Three Converts

Part 29

"Okay. Griff, hand me the robe please, and your knife. Then go stand over there and wait for me to tell you what to do next." I've never seen him move so fast.

"Jerry, how far along is she?"

"How far? She- well..."

"Thirty-six weeks! It's too soon," Eliana cried, then moved her head to the side and threw up.

"It's a little early, but not too soon," I comforted her. I prayed she was too distracted to hear the tremble in my voice. I'd never delivered a baby before. The closest I'd come was when I stood outside Mrs. Henderson's home while my mom helped deliver her first baby. That was completely insufficient, I realized. Why didn't I ask more questions then?! I rubbed Eliana's back and eased the robe under her. "Shhhh, shhhh," My hushes sank like a lead pipe into her sea of groans and screams. Jerry tried talking to her, but she shut him up with one look. We went on like this for a while. Every now and then I looked at Griffin, who was pacing a few yards up. His lips were moving and every now and then he cracked his knuckles. I gave him what I hoped was an optimistic smile. He only cringed. We continued our painful pattern for what seemed a very long time: Eliana yelling, me soothing, Griffin pacing, and Jerry leaning on a rock looking horrified. I focused all my energy on Eliana. Every now and then I'd remember a particular complication I'd heard about: a cord around a neck, the feet coming out first, hemorrhaging. In desperation I whispered a prayer to the Diety I was running from. "Please let this baby be okay. Please let it be okay."

A head. I held it, and impossibly, the rest of the body followed. I used the corner of my shirt to wipe her little face and nose. "Jerry," I handed him Griffin's knife and motioned for him to cut the umbilical cord, which he did, completely dazed. "Congratulations," I whispered, laying the little girl in Eliana's arms.

"Thank you," the new mom whispered. "Thank you."