Just down the roadwas a bold-faced lie. We walked for almost forty minutes to that cabin. Kel and Finn took turns carrying Emerson after Ernesto got tired, and she apologized profusely for insisting we drive home.
When the cabin comes into view, you’d think we all won the lottery. And as a bonus, there’s smoke coming from the chimney, which means there’s heat.
When we arrive on the porch, Finn knocks on the door. We shiver and bounce up and down to stay warm. It seems like forever before he answers.
A kindly old man opens the door, but just a crack. He’s a bit shocked to see us. “Can I help you?”
“Excuse me, sir, but our car got a flat and we ended up in a ditch with no spare. Our friend here went into labor and we’re in desperate need of some shelter and a phone with service.”
He glances from person to person and sees Emerson in Kel’s arms.
“Oh God, this one’s bad!” she screams.
The old man jumps. “Yes, of course, come in!”
He opens his door to us and I immediately feel the warmth.
We begin to remove our shoes and snow-covered layers as the old man leads Kel to a couch near the fire.
“You’re gonna be okay, Em,” Kel reassures. “I’m gonna take care of you, I promise.”
The old man rubs his hands together nervously. “I’d offer my bedroom, but it’s not as warm in there. She looks like she needs to get warm.”
“Thank you so much, sir. I can’t tell you how much this means to us,” Finn says as he rubs his cheeks with his hands to get feeling in them again.
“It’s no trouble. It’s kinda nice to have some company. I don’t get many visitors out this way.”
I wrap my arms around myself and make my way toward the fire. Ernesto and I prop Emerson up with pillows. She’s breathing heavily.
“I need a doctor. I want my doctor and pain medicine. I want an epidural now!”
I brush my fingers over her forehead in an attempt to comfort her. I don’t know what to do.
“Do you have a landline by any chance?” Finn asks.
“Sure do. Right this way.”
Finn leaves the room and a short while later, I hear him on the phone trying to get help. I lean over Emerson and whisper, “Finn’s going to take care of everything. Don’t worry. I don’t know what I’d do without him. I mean, whatwe’ddo. Without him.”
She nods her head as another contraction comes.
“They’re three minutes apart. Finn?” Ernesto shouts. “How long for that ambulance?”
Finn rounds the corner, looking white as a ghost. “They said it could be up to two hours. The roads are a mess and there are a ton of emergencies.”
“Two hours?” Emerson cries. “I can’t… There’s no way… My wife isn’t even here. This wasn’t supposed to happen for three more weeks. I should have listened when the doctor said I shouldn’t travel. But I felt fine and I didn’t want to miss training with you all. Maybe it’ll stop if I just rest. I can’t have this baby without Julie. I can’t!” she sobs, tears flowing down her cheeks.
I kneel next to her and hold her hand. “Do you want us to try to call her?” I ask.
“Yes!” Her eyes dart to mine and I see hope in them for the first time. She hands me her cell phone and I scroll until I find the number. The old man points me to the phone and stands nervously by as I dial. I get her voicemail.
“Should I leave a message?” I shout to Emerson.
“Yes! Tell her I need her. Tell her the baby is on the way.”
The phone beeps and I speak into the receiver. “Hi, Julie, this is Liz, Em’s friend from work. Um, we had some problems with our flight and long story short, we’re stranded in a cabin somewhere close to Lake Tahoe and Em’s in labor. Could you give me a call at—”
I turn to the man. I repeat each number as he gives it to me.
