A Birth Day

The daylight grew dim, and Geneva clutched at her back. She hadn't thought she'd overdone today, but her body felt like it. The baby moved, a hard kick, and she automatically moved her hand to cover her belly. A good night's rest is what she needed.

The wind whistled around the corners of the house her husband had built for them after he came back from the war. He'd broken everything she'd had that said "Made in Japan." He'd seen enough friends brought down by Japanese bullets when he'd been stationed in the Pacific he'd said.

She smiled to herself. Gene might just be more excited about this baby than she. He'd been working hard to try to make this small farm work. Still, money was tight now, but they'd be all right. She knew how to scrimp and be saving. She'd been on her own since her mother had died when she was eleven.

She looked outside. The night fell quickly in the winter, but something looked different. She put her face closer to the window. It was snowing, and the wind whipped the flakes like twirling ballerinas. A blizzard! She hoped Gene got back from the barn soon.

The first pain hit just as he walked in the back door. "Is it time?" He looked frantic.

"I think it might be. I haven't felt good for a while." 

"I'll walk up and get Raymond to take us to the hospital. Will you be okay?" Raymond was his older brother. Gene didn't have a car yet, and North Wilkesboro was about ten miles away.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry. It'll be a while yet."

He was gone much longer than she expected. Finally he burst in followed by a gust of wind and covered in snow. 

"No one's car will start in the cold. I even walked down to Daddy's. I'll have to go to Roaring River and see if I can get someone, but I hate to leave you."

"Go, it's fine. The contractions aren't coming close together yet. Hurry, though, just in case."

She felt bad about him walking the mile to Roaring River in this weather, but he was strong and fit. She assured herself that he would be fine.

This time he was back quicker than she expected and in a car. The owner of the hardware would take them to the hospital. 

On December 22, Janice was born in Wilkes General Hospital to Eugene and Geneva Cole. Geneva would always declare it was the best Christmas present she ever got.

(Since Mama is in heaven now, this is a slightly fictionalized version of the story I remember her telling. Today is my birthday.)

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