Straight No Chaser- The Beginning

by Devin Nishea

  “It has about twenty minutes left and I can’t wait,” he said walking back into the living room.

  “I brought brownies, too, Jake,” Amy said.

  “The food gods must be looking down on me tonight, because I’m having all of my food spots hit today,” he said, smiling from ear to ear.

  We all laughed.

  “Are y’all watching some chick flick?” he asked.

  “Uh, Love Jones®? I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as a chick flick,” Amy said.

  “Yes, yes it is. But, this is a cool movie,” he said.

  “Okay, y’all are talking way too much,” I said.

  The lasagna was finally done and we all fixed our plates and continued watching the movie.

  After the movie went off, Amy left so I could update Jake about Isaiah. I was nervous, because I knew he’d fly off the handle.

  “So, are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” he asked.

  I looked at him nervously.

  “Is something wrong with the baby or you?” he asked, concerned.

  “No, no it’s not that. Isaiah came by earlier,” I said.

  Jake’s whole demeanor changed, including his facial expression.

  “What did he want?” he asked, sitting up on the couch.

  I sat in silence for a few moments.

  “He asked for a paternity test,” I finally said.

  Now was his turn to sit in silence as I sat on eggshells. I looked at him. He took our plates to the kitchen and stayed there for a while, not saying a word.

  “Did he question if the baby were his a few months ago?” he asked.

  “No…” I said.

  “So how is he…oh. I get it. His wife is asking for it, right?” Jake asked.

  “That’s my exact thought. I guess if the shoe were on the other foot, I’d tell my husband to ask as well. But, before we started hanging out, I told him I didn’t hop beds and he was cool,” I said.

  “This guy,” he said shaking his head. “Well, what did you say?”

  “I told him I’d have the test done, but after that I’m done. Amy’s going to help me find a family lawyer. I won’t keep him from seeing the baby, but I won’t beg him to be around either,” I said.

  “Good for you. You have a good support system now, so even if he decides to not be around, I think you’ll be okay.” he said.

  “Thanks, J.”

  “No problem, girl, you know I got your back,” he said.

  I smiled and nodded in agreement. We decided to watch another movie until we dozed off.

  Chapter 32

  I had been feeling bad all day at work and all I wanted was my bed and to sleep. I was nauseated and my entire body ached. After complaining for about two hours, Sarah suggested I call my doctor to be on the safe side.

  My doctor called me into her office and examined me and to my surprise I had dilated three centimeters!

  “Congrats, lady bug, you’re in labor,” she said.

  I immediately got nervous. I was ready, but I wasn’t ready, and it was too late. I mean,,I had another week for him cook.

  “I’m not due for another week, isn’t it too soon?” I asked.

  My doctor laughed and said, “Relax, he is going to be fine coming a week early. I know you’re nervous, but everything is going to fine. Trust me.”

  I looked at her with a stunned look on my face.

  “But, how can I be dilated and my water hasn’t broken yet? That doesn’t sound normal,” I said.

  “It doesn’t, but it is; I assure you,” she said. But, I’m going to send you home and when your contractions get closer then we’ll admit you and it’ll be show time.”

  She smiled at me like everything was cool. Nothing about this was cool or going to be cool. If I felt like this now at three centimeters, I could imagine how I was going to feel at ten!

  I left the doctor’s office and went back to work to start executing my maternity leave plan.

  “Oh, my gosh, I’m getting excited Zen!” Sarah said.

  “Calm down, you have to help me get everything together in case I’m not here, starting tomorrow. Everyone knows their job when I go out on leave; we’re just now putting everyone on notice. Make sure you contact everyone with a phone call first, then follow up with an email and copy me on it,” I told her.

  “I’m on it,” she said walking back to her desk.

  I called my boss to let him know what was going on and he was excited as well.

  “Xenia, why are you back at work if you’re almost ready?” he asked.

  “I have to make sure everything is in order before I leave just in case,” I told him.

  “I’m sure your team is more than prepared and can handle your not being here. Hurry up and get out of here and rest, because after the baby is here, rest is something you’re going to beg for from this point forward,” he said, laughing.

  “Yes sir. And sir, thank you for your support,” I said. “I’m sure I’ll be at work tomorrow, but I will definitely keep you posted.”

  After hanging up, I looked out of the window, taking deep breaths as I contracted.

  “Okay, lil guy, I hope you’re ready because it’s rock and roll time and mommy can’t wait to hold you,” I said, talking to my belly.

  I almost forgot to call my mama to put her on notice as well. After I thought about it, I decided against it and called on the way to the hospital. My mom could be a bit much in situations where you needed her to be calm.

  I picked up my phone and sent Isaiah a text letting him know I had started to dilate.

  Hey…just fyi…I’ve dilated 3 cm. I’ll keep you posted.

  I wasn’t expecting him to respond as quickly as he did, but, surprisingly, he did.

  Ok, are you feeling ok? Do you need anything? Are you at work or home? Thanks for letting me know.

  He called before I had the opportunity to reply to his text.

  “I couldn’t wait on the text,” he said when I answered the phone.

  “Yeah, I see. But, I’m ok and, yes, I’m at work, getting things in order in case I’m not here tomorrow,” I said.

