You got to stop doin so much, he said.
Sure, she said, that’s the problem; nothing to do with the other human I’m lumping around inside me.
I’m just sayin you need to take it easy, he said.
I don’t want to take it easy, she said. I want this damn baby out of me.
Well, you’re not due for another week or so, so—
Thank you for letting me know, she said, because I had no idea.
Her hair was up; she pulled it down.
Well, you look good, he said.
I look like a goddamn mess, she said.
Hey, I’m just tryin to help, okay?
Well quit it, would you?
Jeez, he said.
And stop complaining, she said. You’re not the one carrying a baby around inside you.
Her palms cupped around her swollen belly.
Where’s my milk? she said.
You didn’t want any! he said.
Yes I did, she said. I always have milk before bed.
You’re turning in? he said.
Yes! That’s why I want my milk!
I—he said, and stopped. I’ll get you some.
She sighed, sat down, sank back into the sofa.
Nice evening, huh? she called out to the kitchen.
Yeah, he said. Lotta fun.
She sure can cook, Grace said.
Sure can, Harrison said. Joe’s a lucky son of a gun.
How long they been in that place? she said.
Don’t know, he said.
I like it.
What?
Joe and Gracie’s house—I like it, she said. The kitchen.
Uh-huh, he said.
She rolled her eyes but he didn’t see.
I’m tired, she said.
I know, he said, walking into the living room with her milk.
Here you go, he said.
Thank you, she said. Hey, you okay?
She stroked his face. He nodded.
You sure?
Yeah.
She kissed him.
I love you, she said.
Love you too, hon, he said.
C’mon, she said. Let’s turn in; I’ll drink this in bed.
Jim. Jim.
Uh, he said. What?
It was dark; he was asleep.
Jim wake up.
What? What is it? What’s the matter?
My water’s just broke, she said.
Huh? he said.
Wake up, she said.
He switched on the lamp.
Jesus, he said. What time is it?
Ten to four, she said.
He rubbed his face.
We got to move fast, she said.
How come? he said. You said labor was long. If we go in now, they’ll only send us home.
Yeah, she said.
That’s what you told me, right?
Yeah, she said, but I’ve been in labor pretty much since we came to bed.
What? Why didn’t you tell me? he said. He was sitting up now.
Didn’t see the point, she said. They told me I had to relax; said that was the best thing I could do. Figured you being asleep would probably help.
Thanks.
Looks like I was right.
Jesus, Grace, he said. Are you okay?
Uh, they’re getting pretty painful now, she said. Faster.
What the hell is this? he said, jerking his hand up from the bed.
I told you, she said, my water’s broke.
He pulled a face that Grace said was unhelpful and he wiped his hand on the sheet and said, what do we do?
Get dressed, she said. I got a bag all packed. We need to get to Lancaster.
He helped her into the car. It didn’t start.
Too damn cold, Harrison said.
What?
The engine.
He turned the ignition again. The engine chugged then wailed.
Damn it, he said.
What the hell, Jim? she said.
It’s four in the morning, he said. Usually warms up twenty degrees or so before anyone drives it.
Jesus, she said.
Don’t worry, hon, he said, we got the motorcycle out back.
She looked at him.
The Triumph? she said. Are you fucking kidding me?
What?
It’s a wreck!
I fixed it up pretty good, he said.
Her hands clung tight to the dashboard.
Jim, she said, it’s pitch-black, freezing cold and I’m having a baby, and if you think I’m getting on the back of a goddamn motorcycle you’re out of your— She yelled out and gripped the dash.
Hon? Hon? What’s the matter? he said.
I’m having a baby what do you think is the matter.
I’m gettin the bike, he said, and got out.
Jim!
He ran down to the barn, threw the tarp off the Triumph, got it running.
All right, he said. He opened the throttle, warmed the engine and drove back to the car. Grace got out.
Hold tight to me, he said. Use the footrests; you’ll be fine.
Jim, she said, I can’t … I …
Yes you can, he said. I got you.
I’m scared, Jim.
Nothin be scared about, hon, he said. We’ll be there in no time. Think of it like a horse. Nothin to it.
She held his back and slowly pulled herself on.
That’s it, he said.
She gripped his waist, baby cocooned between them.
Meant to say, he shouted over his shoulder as they accelerated, light’s bust. Wasn’t expecting to ever take it out at night.
Her face was pushed hard into his back. She didn’t reply.
Don’t worry, he said. I know these roads pretty good.
Grace groaned and hung on.
They reached the Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster thirty-five minutes later. He helped her down from the motorcycle. She began to wander off.
Grace! he said. Where you goin?
She kept on walking. He caught up with her.
We got to go that way, he said.