Kathryn Leanne Johnston Campbell sat at father’s desk looking at a picture of her mother, Cassandra Johnston Campbell. Kathryn – or “Kate” as everyone called her – was fourteen years of age, but looked and acted much older. Her father’s secretary poked her head in and said, “Kate, is there anything I can get you, dear, before I go to lunch?”
Kate smiled. “No, thank you. I am waiting for Dad. We are leaving for Boston in just a few minutes. I’ll be fine.”
They were about to fly to Boston to attend Gran’s funeral. Kate felt very sad. Although she had only seen Gran two or three times a year, she had fond memories of their time together. Gran had always treated her as a young adult rather than a child, and Kate loved her for that. Kate shared the many things that Fee had taught her – especially about God. Kate knew that Gran had a personal relationship with the Lord and was with Him now.
It had only been six months earlier that they had gone back to Boston for Grandfather’s funeral. Dad had predicted that once Grandfather had died, Gran wouldn’t live much longer. “They had such a terrific marriage and a close relationship that I don’t think one will survive very long without the other,” Dad had told Kate, who instinctively knew that he and Mother hadn’t ever gotten along well. It was obvious to Kate that Dad spent almost all his free time with her and not Mother.
Fee said that it was a shame that at the age of fourteen, Kate was about to attend her third funeral. Kate thought back to Mother’s funeral. She was almost seven at the time, and she clutched Fee tightly with one arm and Dad with the other. Kate was surprised at how many people had come to the funeral, especially since Mother didn’t seem to have many friends. The best thing that Kate remembered most about that day was being by Dad’s side and meeting her two cousins. John P. Campbell, Jr., who was several months younger than Kate, arrived with his grandmother, Dad’s Aunt Millicent. He was very shy and didn’t say much, but they had smiled at one another.
Kate’s other cousin, Alexandrea Joanne Morgan, had come with her parents, Pamela and Mitchell. Kate was struck by the beauty of Alexandrea. Dad had always called Kate “Snow White,” but as far as Kate was concerned, Alexandrea was Snow White incarnate. Alexandrea was a year older than Kate, and Kate recalled Alexandrea saying that she was sorry that Kate had lost her mother. Only adults had said that to her.
Alan told Kate that Alexandrea would be at Gran’s funeral, and Kate felt guilty that she was looking forward to seeing her. She knew how much Dad loved Gran, and Kate wished there was something she could do to comfort him. Kate discussed this with Fee, who suggested that they pray together for Alan. Fee also thought it would be better that she stay home this time so Kate could be more supportive to Alan. Kate reluctantly agreed. She loved Fee so much and enjoyed traveling more when Fee came along.
Aunt Millicent and John were at Gran’s estate when Alan and Kate arrived. Gran was Aunt Millicent’s only sister and her aunt was quite grief-stricken. Kate asked Aunt Millicent to tell her about Gran when she was young and asked her if she minded sharing stories of their times together. Fee had told Kate that people in grief usually like to talk about their loved ones, but grieving was different for each person. Aunt Millicent was more than pleased to talk about her sister. John, who was quite handsome for a boy of fourteen, listened, too. He was quiet and shy, but seemed genuinely interested in the conversation. It was obvious to Kate that he loved his grandmother very much. They spoke for two hours before Aunt Millicent excused herself to rest.
Kate sensed that John was uncomfortable being alone with her. Fee had taught her how to put people at ease. Fee also told Kate how important it was to make each person with whom she spoke feel special, and a good way to do that was to call people by a nickname and ask questions about their lives.
“John,” Kate asked, “Do you mind if I call you ‘Johnny?’”
John smiled. “That’s what Gram calls me. No, I don’t mind.”
“You are very devoted to your grandmother. I really admire that.”
“She’s the one who brought me up, mostly. My parents got divorced and my mother became an alcoholic when I was eight – right around the time your mother died. We haven’t seen my father for a while. I know it breaks Gram’s heart to have lost contact with her only son. My father and I were never close.”
“I am glad your grandmother has been there for you. No nannies?” Kate asked.
“No. Gram didn’t think it was right to have a nanny for a boy. I did have a governess that home-schooled me. I’m at a private school now and plan to begin taking college classes next year.”
“I’ll be going to college in a little over a year as well. Where are you going?”
“Originally I thought about Harvard, Princeton or Yale. Now I’m starting to think I should stay close . I’ll probably go to Northwestern.”
Kate beamed. “That’s exactly what I plan to do – stay close to Dad. I’ve already started taking some classes at UCSF.”
“I hear their medical school is one of the best,” John said.
“Yes, I know,” Kate said. “Johnny, what do you want to do after college?”
“I’ve been seriously thinking about medicine as well. Gram thinks I’m crazy, but your father has paved the way and has been a great inspiration to me. Now Gram looks at medicine as a noble profession.”
“He is terrific, isn’t he? After Mother died, he took over a hospital to specialize in diagnostics. It has become one of the best hospitals in the area – and people without insurance get the same care as those who do have it.”
“I hear that you started working there at a young age,” John said.
“I did, and I love it. My governess actually incorporated a lot of my home-schooling around my work there. She also incorporated my work with several of our various foundations and charitable organizations. I also got credit for singing lessons and being on an audiotape with some famous singers. I was the only unknown singer.”
“Really? Anything I might have heard of?”
“I doubt it – unless your Gram bought it. It’s pretty much for old people. No Bon Jovi or U2.”
“”Interesting.”
Kate nodded. “I’m never bored. Dad works as the medical consultant on the show ‘St. Elsewhere.’”
John smiled. “Have you met Helen Hunt? I like her.”
“Yes, I have. She’s very nice to me. She even encouraged me to get into TV and movies.”
“You’re certainly beautiful enough,” John said, and then looked embarrassed.
“What a sweet thing to say, Johnny. Thank you.”
“I’m sure you must hear that all the time.” John said a bit timidly.
“I think people are just being nice,” Kate said, remembering Fee’s warning about focusing too much on outer rather than inner beauty.
“Tell me more about ’St. Elsewhere.’”
“I really haven’t been on the set that much. I did meet Mark Harmon and he is dreamy.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Kate felt like a brainless adolescent. “He has a smile that lights up his face. I think a person’s smile is so important; don’t you?”
“I’ve never given it any thought. But now that you mention it, yeah, I’ve seen many girls who looked ordinary until they smiled.”
“My very favorite actresses are Marjorie Martin, Maryanne Grayson and Diane Lane. I’ve met all three of them. They are amazing.”
“I saw Diane Lane in ‘The Outsiders.’ She is gorgeous.”
