A Night In

A Night In 

   As Sandy pulled on her oversized tee shirt and shorts, she thought about the night ahead. She was finally going to curl up and watch a movie alone. She knew that most were enjoying the freedom of having the hurricane blow over. Restaurants and bars were reopening and everyone was eager to get out with other people. 

   As an ER nurse she’d been working double shifts for months. She loved her job because she got to help people, but the pandemic had made her appreciate taking time for herself even more. As friendly and warm as she was most thought she wanted nothing more than to be out in the crowds, but she’d always been more of an introvert, enjoying curling up with good book or movie.  

   The popcorn popped in the microwave as she selected something to watch. Choosing a movie that she hadn’t seen she was just sitting down when there was a knock on her door. Although her neighbors knew she was a nurse she’d been clear that she didn’t want interruptions at home. 

   She thought about just waiting for them to go away but something told her to answer. They were being insistent, the knock becoming a banging that threatened to take the door down. Getting up, she walked over and swung the door open. 

   She was surprised to have to look down to find the girl from two floors up. Her brown hair was braided and she was in pajamas, she couldn’t be much older than five. There were tears in her eyes, as she looked up at Sandy. 

   “Please, Momma needs help.” she stammered.  

   Sandy remembered that the woman in question was very pregnant. Without a second thought, Sandy slipped on her flip flops by the door, and grabbed her bag with mask and gloves inside. 

   They didn’t wait on the elevator, but ran up the stairs, the little girl showing her the way. She found the mother in the living room, on the floor, leaning on her elbows.  

   The mother looked up as they entered the room, relieve in her eyes. “Thank goodness she found you.” 

   Putting on her mask and gloves Sandy knelt where the woman’s feet set spread before her on the floor.  

   “She’s very smart.” Sandy told her. “My name is Sandy. Let’s see what’s going on here?’ 

   “I’m Clara. My first pain was early this afternoon but I’m not due for a few weeks.” Clara explained.  

   Sandy nodded. “So, you’re thirty-six weeks. What about your first pregnancy?”  

   She was trying to keep the woman calm as she examined her, surprised to find the woman farther along than she’d expected. 

   “Normal. Full term.” Clara answered between breaths. 

   Sandy turned to the young girl. “Run and get me some towels.” Once she was gone, Sandy turned back to Clara. “You’re already crowning and it’s time to push.” 

   “But my husband...” 

  “Will have to meet his son or daughter at the hospital.” Sandy used her firm, nurses voice. “You and I are going to deliver this baby right here. On your next contraction, push.” 

   “We thought we would have more time.” Clara moaned, “He planned on being here.” 

   “He works out of town?” 

   Clara had just enough time to nod before her next pain hit. She pushed, then lay back to catch a deep breath.  

   Sandy draped the towel under Clara’s legs. Then looked at the girl. “What’s your name?” 

   “Maria.” she answered timidly. 

   “You’re being very brave. Do you want to help your mom?” Maria nodded. “You know how she bathes your head with a cloth when you’re sick?” Another nod. “Do you think you can do that for her?” 

   The girl was off without responding this time. She was back before the next pain and pulled away when her mother flinched with it. Clara pushed hard, then relaxed again when it passed. 

   “Don’t worry, Pookie. It’s alright. Go get my phone so we can call an ambulance.” 

  “911.” Maria replied. 

  “You remember what we practiced?” She waited for the nod. “Go do it, darling.” 

   “I’m guessing that was your husband’s idea.” 

   Clara smiled. “Yes. He said just in case.” 

   Sandy took pillows from the ouch to prop behind Clara so she could relax more comfortably. 

   After two more hard pushes the head popped out and Sandy caught one hand under its head, the other ready to catch the rest on the next push. 

   Wrapping the newborn in a towel, she made a swipe in its mouth to clean it and the boy cried. She laid the baby on Clara’s chest. “You have a healthy boy.” 

   While the other two looked over the new edition to their family, Sandy gathered the afterbirth the best he could, leaving the family short a few towels. 

   The ambulance had arrived and the EMTs were checking both mother and baby out. Then transferred them to a stretcher.  

   She hadn’t realized that Clara had made another call until she held the phone out. “My husband would like to talk to you.” 

   She took the phone, and spoke. “Hello?” 

   “Thank you so much.” he rushed out. “We didn’t want to disturb you, but I was so afraid it would happen while I was out of town.” 

   “You did the right thing. They both appear fine but they will still be taken to the hospital.” Remembering they were new to town and asked, “Do you have anyone to care for Maria?” 

   “Our mothers were going to be here...”  

   “I was going to offer to keep her.” Sandy broke in. “You have enough to worry about.” 

   “I don’t know how we’ll ever repay you.” 

   “You don’t owe me a thing. I’ll give them my phone number in case anything comes up. Just make the announcements and celebrate.” she told him and gave the phone back to Clara. 

   Once they had rolled her into the elevator, sandy turned to see Maria standing, hugging a stuffed clown. 

   She squatted, to be eye level. “That was scary, wasn’t it?” 

   “Yes, ma’am.” 

   “How do feel about packing a bag and staying with me tonight? I was going to watch a movie, now I have someone to watch with.” 

   Maria turned and led the way to her room. “What movie?” 

  Sandy found a backpack and started going through the drawers for clothes. “I don’t know. What would you like to watch?” 

   They discussed the choices as they gathered her some toys. Back upstairs they made some fresh popcorn and watched the Trolls movie. They laughed at the silliness and when it was over Maria was looking tired. 

    Sandy made the couch up and tucked her in, sitting a glass of water on the table for her. She hadn’t gotten her night alone but she couldn’t complain with how it turned out. 

                                                                        * 

   That had been twenty years ago. She had become close to the family, often babysitting when the husband was in town to give the parent’s time alone. But she had lost touch with them when she’d gotten married and moved to the suburbs.  

   So, when she’d received an email from an old co-worker saying the family was looking for her, she’d been blown away. She immediately called Clara to learned that Maria was graduating from medical school in, and her grandest wish was for Sandy to attend. 

   Maria didn’t know that she was in the audience until her name was called. Although the families were instructed not to clap until the end they were permitted to stand when their graduates name was called.  

   As soon as they called Maria’s name, Sandy stood up with her family. When Maria saw her the brightest smile spread across her face. When the ceremony was over, Maria ran straight to her, and wrapped her in a hug. 

   Pulling back, she said, “I can’t believe you’re here. My parents said they couldn’t find you.” 

  “Just a little surprise we cooked up.” Sandy told her. “I’m of proud of you.” 

   “You were my inspiration” Maria told her. “Jarad loves to hear about the night he was born at home. I was so scared to knock on your door, afraid you would be angry, but you didn’t hesitate. I wanted to be like you more than anything from that night forward.” 

   Sandy blinked back tears. She hadn’t thought about that night in years and thought about how irritated she’d been to have her night in interrupted. She had never thought about turning the girl away and regretted that she’d let herself lose touch with her. 

   But to hear that she made such an impact on the young girl’s life, it reminded her of how she’d felt watching her fall asleep that night. 

   “I never forgot you.” Sandy replied. “When I found out I was going to have a daughter, I thought of you and hoped she would be just as brave as you were.” 

   That was the beginning of a celebration that last all weekend and the family she’d been such a part of met the family she’d made with her husband. Life was grand indeed.