Part 13 (1/2)
”Mr. Blackmon, your wife has been in labor almost five hours now. The baby is breach and in distress. We're going to take it by C-Section.”
”What does that mean?”
”It means the baby is trying to enter the birth ca.n.a.l backward and I can't turn it. We need to get the baby out of there as quickly as possible.”
”Sure, whatever is best for Ann and the baby. I just want them to be okay.”
”She'll be fine. Come this way, she's asking for you, but only for a minute. Time is crucial,” Dr. Smith said. ”This is a procedure I've performed many times. Follow me, we don't have much time.”
Ann's faint smile greeted Jerry. ”Hi, sweetheart.” Her words came slow and a slurred because of the anesthetics.
”Dr. Smith says you're going to be okay.” He took her hand and stroked it gently. Fighting back tears, he leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead. ”I'll be right here when you come out. I love you.”
Dr. Smith nodded toward the door, Jerry's cue to head back to his vigil in the waiting area with two other expectant fathers.
”This your first?” a heavyset man from across the room asked. He was holding his young daughter on his lap, who was entertaining herself by taking his pens from one pocket and putting them into another pocket of his bib overalls.
”Yeah, does it show that much? Actually, I have an eight-year-old stepson, but this is my first.”
”Your bloodshot eyes gave you away. How many cups of that nasty machine coffee have you had? If you want some real coffee, go down to the cafeteria. They keep fresh brewed down there all the time.”
”How many kids do you have besides that cute little blonde on your lap?”
”This one?” He held up the kid, who giggled in response. ”She has two older brothers. They're home with Mama. We're expecting a new little brother or sister pretty soon now, the doc said. I couldn't help overhearing what your doctor told you about the C-Section. You might as well go to the cafeteria and get something to eat and some decent coffee. It'll be a while before the delivery's finished. Your wife will be out of it for a couple of hours. If they come in before you get back, I'll come get you.” He stuck out his hand. ”I'm Jerald Stout and this is my daughter, Tracy.”
”Glad to meet your, Jerald. I'm Jerry Blackmon. I think I'll take your advice, I'm starving. We've been here since ten-thirty this morning.”
Jerry's eyes turned to the double doors from the delivery room hall every time someone came through. This time it was Jerald's doctor, who appeared and congratulated him on a new baby daughter. Tracy smiled and exclaimed to Jerry, ”I have a new baby sister!”
”Congratulations, Jerald,” Jerry said. ”You too, Tracy. It'll be fun having a little sister to play with now.” Jerry watched as they disappear behind the double doors.
Jerry headed for the cafeteria. The shrink-wrapped tuna salad wasn't too bad. He got some fresh coffee and returned to the waiting room. He was finally relaxed after Dr. Smith told him he performed C-Sections routinely and seldom had any problems.
The big doors burst open, bringing Jerry to his feet. Dr. Smith announced, ”Mr. Blackmon, you have a beautiful baby daughter. All her vital signs appear normal and healthy. But, before you go in to see your wife, I want to caution you that her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck.”
”What are you saying? We've been trying for three years for this baby. Is she all right?”
”She appears fine. I just wanted to caution you to observe her closely the next few months. Of course, I will be monitoring her at her regular checkups to make sure she's progressing at a normal pace.”
”Doctor, you're scaring me. What kinds of things should we be looking for?”
”All babies progress differently and not at the same rate. So don't start comparing her to every baby you see. Just watch how she responds to your voice and sounds around her. Does she make sounds with her voice, or how her motor skills are developing. Those kinds of things.”
”Did you talk to Ann about this?”
”Yes, but she probably won't remember much, if anything, of what I said. I'll explain everything to her when she comes in for her first visit. What you want to tell her is up to you. Come with me, I'll show you your beautiful little girl. She'll be in the nursery because Ann is still feeling the effects of the anesthetic. Nurse, will you take Mr. Blackmon to see our newest addition?”
”Follow me please, Mr. Blackmon.” A nurse led the way down the hall to a large window behind which were dozens of cribs.
”Wow, there are so many. Which one's mine?” Jerry said, peering through the window.
”What's your baby's name?” the nurse said with a smile.
”Elizabeth Ann. We named her after my grandmother and my wife. We plan to call her Elizabeth.”
”Elizabeth Ann is a pretty name. I'll have the nursery attendant bring her up to the window.”
The nursery attendant picked up a tiny bundle wrapped in a pink blanket and brought her to the viewing window.
”She's so tiny. Hi, Elizabeth, it's me, your daddy.” Jerry talked as though the nurse was still there and Elizabeth could hear him through the gla.s.s ”Doesn't she look beautiful sleeping so peacefully?”
Dr. Smith had shed his scrubs and walked up behind Jerry unnoticed while he talked to his new daughter. ”Well, I'm off. That little lady made me miss my favorite dinner. Have a good evening, Mr. Blackmon.”
Elizabeth's room had been ready for months. Little Ricky helped pick out toys and a blanket for her bed. The walls were a soft yellow to accent her bright yellow ba.s.sinet, above which hung a windup mobile with b.u.t.terflies whose wings flapped to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
”Let me take Elizabeth upstairs and put her down. You stay down here and catch up some lost time with Ricky.”
”I said I was sore, not helpless,” Ann chided.
Alice and Ricky came into the foyer.
”Enjoy it while you can, dear. It won't last long,” Alice said and gave her daughter a welcome-home hug.
”Mommy, I have surprise for you. Close your eyes and hold out your hands,” Ricky instructed.
Ann closed her eyes and extended her hands to receive Ricky's surprise.
”Okay, you can open your eyes now.”
Ann's eyes widened when she saw a golden necklace with a locket on it. ”Ricky . . . It's beautiful.”
”Open it,” Ricky said, jumping up and down clapping his hands.
Carefully, Ann opened the locket. Her eyes glistened as she looked at the tiny photograph of her and Ricky when she brought him home from the hospital.
”Thank you. That's the nicest surprise I've ever had. Come here, my little man.” Ann leaned over and wrapped Ricky tight in her arms.
”Mommy! I can't breathe!”
”Okay.” She released her grip. ”You run along and play while Nanna and Mommy visit.”
Ricky nodded and went into the living room.
Ann and Alice laughed and hugged again then headed into the kitchen and took seats at the kitchen table. So much had happened since that picture was taken. It was the first time she'd thought about Rick in years. He was out of her life, but not totally out of her conscience.
”I saw those tears. What were you thinking?” Alice asked.