“She is ‘smashing,’ as my nanny says. She has so much poise and grace for someone her age. I first saw her in ‘A Little Romance.’ You probably didn’t see that.”
“Yeah, I tend to stay away from movies with ‘romance’ in the title. Maryanne Grayson reminds me of Maureen O’Hara and Susan Hayward, and Marjorie Martin looks like a combination of Grace Kelly and Michelle Pfeiffer. How did you get to meet all of them?”
“Dad made a lot of friends in Hollywood. I think I picked up a vibe between Dad and Maryanne Grayson. I wouldn’t be surprised if they started seeing each other. She’s a really strong Christian,” Kate said.
“Having Maryanne Grayson for your stepmother is not too shabby,” John said.
“I agree, John. Maryanne and Marjorie encouraged me to sing professionally. I still can’t believe it.”
“You must be good. I’d like to hear your tape. Will you send me a copy?”
“Sure.” Kate laughed and tried to think of some way to steer the subject away from the superficial. She realized that she had been bragging and was embarrassed. Alan walked in and saved her. “Do you want to go for a ride with me, Kitten?”
“Sure, Dad.”
“John, would you like to join us on a quick errand?”
“I think I’ll stay here with Gram, Uncle Alan.”
Alan opened the car door for Kate as he always did and asked, “Did you have a nice visit with John?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“He’s a fine boy,” Alan said.
“And I love New England, Dad. It’s so beautiful, I think I’d like to live here someday.”
“Gran’s estate is now yours. You can do whatever you’d like with it.”
“Dad, I’d never move away from you, and I can’t see you leaving California.”
“I don’t ever want to stand in your way, Kit-kat. You must live the life to which the Lord calls you.”
“That world would always include you, Daddy.”
Alan put his hand on his heart. He always did this when Kate moved him deeply. “You delight my heart, Kitten.”
During Gran’s funeral Kate held her Dad’s hand tightly and she did not leave his side even while he made rounds with everyone at the reception. Kate spotted Alexandrea with her parents and Kate thought that she was even more beautiful than Kate remembered. Alan dismissed Kate after an hour into the reception when he saw Alexandrea sitting in a patio chair by herself.
“Go get to know your cousin, baby.”
Kate sat next to Alexandrea silently for a few moments, trying to think of something to say. “We only see each other at funerals.”
“It seems that way.” Alexandrea did not look like she wanted to be there.
Aunt Pamela and Uncle Mitch joined them.
“You girls look alike,” Pamela said rather loudly. “My goodness, Mitchell, do you see how much Alexandrea and Kate look alike?”
“They really do,” Uncle Mitch agreed.
“I wonder why,” Pamela said.
“You and Cassandra looked like twins, and so do your daughters,” Mitch said.
“Oh, Mitchell,” Aunt Pamela said coyly. Her face was flushed. It occurred to Kate that Alexandrea’s parents truly loved each other. Kate had never seen an older couple in love. She didn’t recall any positive interaction between Dad and Mother at all.
Alexandrea seemed amused, and began to sing, “Cousins, identical cousins all the way.”
Dad joined them to greet Pamela and Mitch.
“Look at our girls, Alan. They could be twins!” Pamela’s voice was animated and a bit shrilly.
“One pair of matching book ends, different as night and day,” Alexandrea sung on.
Alan looked closely at Alexandrea. “Two Snow Whites,” he said. “I guess it’s in the genes.”
Alexandrea continued to sing softly, “Where Cathy adores a minuet, the Ballet Ruses and crepe suzette – “
“Stop singing, Alexandrea,” Pamela said, clearly irritated.
“Our Patty loves to rock and roll,” Alexandrea continued. “A hot dog makes her lose control.”
“Alexandrea, you are being rude,” Mitchell said.
“What a wild duet!” Alexandrea continued, ignoring her parents’ warning. Kate was fascinated by Alexandrea’s singing and her attitude.
Pamela glared at Alexandrea, and then looked at Alan. “Kate could spend time in the summer at our house on the Cape. We go every year,” Pamela said.
Alexandrea shrugged. “I suppose it would be more tolerable if she came. We could ‘laugh alike, walk alike, at times even talk alike. You could lose your mind’ –“
Mitchell said, “That is enough, Alexandrea,”
Under her breath, Alexandrea sang. “When cousins are two of a kind (Sid Ramin and Bob Wells, ©1963).”
Kate laughed. Alexandrea was unlike anyone she’d ever met.
Alan asked Kate, “What do you think, Kit-kat?”
Kate smile and nodded. “Definitely.”
Dad said, “Well, I think that can be arranged, for at least two weeks, anyway. Kate has been home-schooled and is graduating from high school in the spring. She was a big help in opening our new hospital. She’s been working and learning there since she was eight.”
“How ambitious,” Pamela said, glaring at Alexandrea.
“That is terrific, Alan,” Mitch said. “Kate has so much drive and ambition for such a young girl. You must be very proud.”
Alexandrea rolled her eyes, sarcastically said “Excuse me,” and walked away.
Kate kept her eyes on Alexandrea. She had never been around anyone like her before and was determined to become friends with her unique and fascinating beautiful cousin.
After mingling with the guests for a while, Kate saw Alexandrea in the gazebo, smoking a cigarette. Kate joined her. “That was a cute song you sang. What’s it from?”
Alexandrea scoffed. “Haven’t you ever seen reruns of ‘The Patty Duke Show?”
“I really don’t watch much television,” Kate replied.
“Oh, that’s right,” Alexandrea said. “You are too busy running your father’s hospital and practicing medicine.”
Kate was at a loss for words. No one had ever treated her so rudely before. Matthew 5:39 came to her mind: “But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Kate looked at Alexandrea. “If I have done something to offend you, I am very sorry.”
Alexandrea looked away. “It’s not personal. I have a problem with my parents and with all rich people.”
“Why?”
“Because I loathe pretentiousness and hypocrisy. Rich people only care about showing off and outdoing each other. They are superficial and hypocritical gossips. ‘High society’ leaves me cold, and I’m so tired of having it pushed down my throat.”
Kate thought about Alexandrea’s words. “I’ve been around rich people all my life, and I can’t say that is my experience at all.”
“Have you had your first cotillion yet?” Alexandrea asked.
“No. I was going to have one here for Gran when I turned sixteen. Dad doesn’t care about those things, but he asked me to do it for Gran. I was sort of looking forward to it. I’ve never been to one.”
Alexandrea rolled her eyes and said, “You haven’t missed a thing.”
“Even before my mother died,” Kate said, “I was never forced to participate in any of that.”
