Free Special Delivery by Traci Hohenstein

“No way.”
    “True story. Cross my heart.” I continued with the story. “Anyway, my father delivered the baby, but as he held him, he realized the baby wasn’t breathing. He performed CPR while the mother looked on crying and pleading. After five minutes or so, he gave up and handed the baby to the mother.”
    I shook my head, remembering the story I’d heard so many times. “She removed her shirt and laid the baby on her bare chest. As she rubbed the baby’s back, she sang a beautiful song. My dad said he was mesmerized by her voice. A few minutes later, a tiny sound came from the baby. My dad instructed her to keep singing and rubbing the baby’s back. They loaded everyone up in my dad’s car and he drove them to the hospital. After making sure everyone was in good hands, he left and drove home.”
    “And that was it?” Brad asked.
    “Not quite. My father went about his business and forgot all about it. A couple of weeks later, my parents got a visitor at the house. My mom answered the door and saw this gorgeous woman standing there with a baby in her arms. A handsome man stood next to her with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of fine brandy. She invited them in. Dad was working in the garage, tinkering with his train collection. She told him that he had visitors. My father grumbled about it. He didn’t like to be bothered while messing around with his toys. My mom tugged at his arm, telling him to come see who his guests were. It got his attention, because she never got excited about anything. She was normally reserved and quiet.”
    “I see you take after you father, then,” Brad interjected.
    “Ha. Very funny.” I smiled warmly at him. “Anyway, my father got up and went to see what had my mom all in a tizzy. There on the sofa was the woman who he’d helped on the side of the road that rainy night.”
    I paused and took a couple bites of the yummy crab claw appetizer.
    “So they came by to thank your father?” Brad asked.
    “Not only to say thank you. That woman helped my father’s practice become what it is today.” I grabbed a napkin and wiped the corners of my mouth. “The woman was none other than Leigh Ellen Barnes.”
    “Leigh Ellen Barnes? The Leigh Ellen Barnes?”
    “Yep. The most famous sixties actress and singer of all time.”
    Leigh Ellen Barnes started her career as a child actress in the forties and by the time she was in her late twenties she was one of the world’s most famous actresses. She starred in roles along with Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Steve McQueen. She also recorded several hit songs.
    “I can’t believe your father didn’t recognize her that night.”
    “He had no idea he said. He was so focused on delivering the baby and then making sure the baby and mother were okay when he took them to the hospital.”
    “But your mother recognized her?”
    “She was speechless when they came to the door,” I said. “Leigh Ellen thanked him for saving her baby’s life. She said if he hadn’t stopped that night her baby would’ve probably died. She did a few TV and tabloid interviews and told the story of how Dr. Frank Love delivered her child and saved his life. Within a few weeks my father’s practice was booming with new patients…mostly high profile Hollywood starlets.” I took a sip of my wine. “And that is how Hollywood Healthcare for Women became what it is today.”
    “Now, that’s a story.” Brad held up his wine glass. “To Hollywood Healthcare and new beginnings.”
    I clinked his glass with mine and took another sip of wine. I’d noticed that Brad was very attentive and really seemed to enjoy my company. Was I seeing a different side of Brad? Maybe I was a little too hard on him.

 
Chapter 20
    We were just finishing our dinner when I heard someone from across the restaurant call out Brad’s name. I turned to see a woman waving at us and walking toward our table. She looked vaguely familiar. When she got closer, I noticed she was very