Change of Plans
"Oooohh, Miss Brahms, I feel awful," moaned Betty, gently rubbing her belly.
"What's wrong, Mrs. Peacock?" Miss Brahms was sincerely concerned for her co-worker. Betty had been feeling tired lately. The morning sickness often
extended throughout most of the day.
"I don't know, me belly's bothering me."
"Well, you go in back and sit down. I'll make Jug Ears ring for the Sister."
Betty slowly walked to the cloakroom and eased into a chair. She was about 4 months along and had a small protrusion of a belly. Her brown Grace
Brothers uniform hid it rather well.
The Sister came down straightaway.
"Mrs. Peacock, what seems to be the trouble?" asked Sister.
"I don't feel too well, Sister. My belly is giving me fits."
"Come with me to my office and we'll see what's going on."
They left and ascended the stairs to the lift. The lift bell dinged and the door closed behind them.
Once in Sister's office, Betty asked to use the loo. Betty wailed aloud from behind the door, "I'm bleeding!"
Betty began to cry bitterly and rub her belly.
Sister called to her, "Try to calm down; I'm going to ring your husband, Mrs. Peacock!"
Stephen ran the 4 blocks from Woodward & Lothrop to Grace Brothers. He didn't bother to take the lift, instead he ran up the 3 flights of stairs, taking
the stairs two at a time.
"Where is she, Sister?" Stephen burst into the office and looked around for his wife.
"She's in the loo," Sister replied, directing him.
"Betty, darling, it's me! Open the door!" he called to Betty.
"It's open!" she whimpered.
He entered the loo and found her sitting on the toilet sobbing, "I'm bleeding!" Stephen's heart dropped. He crouched down, taking her hands in his. He
smiled softly and looked into her eyes.
"How much?" Stephen tried to remain calm; he couldn't let on that he was worried.
"I don't know…"
"It doesn't look like a lot. We'll go to hospital right away. Sister, please ring a taxi for us!"
Betty stood up, he held her tightly, and gently rocking her whispered, "We're going to face this together. Come on."