“Well, you’re lucky.” Alexandrea looked at Kate. “I don’t mean you’re lucky that your mother died.”
Kate did not blink. “I had very little interaction with her, really. I’ve been raised by my nanny and Dad. You’re probably right, though. If my mother had lived, she probably would have participated in all that. She was very close to your mother and Dad said they were very much alike.”
“I went through five nannies before my parents finally gave up on that idea.”
“You must never have had a nanny like mine. She is so full of wisdom and has taught me so much. Now she’s more like a friend than a nanny. I don’t think I could love a mother more than I love Fee.”
“’Fee?’”
“Fee is short for Fiona. She came over from England after I was born. She is amazing. She has kept me grounded. Fee has helped me keep a proper perspective about having money. I look at our material possessions as a convenience – nothing more. The most important thing in life that Fee taught me is to have a personal relationship with God.”
Alexandrea scoffed. “Oh, you’re one of those fanatical Jesus freaks. What makes you think there is a God?”
Kate spent the next hour sharing the gospel with Alexandrea. She concluded by saying, “If you ask God to reveal the truth to you, He will.”
Alan had to meet with lawyers regarding Gran’s estate and the G.V. Campbell Foundation’s various business dealings. Pamela invited Kate to stay with them. Alan told Kate that Pamela hoped Kate would be a good influence on Alexandrea. Kate wasn’t sure whether Alexandrea wanted her there, but she decided to go anyway. Kate enjoyed a challenge. Pamela made a big fuss when Kate arrived. Her chef made a delicious lunch which they ate at the long, huge but exquisitely carved mahogany dining table. It looked as though it would seat twenty people. Kate began to understand what Alexandrea had told her about the superficiality with which her family lived.
After lunch, Alexandrea took Kate to her room and finally began to open up. She shared her hopes and dreams for the future, and Kate talked about hers as well. They talked for hours on end and Kate spent three days at Alexandrea’s home. Kate was enthralled by Alexandrea’s quick wit and her tales about New England’s high society and its silly expectations.
Alexandrea was mesmerized by Kate’s stories about her own life, the wisdom of Kate’s nanny, and the fierce ambition which consumed Kate. Alexandrea was especially fascinated by Kate’s complete disregard for wealth and its benefits. The perks came in handy at times, but for the most part, Kate was emotionally detached from them.
Kate told Alexandrea that her name was too long. “I think ‘Alexis’ is a good name, and ‘Lexi’ is a great nickname for you.”
“I like that, Kate. People have called me ‘Alex, ‘Andrea’ and ‘Drea, and I never liked those names.”
“Alexis or Lexi it is,” Kate said. “And I’ll probably shorten it to ‘Lex’ if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind at all. I heard your dad call you ‘Kit-kat.’ How about if I call you ‘Kat?’”
Kate smiled. “I’d like that.”
Lex asked Kat, “What kind of music do you like?”
“I like classical, the ballads of the thirties through the fifties, oldies from the fifties and sixties, soft rock, easy listening, country western, Christian, instrumental, some jazz and alternative/ reggae.”
Lexi laughed. “So you’re a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.”
Kate looked blankly at Lexi.
“Haven’t you ever seen the Osmonds – Donny and Marie?”
“I guess not,” Kate said.
“Well you certainly are quite the music connoisseur,” Lex said.
“Just eclectic.”
“Actually, your taste in music is a bit freakish and cheesy.” Lex said.
Kate said, “I know. And to complete my freakish collection, I sang two songs on a tape –
“A real audiotape that people buy?”
“No. The kind that people burn.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Steve Allen wrote all the songs.”
Lex was impressed. “The Steve Allen?”
“You know who he is? Most people our age have never heard of him,” Kate said.
“I am a television and movie buff. Sing your songs for me, Kat.”
“No way.”
“C’mon. I won’t embarrass you,” Lex coaxed.
“I’ll send you a tape if you want, Lex. But I don’t sing anymore.” Kate was adamant.
“I remember Steve Allen’s show in the early eighties,” Lex said. “How did you connect with him?”
“Well, my dad was the medical consulting on the show ‘St. Elsewhere.’”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” Lex said.
“No, I’m serious. Anyway, Steverino was a guest on the show and he and my dad got along great. They’ve been friends ever since. I’d been taking singing lessons for a while and somehow he heard me singing and asked if I’d try two songs in particular for an album. I auditioned and I wound up doing the tape.”
“That’s incredible. You are a regular La Streisand, singing at fourteen. Can I call you ‘Diva?’”
“Two songs doth not a Barbra Streisand make. My career was short-lived. By the way, Barbra sang on the Ed Sullivan Show at the age of twelve.”
“”Color me impressed,” Lex said.
“Just as long as you don’t Color Me Barbra.”
Lex stared at Kate. “You’re good. I think I may have met my match in you.”
“Thanks,” Kate said.
“Did you get to meet any exciting celebrities?” Lex asked.
“It depends on what you mean by ‘exciting.’ I met Helen Hunt and Mark Harmon. I can’t remember the names of too many others. My favorite is Diane Lane. That was exciting. She is so beautiful and poised and graceful.”
“Diane Lane is very pretty,” Lex said. “How’d you get to meet her?”
“Steve Allen’s wife –“
“Jayne Meadows.”
“Yes. She was in a TV movie with Diane –“
“’Miss All-American Beauty.”
“Yes. You are mind-boggling, Lex,” Kate said.
“I told you I was a TV and movie buff.”
“Anyway, Jayne Meadows got friendly with Diane Lane and Steve Allen knew how much I admired Diane, so we both went to their home for dinner. And what was most amazing was that she had heard me sing Steve’s songs and she told me that she admired my talent. It was crazy.”
“That’s pretty interesting. Personally, I like the Brat Pack – Molly Ringwald and especially Emilio Estevez. Now he’s a babe.”
Kate laughed. “Emilio was also in a movie with Diane Lane – and they dated.”
“’The Outsiders.’” Lex said.
“You are good,” Kate said. “I liked ‘A Little Romance’ better.”
“Color me even more impressed. Who else did she date?”
“Jon Bon Jovi, Timothy Hutton and Matt Dillon,” Kate said.
“What about Helen Hunt?” Lex asked.
“Eric Stoltz, who dated Cher and Ally Sheedy,” Kate said.
“Who else?” Lexi suddenly seemed to hang onto her every word.
“Maryanne Grayson. I think that she and Dad have a special connection. They’ve begun calling each other weekly.”
“Maryanne Grayson is gorgeous. And you may become related to her? That’s incredible. Who else?” Lex asked.
“Ally Sheedy dated Judd Nelson. Timothy Hutton married Debra Winger,” Kate said.
“An Officer and a Gentleman – wow! Didn’t Debra Winger also date Al Pacino?”
“Yes. And he dated Diane Keaton.”
“Well la-di-dah – Annie Hall. I loved that movie. She dated Warren Beatty – of course, I think every woman in Hollywood has dated Warren Beatty at some time. You’re the closest to a celebrity that I know.”
“It really wasn’t a big deal,” Kate said. “I can’t believe you keep such a close eye on Hollywood stars.”
“And you don’t care about them at all. I’ll bet that you are perfect at everything you do,” Lex said. “What else besides singing and running hospitals?”
Kate knew that Lex was mocking her, but she played along. “Well, my ice-skating teacher said I should go to the Olympics. My ballet teacher said I was a natural, but I was too tall to be a pro. My piano teacher said if I practiced enough, I could play for the Boston Pops. My soccer coach thought I could get on the U.S. team and help them win the World Cup.”
“I appreciate your sarcasm,” Lex said.
“I thought you would,” Kate responded.
“You’ve still got a long way to go to keep up with me,” Lex said playfully.
“Give me a little time. Maybe I will,” Kate said.
“I believe that,” quipped Lex.
When Kate’s visit came to an end, both girls were sad, but they vowed to stay in touch and visit each other as often as possible. They both knew they had become lifelong friends.
As they flew home, Alan asked Kate about Alexandrea. “So, Kit-kat, are the two of you now best friends?”
Kate nodded and smiled. “Lex is different from anyone I’ve ever known. Her sense of humor is remarkable and she despises New England ‘high society,’ as she calls it.”
“That’s what her parents were telling me. They make her out to be quite the rebel.”
“You know, Dad, I might feel the same way if that was forced on me.”
Alan laughed. “I doubt that. You’ve always been so positive about everything. Your mother loved it all, though. She resented moving to California, where so-called ‘high society’ is much more laid back.”
“Was Gran caught up in all that, Dad?”
“Not really, Kitten. She was very supportive of your grandfather, so she was involved in many philanthropic organizations. But Gran had a mind of her own, and didn’t get caught up in things that were superficial and unimportant. Both my parents never stood on ceremony. Gran would have loved to have had your first cotillion, though. She was so proud of you.”
“Lex made it sound pretty awful. You know, I feel sorry for Lex. I wish she could come live with us.”
“Well, Kitten, a commitment to a friend would mean you’d have to reprioritize your life.”
“Can I call her everyday?”
“Sure, baby. And within a few years, you’ll be able to contact and chat with her on a computer.”
“Really?” Kate’s eyes got big. “How is that possible?”
“Have you heard of Bill Gates?”
“I’ve heard you mention him,” Kate said.
“I’ve met with him and have invested in his company. He believes that the home computer market is about to explode. You wouldn’t believe the technology that will be tapped.”
Kate sighed. “That doesn’t really help Lex and me.”
“Not yet, kitten. If you are serious about Alexis moving here, you realize that you couldn’t be as involved in the hospital and you’d probably have to slow down your medical school plan.”
“I really haven’t given it that much thought, Dad. The idea just came to me.”
“Well, if that’s what you want, Kit-kat, it’s fine with me. You’ve been deprived of having brothers and sisters. You’ve just been stuck with me.”
Kate smiled. “I’d never say I was stuck with you. I’ve been blessed by our special relationship. Oh, Daddy, I do love you so much!”
Alan was touched and put his hand on his heart.. “You haven’t called me ‘Daddy’ in years.”
“I don’t mind calling you ‘Daddy’ at home, but not at work. And don’t you think I’m a little old to be called ‘Kitten?’”
Alan feigned shock and put his hand back on his heart. “You will always be ‘Kitten’ to me no matter what your age, Kit-kat.”
Kate smiled. “Even when I’m old and gray?”
Alan winked at her. “You will never be old and gray, Kitten. You are a dazzling young woman who will blossom into an older, distinguished beautiful woman.”
“Oh, Daddy,” Kate sighed. She didn’t like being told how beautiful she was because of Fee’s many warnings. “Lex is beautiful. I’m not and really don’t care to be. Fee says that beautiful women more easily fall into sin.”
“Baby, that is a generalization. You are firmly grounded in who you are in Christ and what you want. Fiona has told you to always play down your beauty, and I don’t disagree with that. I must tell you, however, that you and Alexis could be twins, but you have the poise and gracefulness of someone older. You turn heads wherever you go.”
“Daddy, please stop talking about such things. It makes me uncomfortable.”
Alan sighed. “All right. But my final view on the subject is that you look like a combination of a young Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Wood – with longer, darker hair and incredibly beautiful blue eyes.”
Kate stared at her father. “How strange. That’s exactly how I would describe Lex.”
“Well, there you go,” Alan said.
Kate leaned back contentedly, closing her eyes. She thought about her time with Lex and one conversation in particular stood out regarding boys and marriage. Lex had a boyfriend, Matthew. They had known each other since elementary school and had been going together for two years. Kate met him. He looked like a male model and was very nice.
Lex had commented, “I can’t believe that you’ve never had a boyfriend. You’re so beautiful.”
Kate laughed. “Well, I had a crush on the boy next door for a while,” Kate had said.
“Do tell,” Lex said.
“His name is Jake Curtis. He looks like a surfer – blond hair, dark brown eyes, always tan and very muscular.”
“Sounds like he could be the poster boy for California.”
“He knows it too,” Kate said. “He’s a lot older than me. He’s probably already graduated from college by now.”
“Does he come home often?” Lex asked.
“I hardly ever see him anymore. I see his younger brother Paul. In fact, I see Paul a little too much. He likes to hang around. Whenever I go riding he seems to appear.”
“He’s not so cute?” Lex asked.
“He’s pretty nerdy,” Kate heard herself saying. She immediately regretted her words. “He looks more like an intellectual than a surfer.”
“Do you buy into the fairy tale-ending?” Lex asked.
“What do you mean?”
“That some day a gorgeous young man will be your prince and ride in on his white horse and he’ll be your soul mate for life?”
“I’m not even sure I want to get married,” Kate said.
“You don’t strike me as a women’s libber,” Lex said.
“I’m not. But Fee continually brought up the subject of marriage. She told me what a tremendous commitment marriage is and that it wasn’t for everyone and should not be entered into lightly. Fee told me that people who wanted to dedicate their lives to their work should not get married. She said that I had a very bright future ahead of me, and advised me to devote myself to my career for at least ten years. Then, Fee said, if I met the right person and chose marriage and a family, I should put my all into that.
