But the Children Survived (27 page)

“It's a boy!” cried Dr. Tomlinson with a big grin. 

Then all noise in the OR stopped.  They were all looking at the baby.  He was a very pretty shade of purple, not too light, not too dark.  Dr. Tomlinson was taken aback.  He had never seen this before. 

Teresa and Antonio just looked at each other and back at the baby.  The doctor handed the baby to the nurse so she could clean him.  Soon after, Teresa pushed out the placenta.  Dr. Tomlinson looked at the placenta and then at Teresa. 

“This is the damnedest thing I've ever seen.”  He called Antonio over to look at it.  Antonio saw a perfect placenta marbled with red, pink, and purple.  “It's beautiful,” was all he could say. 

When they laid the little boy on Teresa's chest, she looked at the little purple face.  She could see he had his Daddy's chin.  She prayed he would lose his purple hue sooner than later.  But she loved him with all her heart. 

“What's his name?” the doctor asked.

“Jason.  Jason Antonio Russo.”

Chapter 34

2001 St. Pete Beach, Florida

“Jason.  JASON!”  Teresa was yelling for her son to come in from outside.  It was getting dark.  Jason and Ricky were out on the beach in front of their house. 

“Okay Ma.  Come on, Ricky.” 

Jason was seven years old.  He would be eight in a couple of weeks.  This year he’d asked to go to one of the giant theme parks in Orlando.  Teresa and Antonio agreed it was an appropriate request for an 8-year-old, and made arrangements to stay there for a week before school started.  Jason and Ricky were full of sand and dragged it into the kitchen.

“Ugh – gritty floor.  Go back outside and take your shoes off, Jason.” 

Jason turned around and went back outside to take his shoes off.  Ricky whined for food and Teresa put his plate on the floor.  When Jason came back in, she told him to get ready for his bath.

Jason ran into his room and took off his clothes.  He heard his mom running his bath.  He ran into the bathroom where Teresa waited for him.  He shook his butt and made her laugh.  Then he climbed into the tub. 

Teresa sat on the toilet watching Jason play in the tub, making sure he cleaned himself at the same time.  When the water got cold, she said it was time to get out and she held up a towel.  She wrapped the towel around him and dried him. 

Teresa helped Jason to put on his PJ's, and then followed him into his room to tuck him into bed.  Jason's eyes were heavy as she kissed him goodnight.  Ricky had his own bed, but he preferred Jason’s.  He was snuggled up next to Jason.  She patted his head before turning off the light.

 “Will Daddy be here in the morning?”  Jason asked Teresa.

“Yes, he will.  It's Saturday.  Goodnight fellas.” 

Teresa left the door open and walked into the kitchen, where she had a small computer.  Chloe was sitting in Antonio’s chair at the table.  She smiled and stroked the dog’s head.  Chloe’s snout was covered with gray hair.

Teresa had learned how to trade stocks online and she was very good at it.  She was so good, in fact, that she didn’t have another job.  She worked online for four to six hours each day when Jason was at school. 

Teresa shut down the computer and put Antonio's dinner in the microwave until he came home.  She shooed Chloe off the chair when she heard the garage door opening. 

Antonio had been promoted to Senior Research Analyst six months before.  He worked longer hours, but he was able to negotiate his Fridays off.  This was the last Friday he would have to work before his new contract took effect. 

Antonio came home and he was exhausted.  He kissed Teresa on the cheek and looked in on Jason, who was fast asleep.  Antonio hadn’t been looking good lately, and Teresa had resolved to ask him what was going on.  She warmed his dinner and put it on the table.  Then she sat down in her chair to keep him company while he ate his food.

Teresa kept the conversation light until he was done eating.  Then she put his dish in the dishwasher and poured some wine.  She suggested they go out on the deck and Antonio agreed.

Antonio sat quietly contemplating whether to tell Teresa all that was weighing on his heart.  He had something he’d kept from her, and he didn’t think he was ready to tell her.  Antonio had made a pact with the devil, and now he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to shake the devil loose. 

*****

When Jason was born eight years earlier, Dr. Tomlinson had bided his time.  He saw Teresa on and off for several years.  He never mentioned Jason's unusual color.  He was the same kind, genial soul he’d always been. 

