Stuck
You got stuck.
That’s what I remember the most.
You got stuck.
I thought I’d need a C-section or at least forceps to get you out.
I didn’t want to go in even though I thought I should.
And I really thought I should at that point,
because you seemed…_stuck._
All that work and you weren’t coming out.
(men… such effort you all require… such loops you throw into things… geez…)
We picked up your grandmother at the airport in Charlottetown,
while I had contractions.
My water had broke two nights before, and Tanya and I had gone down to Montague, laughing the whole time.
Your grandmother needed to pick up her fruit at Super Store before we left Town.
Contractions 10 minutes apart.
But then we got hungry.
She eyed me suspiciously, already nervous at the prospect of a homebirth. She saw me looking at my watch, timing them.
My nuclear Mum. I love her. She’s awesome.
2 children, 2 years and a few months apart.
One boy, one girl.
We don’t speak much these days, the boy and I.
Ok fine, my BROTHER and I…
It’s too bad, really.
One conventional, athletic boy and one unconventional, un-athletic girl…
Maybe someday things will be different. Hope so.
My nuclear Mum.
House just outside the city, nice backyard.
Home with us until we got older.
Married to Dad, her high school sweetheart.
Dad…
Have you ever seen “The Wonder Years”? You’re 2-1/2, so probably not.
If you ever do, look at Mr. Arnold. Observe his quiet “about to blow a gasket” newspaper-reading tendencies. Observe him well, my son.
That’s Grandpa.
Not really (because Grandma would then have some explaining to do), but you’ll know what I mean.
Gotta love him too, your grandpa…
Anyhow, we got hungry buying fruit so we hit The Olde Dublin Pub.
Contractions stronger and lasting… longer.
But damn those fries were good.
Contractions stronger, longer, and… quite a bit closer together now.
So I got a second helping of course…
And then on the way back, I spoke less and breathed more.
Because of you, not the fries.
We got home and I went upstairs, knowing you’d be there that night.
The water in the bath took some pain away.
Not all though.
But I was fine. Sort of.
Your father felt useless.
Your father, the Bob Vila / McGyver combo, felt useless.
I was fine.
Ok it did help to have him press on my right hip during the contractions & get me juice & Skullcap.
But aside from that I was in my own little (somewhat painful) world.
I was fine. Really.
And then…
You…
(you little brat-a-puss)
got…
stuck.
And I got scared.
And I needed him.
And I panicked.