“Fee would quote Paul in First Corinthians 7:8,9: “But I say to the unmarried . . . it is good for them if they remain single, but if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”
“Fee did tell me that the tenets of the Bible referred only to believers, and that non-believers could not be expected to adhere to biblical doctrine.”
Kate tried to explain these things to Lex. While Lex did not seem very interested in the things of God and the Bible, she promised Kate that she would ask God to reveal Himself to her. When Kate got home, she told Fee all about Lex. “Fee, I know the Bible says in Second Corinthians 6:14, ’Do not be bound together with unbelievers.’ Does that mean I shouldn’t be close friends with Lex?”
Fee smiled. “Oh, Katie; you are quite a student of the Word, aren’t you, love? We are encouraged to continue to witness to non-believers. The verse refers to marriage and business partners. As long as you remain faithful to the Lord, you can be friends with unbelievers. In fact, we are told to continue our witnessing. How else are they to be saved?”
Kate sighed deeply. “I am so relieved. I just have to believe that Lex will come to know the Lord.”
“You continue your witnessing, love. I’ll be praying for her as well.”
Kate threw her arms around Fee’s neck and hugged her tightly. “Oh, Fee, I do love you.”
Fee held Kate tightly, “And I love you, dearest Katie. I love you as if you were my own daughter.”
The next day Kate told Alan at dinner, “I’d like to set up a trust fund for Lex. I have a feeling she is going to need it someday.”
“What makes you think she will take anything from you when she wants nothing to do with money?”
Kate thought about that for a few seconds. “She wants nothing to do with her parents. I think she would take it from a trust fund – eventually, anyway.”
“Well, kitten, why don’t you meet with Charlie and set it up?
Kate grinned. “Thanks, Dad.”
“Hey,” said Alan, “you have more money than you could possibly ever spend. I’m glad you want to give it to others. I encourage you to set up as many trust funds for as many people as possible.”
“Thank you, Dad. I already set one up for Fee.”
“Charlie mentioned something about that to me. I’m proud of you. The greatest blessing that comes from having money is sharing it with others.”
“I never forget your favorite verses in Titus, Dad. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us)to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a)people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. But for the grace of God, I could be in the same position as Lex is.”
Kathryn Campbell's Journey to Living a Live Pleasing to the Lord.
Prologue - 1940 - 1970
One might think it is easy to be born into one of the richest families in America, but wealth had its disadvantages, at least as far as George Alan Campbell, Jr. was concerned. For as long as he could remember, Alan – as he chose to be called – had no desire to get involved with any of the family businesses or foundations, as was expected of the sole heir of the G.V.P.C. fortune. He had a passion for medicine and wanted to try his hand at numerous undertakings in a variety of areas, none of which particularly pleased his parents.
It was his mother, Victoria Leanne Packard Campbell, who pronounced Alan an adventurer and softened her husband’s – George Alan Campbell, Sr. – heart toward Alan.“Darling,” Victoria had said to George, “Let him do what he chooses. The GVPC fortune and the Foundation, businesses, estates and all that it encompasses are very adeptly run by our CEOs. I am confident that Alan will always look out for the best interests of anything having to do with the GVPC fortunes.”George Sr. relented. He knew Alan was extremely intelligent and loyal to his family. If he wanted to go through the hard work of becoming a doctor, so be it. George didn’t understand it, but he succumbed to his son’s wishes.Alan always had a cheerful disposition, and although he didn’t care much for the customs of the upper crust, he went along with them for the sake of his parents.
Alan was a strapping, handsome young man with dark black hair and large almond-shaped brown eyes. Women were -attracted to him and his rugged good looks before they even knew his name and financial standing. It came as no surprise to George and Victoria that women would outwardly flirt with and cajole Alan to surrender to their wiles.One thing that George and Victoria were insistent upon was that Alan married an heiress who was also a Christian. From the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-three, Alan was introduced to many different young women from the wealthiest, most prominent families in the United States. Alan knew that this was a battle he could not win, and on his twenty-fourth birthday, he brought home Cassandra Reynolds Johnston, of the Johnston-Reynolds fortune, and announced his intention to marry her.
His parents could not have been more pleased. Alan had picked Cassandra not only because of her breathtaking beauty, but because he liked her quiet yet seemingly confident demeanor. She laughed at Alan’s jokes and readily accepted his compliments.
At only five foot three and one hundred pounds, she had delicate features and a porcelain complexion. Her raven hair was long, dark and thick. Her eyes were the prettiest and, clearest shade of blue that Alan had ever seen. Alan called her “Snow White,” which always made Cassandra smile.Cassandra’s sister Pamela, born in 1947, was eighteen months older than Cassandra, and looked like she could have been Cassandra’s twin.
Both sisters loved being part of what they called “New England’s High Society.” Their father, Franklin Emerson Johnston, was hardly ever home and in the mid-sixties., when the rate of death due to cardiovascular disease was at its highest, he died of a heart attack in 1965. Their mother, Kathryn Marie Reynolds Johnston, was always busy with her philanthropic work despite the fact that she tended to be sickly. Kathryn died two years later as a result of complications of pneumonia that she had contracted while working as a volunteer in a hospital.
Cassandra and Pamela were brought up by their nanny, Margret Davies, who had come directly from England to work for the Johnston family. Margret was proper and formal, and brought Cassandra and Pamela up accordingly. Pamela, who used to call her sister “Cassie,” was told by Margret that nicknames were for commoners. Cassandra stopped calling her sister “Pam.” All rules of proper English society were taught to and followed by the Johnston girls.Pamela married Mitchell Morgan, an heir to the Bryan-Morgan fortune, while Cassandra was infatuated with Alan Campbell, who was even wealthier than Mitchell. Both girls had proper high society weddings within six months of one another. Alan would have preferred a small, intimate wedding, but it was important to Cassandra and her sister to have an elaborate, elegant and proper wedding.
Alan and Cassandra toured Europe for their honeymoon, which lasted for one month. Upon their return from Europe, much to Cassandra’s dismay, Alan announced that he wanted to move to San Francisco and receive his medical training at UCSF. The Campbells and the Johnstons bought a twelve-thousand-square foot mansion on the outskirts of San Francisco in a city called Palo Alto. The mansion was on three acres and included a swimming pool, tennis courts and stables. A maid, chef, butler and chauffeur would also be retained, pending the approval of Alan and Cassandra.
