Baby Kenny

Chapter 1

Willem pulled the blue ford Ranger into the garage on their small holding in the karoo. He switched the engine off, and looked over at his wife, Martha. She was very quiet and was deep in her thoughts. Her beautiful blue eyes were soaked from the tears. Willem stroked her hair gently and whispered,

“How you doing my skatlam?” She looked at her husband and gave him a weak smile. They had been married for about five years now and she loved him more than anything on this tiresome planet.

“I just need time to come to terms with it my lief.” She told him. “I know my angel and I am not going anywhere, I will be right next to you help you through this ordeal.” He told her. Martha leaned in and gave Willem a peck on the mouth. He got out of the truck and went around to open the passenger door to help his wife out the cab. As she stood up he enveloped her in a hug and drew her in close as her body began to shake as she began sobbing again. He could feel his chest tighten up and he really wanted to burst into tears but he had to be strong for his wife now. He would have his chance to morn the loss of their child in private, but now was not the time

Willem led Martha into the kitchen and steered her toward their master bedroom. They passed the nursery which stood ajar, Willem sheilded Martha’s face in his neck so that she would not look at the nursery as they passed. Once in their room he helped her onto the bed. Martha just curled up into a fetal position and lay sobbing again. Willem covered her up with a crotched blanket. He closed the door quietly and went to the kitchen.

He sat down on a stool that stood around the center island. He lowered his head into his hands and rubbed his temples. His mind went back to what had started as a great day, but had become a nightmare in a matter of hours.

Tears started to well up in his eyes as the realisation hit him like a crushing blow to his stomach. His baby son was gone. He was silently sobbing now as the tears streamed down his cheeks. They had been trying for years to have a baby but due to his low sperm count Martha could not fall pregnant. Their last option had been invetro. They were so giddy with happiness when Martha had fallen pregnant. Things had been going so well. Then two nights ago Martha awoke with severe stomach cramps. Willem had rushed her to the emergency room twenty kilometer’s away but by the time the doctors attended to his wife it was too late. They were both devastated by the miscarriage.

Willem dried his eyes and began to get dinner ready, although he knew that Martha would not be interested in eating anything, but he needed the distraction. He prepared something light, once dinner was done he went to check on Martha.

Willem looked in on Martha who had fallen asleep. Willem was glad that she was now sleeping. Martha was exhausted from the ordeal. He closed the door was quietly and went back to the lounge, closing the nursery door as he passed.

As he sat down on the sofa and was about to turn on the television  when his cellphone rang.

“Hello mom.”

“Yes we just got home about an hour ago.

“How is Martha doing honey?”

“She’s finally sleeping, she is exhausted. She is just going to need time to come to terms with the loss. We both are.”

“Well we are here if you need us.”

“Thanks mom, maybe mom can come through late next week, I am sure Martha will be glad to see you.”