The Storm - Part 1

I peered through the windshield, trying to see past the sheet of water pouring down the front of the car. We inched down the road as the wipers furiously crossed back and forth. Next to me, Carrie groaned, clutching her swollen stomach.

"Don't worry," I assured her, loosening one hand from the grip on the steering wheel to reach across and squeeze her arm. "We'll get there in time."

"They're coming four minutes apart," Carrie closed her eyes, trying to breathe deeply through a contraction. "Oh God!” she groaned. “I shouldn't have stayed at the house waiting for Todd to get back."

We reached the one-mile mark. I tensed as I came to the bridge. Even over the pounding of the rain, I could hear the roar of the creek. I stopped the car, searching the road ahead.

"Carrie? Hon? I need you to help me out here. Do you see the bridge?"

Carrie opened her eyes, leaning as far forward as her belly allowed. "Ellie," she whispered, "where is it?"

"Hold on." Getting out of the car I was instantly drenched. I thanked God and Henry that it was paved and not dirt like so many other ranch roads. Walking slowly forward, I came to the edge. The cheery creek had been replaced by a raging river. The rustic wooden bridge was no where in sight. I raced back to the car and got in. Trying to still my shaking hands, I carefully put it in reverse.

"What's happening?!"

"The bridge is gone." Think, Ellie, think. The bridge was gone. The phone lines were down. I looked at my cell phone resting on the dashboard.

No cell service.

"No," Carrie said firmly. "It's not gone. It can't be gone." She gripped my arm with strong fingers, "I'm having a baby. I need a hospital. I need a doctor. I need an epidural. And I. Need. Todd."

Taking a deep breath and throwing the car back into park, I grabbed both of Carrie's hands in mine and stared firmly into her watery blue eyes. "Henry and Todd are probably behind us on the road. They should have finished moving the cattle by now. They'll see the note. We'll probably meet them on the way back to the house."

"This is not in my birth plan!" she wailed.

"Well, one thing is for sure," I said, releasing her hands and starting the slow drive back to the house.

"What?" Carrie asked, clenching her teeth and trying to breath as another contraction ripped across her stomach.

"At least you'll finally have a name. How about Raine? It works for a boy or a girl."

"Oh God," she groaned. "I may be having a home birth, but I am not a hippy." She giggled at her words, the giggle turning into laughter. "I think I'm hysterical."

"You and me both."

I drove back to the ranch without seeing Henry's truck. I pulled as close as I could to the back porch.

“They’re not back yet,” said Carrie.

“I know.”

I jumped out of the car and ran around to her door. Opening it, I reached in and helped Carrie ease her body out. Standing in the rain, she bent in half, her short cap of dark hair plastered to her head. “Okay. That one came faster.” I held her arm as she leaned heavily on me. She moaned as she slowly climbed the four steps to the porch. Steadying her with one hand, I reached for the door.

“Ellie?”

I turned. Carrie stood frozen, staring at her feet. She raised her head, her wide eyes meeting mine in the dim light.

"My water just broke."

This piece of fiction was inspired by The Red Dress Club prompt: Water gives life. It also takes it away. You might recognize Carrie and Todd from last week's "ad". And, of course, if you want to read more about Henry and Ellie, you can check out their story here.

The prompt had a 600 word limit, which I blew past in the first half. I couldn't delete any more and maintain the story, so I decided to just split it. The question is...do I wait and post Part 2 next Friday and try to work that prompt in? Or do I post the rest of it over the weekend?

And, per usual, feel free to offer constructive criticism. And don't forget to preface so I can find a hand to hold.