𝐏𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐔𝐌 (𝐷𝑎𝑟𝑦𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑥𝑜𝑛)

𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑦 𝐹𝑖𝑣𝑒

Betty's groans echoed through the house like a ghost, rattling the walls and everyone inside who listened. I rushed up the stairs with clean towels in my arms and went into Betty and David's room.

"Honey, maybe you should lie down," David suggested.

Betty laid one hand on the wall to support herself and another on her bulging stomach. An oversized blue nightgown hung off her shoulders. She looked like a grandma rather than a young mother-to-be.

She scowled and sent her husband a mean glare.

"Do NOT tell me what to do," she spat.

Jack stood by her bed, calmly setting out a large pair of scissors, a plastic bag, and a thick piece of rope. I went over to him and gently placed a hand on his arm.

"Hey," I greeted softly.

Jack turned to me with puzzled eyes and looked down at my arms.

"Oh. Thanks," he said with a tight smile and took the towels from me.

"What can I do to help?" I asked.

"Uh," Jack furrowed his brow and glanced over to the distressed couple.

"You can just be here for Betty. Rose was supposed to come for emotional support, but she flaked," he explained.

"She's probably drunk off her ass again," I scoffed lightly.

"Yeah, probably."

Jack looked at me carefully for a silent moment. His eyes moved away from mine and trailed over my features.

"I'm gonna go over there," I murmured awkwardly before going over to Betty.

"Hey, David, why don't you step outside for some air?" I said with a soft smile.

David nervously looked between me and Betty.

"Just go, it's fine," Betty waved him off.

"You sure?"

"Go," she ordered.

David sighed and quickly exited the room.

"How are you feeling?" I wiped away strands of blonde hair stuck to her sweaty face.

"Like a demon is stabbing it's way through my cooch," she said in between heavy breaths.

"Your body knows what to do. You're doing great," I reassured her.

Betty chuckled and inhaled deeply.

"God, this is all so fucked. I'm supposed to be pushin' this baby out in the hospital. My mama's supposed to be here," her voice broke.

"I've got some pretty big shoes to fill."

Betty looked up at me with big watery eyes.

"You're stayin?"

"Of course," I nodded. "I've been through this before. I know how hard this is."

Betty stood up a little straighter and sighed through her mouth.

"You have kids?" She wondered.

My throat suddenly constricted and I clenched my jaw.

"One," I answered quietly. "I had a baby girl."

Betty's eyes widened in surprise.

"You never mentioned that," she looked at me intently.

"I'm trying to say that I know exactly how you're feeling right now," I softly placed my hand over hers. "And, I'm here for you."

A tear escaped from her eye and fell down her cheek. Betty opened her mouth to speak but a pained shout pushed down her words.

"Another contraction?" Jack rushed over to us.

"Yes!" Betty yelled.

David rushed back into the room with a ghostly complexion.

"What's wrong?!" He demanded.

"Come over here," Jack guided Betty over to the bed and had her lie down.

David and I stood on either side of Betty as Jack lifted up her nightgown and checked in between her legs.

"Okay, you're crowning," he told Betty.

"Thank God! Help me up," she said to David.

"Huh?!" He reluctantly helped Betty get back on her feet.

"I ain't giving birth on my back like some damn dog," she heaved. "I still got some dignity left."

"Charlotte, come here," Jack called me over.

I squeezed Betty's hand and went over to Jack's side.

"You're gonna help me catch the baby," he told me.

My stomach dropped and I felt like I was free falling.

"I'm gonna what?!"

Jack handed me a pair of latex gloves and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"It'll be fine," he reassured.

"What do you mean?! I'm not a doctor!" I hissed.

"David, get behind Betty and support her back. Hold up her dress too," Jack instructed.

"It's time to push."

✯✯✯

(𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 7/16/21)

𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒉.