The Storm - Part 2

"Are you sure?" I squeaked.

Carrie's lower lip trembled, "Either that or I just pee'd my pants, but I'm going with my water breaking." Her eyes welled up with tears.

Wrapping my arms around her swollen body, I patted her back, my mind racing. "Don't worry. It's going to be fine," I assured her, hoping I wasn't lying. "Let's just get inside, okay?" I helped Carrie into the house. "Hey, at least we have power!"

Carrie wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Is your phone working?"

I dug it out of my pocket. "Um..." Walking around the kitchen, I held it towards the ceiling praying for little blue bars. "No. But I got service here all week, so..." I dropped off watching as she bent in half, holding on to the back of the kitchen chair. Thinking furiously, I started opening the kitchen cabinets.

"What are you looking for?"

"Pots. We need to boil water. They always boil water in the movies, so I'm going to boil water."

"Bottom right corner," she said rubbing her belly. "Please tell me you're a nurse or a doctor or even a vet."

I crouched down and dragged pots out of the cupboard. "No. I'm still a teacher."

"Biology?" Carrie asked hopefully.

"History," I said apologetically as I carried the pots to the sink. Filling them up, I looked out the window at the rain pounding the ground. Where were Henry and Todd? Setting the pots on the stove, I turned the burner on and straightened my shoulders. What's next? "Let's find you something dry and get you to bed."

"It's better for me to walk around, but I should probably change. I don't have any clothes here."

"I'm sure Henry has something." I ran upstairs to Henry's room. Opening a drawer, I pulled out a plain white t-shirt, lifting it to my nose and inhaling his scent. "Please hurry back," I whispered.

I ran back downstairs, almost tripping on the fourth step. Grabbing the railing, I forced myself to slow down. I made my way down the stairs and helped Carrie out of her wet clothes and into the shirt. It hugged her swollen stomach, falling close to her knees. Worried, I studied her. She was so tiny. "Carrie? What do you know about delivery?"
"I read a few books, but I never thought I'd need to remember it all. How about you?"

"I don't know nothin' about birthin' babies, Miss Scarlett."

Carrie groaned, "That was really bad."

"Another contraction?" I asked sympathetically.

"No. That joke," she said ruefully. "I'm really glad you're visiting. If you weren't here, I'd be all alone." She stood up walking slowly around the room. "Look, we'll probably need clean towels, some string and the kitchen shears."

I nodded, trying to keep from feeling faint. Between contractions, she told me everything she knew. I hoped it was enough as I began to make preparations, periodically checking my phone for service.

The air steamed from the four pots of water on the stove. Minutes turned into an hour. Our talking stilled until the whole world was ticks of the clock and pounding rain.

"I need to lay down," Carrie finally said.

We made our way to the bedroom off the kitchen. A wrought iron bed dominated the room. I'd already stripped it down to the bottom sheet and piled towels on top. The nightstand held scissors and string, soaking in rubbing alcohol.

I helped Carrie onto the bed, "Henry was telling me this bed was his great-grandmother's."

Carrie grunted as she shifted her weight.

"Yeah." I ran my fingers across the chipped paint, each dent exposing more layers of color, clashing and melding. "He said he wants to restore it, but hasn't found the time."

I adjusted the towels beneath Carrie. "His grandfather and great uncles were all born on this bed. So was his dad." I paused and looked straight into her eyes. "We may not know what we're doing, but this bed sure does."

This was a piece of fiction and the continued story of Henry and Ellie. It was inspired by The Red Dress Club prompt: Find something beautiful in something ugly. You can read more about Henry and Ellie, including Part 1 of The Storm at Fictional Mandylandy.

I hope you enjoyed it. Special shout out to my writing partner Ash who is the best proofreader, idea bouncer ever. Go. Read. You'll love her.

As usual, I am open to concrit.