn’t until July so this just opens up a window to go down. It's a great time of the year and there will be plenty to do on the ranch. Besides, Matthew has been bugging me to take him driving. I thought it would be easier to teach him in the wide open spaces.”   “Fine by me. I’ll call Chuck and let him know you’re coming down.”   “Thanks, Pa.” He looks at his watch. “I gotta head out. Matthew is staying at Stevie’s tonight and I have a date.”   TBC