Safe Distance by Reece Brett

Author:Reece Brett [Brett, Reece]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2024-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

“What?” He held her elbow. “Now? Isn’t that early? You...”

Teagan grimaced and between short breaths, she forced out. “I am early. She shouldn’t be coming, but…”

“But if your water broke, that baby is arriving now. Do we call your doctor?”

She stumbled into her room and returned minutes later. “The doc said to be calm. First babies usually take hours. Wait.” Teagan inhaled sharply, took short breathes. “When contractions are five minutes. Then call and head to hospital.” She gripped the back of the chair. “So…I wait.”

“I called 911. I just needed to know what to do. Doctors say stay calm. I need to know what to look for, what I can do. The EMT who talked to me knows you. Greg, your friend…is going to call back. I told him we have no car. Those contractions are strong and regular.”

When his phone beeped, he held it in the air. “Greg, on speaker phone.”

“Hey Teag. So, your child wants to arrive early? Not surprised.” said Greg.

“I …. yeah. Is that bad?” She took a breath between each word. What her doctor described and what she was feeling didn’t match.

“Sounds like active labor. When did this start?”

She inhaled deeply, then it then answered. “This morning, had what I thought was indigestion or what the doctor told me about—Braxton Hicks.” She looked directly at Greg. “But while we were dancing, my water broke and feeling strong, I think, contractions.”

“Water broke about 40 minutes ago.” Ben stated.

“Does her ISO have any animals in it? Is it clean?” Greg asked. “No animals. But I have been staying there. Has an inflatable bed and cupboard.” answered Ben.

“Perfect. Get it ready just in case.”

“Just in cast, what?”

“This labor goes faster than normal, and we or the paramedics can’t get there. It’s pandemic, all trucks are out right now, and we sterilize and wipe down in between. Safety first and that baby can’t be near any virus or illness.” Greg directed.

“But you’ll tell what to watch...” Ben’s voice cracked. He wiped his palms down the seam of his jeans.

“As soon as we clean up, we’ll be there.” Greg said. “But I’m not comfortable being close to her or to a newborn.”

Teagan inhaled. “You think this baby is arriving today?”

“Sounds like things are happening fast. We just sanitizing after a Covid run, we should be there soon.” Noise of other voices interrupted. “Ben, you’re the one who cared for her during her illness. Thank you. While Teagan rests, you set up the room with clean sheets, couple pillows, clean towels, and ice.”

“Okay. We can walk around, and I’ll keep track of contractions.”

A chuckle from the other end. “Maybe dance if that works. When she is ready, settle into the ISO room. Shut the doors. We will enter through the sliding glass doors and stand in the hallway and talk through the windows.”

“How soon will you get here. You know more.” Ben glanced around ISO. How to convert this room…

Greg flipped to a private line. “ No vehicle is available.

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