“I’d rather not. They probably have enough going on without me getting in the way. I’ll just hang out here until I’m needed.”
Vanessa screamed and Jimmy swore the windowpanes wobbled dangerously in their frames. He cringed in absolute horror, for once grateful there was little chance he’d impregnate anyone before he turned eighteen.
Samuel’s gaze drifted toward the door. “Now we’re down to every minute and a half. I think that means were getting close.”
The door from the street opened and a stack of folded laundry balanced its way inside.
“Here, let me help,” Jimmy told the walking pile of towels and clothes. He gathered the top half and Ginger smiled at him over what was left. He lost himself in her soft, brown eyes and his shortened-stack almost tumbled to the floor.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
Jimmy broke out of his trance and returned her smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry, just a little shook up by all the noise around here.”
Ginger nodded. “Contractions.”
“So I’m told. Are these the infamous baby clothes that caused all the fuss last night?”
Ginger lowered her gaze and her cheeks turned a rosy red. “Yes, and I feel so bad about that. It all got blown way out of proportion. I never thought it would have been such a big deal.”
Jimmy looked Ginger over from the neckline of her yellow blouse, down to her sandaled feet. Her pink painted toenails stirred a desire that made him feel a smidgen of guilt.
Samuel glided up beside them. “Here, let me help you with those towels.” He relieved Ginger of her pile and nudged Jimmy in the ribs. “Where does this stuff go?” he asked.
“Luis needs the towels right away,” Ginger said.
Samuel handed the towels back like they were infected with disease. “Let me get the door for you.”
Ginger disappeared into the delivery room just as another agonizing scream erupted through the open doorway. Samuel quickly closed the door shut and leaned against it.
From the top of the baby clothes, a Teddy bear stared at Jimmy through button eyes. He smiled back.
“Are you all right?” Samuel asked, moving away from the door. “You look dazed.”
Jimmy straightened up. “What do you mean? I’m fine. Still tired, I guess.”
“Uh, huh. It all makes sense now. I finally get it.”
Jimmy raised an eyebrow, curious of what Samuel thought he knew. “Get what?”
“You’re in love with Ginger, aren’t you?” Samuel tilted his head to the side and his mouth slid into a lopsided grin.
“No, I’m not,” Jimmy said in a hushed tone, shooting a nervous glance toward the door. “Keep your voice down.”
“You love her,” Samuel said with obvious pleasure over his newfound discovery. He bounced from foot to foot. “You want to do it with her.”
Jimmy dropped the clothes and Teddy bear on the sofa and narrowed his eyes. “I’m going to kick your butt if you don’t shut the-”
Another scream ripped through the wall, longer than the rest, and Jimmy found himself hoping Vanessa would breathe again soon. Shouts of encouragements to push could be heard underneath her powerful strain. Finally, she stopped screaming.
Luis yelled, “That’s it!”
The high-pitched cry of a newborn rose in crescendo like a bugle above the commotion of Vanessa’s sobs and Mark’s triumphant cheers. Samuel and Jimmy smiled at each other and bumped knuckles as though they’d just accomplished something important.
Luis cried over the newborn’s wail, “It’s a boy!”
Jimmy swung the outside door open and the board game players snapped their combined heads around to look at him. “It’s a boy!”
Game forgotten, the group jumped to their feet and split off in different directions shouting the news throughout the entire town.
Jimmy walked back inside with the tingle of excitement contagiously out of control and running rampant. Samuel stood by the delivery room door looking unsure if it would be safe for him on the other side yet.
The door opened and knocked Samuel in the head, bouncing him out of the way.
Ginger reappeared and grabbed the stack of clothes.
Rubbing his forehead, Samuel winked at Jimmy, who offered a sneer in return. “How’s the baby?” Samuel asked.
Her smile was big enough to fill the room. “He’s wonderfully beautiful and looks like a perfectly healthy little angel. I get to bathe him now.” She swirled back to the other room to perform her task.
Samuel lightly punched Jimmy’s shoulder. “See, she’s got those built-in maternal instincts already.”
Jimmy clenched his fists. “I swear if you don’t stop, I’m going to-”
The sudden blaring echo of motorbike engines resonated outside. Jimmy stepped to the door as Hunter and Scout pulled up out front. He went numb with relief now that his brother was safely home.
Scout propped his bike on its kickstand and helped a little girl off its seat. He rushed to the door and almost ran over Jimmy. “Where is she? Where’s Vanessa?”
Backing out of the way, Jimmy barely pointed toward the delivery room before Scout dashed through the other door.
Hunter walked in, holding the little girl’s hand. Jimmy pushed his anger over Hunter’s overlong stay in the Big Bad in order to offer a welcoming smile to the newcomer.
“Who do we have here?” he asked, kneeling in front of her. She smelled like summer wildflowers and looked like sunshine, he thought, puzzled by such a strong first impression.
Hunter made introductions. “Catherine, this is my brother, Jimmy, and his friend, Samuel.”
The girl stretched her arms wide. Her hug was gentle, leaving Jimmy refreshed and feeling good inside by the warmth of her little embrace. He patted her back and wondered why Hunter was grinning. “Very nice to meet you, Catherine.”
Samuel crouched low next to Jimmy to face the little girl. “I’m also Hunter’s friend.”
Hunter frowned. “You knew what I meant.”
“Yeah, well it’s the way you….” Samuel’s response was cut short when the little girl wrapped her arms around him. “That’s quite the hug you got there, Catherine,” he gasped.
“Thank you. I like giving them.”
“Where did you find her?” Jimmy asked Hunter.