6 Daniel's Flat

 Ascana changes. In checking up on the Wilsons, she ends up visiting Daniel’s flat and sees the way “the other side lives”. She sees many of the weakest, poorest, and unlikeliest beat the odds and live full lives, and it has a changing effect on her.

One day, one of her young parent patients realize their unborn child will be extremely disabled. The old Ascana would’ve told them to consider “modern scientific advances” strongly advising “wise family planning” (discouraging proceeding with the birth). Now, however, Ascana finds herself encouraging her patients to bring any child into the world; at least give him a chance at life.

Put him in an institution that will give him the home and care necessary, she urges. The ideal would be for the biological parents to care for the child, but they are frightened; the next best thing would be to have someone else care for him, but who would want to look after a heavily disabled child, they worry.

If they’re willing to put him in a home, she will do all she can to help, Ascana thinks, and continues to search after hours, phoning around for an orphanage to accept the newborn. Her father, however, overhearing the phone conversation, mistakes Ascana as making arrangements to let go of her own baby when it is born!

 

Fernandez confronts his daughter…He is heartbroken that she would think of doing such an unfeeling thing as letting go of one’s own child; moreover that she would do an irresponsible thing like have a child out of wedlock, and is hurt even more that she wouldn’t tell him about it.

Ascana is even more shocked that he could imagine those things about her and refuses to defend herself or even begin to explain the situation.

When pressed for an answer, instead, she jumps out of the house—into the pouring rain—and finds herself running down the street, away from confusion and conflict, towards warmth and sanity. Her feet somehow find themselves headed toward the familiar sidewalk of her favorite check-up residents.

Ascana runs up the steps and raps on the door.

“Jedediah! Esther!!” She doesn’t really know what she is going to say next, but that is all that comes out.

But there is no answer. The door is locked, it is dark inside; no one is at home. Ascana slumps down on the steps. Everything hits her, and Ascana begins to cry.

The Wilsons come home from shopping a few minutes later. This is the first time they have seen Ascana in tears. “You’ll catch your death out here, Dr. Moreno” Esther says; “come in for hot chocolate maybe? Please?” To this Ascana manages a smile, nods, and lets Jedediah help her to her feet.

While Jedediah gets the warm beverages ready as well as puts away the groceries, Esther finds a dry gingham jumper and sash for Ascana to change into. Then over hot chocolate, the Wilsons were going to help Dr. Moreno, but she realizes she cannot divulge private information, so she cannot even tell them what her problem is!

They go to Daniel’s flat wondering if he might be able to help. Amazingly, he seems to know exactly what is going on. The fact of the matter is, he has heard the young couple talking about it behind the café after work hours when he was feeding a mutt in the alley. The only part of the story he didn’t know until the group came was the physician’s name.