“The baby is coming,” Fala said in a strained voice.
“I will get the help.” he whispered, rubbing her back as he tried to calm her. She was breathing heavily and sweating profusely.
Running Wolf ran as fast as his legs could carry him, not stopping till he got to the tepee of the medicine woman who usually helped the women in the village with their deliveries. As soon as the woman had grabbed all she needed, they headed off.
Running Wolf entered the room to find Fala’s breathing was labored. With fear-filled eyes, he stared at the woman, “What do… we… do?”
“We have to take her to my tepee. Help me here! Then, stay away.”
In front of the medicine woman tepee, Running Wolf paced, waiting for news from the woman, waiting for the cry of his baby, anything to tell him that it was all well. He just needed something that would reassure him that his family was safe.
“Running Wolf, how is it going?” his friend, Chito asked as he ran up to him. The news of Fala’s labor had probably spread around the village already. Before long, the compound would be filled with well-wishers and celebration. He hoped with all his heart that he would have good news to deliver to them.
His friend shook his shoulder and Running Wolf looked up at him, dazed, “I do not know, Chito. She looked pale and her breathing, it looked like she was not having an easy time doing so. I worry, Chito, I worry about her getting out of this. I do not want to think negative thoughts. It is just that what I saw is...”
“You are overthinking the situation, my friend. You are not the one in charge of the delivery. Do not worry about it. I bet that in a short while, good news will come.”
“I have a bad feeling, my friend. I do not think that...”
“You should watch what you say,” Chito growled. “They are both going to be just fine. It cannot be any other way, my friend. It just cannot be. Pull yourself together and get ready to become a father. A little baby is on its way to meet you soon. You do not want to have this negative mindset when you meet, you know that, right?”
Running Wolf forced a smile as he nodded. The sound of footsteps reached them just then. Before long, the owners appeared around the corner. They were all warriors of the village and some of the women of the village.
“We heard about the delivery. Is the baby here yet?” one of the men asked.
Before Running Wolf could respond, Chito cut in, “No, not yet. We are still waiting. You can join us to wait so you can be here when the good news arrives.”
Chito glared at Running Wolf, daring him to say any of the things he had said earlier when they were alone. Sighing, Running Wolf turned away from his friends and headed closer to the medicine woman’s tepee. He could still hear the labored breaths of his wife. He hoped she survived this. He really hoped she did.
After what seemed like a lifetime, the woman rushed out. As soon as she did, the others who had been watching Running Wolf from a distance ran to them. Running Wolf looked at the woman’s face searchingly and before she spoke, he already knew what she wanted to say. He had not heard it, the cry of the baby. And he could no longer hear Fala’s breathing. She… was gone. The baby… was gone. His time with them… it was up.
“I am sorry. It was a difficult birth. Fala was able to give birth to the baby, but she did not survive. Neither did the baby.”
The collective gasps that spread around the crowd went unnoticed by Running Wolf as his head fell. Ignoring the woman’s protests, he shoved into the woman’s tepee. He gasped as he got on his knees beside Fala and their baby. The two of them looked peaceful, peaceful and gone. Running Wolf stroked Fala’s cheeks, then their baby’s, blinking back tears as he did.
“I’m sorry I was never able to love you like you wanted to be loved, Fala. I am sorry you never got to hold our baby in your arms. I am sorry.”
Running Wolf kissed Fala’s hand, shutting his eyes tight.Cradling his baby, he leaned against the wall of the tepee, his eyes darting around, and he felt a tightness in his chest. He doubted it would ever go away. In one day, he had lost so much and it was a pain that was heavy.
Present Day
“Running Wolf, come on, we have to go,” Chito shook his friend’s shoulder.
Running Wolf looked at his friend, confused. He blinked, finally realizing where he was. Around him was a large crowd of Elders, women, and his warriors who had all come to pay their respects. Most of them were already retreating as the burial was over. Only a few of those closest to him like Chito were still lingering.
“I think I will stay a little longer. You can go on ahead.”
“How do you expect us to leave you here?” Chito asked softly, “I do not feel comfortable with that. None of us do. Come with us, Running Wolf.”
“I would rather not,” He said quietly, “I want to stay with them a little while longer. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything stupid.”
Chito sighed in acceptance. He patted his shoulder and nodded to the others. They all said farewell and after dishing out comforting words, they headed off.
Running Wolf sighed as he stared at the grave of his family. Two emotions were all he could feel, pain and exhaustion.
His eyes darted around, and he found himself looking at his surroundings for the first time in a long time. At least, it was breezy out here. She liked the breeze. Running Wolf held his head in his hands as he whispered, “What am I going to do now? This is so hard.”
Chapter Three
