December 29, 1935
In the wee hours of Sunday morning, John-Boy woke up. He rolled over in bed to put his arms around Jenny, but she wasn't there. He sat up in bed, reached for the alarm clock.
3:35 a.m. Where's Jenny?
The moonlight reflecting in the window revealed the light, peaceful snow falling from the winter night sky outside.
John-Boy slipped on his slipper and bathrobe and walked down the hallway. The soft glow of the bathroom light lit his way. The bathroom door was open. He peaked his head in to see his wife sitting on the toilet.
"I woke up and found you weren't in bed." He grinned.
"Sorry to worry you John. I've been sitting here for about twenty minutes. I don't feel good at all."
"Well it is morning now." John-Boy chuckled. He paused. "I'm sorry if that was insensitive of me. I'm not the one going through the morning sickness."
Jenny actually chuckled. That was one of the many things John-Boy loved about Jenny. She could laugh, even in the most miserable circumstances. "No offence taken, John. I'm sorry to have awakened you." She paused and clenched her stomach. "Oh John, I'm gonna throw up!"
John-Boy thought quickly and grabbed the trash can just in time to come to his wife's rescue.
"Are you all right?" He asked. He smacked himself in the forehead.
That was dumb! He told himself.
Jenny gagged and threw up once more.
"Oh Baby, I'm sorry you're feeling so sick. Is there anything I can do for you?" John-Boy squeezed his wife's hand.
"Just stay with me." She whispered.
John-Boy himself felt a little queasy but suppressed his stomach pains for his wife's sake. This must be what men mean by "sympathy morning sickness."
John-Boy and Jenny sat in silence for a moment.
"Married life in all its glory." Jenny chuckled. "I'm can't get off the toilet and you're holding the trash can for me to throw up at 3 in the morning!"
John-Boy couldn't help but laugh. He loved this girl! And he loved the little miracle in his wife's body. He couldn't wait to be a father and hold their little one! But for now, he had to comfort his wife at a time when her body wasn't exactly her best friend in the world.
Jenny thought she could return to bed when stomach cramps rushed over her again. She plopped back on the toilet.
"I'd better stay here a bit longer." She groaned.
"I'll give you privacy." John-Boy replied. "I'll be waiting for you in bed." He made sure that the trash can was within Jenny's reach before he left, just in case.
She nodded and groaned as he quietly closed the bathroom door.
Later that morning, John-Boy drove to the small country church to attend with his family.
"Morning Son," John greeted his firstborn in the parking lot. "Where's your bride?"
"Oh, she's home. She's finally able to sleep. She had an attack or morning sickness from about three this morning until six or six-thirty."
"The poor dear." John shook his head. "Sounds like she's pretty miserable."
John-Boy nodded his head. "I'm gonna take her to Charlottesville tomorrow to see Dr. Vance. He's gotta run some tests. He's a little concerned about this pregnancy. Nothing major, but he thinks Jenny may have to take some pills throughout this pregnancy. Something with her calcium or another level not being right."
"We'll be praying." Olivia said. "For Jenny and the baby. And for you."
John-Boy smiled. "Thank you. We sure appreciate it. I'm just glad Dr. Vance caught it."
"So am I." Jason grinned. "I want my little niece or nephew to get here safely."
"You and me both." John-Boy replied.
December 30, 1935
The next morning, John-Boy started up the truck. He loaded the cab with plenty of blankets. He placed a small bowl in the truck in case Jenny got sick.
She had morning sickness last night into the early hours of the morning once again. He was thankful that her appointment wasn't until eleven in the morning. That gave his poor, exhausted, sick wife some time to sleep in
"Jenny, I have plenty of blankets in the truck. I also have a bowl, so if you have to throw up, you can."
"Well, if I have enough notice, I'll just have you pull over. It would make things easier."
John-Boy nodded. "Are you ready?"
"I need a few minutes in the bathroom. I'm feeling a little queasy."
"All right. I'll be in the truck."
"Thank you so much for your patience, John. This little on isn't making things any easier."
"It'll all be worth it when he or she is here."
Jenny smiled and nodded. The she grabbed her stomach and ran upstairs.
John-Boy sighed. He felt bad for his poor wife. She was completely miserable. But she was two months along. Most women said that morning sickness got a lot better after the first trimester. If Jenny could just make it to the end of January. He prayed things would improve.
Jenny came out in a few minutes.
"How are you feeling, My Love?"
"A little better, but not good. I just wish I could feel good again. And just think, I have seven more months of this to go."
"I know. Don't focus on the seven months. We'll take it one day at a time." John-Boy squeezed Jenny's hand.
She held her stomach. "You know, our baby is one lucky little human to have such a wonderful daddy."
"And such a sweet mommy."
Jenny grinned.
When they got to town, John-Boy took Jenny to the doctor's office.
Dr. Vance's nurse drew some blood. "It'll be about an hour. You are welcome to either stay here or come back."
"We have a few things to get in town. Can we come back?"
"Absolutely. Just check in at the front desk. We'll have your paperwork to know you were here before, so we won't have to weigh you or take your blood pressure or anything like that. We'll bring you right back."
"Perfect, thank you so much." Jenny smiled.
John-Boy and Jenny went to the Charlottesville supermarket. Jenny soon found the meat aisle was a bad one for her to go down. The smell of meat made her feel sick to her stomach.
"John, I'm gonna be sick." She told her husband.
John-Boy and Jenny ran into the single-stall bathroom. John-Boy quickly locked the door, then pulled the hair behind his wife's neck and held it there. She gagged for a couple seconds, but didn't throw up right away. Finally, she gagged rather forcefully and was able to throw up.
"Oh John," Jenny melted into tears.
John-Boy hugged her. "Shhhhh…" he soothed. "I'm sorry Baby, I'm so sorry."
She just sobbed. "I just wanna feel good again!"
"I know. The doctor is doing everything he can."
When Jenny was sure she wouldn't be sick any more, he and Jenny went back out into the store.
"I'll get the meat." John-Boy told his wife. "You go get the canned soup."
Jenny smiled. "Okay. Thank you John." She was thankful to have such a kind, understanding husband.
After checking out, John-Boy and Jenny went back to the doctor's office.
After checking in, John-Boy and Jenny followed the nurse to the exam room.
"The doctor will be with you in a minute."
"Thank you." Jenny smiled.
In about ten minutes, Dr. Vance entered the room.
"Well Jenny, I've got good news and I've got bad news."
Jenny looked at John-Boy. He squeezed her hand.