Bumped - Completed Novel

Bumped - Chapter Twenty One

Even though my baby was only the size of an avocado, I felt like I was carrying a belly full of baseballs. It was hot and humid, par the course for east coast summers and I was drowning in pools of my own sweat from sun up to sun down. At least the warrior's grip of nausea was easing up some. I was starting to feel butterfly flutters in my tummy, and it wasn't gas, it was actually the baby moving! It underscored the fact that soon something with eyes and a tongue would be emerging from my body.

The waiting room wasn't that crowded. Only one other mother-to-be was there when I signed in. It was my first visit with Dr. Afton and I couldn't stop my foot from tapping against the leg of the chair. Déjà had recommended Dr. Afton, swore by him. He had delivered all three of her kids. I knew from my pregnancy update emails, I could find out the sex of the baby during this visit.

After I did a weigh-in, blood pressure and limited chit chat with the nurse, Dr. Afton finally entered. He was a big bearded man and kept conversation short and cordial. He seemed more suited to being outside doing construction work rather than examining my lady parts. Why did I listen to Déjà?

He pulled in a machine and spread cold jelly over my stomach. The moment I had been waiting for, boy or girl? My nerves were a little raw as well.

More than anything, I wanted Diego to be there, just as excited and nervous as I was. Although lying on the table, I would settle for the receptionist from my parents' practice, mailman, anyone, I just didn't want to hear the news, any news alone. But I was.

The images leapt to life on the screen, silencing me. I wasn't sure what I was looking at but it was alive and moving. I thought I could make out little fingers but the doctor informed me that was my son's penis. It was a boy! I was going to have a little boy.

Once I was dressed, I went to Dr. Afton's small office and sat in an overly masculine, leather chair. His wall was a testament to his skill, it was lined with rows and rows of fatigued looking parents and newborns with their eyes squeezed shut. He also had a few shots of him kayaking and rock climbing. He stroked his salt and pepper beard as he outlined the pros and cons of getting an amnio. I didn't feel as though he was talking to me. Instead it was as though he was delivering a standard spiel at me about my age and high-risk pregnancy.

"According to the ultra sound though, my son," I relished saying that word, "appears to be healthy."

"Yes, everything looked fine. But the ultrasound can't detect chromosomal disorders or genetic disorders. You mentioned you carried the sickle cell trait?"

"I do. But you wouldn't be able to do anything if we found out something was wrong, right?"

"Correct. It's just information for you to have as well as to prepare you in case there are issues."

I left his office and drove over to Déjà's store, Déjà's Baby Booties. Inside were racks and racks of clothes from infant to toddler, strollers, jumpers, swings and toys, lots of toys. A play area with a plastic slide and miniature kitchen kept Tyra and a few other little kids busy. Jolie and Steve Jr. were at camp. I was surprised to see it so neat and orderly considering her house looked like hobos lived there.

"This is really cute! I'm so proud of you!"

"Not too proud to roll up your sleeves and help a sister out? I can't afford to pay you much but I'll give you the BFF discount on merchandise and trust me, you're going to need a lot just starting out."

"Of course, I'll help out. But first I want to shop, where's your boy section?" I asked with a smile.

"You're having a boy?" Déjà squealed and gave me a hug.