“Is there any truth to that, or is it just an old wives’ tale?”
“There’s truth to it. Pressure changes in the atmosphere and all that. It can cause a woman to go into labor. But those things don’t usually happen unless the woman is really ready to have the baby.” I was looking around the house to find something to make noise with. I needed an excuse to get off the phone so I could take a nap.
“Oh, I see. Well, you just never know.” Her southern twang was strong. “Tonight might be the night.”
“Possibly.”
“All right, honey, well I’ll let you go. But you let me know the moment you two head to the hospital so I can be there for you two.”
“We will.”
“Okay bye-bye.”
“Bye.” I hung up and set my phone down.
Laying my head back, I rubbed my eyes. It was only two o’clock in the afternoon and it already felt like I’d been going all day. I heard the lawn mower kick on while I was on the phone with Donna. Since the colder weather had moved out about a month ago, Dodger has had the chance to do yard work a few times now. He’d probably spend two or three hours outside, perfecting and making sure the house had good curb appeal. I loved that he took pride in our home.
Yawning, it was definitely time for rest. The air conditioner was going, and it was quite cool in the house. I grabbed the throw blanket that was on the back of the sofa and covered my legs. Maury was on in the background, so I shut my eyes and did my best to get comfortable. I don’t know how long I’d slept, but I was very restless. My legs kept scissoring, I’d tossed the blanket off of me, my glass of water was gone, and my back was killing me. What in the ever loving fuck was going on?
Just as I resettled, the baby shifted and hit my bladder. I hated it when he did that. It made me feel like I was about to pee everywhere every time it happened. Standing up, I started my waddle to the bathroom. I was halfway when there was a sudden gush down my leg.
“Uhhh . . .” Did I just pee?
I looked down at the floor and it was wet around my bare feet. Never in my adult life had I peed myself, but I guess there’s a first time for everything. I wanted to clean it up before Dodger got back in the house. I didn’t want to explain that apparently this was a new symptom of pregnancy. The guy would probably make me sleep on plastic sheets. Grabbing a few towels from the hall closet, I tossed them on the floor and used my foot to wipe up the mess. No way, no how was I going to bend over. I’d never get back up.
As I walked back to my bedroom, to find a change of clothes, I noticed the tricking of fluid down my leg wasn’t stopping. Hmmm, well now that was interesting. Am I just being dense, or could my water have broken? I stood in the middle of the room, half naked while I pondered that thought. I took off my pants to try and see if the fluid would keep coming. A couple minutes passed and each time I moved or shifted, more would come out. It was clear, and had no odor like urine.
“Oh holy shit, I think it might be time,” I said to myself.
Stay calm, Macie. I mentally pep talked in my head. Nothing good ever comes from someone that panics. A slight tightening in my stomach started while I was trying to get myself dressed and use some padding to make sure I’d stay somewhat dry for a trip to the hospital to check and make sure it was in fact my water that broke. I needed to tell Dodger. Oh lord . . . this was going to be interesting.
Moving at what could only be described as a sloth’s pace, I got to the front door where I hear the mower still going. Dodger was moving across the lawn, shirtless, with a pair of sun glasses on and ear phones in his ears. He had a little pep in his step, like he was mowing to the music. I’d stand and admire him, but it didn’t strike me as a good time. Why did I seem so calm?
When Dodger caught sight of me, he let go of the mower’s handle and pulled out the buds.
“Hey, Beautiful, need something?”
“Well, I think so.”
He must’ve thought I was teasing him or being facetious because he licked his finger and trailed it down his sweaty, dirty abs. I really tried to afford him a smile so I didn’t bruise his ego or make him think something was wrong, but I was getting a cramping sensation in my lower stomach that had me holding my breath. Oh man, this was the real deal.
“Mace?” He started walking toward me, concerned.
I exhaled. “Erm, I think my water broke.”
His eyes got huge. “Shit, are you sure?”
“Well, it was either that, or I peed in the kitchen.” I attempted a smile.
Dodger started struggling to put his shirt on like he’d forgotten how. He was mumbling while his head was lost somewhere in the fabric.
“Okay, Babe, don’t panic. We just need to grab your bag, and pillow, and we will head . . . for fuck’s sake, where is the hole?” he shouted.
Someone was panicking. When he finally got his shirt on, he sounded like he was out of breath.
“You good?” I asked, looking at him like he was an idiot.
“Yep! Let’s roll.” He grabbed my hand and half pushed me inside.
I wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to rush around. I knew better than anyone labor could take hours, especially for a first time mom. Oh, I better grab some chap stick. My brain interrupted it’s thought process. Dodger was wearing me out. He grabbed a suitcase from the hall closet, and started tossing everything he could possibly get his hands on inside of it. I saw things like mismatched socks from the laundry basket I hadn’t folded yet, a pair of my underwear, and I think I just caught sight of a suit tie. What the fuck? Tilting my head, I was trying to figure out if my boyfriend planned on staying the night with me at the hospital, or if he was going to be doing a night of Magic Mike at the local strip club.
“Dodger, do you actually have any clothes in here?”
“Huh?” He popped his head out of the bathroom. “Oh, yeah. There should be a couple outfits in there.”
“Do you plan on attending church while we’re there?” I lifted a silk tie up with one finger.
“No, why?” Then he saw what I was dangling from my hand. “What the fuck, how did that get in there?”
This time I managed to smile at him.
“Babe,” I put my hands on his shoulders. “Breath. We don’t need to go racing off to the hospital right away, okay? Sometimes labor can take over twenty-four hours. I’d rather do some of that here at home than hooked up to an IV and an uncomfortable bed. Oh, and remember, my bag is packed. Red duffle in the closet.”
“But doesn’t the doctor need to check you?” His poor face was etched with concern.
“Sure, when I get there. But remember I’m a nurse. I do know some of the things I need to watch for.”
“Right.” He wasn’t convinced. “Can I do anything or get you something?”
“I think I want a bowl of cereal and maybe a BLT.” I started toward the kitchen.
He tried to squeeze past me. “I got it, Mace. Only you would think of food right now.”