As soon as Alan and Cassandra moved into their new home, Alan began UCSF medical school. Cassandra grew restless with Alan gone so much. She talked to Pamela at least once a day and visited her at least once a month. By the fifth month of Alan’s absence, Cassandra went to visit Victoria in Boston. Not long into their visit, Cassandra discussed the situation with her mother-in-law.
“I just don’t understand why Alan wants to be a doctor. He is gone almost all the time, and from what I hear, it is just going to get worse.
”Victoria was sympathetic and put her hand on her daughter-in-law’s arm. “Alan is a free and an adventuresome spirit, Cassandra. Surely you knew that before you married him, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.” Cassandra was still not sure what to call Victoria. It didn’t seem right to call her ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom,” but calling her by her first name would have been improper. “I guess I never really gave any thought to how much Alan would be gone. I am so very lonely.”
“Well, dear,” Victoria said sweetly, “You know you are always welcome here. If you would like to get involved with my charities and benefits, I would love to have you join me every other week. We have a jet for that very purpose."
Cassandra sighed. “That is very kind of you. I have not really thought about what I should do.”Victoria removed her hand from Cassandra’s arm and sipped her tea. “I hate to bring this up, dear, but you are twenty-five, and that is a good age to begin having children. When I was your age, Alan was already two.”Cassandra bit her lip. She had hoped that she would get pregnant on their honeymoon and was disappointed that she hadn’t. “We are trying, but it does make it difficult when Alan is gone so much.”
“Oh, my dear, I am sorry. Would you like me or George to talk to him?”After thinking about the question for a few moments, she said, “I would appreciate that, yes. But please don’t tell him that I talked to you.”
“Of course not,” Victoria responded.Cassandra tried to disguise her anxiety. “Do you mind my asking why you never had more children?”
“Not at all,” Victoria said, as she dismissed the question with the wave of her hand. “I am surprised that Alan and you never broached that subject. We had another son – he would have been twenty-three by now – but it ended in a stillbirth. No one knew why.”“Oh, I am so sorry,” Cassandra said, shocked.“We also had a daughter when I was twenty, but we lost her to encephalitis at only six months.”
Cassandra was stunned, “I don’t know what to say.”
“You need not say anything, dear. We are just so thankful for Alan.”
Victoria noticed that Cassandra was staring off into the distance. “Oh, I am sorry, dear. How dreadful to say such things to a young woman who is trying to have a baby. Whatever was I thinking? They have made so much progress in medicine since the late thirties. Just give it some time, Cassandra.”
Being away from Palo Alto had brightened Cassandra’s spirits, and when she returned home, became pregnant right away. She was ecstatic. Twenty weeks into her pregnancy, Cassandra’s doctor advised her to remain on bed rest until the baby was born. Cassandra became depressed from the sheer boredom she had to endure. Alan did his best to be home more and keep his wife company, but each week Cassandra became more forlorn.Alan began buying Jane Austen books for Cassandra to read, since those were his mother’s favorites. He brought poetry by Dickinson, Browning, Emerson and Whitman. With each book Alan brought, Cassandra would grow more discontented. Didn’t her own husband realize that, unlike Alan and his mother, she was not an avid reader? In fact, she had never enjoyed reading at all. Cassandra did not understand how Alan continued to bring her books when he never saw her reading any of them.Cassandra did decide to begin interviewing potential nurses, nannies and butlers. She called several of the women with whom she had done charity work in San Francisco and found an excellent nurse named Olivia. Alan had approved of a butler/chauffeur named Ogden.
On one of her weekly telephone calls, Victoria informed her daughter-in-law about a top notch nanny that the Huntingtons and the Beaumonts of Beacon Hill had highly recommended. Her name was Fiona Darby; she was twenty years old and came from an excellent English-Irish family. Victoria asked if Cassandra wanted her to take care of the details, and Cassandra was more than happy to have her mother-in-law get involved.
With each day that passed, Cassandra fumed about her circumstances and resented the baby even more. Finally, in her thirty-eighth week, her water broke and at long last Cassandra would be free from her forced exile. Unfortunately, after twenty-two hours of difficult labor, an emergency c-section had to be performed to completely free Cassandra of the baby who had been her captor for so long.
Alan had scrubbed in and prayed that Cassandra’s labor would be an easy one. He knew the toll this pregnancy had taken on her. Cassandra was no longer the woman he had married – or at least the woman he thought he had married. She had grown bitter and self-absorbed. Alan prayed that after the baby was born, she would once again be the woman with whom he had fallen in love.The c-section was taking too long. Why hadn’t he insisted on being in the operating room? Alan saw there was something wrong.
The OB pulled Alan aside. “Your wife is hemorrhaging and they are taking out her left ovary right now. She will probably be asleep for two more hours.”Alan sighed deeply as he stared at the Isolette where doctors and nurses were working, blocking Alan’s view. He had a medical degree, but still was afraid to ask about his own baby. Like most physicians, he loathed being on the “other” side.
“And the baby?” Alan braced himself for bad news.
The doctor smiled. “You have a beautiful, healthy girl. She weighed in at eight pounds, six ounces and is twenty-one inches long. Your wife’s pelvic bones were too small, but your baby is doing fine.”Alan was surprised at how elated he felt.
“When can I hold her?” Alan asked.
The doctor responded, “Go with Jane when she takes your daughter to the nursery.”
As they entered the nursery, Alan’s eyes were drawn to a dark-haired baby sleeping contentedly in an Isolette in the corner. He had delivered dozens of babies, but he had never really stopped to think about the miracle of birth.
Alan stared at this tiny human being, created by Cassandra and him, in astonishment. She was absolutely perfect. Clutching her to his chest, Alan asked to use the phone. He called his assistant and asked her to cancel everything on his calendar for at least a week. He had no intention of leaving the side of his precious, perfectly-formed miracle of a newborn daughter unless absolutely necessary.
A nurse came to find Alan. “Dr. Campbell, your wife is starting to wake up.” Alan reluctantly put down his daughter and left to see Cassandra.
“Hey, sleepy head,” Alan brushed Cassandra’s hair from her head. “How are you feeling, Snow White?”`Cassandra grimaced. “What happened? Is the baby okay?”
“The baby is fine. You needed an emergency c-section.”
“I feel as though I have a whole in my stomach,” Cassandra complained. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then they bolted open. “Do we have a son?”
“No, we have a beautiful little girl.”
Cassandra frowned. “I am sorry, Alan.”
“Hey, Snow White, I am ecstatic. She looks just like you.”
Staring into the distance, Cassandra said, “You need a son to be your heir, not a girl. Now I am going to have to endure another thirty-eight weeks of misery.”
