Before Jack returned home he took Racetrack, Jr. to Central Park for a
stroll. Trees and shrubbery fascinated Race, Jr., not to mention birds and
squirrels. When the father and son did finally reach home, Sarah was
drenched in sweat. The baby was only a few hours away. After inhaling
all of the fresh, outdoor air, Jack was now ready to help his wife deliver
the baby.
Over the next several hours, Sarah instructed Jack as to what to do to make her more comfortable and thus assist in the birthing process. Jack dabbed the sweat from Sarah's brow with a cool washcloth. He loved Sarah but, boy, this was tiring.
Jack had given his son two towels which were folded into squares to be used as ear muffs for the child. The boy kept fairly amused, still not aware of what was going on. No one had told Racetrack, Jr. that a baby was coming or anything of that sort.
By four o'clock a baby girl was born much to Jack's disappointment. Sarah named the girl Francis Eleanor—Francis a constant reminder to Jack of his past; and Eleanor taken from Davey's middle name. Sarah fell asleep shortly after the birth, leaving Jack in charge of the child.
Racetrack, Jr. was very curious about the crying organism his father carried, and still awaited an explanation of just what it was.
Sarah slept for many, many hours. Jack did not know what to do when the child cried. All Jack could think about was that this one was a girl. He was going to have to raise a girl. "What's dah woild comin' tah when I guy like me hasta take care of a goil?" Jack muttered to himself. "I don't even like dah boy dat much, how'm I suppostah have fun wit a goil?"
Over the next several hours, Sarah instructed Jack as to what to do to make her more comfortable and thus assist in the birthing process. Jack dabbed the sweat from Sarah's brow with a cool washcloth. He loved Sarah but, boy, this was tiring.
Jack had given his son two towels which were folded into squares to be used as ear muffs for the child. The boy kept fairly amused, still not aware of what was going on. No one had told Racetrack, Jr. that a baby was coming or anything of that sort.
By four o'clock a baby girl was born much to Jack's disappointment. Sarah named the girl Francis Eleanor—Francis a constant reminder to Jack of his past; and Eleanor taken from Davey's middle name. Sarah fell asleep shortly after the birth, leaving Jack in charge of the child.
Racetrack, Jr. was very curious about the crying organism his father carried, and still awaited an explanation of just what it was.
Sarah slept for many, many hours. Jack did not know what to do when the child cried. All Jack could think about was that this one was a girl. He was going to have to raise a girl. "What's dah woild comin' tah when I guy like me hasta take care of a goil?" Jack muttered to himself. "I don't even like dah boy dat much, how'm I suppostah have fun wit a goil?"