  “Okay, cool. Cool…” he said.

  There was a brief pause.

  “Well, I’ll let you know when the baby’s born and the test has been completed. I have to go, Sarah just came in.”

  I was trying to rush him off the phone because it was getting awkward! I lied to get him off the phone.

  “Okay, I’ll look forward to your call,” he said.

  I hung up before he could say good-bye. Even though I was in pain all day, my team finally kicked me out of the office at 4 PM.

  We hugged each other and I told Sarah to have her phone handy just in case. I left and picked up something to eat before heading home.

  I called Amy on the way home and let her in on the excitement. She was more than upset with me that I waited all day to call her, but I bribed her with food so she wouldn’t be too upset.

  When I pulled into the driveway, she and Jake were waiting on me. I got out of the car laughing at them both.

  “What are you laughing at?” she asked.

  “You guys. I can’t believe you both beat me here,” I said.

  “Well, we’re excited!” Jake said taking the bags from my hands.

  I stopped walking for a moment. I was having another contraction. It seemed as if Jake and Amy held their breath the entire time.

  “Are you okay?” she asked with her eyes wide open.

  “Yes…” I said, breathing slowly.

  We walked into the house and I went to change clothes. When I walked back into the living room, I had my hospital bag with me and placed it on the table next to the door.

  “You really think you’re going tonight?” Amy asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I brought it up just in case. When I am ready to go, I don’t want to not be able to find it or you guys to not be able to find it,” I said.

  “Sounds like you’re prepared,” Jake said.<
br />
  “Yeah, to get out of the house and to the hospital, but not this parenting thing,” I said.

  I was having another contraction that I was trying to breathe through. I closed my eyes and pressed my head back on the couch.

  “Okay, I think it passed. These contractions are something else,” I said.

  I looked at both Jake and Amy and they looked as if they were about to pass out!

  “Are y’all okay? I mean…” I said.

  “No, no, no…we’re fine,” Amy said—lying.

  “Lies!” I said and laughed. “All you guys have to do is keep me calm and focused on breathing.”

  “Okay, well, are you hungry? If so, I’ll go ahead and fix you something,” Jake said.

  I nodded as he walked to the kitchen to fix our plates. Before coming home I stopped at an Italian spot for Cajun Chicken Alfredo and I couldn’t wait to eat it.

  “Did you call your mama, yet? You know she’s going to flip when you do finally call!” Amy said.

  “No, I haven’t. You know mama can be a bit extra in situations like this. I’ll have one of you call when I get to the hospital,” I said.

  Jake and Amy looked at each other and then again at me and rolled their eyes in sync.

  “Did you just roll your eyes at me?” I asked laughing.

  “Why are you giving US this job? I don’t want your mom yelling at me!” Jake said.

  “You can handle it…” I said.

  I was having another contraction. I was trying to ignore them and eat at the same time, but it wasn’t working. After we finished eating, we walked the neighborhood. As we were walking, I’d have contractions and would bend over to breathe through them.

  It was hilarious because cars were slowing down to see if I was okay. Amy waved to them, letting them know I was alright. We kept walking and laughing.

  We finally made it back to the house and Jake and Amy made the executive decision to take me to the hospital because the contractions were getting closer.

  I had butterflies in my stomach and little man was kicking me like crazy. I guess he was ready to make his appearance. When we arrived at the hospital, my doctor was already there, delivering babies. I was so glad to see her when she walked into the room to check on me.

  “Okay, lady bug, how are you feeling?” she asked.

  “I’ll be better when the baby is out of me,” I said.

  She laughed and said, “I know how you feel. Let’s see what’s going on here.”

  She checked to see how far I had dilated from earlier in the day. She also did an ultrasound.

  “Is everything ok?ay” I asked.

  The silence was making me a little uneasy. I’m glad Amy was with me. We left Jake in the waiting room and he was glad about that.

  “Yes, ma’am, you are now seven centimeters and I’m going to have you admitted,” Dr. Sharon said smiling. We’re going to have a baby tonight!”

  She walked out of the room and I was getting more and more anxious. Amy and I looked at each other with smiles on our faces.

  I got up to change into my gown and asked Amy to go ahead and have Jake to call my parents. When she left the room, I sent Isaiah a text letting him know I was in labor and being admitted. I also sent Sarah a text to let her know as well.

  Amy came back into the room smiling and didn’t say anything.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Girl, I told Jake you were being admitted and he shed a little tear. I know this may not be the right time to talk about this, but I hope you guys talk about getting back together,” she said.

  “It’s not the right time, but I’ll keep that in mind,” I said shaking my head.

  We both laughed until another contraction hit me. Amy was doing great helping me focus on my breathing. An hour passed and my doctor came back in to check my cervix.

  “Alright, young lady! We are now at about seven and half centimeters.” she said.

  “Is that ALL!?” I exclaimed. “It feels like my uterus is about to tear out of my body and I’ve only dilated half a centimeter.”

  “It’s okay, just breathe. These things take time, everything will be okay,” she said rubbing my leg.

  She strolled out of the room like everything was fine and cool. But she wasn’t the one getting ready to push something the size of a watermelon out of something the size of a kiwi!

  “Oh my gosh, this epidural doesn’t seem like it’s working,” I said to Amy.

  I looked at Amy and she looked scared to death!

  “Girl, get it together!” I demanded.

  “I’m sorry, this is too much! We are not having kids any time soon,” she said.

  I laughed through my next contraction at her comment. Yes, this was great birth control.

  “Yes ma’am, take your birth control on time every day,” I said laughing. This is not fun!!”

  By this time, my mom burst into the room. Part of her was mad I didn’t call when I went to the doctor’s that morning and the other part was too happy to care.

  “Oh, my baby is having a baby!” she exhaled.

  “Hey, mama…” I said breathing through another contraction.

  She went to wash her hands before touching me or anything else in the room.

  “Hey, Amy, how has she been doing?” she asked.

  “She’s been doing fine. I’ve been trying to help her focus on her breathing,” she said.

  “I had a contraction a few minutes ago and she said she wasn’t having kids mama,” I said.

  My mom laughed at her.

  “Well, baby, children will change your life in a good way. They will definitely put things into perspective,” she said. The things you used to care about won’t matter.”

  “You’re right mama,” I said.

  As I was lying there contracting, I was thinking back to the stupid stuff I thought was important before, but now, seemed so minute—especially, the arguments and disagreements with Isaiah.

  I kept looking at my phone waiting for Isaiah to respond to my text, but he never did. Well, he knew, all I could do now was push when it was ready.

  Another hour passed and I hadn’t seen my doctor, but there were plenty of nurses coming in and out of the room with ice chips.

  My contractions were getting closer and more intense. I didn’t think they could get any more intense than they had already been. By this time the doctor came back into the room.

  “I’m so glad to see you. I know I have got to be ready to push now,” I said to Dr. Sharon.

  She got everything ready to check my cervix again. At that moment I thought to myself, I was never sleeping with anyone else again. Amy was right, this was too much!

  “Alright, lady bug! We are ready to rock and roll! When I get back in, we’re going to start pushing this baby out, okay?” Dr. Sharon said.

  “Thank you Jesus!!! Okay…” I said.

  She disappeared behind the door. Not that they weren’t before, but mama and Amy really began to pray over me for a safe delivery.

  When Dr. Sharon came back in, she was dressed in her delivery gown and cap. The nurses helped to get me into position and Amy and mama were on both of my sides holding my hands.

  “Whatever I say or do, please don’t hold it against me okay?”

  They both smiled and nodded.

  “Okay, sweetie, on my count we’re going to push,” Dr. Sharon said.

  I was scared to death, but I was ready! I pushed when I needed to. After pushing for almost an hour, I was exhausted. This is the stuff people never tell you about. How many people will be in your personal space, how long you may have to push, how long it takes to dilate!!! Oh, my gosh!!!

  I was so exhausted, all I wanted to do was go to sleep. Amy and my mom were so supportive.

  “Okay, the next contraction I need you to give me a big push, sweetheart!” Dr. Sharon said.

  “Oh, God, can I please push NOW!?” I screamed.

  “Go ahead and push when you’re ready,” Dr. Sharon a
greed.

  After a few more pushes, he was here.

  After he was out, I collapsed on back on the bed out of sheer exhaustion. Amy and my mom went to look at him and take pictures.

  When they finally put him in my arms, I cried tears of joy. I counted every toe and finger and kissed his cute little nose over and over again. He was perfect.

  Amy left to let my dad and Jake know and show them the pictures of the baby. After I was settled in my room, I finally ate again and dozed off to sleep.

  I never heard from Isaiah the days I was in the hospital and I can’t say I didn’t care because I did. I did send him a picture the next morning. Although, I was glad the baby had his nose and mouth.

  When Dr. Sharon came in I had her to perform the paternity test.

  “Is the father coming in today so I can get his sample?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure, but just in case go ahead and swab the baby.” I told her.

  She swabbed the baby and had the nurse take the sample to the lab. After the nurse left, she made sure I was feeling okay and healing fine.

  I asked Amy to drive me home and when she came that afternoon, she had an officer on duty install the car seat for me before we left the hospital.

  There was a knock on the door. I was only expecting Dr. Sharon and the nurses to visit today.

  “Come in!” I yelled.

  I was playing with the baby when I looked up to see Isaiah standing there.

  “Hey, Zen,” he said.

  “Hey…” I replied. I’m surprised to see you. My doctor is ready to swab you when you’re ready.”

  “So, that’s lil man huh?” he asked walking towards the bed.

  “Yep, in all of his glory,” I said. Isn’t he cute?”

  “He is. He has my nose and my mouth,” he said in amazement.

  I was glad he could see his traits in the baby without my having to say it.

  Dr. Sharon knocked and came into the room to make sure the baby was doing okay, before we headed out.

  “Dr. Sharon, this is the baby’s father. So, we can swab him now,” I said.

  “Hello and okay, I’ll be right back,” she said.

  “This feels so. I don’t know the word I’m looking for, but this doesn’t feel right, doing this test. I’m looking at him and I see me,” he said.