High Bridge by Michael Miller

Author:Michael Miller [Miller, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-02T14:47:56+00:00

41

Gage home, High Bridge, New York

Monday, November 3, 1845, 12:30 PM

MATILDA CALLED INTO the yard in her usual, composed manner. “Henry.” Hearing no response, she turned toward the barn and repeated, “Henry?”

“Yes, dear,” responded Henry matter-of-factly.

“Time to fetch Doc Taylor. Tell him my waters just broke,” Matilda stated.

“Your what? Did what?” Though Henry had known this day was imminent, he was now confronted by reality. Beating himself into a dither, he wondered, What to do? Should I follow Matilda’s directions? Should I attend to her comfort? Henry felt like a chicken without its head. Should I set out things for the birth? Collect clean cloths? Boil water? What should I do?

Henry did not realize that Matilda had already done much advance preparation for the birth. She had already folded a pile of clean cloths, made an ointment of beeswax and oil, collected thread for ligating the umbilical cord, and cleaned a bulb syringe.

Watching Henry wind himself up and out of control, Matilda gently repeated in a measured voice, “Henry, bring Doc Taylor here.”

With that, Henry dashed from the house and yelled, “Sarah!” Hearing no response, he bounded down the front walk and ran around searching for Sarah. Failing to find her, Henry flung open the gate, which swiveled smoothly on its hinges. He pounded on the neighbors’ door. After what seemed an eternity, Miriam Nash finally answered. Henry babbled, “Matilda. Matilda is having our baby! Miriam, I can’t find Sarah. Can you come over? Can you help Matilda while I get Doc?”

Miriam smiled and reassured Henry, “Relax, don’t worry. I’ll find Sarah. If I cannot find her, I’ll be over.”

As she turned to close the door, Mrs. Nash was surrounded by her children: Hannah, Eli, and Hezekiah—fourteen, ten, and four years old, respectively. “Children, I may need to go next door to help Mrs. Gage. Hannah, watch the boys. Eli and Hezekiah, mind your sister.”

Having secured help for Matilda, Henry ran to the barn, saddled and mounted a horse, and galloped the one and a half miles to Fayetteville to collect Doc Taylor.

Meanwhile, Matilda wobbled about her bedroom. She struggled to find a comfortable position and attempted to distract herself by reading. This was episodically interrupted by deep muscle contractions. The early contractions were mild; she was able to read through them. With time, however, they became more insistent, forcing her to stop and focus. The contractions momentarily took her breath away. Fortunately, when they became more intense, Sarah reached Matilda’s bedroom. She guided Matilda through contractions as they built in frequency and intensity.

Suddenly, their attention was interrupted by a knock at the kitchen door. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Gage. It’s Steve.” Hearing no response, Steve yelled, “Is anyone here?”

Sarah called down, “We are upstairs. Matilda is having baby.”

Uncowed by the concept or act of birth, Steve scaled the stairs, declaring, “I can help.” He stood outside the door and continued, “I was around when my brother Lewis and sister Susan were born.”

“Yes, Steve. Get blankets and towels, and then leave them by the door.

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