“You!” I yell back at her husband. “Get on one side, drape her arm over your shoulder and her leg over your arm. I’ll get on her other side, and we’re going to carry her inside.”
His face drains of all color. “An ambulance is on the way, but they said it will be a half-hour.”
“Thirty minutes?” Imala screams.
I reach in the car and slide her to the edge of the seat. “Let’s get you inside.”
“Careful,” the guy says, flashing me a harsh stare. “She’s my life.”
I nod and we pick her up, flanking her sides, and walk slowly up the three stairs. Once inside, we carry her into the bedroom. “Take off everything below her waist.”
He eyes me warily. “You really a doctor?”
I contemplate telling him I think so but technically not until the medical board of New York approves me to practice.
“Yes, I’m really a doctor. I’ve delivered dozens of babies.”
I don’t bother saying I don’t remember any of them. But I know it’s part of any residency program, so surely I’ve done it at least a handful of times.
I wash my hands, get some fresh towels and a first aid kit from under the sink, then return to the bed.
“Your name?” I ask the guy.
“Benham,” he replies.
It’s now I notice the stark difference between the two. He’s a tall redhead with light, freckled skin. She’s petite and dark-skinned with jet-black hair. It makes me wonder what their kids look like.
“Benham, I have to check her.” I turn to Imala. “Are you okay with that? I need to put my hands between your legs and see how dilated you are.”
They share a look of fright and uncertainty, then they both nod.
My fingers don’t even get as far as her cervix when I feel the top of the head. “Yeah, so this is happening now.”
“Now?” Benham asks. “Here?”
I don’t see any evidence of prior C-sections, and the baby is head down and presenting well, so this should be relatively easy.
Easy. I almost laugh at myself for thinking it. I’m a doctor. Only I can’t remember being a doctor. But I remember how to do this. It’s crazy.
“You’ve done this three other times. You’ve got this, Imala. Go ahead and push when you need to.”
Benham grabs her hand, leans over, and gently kisses her forehead. “You can do this, baby. He wants to come out and meet his mama.”
He. They know it’s a boy.
Instantly, I have a burning desire to know if Ava is having a boy or a girl. IfI’mhaving a son or a daughter.
And I feel like a complete idiot for how I’ve been dealing with this.
Watching Benham support his wife as their child comes into the world, it all becomes clear. I mean, talk about a fucking sign. This one came with flashing neon lights, nuclear sirens, and the satisfying wail of a new life entering the world.
As I place the perfect little boy on Imala’s chest, I know I need to do exactly what Carter said… I need to do better.
Ilook over at Ava. She’s so peaceful in her sleep. She’s beautiful. I love the way her rounded belly is starting to show even when she’s flat on her back. The urge to reach out and touch it is strong. I want nothing more than to feel the flutters beneath her skin. To feel the life growing inside her.
“You’re staring again.”
My gaze shifts from her belly to her eyes. She’s wiping sleep from them as she wakes.
