Saturday, September 16, 2017

into the long night


Well, of course..Gordy wanted to go to the hospital.

"Aren't you going to have the baby there?" He looked at his wife, Tiffany. Didn't she care about her sister?

He pulled it all together in about five minutes. They were dropping Brick off at Lily's. No way was Gordy leaving him home alone (even if Brick promised he'd wash the dishes and study while the TV was on). Somebody needed to be with Brick. Gordy would hate for him to feel left out.

So they scurried about, as if the baby might make landfall like a hurricane.

"What were they going to name the baby, again?" He asked on the way.

"How should I know." Tiffany's voice was dull as if maybe he was clearly forgetting about her, already.

He stopped at KFC and got chicken for everyone, including some for Lily's family. Gordy could see he'd made Brick's night.

"Lily loves their tenders." Brick's smile was broad, as if Gordy was the man.

Gordy only sighed, thinking this was really happening. Some one was giving birth to a baby. He'd never been around that before.

"I want to be there at your first appointment," Gordy said. It was a good thing this was happening. He wanted to know everything about babies. He'd been pretty much scared of them, until now.

"I don't even think she's in the birthing suite." Tiffany shook her head.

Sure enough, Tiffany was, and her was family already gathered in the room. They could barely squeeze in, but everyone was happy to see the fried chicken. Only, Brit couldn't have any.

She was in bed, practically a beached whale. The nurses had her leaning over a big exercise ball.

Gordy didn't know to cry or laugh. It was the strangest thing he'd ever seen. And the baby's heart beat thumped. He saw the baby on the computer screen.

It made him feel a little dizzy.

"Thanks, man.." Carson said about the fried chicken. He took a leg and bit into it. Later, he told Gordy he was the best brother-in-law. "Sorry, we didn't make it to the wedding. But you know, Brit's been on bed rest for a good long while..and it was all so iffy, lately."

He heard Brit let out a scream.

Gordy felt as if he shouldn't be here.

"Don't worry, she likes to yell. She says it really helps." Carson smiled with a nod.

Gordy thought it was all getting a little strange.

Tiffany grabbed Gordy by the arm and pushed him back in the hallway.

"What's the matter?" He looked her over as if he might think they should get to the emergency room. She shook her head.

"I can't stand the smell in there." She took a deep breath. She said there were too many people in the room. He agreed.

"Do you think, there is anything we can do?" He was serious. "Who's watching her..her baby?"

"Theo?" Tiffany winced. "I'm sure he's fine. Carson has a brother."

Gordy nodded. He guessed he was worrying for nothing.

"What do you want to do?" He wanted to know. She didn't answer.

He went back in and saw the basket of yarn by the sofa where no one, was sitting at the moment. Gordy grabbed it and went back out.

"What are, you doing?" She winced.

"We could make granny squares." He told her.

"Knitting?"

"No, crocheting." He held up a crochet hook. "My grandmother taught me, and later..well, when I would be waiting around at ..some of the plays, and we needed something cozy for props..I'd just crochet away." He shrugged.

"Oh." She sighed as if he must be out of his mind, but he found a little space near the hospital window, where they could sit.

Tiffany told him that her mother had tried several times to show her how to crochet a granny square.

He started to crochet. Tiffany did her best to follow. Yes, it was best to keep calm, and carry on. He was sure Carson would find him, if he needed anything.


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