The Family Origin

Chapter Forty: MAISIE POV

The anxiety was too much for my body to handle. My heart seemed like it was going to beat out of my chest and I struggled to breathe. My muscles were tight and sore with tension. Multiple times throughout the day, I had to run to the bathroom because I could no longer handle the nausea.

Miles was annoyed with my crying and begging. He refused to bring Briar anywhere for help because he did not believe that she was sick. Joseph saw the change in her breathing but pretended it had not happened. After leaving Joseph's room, Miles told me to be quiet before he turned off the oil lamps and settled to bed. In the dark, I spent all night next to Briar's crib and watched her sleep.

In the morning, I did not see Joseph in the house. I continued to plead with Miles, but he stopped answering me. He stayed silent and pretended like he could not hear me. When I grabbed his arm, he shook me off before storming out of the house.

I held onto Briar throughout the day and refused to let go. She still looked like my happy baby as she smiled and kicked her feet in the air. I did not do any of my chores and spent the day in the rocking chair watching her in my arms. My stomach was twisted into a tight knot, and I was unable to eat. I knew something was wrong, but Miles did not believe me.

The change was subtle, but it was happening again. Briar's nostrils flared as she struggled to get in breath. It was like watching a nightmare come to life when her breathing grew quicker. Her smile disappeared as her lips moved to try and get more air into her lungs. I muttered prayers while I held on tighter to my baby. They were the same prayers I said for my grandmother in the last weeks of her life.

How could Joseph let this happen to his granddaughter? This was how his daughter died, and he was willing to let it happen again.

My hand trembled as I grabbed Briar's tiny fist. When I looked at her fingernails, they were not blue like Joseph had said. The relief was short-lived because when I looked at her face, I could see a dull line of blue forming around her lips. She made a small wheeze, like breathing was becoming even more difficult.

I had to get help. Miles would immediately take her to a doctor if he saw her like this. He would know that she was sick. He would no longer think that I was overreacting and being emotional. We could save our baby from whatever was happening to her.

My heart was pounding as I ran to the kitchen. I shifted Briar's weight so that I could hold her in one arm. I grabbed the doorknob, but it did not turn. Why could Joseph not be careless today? Why could he not accidentally leave the door locked again? They were somewhere on the farm, and I needed to gain their attention. I banged on the door with my fist, praying that someone was close enough to hear.

"Miles!" I yelled. "Joseph!"

Briar's nostrils were still flared, and her lips were still blue. She did not look worse, but she was not getting any better.

"Help!" I screamed, my voice drenched in panic. "Please! Briar needs help! Miles, she is sick!"

My hand hurt from how hard I was pounding my fists against the door. I tried the doorknob again. Maybe the lock would break if I turned it hard enough. Maybe if I hit the wood even harder it would split and break. Hearing Briar's wheeze made my thoughts cloudy with fear.

"Miles!" I screamed. "Miles, I need you!"

Tears rolled down my cheeks while I screamed. No one could hear me, and my panic was upsetting Briar. She started to fuss, and I had to stop pounding on the door so I could hold onto her better. She kicked her arms and legs as she cried. I tried to rock and calm her, but her cries turned into screams.

I could no longer see the changes in Briar's breathing because of her crying, but her scream sounded different. The sound was much weaker than usual. Her face was red, and tears rolled down her cheeks. I held her tight to my chest as I tried to calm her, but I was overtaken with panic. My breathing was heavy as I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed.