Altered Motherhood
It was a warm day in Waycross of 2013. I was staying with my aunt whose fairly recent break up and left her with a case of DID, this had left her with four new personalities. More over, she was late into her 2nd pregnancy. Since she need help I immediately volunteered to stay. Fortunately the stay was uneventful until this morning.
"Angel I think it's time." Melanie said as she stumbled into my room.
"Are you sure? Did your water break?" I asked groggily.
"Yes just now." She said curtly. She was in shock and almost tearing up. Her knees were weak, which provided ample explanation. For her earlier stumble. Her body was covered in sweat and her hair was clinging to her face. Her hands were busy rubbing her bulbous belly in an attempt to calm the baby. But a large trail of water leading down the in-seam of her pajamas made it clear. She was in labor.
"Ok I'm getting up. What do you need me to do?" I asked.
"Anything to get this pain to go away." She murmured.
"Maybe the pool? Wait this early, it'll be too cold. What about the hot tub?" I asked.
"That's a great idea. A dip in it might help dull the pain." She said. Once dressed, Mel and I made out way to the back yard. In a secluded corner of the yard next to an old tn shed sat the hottub. I quickly removed the tarp to find the tub already full. Knowing that it was present to do this I turned it on and turned up the heat. After her removing her bottoms, I helped her into the water. I made sure to stay on the tons rim to act as support allowing only my feet to touch the warm water.
"Angel the girls are scared. Alexis wants to come out." She said.
"It's ok, she's probably scared." I replied. Suddenly her limbs went limp. She began to quiver and her eyelids dropped shut. As they fluttered open I noticed a look of naïve anguish. That crossed her features. This expression was fit for someone inexperience with Childbirth. This was Alexis.
"Sweet Pea why am I in so much pain?" She asked in confusing.
"You're in labor Aunt Lexi." I said.
"Oh no wonder it hurts. I was afraid that Melanie was hurt." She sobbed in pain.
