Just two boys from Brooklyn

Welcome to the world

Three months later/ July 4, 1918

It'd been almost three months after Joseph had died. Sarah had started saving money for the baby so she didn't have enough to pay her rent and lived with Evelyn. They were planning on having friends come over to celebrate the 4th.

"So how is our mother-to-be today?" Asked Evelyn as she saw Sarah entering the kitchen.

"Well I've just entered the 30th week of my pregnancy so I am getting a bit anxious but I still have time to adjust. Why are you cooking?" She asked

"Because it's the 4th of July and we are having people over? Sarah you didn't forget did you?" She asked as she tasted the filling for the pie she would bake

"Oh um...guilty as charged I guess" replied Sarah as she sat down "do me a favour and bring me the ah" she screamed and held her back

"Sarah are you ok?" Evelyn rushed to her side

"No no no no it's too early it's too early" she repeated over and over between moans filled with pain

"Sarah love you are scaring me what is it. Is it the baby?" The woman tried to comfort her

"Evelyn grab my AH...my coat. The baby is coming and it's coming earlier than expected" she said

Evelyn did as instructed and within the next ten minutes they were in the hospital. Two nurses rushed to her side and helped her sit on a bed. For the next three hours Sarah did nothing but push

"Come on mrs Rogers one more push" one nurse said with a calm voice. After another ten minutes the baby was born

"It's a boy" said the nurse looking at Sarah. She then turned her head and said to the other one "take it to doctor Camers NOW"

"What is it? What's wrong with my baby?" Asked Sarah

"Mrs Rogers don't panic everything" she didn't finish her sentence and was interrupted by Sarah's angry voice

"I'm a nurse too you know. Don't talk to me like a five year old I understand just fine" she said, sweat still covering her forehead

"Well the baby is premature and the fact that he hasn't cried yet is worrying me"

"Oh my God" gasped Sarah, tears filling her eyes

"I will...go check with the doctor" said the nurse as she understood that the woman needed a moment to herself. When she left Sarah started fighting very hard not to cry

"Please God. You took my husband earlier than you had to. Don't take my son too. I have never sinned in my life yet you punish me for a reason. Please don't take my boy away from me" she prayed, as a tear that has escaped rushed down her cheek

"Sarah Rogers?" A voice said

"That's me" she turned her head and saw a doctor walking her way. Behind him walked the nurse for before holding the boy in her arms

"I believe this is your son" he said as the nurse handed her the baby.He was breathing. Sarah sighted and tears of joy filled her eyes. He was beautiful. Smaller than a walnut, but beautiful. The rush of ecstasy though faded quickly as she saw the doctors face

"What's wrong?" She asked

"As I'm sure you were told your son is premature and didn't cry at first, meaning he wasn't breathing . We managed to save him but all these factors will most definitely have...effects on the boy" he paused to give the woman time to proses his words " we can't know for sure what the problems might be, but it won't be easy I guarantee you" he said. He patted her shoulder and left to check on the patient across from her.

The nurse saw the look on Sarah's face and decided the she wouldn't feel so horrible on the happiest day of her life . "Have you thought of a name?" She asked trying to lighten the mood.

Sarah thought about it for a moment and then replied

"Yes, Steven" she said "Steven Grant Rogers" she smiled at the baby

"Beautiful name. Well then welcome to the world mr Steven Grant Rogers" smiled the nurse and walked away giving the mother time to process everything that had happened.

As of that day Sarah made it her life goal to make sure that her baby, her Steve, would never feel abandoned or alone. Ever.

5 years later

Sarah was sitting on a small bed reading a story to her five-year old Steve, who had already fallen asleep. She finished a chapter from the book she was holding, kissed her son on the forehead and fixed his blankets, making sure he was warm. The past few years had been very difficult. Steve was growing but so were his health issues. He had already developed asthma, was way thinner than he should be even though he ate and could catch a cold even in the summer. He and his mother had moved in with Evelyn when he was born because Sarah couldn't afford to maintain the apartment and feed Steve. Of course at the time it's was only for a few months 'till she could figure things out but as it turned out the months quickly turned to years.

"Well he is asleep" yawned Sarah as she closed Steve's door behind her

"Oh thank God. You know for a child this small he sure has a lot of energy" stated a very tired Evelyn

Sarah laughed at that comment "You know..." she started as she walked and sat by her friend " we need to talk"

"Of course darling. What is it?" She asked with a smile

"I uh... I found a new place. Yea. It's not as big as the old one but it's ok. It has the essentials and the school is near by so Steve won't have to walk for too long. And I heard the neighbourhood there is very friendly too" Sarah said

"Oh well you have time to think about it. Besides we are fine here. You are close to the hospital and I have my friend with me. Don't rush the whole house hunt" replied Evelyn

"Eve we've  been staying here for five years now. You need your space"

"Oh nonsense I'm fine"

"I know you don't want us to go. We will miss you too. But you can visit anytime you want. You know that"

"No Sarah please reconsider. This place is big enough for the three of us and John from downstairs can drive Steve to school in the winter"

Sarah understood by the sound of her friends voice that she didn't want them to leave. She understood that feeling. But Steve came first. Always

"I'm sorry Eve. We can't stay. I've already rented the apartment" she replied "everything is in order and we will be moving there next week"

"Next week? Whoa. That was fast" Evelyn looked shocked "listen i just want you guys to be happy. Imma miss you you know. If you don't visit at least once a month I am moving in with you and I will sleep in the bathtub if I have to" she joked.
Both women laughed and soon after they turned in for the night.

The week passed quickly and the day came for the Rogers to leave
"Mommy were are we going?" Steve asked with a week voice

"Well we are going to a new house darling" she replied with excitement

"But won't aunt Eve feel alone if we leave now?" He asked. Steve couldn't pronounce the name Evelyn properly so he would call her Eve, something that Evelyn adored.

"Aunt Evelyn will come and visit as much as possible I promise you. And when we can we will visit her too" she smiled "now go and say goodbye to her before she starts crying and let's get going"
Steve rushed to Evelyn and gave the strongest hug he could. Then they both waved her goodbye and left for their new home, even though Sarah knew that they'd probably never see Evelyn again.