“No, Cassie, you don’t.”Cassandra glowered at Alan. She did not like nicknames. Alan had tried calling her “Sandy,” and she grumbled and rolled her eyes. When he called her “Cassie,” Cassandra told Alan that was the name of a cow, not a woman.
Alan continued. “I am thrilled at having a girl.” Alan pondered whether or not to tell Cassandra about the loss of one ovary, but thought better of it. Cassandra was agitated and the timing wasn’t right.
Alan smiled, hoping to cheer up his wife. “I’ve been thinking of names.”
Cassandra looked away and bit her lip. “I don’t have any names for a girl. I really thought that we would have a son. I was hoping God would make up for my terrible pregnancy by giving us a boy. I have never wanted a girl.”
Alan chose not to respond to Cassandra’s hurtful comment. He forced himself to speak cheerfully. "How about ’Kathryn Leanne Johnston Campbell’? ‘Kathryn’ is in memory of your mother and ‘Leanne’ is to honor my mother. I think it is an excellent combination.”
“Whatever,” Cassandra said disinterestedly. “I need to sleep. Tell the nurse to give me more pain medication.”Alan eagerly returned to his daughter, and fell asleep with Kathryn Leanne Packard-Campbell in his arms. From that day on, Alan thanked the Lord daily for the precious blessing of his daughter, with whom he would never have been blessed but for the grace of God.
It was his mother, Victoria Leanne Packard Campbell, who pronounced Alan an adventurer and softened her husband’s – George Alan Campbell, Sr. – heart toward Alan.“Darling,” Victoria had said to George, “Let him do what he chooses. The GVPC fortune and the Foundation, businesses, estates and all that it encompasses are very adeptly run by our CEOs. I am confident that Alan will always look out for the best interests of anything having to do with the GVPC fortunes.”George Sr. relented. He knew Alan was extremely intelligent and loyal to his family. If he wanted to go through the hard work of becoming a doctor, so be it. George didn’t understand it, but he succumbed to his son’s wishes.Alan always had a cheerful disposition, and although he didn’t care much for the customs of the upper crust, he went along with them for the sake of his parents.
Alan was a strapping, handsome young man with dark black hair and large almond-shaped brown eyes. Women were -attracted to him and his rugged good looks before they even knew his name and financial standing. It came as no surprise to George and Victoria that women would outwardly flirt with and cajole Alan to surrender to their wiles.One thing that George and Victoria were insistent upon was that Alan married an heiress who was also a Christian. From the time he was eighteen until he was twenty-three, Alan was introduced to many different young women from the wealthiest, most prominent families in the United States. Alan knew that this was a battle he could not win, and on his twenty-fourth birthday, he brought home Cassandra Reynolds Johnston, of the Johnston-Reynolds fortune, and announced his intention to marry her.
His parents could not have been more pleased. Alan had picked Cassandra not only because of her breathtaking beauty, but because he liked her quiet yet seemingly confident demeanor. She laughed at Alan’s jokes and readily accepted his compliments.
At only five foot three and one hundred pounds, she had delicate features and a porcelain complexion. Her raven hair was long, dark and thick. Her eyes were the prettiest and, clearest shade of blue that Alan had ever seen. Alan called her “Snow White,” which always made Cassandra smile.Cassandra’s sister Pamela, born in 1947, was eighteen months older than Cassandra, and looked like she could have been Cassandra’s twin.
Both sisters loved being part of what they called “New England’s High Society.” Their father, Franklin Emerson Johnston, was hardly ever home and in the mid-sixties., when the rate of death due to cardiovascular disease was at its highest, he died of a heart attack in 1965. Their mother, Kathryn Marie Reynolds Johnston, was always busy with her philanthropic work despite the fact that she tended to be sickly. Kathryn died two years later as a result of complications of pneumonia that she had contracted while working as a volunteer in a hospital.
Cassandra and Pamela were brought up by their nanny, Margret Davies, who had come directly from England to work for the Johnston family. Margret was proper and formal, and brought Cassandra and Pamela up accordingly. Pamela, who used to call her sister “Cassie,” was told by Margret that nicknames were for commoners. Cassandra stopped calling her sister “Pam.” All rules of proper English society were taught to and followed by the Johnston girls.Pamela married Mitchell Morgan, an heir to the Bryan-Morgan fortune, while Cassandra was infatuated with Alan Campbell, who was even wealthier than Mitchell. Both girls had proper high society weddings within six months of one another. Alan would have preferred a small, intimate wedding, but it was important to Cassandra and her sister to have an elaborate, elegant and proper wedding.
Alan and Cassandra toured Europe for their honeymoon, which lasted for one month. Upon their return from Europe, much to Cassandra’s dismay, Alan announced that he wanted to move to San Francisco and receive his medical training at UCSF. The Campbells and the Johnstons bought a twelve-thousand-square foot mansion on the outskirts of San Francisco in a city called Palo Alto. The mansion was on three acres and included a swimming pool, tennis courts and stables. A maid, chef, butler and chauffeur would also be retained, pending the approval of Alan and Cassandra.
As soon as Alan and Cassandra moved into their new home, Alan began UCSF medical school. Cassandra grew restless with Alan gone so much. She talked to Pamela at least once a day and visited her at least once a month. By the fifth month of Alan’s absence, Cassandra went to visit Victoria in Boston. Not long into their visit, Cassandra discussed the situation with her mother-in-law.
“I just don’t understand why Alan wants to be a doctor. He is gone almost all the time, and from what I hear, it is just going to get worse.
”Victoria was sympathetic and put her hand on her daughter-in-law’s arm. “Alan is a free and an adventuresome spirit, Cassandra. Surely you knew that before you married him, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I did.” Cassandra was still not sure what to call Victoria. It didn’t seem right to call her ‘Mother’ or ‘Mom,” but calling her by her first name would have been improper. “I guess I never really gave any thought to how much Alan would be gone. I am so very lonely.”
“Well, dear,” Victoria said sweetly, “You know you are always welcome here. If you would like to get involved with my charities and benefits, I would love to have you join me every other week. We have a jet for that very purpose."
Cassandra sighed. “That is very kind of you. I have not really thought about what I should do.”Victoria removed her hand from Cassandra’s arm and sipped her tea. “I hate to bring this up, dear, but you are twenty-five, and that is a good age to begin having children. When I was your age, Alan was already two.”Cassandra bit her lip. She had hoped that she would get pregnant on their honeymoon and was disappointed that she hadn’t. “We are trying, but it does make it difficult when Alan is gone so much.”
