Covering the Carolinas Read Online Free PDF Page A

to it; I’d rather
focus on what is going on in the story. Then, it happens
again. Could this be it? Am I in labor?
How do you really know? I take a few deep breaths and
decide to find Daddy. I can see him on the tractor half way across
the field. Then it happens again and I can’t move. It’s almost like
someone is squeezing my insides. Panic begins to set in, but then I
remind myself, I can do this!
    Walking outside, I’m trying to get Daddy’s attention
but he’s too far away. I grab my phone and text my sisters. I’m not
sure if they will answer it, but it’s worth a shot. I then call
Mama, who is notorious for leaving her phone at home, and of
course, I hear it ringing in the kitchen. I decide I need to call
the hospital and then I’ll go get Daddy. It’s not like this is
going to be a quick process.
    After calling the hospital, I start to walk
toward Daddy when another contraction hits me. Take a deep breath. He still hasn’t seen me, but
I can see my sisters running toward the house. Thank goodness! I yell toward Daddy and after
the fourth time, he looks at me. He must read the fear on my face
because he turns off the tractor and runs to me.
    “ I’m fine, Daddy. I’m just about to have a
baby, I think,” I say as he gets to me.
    “ Okay. Have you called the hospital? Where is
everyone else?” he says, noticing Mama is still gone, but then he
sees my sisters approaching.
    “ Ohmygosh, Mar. Are you sure? What do we need
to do? Where’s your bag? What about Mama?” Tinleigh
rambles.
    “ Calm down, Tin! She’s the one in labor!”
Carleigh says. “Now, let’s get your bag and get to the hospital.
Daddy, do you want to take her or do you want to wait on
Mama?”
    You can see how uncomfortable this is for him. “I’ll
take her. There’s all that paperwork that has to be done. Tinleigh,
grab her bag and Carleigh, call the grocery store to have them page
your Mama. Tell her to meet us there.”
    As my sisters hurry inside, Daddy and I walk
to the truck and climb in. Oh gosh, I
gotta pee! Then I realize I already have. “Daddy, I
think my water just broke cause if not, I totally just peed in your
truck.” He chuckles, but then stops abruptly, realizing that this
is real and time is ticking. Part of me takes a moment to think
about what is happening and if I’m doing the right thing by keeping
this from GC. I know I’m doing what’s best for his future. I just
hope that if he finds out, he understands I did this because I love
him.
    Arriving at the hospital, I’m rushed in like there’s
something majorly wrong with me. Daddy takes care of checking me in
and I’m moved to labor and delivery. About the time I’m hooked up
to all the monitors, Mama comes rushing in. She looks like she’s
been on a race to get here.
    “ Hunny, how are you?” she asks as she takes my
hand.
    “ Scared, but I’m okay.” She kisses my
forehead.
    “ Everyone is scared, but it will be okay. I
hate to ask this but I have to. Are you sure you don’t want to call
him?”
    “ I’m positive. Now please don’t ask me
again.”
    She doesn’t say anything but she squeezes my
hand.
    With the passing of the time, the contractions
become harder and harder. I’ve decided I don’t want an epidural. I
got myself into this mess and I plan on feeling every bit of pain
for it. Considering I’ve made it this far already, I think I can
handle it. As time passes, the pain increases and I want to cry,
but I refuse. The nurse comes in to check on me and tells me it’s
time to start pushing. Everyone but Daddy stays in the room. “Mama,
you’re gonna have to hold this leg, I just don’t think I can do
it,” Tinleigh says as she makes her way to the head of my bed and
pulls my hair back into a messy bun. Mama takes Tinleigh’s place as
Carleigh takes the other. “Do I need to go check on Daddy?”
Tinleigh asks.
    “ He’s okay, but if you aren’t comfortable, you
can go with him,” Mama says to her.
    “ No, I’m