Page 127 of River Wild

“Stop yelling at me!” I shout.

“Christ. The baby’s really coming now?”

I stare at him, panting, sweat-soaked hair sticking to my face. “Yes, River, the baby is really coming.”

“Okay. I’m calling 911 again. See if this ambulance is any closer to getting here.”

He’s just got his cell out when I hear the wail of a siren.

“The ambulance is here,” River states the obvious, looking as relieved as a man who just got a last-minute pardon before going to the electric chair.

The ambulance pulls up behind my car.

“Hey, what have we got here today?”

“A baby.” River jabs a finger in my direction, sounding flustered. “Red’s in labor. Her water broke. And she’s two weeks early. We were on our way to the hospital when her shitty car broke down.”

“Okay.” A lady crouches down next to me, putting a medical bag down beside herself. “Hey, honey. My name is Hope. I’m a paramedic, and I’m here to help you.”

“I’m Carrie,” I tell her through a pant.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Carrie. So, you’re in labor. Thirty-eight weeks—is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Contractions are how far apart?”

“It’s hard, keeping track. They’re coming real fast though. And I feel like I need to push.”

“Okay. And your water broke?”

Biting my lip, I nod.

“When did that happen?”

“About thirty minutes ago.”

“Okay. Would you mind if I just have a feel of your stomach?”

“Go ahead.”

I sit while she presses and pushes at my stomach. I wince when it hurts.

“I’m sorry,” she says in a soothing voice. “It hurts, huh?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I’ve got two of my own. Boys. So, I know where you’re at right now. Okay, Carrie, do you think you can move for me? I need to get you in the ambulance.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t. I feel like, if I stand up, the baby’s just gonna come out.”

“Okay. So, that means, I’m going to have to examine you here. I need to see how dilated you are.”

“Examine her here?” River pipes up. “Can’t you just take her to the hospital?”

She shakes her head. “If I’m right—and I usually am—there is no time to get to the hospital. This baby is ready to come out now.”

“The fuck?” River gasps.