“Oh, my dear, I am sorry. Would you like me or George to talk to him?”After thinking about the question for a few moments, she said, “I would appreciate that, yes. But please don’t tell him that I talked to you.”
“Of course not,” Victoria responded.Cassandra tried to disguise her anxiety. “Do you mind my asking why you never had more children?”
“Not at all,” Victoria said, as she dismissed the question with the wave of her hand. “I am surprised that Alan and you never broached that subject. We had another son – he would have been twenty-three by now – but it ended in a stillbirth. No one knew why.”“Oh, I am so sorry,” Cassandra said, shocked.“We also had a daughter when I was twenty, but we lost her to encephalitis at only six months.”
Cassandra was stunned, “I don’t know what to say.”
“You need not say anything, dear. We are just so thankful for Alan.”
Victoria noticed that Cassandra was staring off into the distance. “Oh, I am sorry, dear. How dreadful to say such things to a young woman who is trying to have a baby. Whatever was I thinking? They have made so much progress in medicine since the late thirties. Just give it some time, Cassandra.”
Being away from Palo Alto had brightened Cassandra’s spirits, and when she returned home, became pregnant right away. She was ecstatic. Twenty weeks into her pregnancy, Cassandra’s doctor advised her to remain on bed rest until the baby was born. Cassandra became depressed from the sheer boredom she had to endure. Alan did his best to be home more and keep his wife company, but each week Cassandra became more forlorn.Alan began buying Jane Austen books for Cassandra to read, since those were his mother’s favorites. He brought poetry by Dickinson, Browning, Emerson and Whitman. With each book Alan brought, Cassandra would grow more discontented. Didn’t her own husband realize that, unlike Alan and his mother, she was not an avid reader? In fact, she had never enjoyed reading at all. Cassandra did not understand how Alan continued to bring her books when he never saw her reading any of them.Cassandra did decide to begin interviewing potential nurses, nannies and butlers. She called several of the women with whom she had done charity work in San Francisco and found an excellent nurse named Olivia. Alan had approved of a butler/chauffeur named Ogden.
On one of her weekly telephone calls, Victoria informed her daughter-in-law about a top notch nanny that the Huntingtons and the Beaumonts of Beacon Hill had highly recommended. Her name was Fiona Darby; she was twenty years old and came from an excellent English-Irish family. Victoria asked if Cassandra wanted her to take care of the details, and Cassandra was more than happy to have her mother-in-law get involved.
With each day that passed, Cassandra fumed about her circumstances and resented the baby even more. Finally, in her thirty-eighth week, her water broke and at long last Cassandra would be free from her forced exile. Unfortunately, after twenty-two hours of difficult labor, an emergency c-section had to be performed to completely free Cassandra of the baby who had been her captor for so long.
Alan had scrubbed in and prayed that Cassandra’s labor would be an easy one. He knew the toll this pregnancy had taken on her. Cassandra was no longer the woman he had married – or at least the woman he thought he had married. She had grown bitter and self-absorbed. Alan prayed that after the baby was born, she would once again be the woman with whom he had fallen in love.The c-section was taking too long. Why hadn’t he insisted on being in the operating room? Alan saw there was something wrong.
The OB pulled Alan aside. “Your wife is hemorrhaging and they are taking out her left ovary right now. She will probably be asleep for two more hours.”Alan sighed deeply as he stared at the Isolette where doctors and nurses were working, blocking Alan’s view. He had a medical degree, but still was afraid to ask about his own baby. Like most physicians, he loathed being on the “other” side.
“And the baby?” Alan braced himself for bad news.
The doctor smiled. “You have a beautiful, healthy girl. She weighed in at eight pounds, six ounces and is twenty-one inches long. Your wife’s pelvic bones were too small, but your baby is doing fine.”Alan was surprised at how elated he felt.
“When can I hold her?” Alan asked.
The doctor responded, “Go with Jane when she takes your daughter to the nursery.”
As they entered the nursery, Alan’s eyes were drawn to a dark-haired baby sleeping contentedly in an Isolette in the corner. He had delivered dozens of babies, but he had never really stopped to think about the miracle of birth.
Alan stared at this tiny human being, created by Cassandra and him, in astonishment. She was absolutely perfect. Clutching her to his chest, Alan asked to use the phone. He called his assistant and asked her to cancel everything on his calendar for at least a week. He had no intention of leaving the side of his precious, perfectly-formed miracle of a newborn daughter unless absolutely necessary.
A nurse came to find Alan. “Dr. Campbell, your wife is starting to wake up.” Alan reluctantly put down his daughter and left to see Cassandra.
“Hey, sleepy head,” Alan brushed Cassandra’s hair from her head. “How are you feeling, Snow White?”`Cassandra grimaced. “What happened? Is the baby okay?”
“The baby is fine. You needed an emergency c-section.”
“I feel as though I have a whole in my stomach,” Cassandra complained. She closed her eyes for a few seconds and then they bolted open. “Do we have a son?”
“No, we have a beautiful little girl.”
Cassandra frowned. “I am sorry, Alan.”
“Hey, Snow White, I am ecstatic. She looks just like you.”
Staring into the distance, Cassandra said, “You need a son to be your heir, not a girl. Now I am going to have to endure another thirty-eight weeks of misery.”
“No, Cassie, you don’t.”Cassandra glowered at Alan. She did not like nicknames. Alan had tried calling her “Sandy,” and she grumbled and rolled her eyes. When he called her “Cassie,” Cassandra told Alan that was the name of a cow, not a woman.
Alan continued. “I am thrilled at having a girl.” Alan pondered whether or not to tell Cassandra about the loss of one ovary, but thought better of it. Cassandra was agitated and the timing wasn’t right.
Alan smiled, hoping to cheer up his wife. “I’ve been thinking of names.”
Cassandra looked away and bit her lip. “I don’t have any names for a girl. I really thought that we would have a son. I was hoping God would make up for my terrible pregnancy by giving us a boy. I have never wanted a girl.”
Alan chose not to respond to Cassandra’s hurtful comment. He forced himself to speak cheerfully. "How about ’Kathryn Leanne Johnston Campbell’? ‘Kathryn’ is in memory of your mother and ‘Leanne’ is to honor my mother. I think it is an excellent combination.”
“Whatever,” Cassandra said disinterestedly. “I need to sleep. Tell the nurse to give me more pain medication.”Alan eagerly returned to his daughter, and fell asleep with Kathryn Leanne Packard-Campbell in his arms. From that day on, Alan thanked the Lord daily for the precious blessing of his daughter, with whom he would never have been blessed but for the grace of God.
