A True Southern Belle

      Jason barely helped her into the wagon because she jumped before he was ready, and he was racing to the driver's side before she was fully seated, telling the horse to go.

       He was so sweaty and nervous, he dropped the reins twice, something that could have been dangerous or fatal if Charlie had not been there - her presence kept Copperfield in line; he didn't dare act up around her. The third time this happened, Charlie took the reins from him and told Jason to shut up and sit back.

     She was a better driver anyway.

     When they arrived at the Twain's house, they jumped out before that wagon had come to a complete stop and bolted inside and up the stairs.

      Bella lie weak and sweating, her dark hair plastered to her pillow and face. Anxiety and pain laced her countenance.

    An older woman sat in a rocking across the room from her, and Charlie immediately took a disliking to her strict, firm demeanor. She was probably making Bella nervous.

    Both women stared at Charlie for a moment, eyes darting to the fourth finger of her left hand. But they were more shocked by Jason's presence. His was even more inexcusable, ridiculously, Charlie noted.

    Bella was the first to speak. "Oh! Charlie, you shouldn't be here! Not that I'm not glad to see you... but you shouldn't be... shouldn't see... me?" Everything always sounded like a question in Bella's timid voice. "Jason, were you able to find the doctor? Is he here? Please take Charlie out and send him in."

    "Miss, Mr. Asher, please leave at once and send in the doctor or midwife," said the old woman, clearly scandalized by the both of them. And this girl, with the wild red hair and bare feet (Charlie had lost her shoe in her haste to get out of the wagon) certainly was not a decent person! That Mr. Asher would allow his sister, and in her condition around such a creature! The thought was disgusting, yet it was not simply a thought: it was a truth right in front of her own eyes.

    Charlie rolled up her sleeves to her elbows and tied back her hair while Jason rambled and mouthed in her defense. She decided that if she was ever in front of a jury, no matter what it was, she would not let Jason defend her.

      "I- I can't get the d-doctor, Bella I'm sorry. Mrs. Benton, Charlie was to be here."

   "Jason? The doctor?" Bella's face contorted with pain.

       Without asking or warning Charlie attacked Jason. She nearly shoved his coat off of him, her hands frantically searching the pockets of his waistcoat for his watch. "What-"

     "It is 12:03, watch the time for the next... movement. So far Bella, how many have you had and how fast?"

    Bella shrank in horrific embarrassment as she realized what she was being asked and by who. Mrs. Benton merely grew angry. "Now Miss, you get out! You can't be here either sir. But Miss, this isn't fitting, especially for you to see!"

     "Charlie, she's right, I- oh! ow. I need the doctor!" Bella seemed to think the doctor could solve the problem was the answer to everything. Another pain arrived and Charlie knew her time was coming. Naturally, she took charge.

    "Bella, the doctor is about ten miles away. I'll be delivering your baby." She addressed Mrs. Benton. "Don't you worry about my maidenly, girl's eyes seeing things they shouldn't; I've been assisting in the breeding and birthing of animals practically since I was bred and born myself.

   "Bella, no one else can help you. Jason certainly can't. So just deal with me please."

   "But-" Mrs. Benton started to recover from Charlie's words.

    "Mrs. Benton, if it is so improper - and you are wasting time! - be my guest and do it in my stead." Mrs. Benton had never been spoken to that way in all of her life. It was, however, alright with Bella. She, at least trusted Charlie and would honestly prefer her to Jason in this situation.

    "Alright Charlie."

  With this cleared up, Charlie did one of the things she did best. Demanded.

    "Jason, go get as many clean towels as you can. Boil water constantly and keep boiling until further notice. Go!" She pushed his shoulder until he stumbled out of the room. "Mrs. Benton, find some scissors, twine, or string." Charlie approached the bed and a very weary Bella. "I'm going to be delivering your baby," (she said this partially to make herself believe it,) "and I hope it's a girl."

   The only one with a calm head in the house was Charlie, who worked tirelessly. Even five hours later as the sun began to set, she thought of nothing else but matters of due course and time, while Mrs. Benton tried to chaperone and fluttered on about nothing - and her gray-haired, plump, large body was surprisingly capable of fluttering on about decency. Jason just paced, terrified.

    But add another two hours on and Charlie began to fray at the edges of her calm sanity. Bella was sweating in her bed, water pouring from every pore, pain contorting her face, making her writhe and her limbs twist in no particular direction, crushing the bones in Charlie's hands when they were available.

   Annabelle was a cow, yes, but she had her calf in an hour. Charlie's own Copperfield, a very large baby colt had taken two; the chickens laid eggs in minutes; the cat gave birth to two litters of kittens, all of which only took three hours. Piglets, kids, and puppies usually just popped out. How could it be so different for women? Charlie bit her tongue and told herself to shut up. Everything was fine. But then the talking started. And the screaming.

   Jason paced, nervous, afraid, angry. Every time he heard Bella scream he cringed, and whenever Charlie shouted at her he wanted to run upstairs and drag her out by her stupid red hair - hair that he would not have minded ripping out of her head. Maybe he shouldn't have brought her. Bella screamed again. Forget it, thank goodness he did. It that was how Bella acted with Charlie, imagine what she would be doing with him. Lord knows he and Mrs. Benton couldn't do it together.

"Please Charlie, take my baby and watch out for her if I die. I'm certain it'll be a girl, and I'm sure she will love you, dear."

"No."

"But it will give me peace," said Bella.

"No."

"I trust Jason and my husband, but they're men. I only want you to look in on her when she grows. Please darling?"

"No, you will not die."

"Oh Charlie please! Won't you to help me, to ease my pain?"

"No. I won't!"

It was better to have Bella angry and worried about her child than in pain and scared. Besides, just in case something did go wrong, knowing she would be the sole protector of her child might motivate Bella to live.

Charlie believed in tough love, and clearly, as she found out a little while later, it worked.