Then one day, about a year ago, he called Antonio at his office and asked him if he would come in to see him.  Antonio agreed thinking there might be something wrong with Teresa.  They set an appointment for the following Tuesday.

Antonio arrived at the doctor’s office at the appointed time.  He walked in and noticed that there was no receptionist at the desk.  He was the only one in the waiting room.  Dr. Tomlinson came out to greet him with his coat on and suggested they go to lunch.  Now Antonio was really concerned.  Just what was going on?

Dr. Tomlinson took him to the yacht club and was greeted by name by the maître’d.  They were shown to a secluded table by the window, and the waiter took their drink orders.  When the waiter left, Dr. Tomlinson turned his attention to Antonio. 

“Well, Dr. Russo, I hear you’re doing very well at Wilmer and March.” 

Antonio thought, Ah, he wants to form a relationship with the company and thinks I can give him some kind of discount. 

“Yes, I am doing very well.  My research team is the best in the country and we have several new drugs that are due to be introduced in the next year.”  Antonio began to feel uncomfortable. 

“That's fine, just fine.  Dr. Russo, I’ve been meaning to ask you something for a long time.”  Dr. Tomlinson paused for effect.

“Yes?”  Antonio was trying to read the jolly old elf's face, but the glasses and beard made it difficult.

“I’ve never forgotten the color of your son's placenta, not to mention your son himself.  Unusual that your wife was able to carry him so well wasn’t it, considering her medical history.  I’ve never seen a woman with cervical insufficiency turn around like that.”

Antonio was trying to remain casual.  “Yes, it was a miracle.”

“I don't think it was a miracle, Dr. Russo.  I think your wife had help, very specific help, perhaps in the form of some kind of experimental drug?” 

Antonio began to squirm.  Even though he’d received a patent on his Dono di Russo plant four years ago, he had been unable to fund the research of the purple spores that was necessary just to submit an application to the FDA. 

He’d consulted lawyers who were willing to help him, but money was always an issue.  He didn’t have the deep pockets of a Wilmer and March. 

Antonio had thought about bringing his findings to Wilmer and March, but the fear that they would remember George Ranier had permanently blocked that option.  He was also afraid that any other big drug company would question why he hadn’t taken it to Wilmer and March and do their own investigation. 

With that in mind, Antonio had decided he would have to do it on his own.  Now, six years after his successful use of the Dono di Russo on his own wife, he was still waiting to give his Dono di Russo to the world.

“I don't know what you mean, Doctor.  Her placenta was an unusual color, of course, but her pregnancy was completely normal in every way.” 

“Every way, Russo?  You had a purple baby!”  Tomlinson was struggling to keep his voice down.  Old St. Nick was beginning to show his true colors.  “Listen, we both know her delivery was anything but normal.  She had an extremely short labor.  When she did deliver, her placenta
and
her baby were purple.  I want you to tell me why.”  Dr. Tomlinson paused and looked at Antonio, waiting for him to say something.  Antonio remained silent, so the good doctor continued.

“I believe we can help each other.  I have dozens of women who are desperate to have a baby and the only thing keeping them from having one is a worthless cervix.  Whatever you gave your wife, and I am convinced it was you, it worked.  I want to use it on my patients.”

Antonio shifted in his seat.  Dr. Tomlinson had played the right card.

“I do have something that would help,” Antonio said.  Dr. Tomlinson’s eyes lit up.  “But I don’t have enough money to fund the application to the FDA.  How could we do this without that approval?”

Antonio was eager to hear what Tomlinson had in mind.

“In the United States, supplements don’t need FDA approval.  As long as you list that it hasn’t been approved by the FDA, anything goes.  We both know this stuff is safe.  Why not manufacture it as a supplement and distribute it through my office?  We would be heroes!  We’d save thousands of women from losing their babies.”  Tomlinson was leaning forward as he spoke.  Antonio could see the excitement in the doctor's eyes. 

“I must think about this.  We’d have to make a plan.” 

“Of course, Russo, whatever you want, but please remember one thing.” Tomlinson’s eyes narrowed, “I know you haven’t applied for citizenship.  When you gave that drug to your wife, you endangered her and your unborn son.  The authorities frown on that kind of thing in this country.  It could interfere with your visa.  You think about what we discussed, but I expect to hear from you in the next 48 hours.  Now, what would you like to have for lunch?” 

Dr. Tomlinson picked up his menu.  Antonio finished his drink and excused himself.  He left the restaurant and got into his car. 

Antonio sat a long time watching Tomlinson through the restaurant window.  The more he thought about Tomlinson’s threat, the more he came to hate the man.  Antonio knew that the doctor had him.  He couldn’t refuse to share his Dono di Russo with Tomlinson. 

Antonio had thought about becoming a citizen, but he loved his country, and his marriage to Teresa enabled him to stay in this country on a special visa.  Tomlinson was right.  He had to keep his nose clean, and using an untested drug on a pregnant woman, even with her consent, would be frowned upon by the government.  Several minutes passed while he thought about the consequences of
not
doing business with Dr. Tomlinson. 

Finally, he decided he would agree to go into business with Tomlinson, but he’d never give Tomlinson the formula.  He would never give him access to the plants themselves either, or show him how to extract the spores.  If Tomlinson found out just how easy it was, he could cut Antonio out by paying him a fee for use of the Dono di Russo, thereby allowing Tomlinson to make the drug himself.  Antonio would lose all control of his beloved Dono di Russo. 

He would tell Tomlinson that he’d manufacture the supplement and bring it to Tomlinson for distribution.  The doctor would pay Antonio a fee for his drug and the doctor could then charge anything he wanted for “treatment” with the supplement.  Desperate woman seldom asked what they were being given.  If it cost a lot, it must be good.  Tomlinson stood to make a fortune, even with Antonio's cut. 

Antonio saw the doctor leaving the yacht club.  He got out of his car and approached him.  Antonio told Tomlinson that if he was willing to buy the manufactured supplement from Antonio, he’d agree to go into business with Dr. Tomlinson. 

“Look at this as research trials, Russo.  When would you ever get a chance like this?  I'll get the women to sign a waiver allowing me to use their medical histories for research.  You'll see, it will benefit everyone equally.”  Antonio reluctantly shook the doctor's hand.  Then a thought struck Antonio.

“If this is going to be a research trial, we should limit it to 100 women until we know what we’re dealing with.  I think I must insist on this.” 

Tomlinson looked annoyed.  He’d almost had him.  Well, give the little guy what he wants and then renegotiate. 

“Fine, agreed.  Let me know when the first batch is ready.  Stay in touch.” 

Tomlinson got into his Mercedes and drove away, leaving Antonio in the parking lot.  Antonio slowly walked back to his car.  He decided to keep his association with Dr. Tomlinson a secret from Teresa, at least until he knew the results of the “trials.” 

Antonio hated keeping it from her, but it would only cause her unnecessary anxiety.  He had a small room off the kitchen he used as a lab.  He’d tell Teresa he was experimenting with something new, which would explain his long evenings in the lab.  He’d rent a post office box to receive bottles for his supplements and to send orders to Tomlinson.

Antonio called his secretary and told her he wouldn’t be returning to the lab that day.  He got into his car and drove home. 

Chapter 35

There was a breeze blowing off the ocean, and the moon was full.  Teresa looked at her husband.   She asked him if he needed to talk, and Antonio just shook his head.  He said work had been hard lately, a lot of deadlines. 

What he wasn’t telling her was that he’d found out two days before that Dr. Tomlinson had treated well over 300 women.  The good doctor had divided the bottle Antonio sent him into four doses each.  Antonio told him he would no longer supply Dr. Tomlinson with any more supplements. 

Antonio was concerned about treating so many women without careful scrutiny.  What if something went wrong?  How would they ever explain the treatment of so many women? 

Antonio had almost punched Tomlinson.  Tomlinson told him he’d been selling the supplement as FDA approved.  They’d fought in the doctor’s office so loudly, that one of his medical assistants came to ask if the doctor needed help.  Antonio was now waiting for the FBI to show up at his door and haul him back to Italy, or worse, prison.