9:15PM
We sat in depressing blue cushioned chairs that lined the back wall of the waiting area. Our seats were the only bit of color in the room, save for the coke and snack machines on either side of us. The rest was a mix of gray, stale white, and off. If I hadn't known better, a dead person might have helped designed this room. There was not a trace of life in it. It even smelled like a morge. I wrinkled my nose at it, but couldn't get it away from the reek of heavy sanitizers and old snacks. I started to wonder how the hospital could not clean away the stench.
"There should at least be some corporate art," I sighed, "I feel like we're in a tomb of uglyless and mess. Crimeny." Arnold turned to look at me. I could see by his sour face that he didn't my choice of words. I put a hand on his and held it tightly while another cramp hit me, the second one of the night.
"You ok over there Ma-ma Bird?" Gertie asked. She was sitting on the other chair by my husband. She lay on her side to face me.
"I'm fine. At least, I hope I am. I think these are just the practice pains before the real thing." I ran my free hand around the whole of my abdomen, trying my best to ignore it. We already had enough to deal with.
"Are you sure you're ok Helga?" he said. He sat up to look at me fully as he smoothed his hands around my arms. His face looked so old, aged by the stress of the night. The bags under his eyes were usually unnoticeable, but now they were easy to see. They seemed large enough to carry a weeks worth of food. The soft lines on his face became more apparent. His eyes were rapped in a layer of tears.
"You don't need to worry about me guys. I'm fine, great even!" I laughed nervously. Arnold paused his hands on the top of my belly. He waited till he felt our baby kick before me moved them, sighing.
"If you say so." After a few more moments we slipped back into silence. We could hear the clock ticking in the corner as time slugged forward. I hated that sound. Anything could happen under that sound and it wouldn't change, not a pitch. It would just tic on.
"Ok," the Doctor said as he finally walked to us. He was young man of thin build, not much older and then Arnold and myself. I looked at his chestnut hair and fire orange eyes and thought about how capable he could be. He looked too fresh out of med school. "The nurses and I were able to stable him and get him to sleep. We're waiting for few more tests results to come in. While we do, I'll be asking you a few questions to help determine the best course of action." He got out a clipboard and pen, grunting loudly.
"Please excuse my demeanor. I have been working twelve-hour shifts and I hoped your grandfather would be an easy bed to clear." He started to jot something down, focused on the forms in front of him. I slouched back a little, feeling the same strange twinge from before. It was like a menstrual cramp, only stronger and more definite. I tried my best not let my face show how much it hurt.
"Does your grandfather usually eat fatty foods?" The Doctor asked when he looked up.
"No, unless you count the Chinese we had tonight," Arnold replied.
"Ok, and what about his meds. Does he take any aspirin…Viagra, that sort of thing?" Arnold stiffened uneasily at the question, blushing slightly while he sputtered out the answer.
"Well-well," he started, "I don't see him take much except something for headaches every now and again. The other…thing…the Vi-"
"He was NOT called Steely Phil for nothing!" Gertie interrupted, "He sure gives my pussy something to purr about. Why just this morning he-"
"Grandma! No one needs to know that!" Gertie flush red, suddenly shameful of her response.
"Actually, that information might help. Without going into it Mrs. Shortman, I take it that you and your husband had intercourse this morning?" Gertie stood proudly as she slapped her hand on her heart, nodding firmly.
"We did our duty to the party!" I giggled at the nineteen eighty-four reference while Arnold just sank in his chair in embarrassment. I had to hand it too her, even in a time of dire sadness she was able to pull of a joke. If I'm lucky I'll be like her when I age. She's got spunk. The Doctor did his best to hide a grin as he scribbled down the answers.
"All right then. That should be all for now. We'll get you as soon we know more." He was about to walk off when he spotted me. He raised a brow at my round stomach. I gripped my armrests with full force as I tried to adjust myself into a better position. The pain was turning sharp before slowly winding down.
"If you don't mind me asking Helga, how far along are you?" I looked at the inquisitive doctor, hating his question. He had a dying man to save. Not me.
"What's it to you?" I scoffed, "I'm not the one in the emergency room. Ow! Fuck!" The pain continued to grind, not waning like I thought it would. Before I could say anything more, the doctor dashed to the nearest room and buzzed for a nurse. I panted hard, wanting desperately to calm my body down. Arnold grabbed my hand, gazing deep within my eyes. He didn't have to say a word for me to know what he was thinking. Just breathe Helga. Just breathe.