Finding Bluefield by Elan Branehama

her door. She leaned over. “Are we going to raise the baby together or not? Do I have any say about what to do, or is it all up to you?”
    “Of course we’re going to do this together. But it’s different now,” Nicky said. “He’s inside me, and I don’t have a choice but to take him with me. After he’s born, things will be different. And let me tell you, I am so ready for him to be born.”
    “I found out today that I can stay if I want to.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “They offered me the fellowship.”
    “You got it. Now we really have something to celebrate. Good thing I got those ribs,” Nicky said. “Did you accept?”
    “Not yet.”
    “What are you waiting for?”
    “I don’t know. It’s confusing. There’s the mediocre pay,” Barbara said.
    “But we have mediocre expenses.”
    “That’ll change after the baby is born. But mostly, it wasn’t my first choice.”
    “Are you used to getting your first choice?”
    “I’m used to trying for it.”

    *

    “How long have you been here?” Nicky asked Barbara as she opened her eyes.
    “Since they brought you back, Mom.” Barbara approached the bed. She was holding a cup of coffee that she slowly drank. Out in the hallway, the hospital was waking up. Trays rattled, phones rang. “Your chart said that the birth was uneventful.”
    “You doctors talk funny. It certainly was not uneventful. I gave birth,” Nicky said.
    “I just meant everything went well.”
    “Have you seen Paul?” Nicky asked.
    Barbara sat at the edge of the bed. “I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He has your eyes.” Barbara put down her coffee.
    “Can the nurses bring him?” Nicky said. “I only saw him for a little while and then I fell asleep”
    “I’ll go tell them you’re awake.”
    A nurse came with Paul, and Nicky pushed herself up. She took Paul and asked Barbara, “How was this uneventful?”
    “He’s falling asleep,” Barbara said.
    “He had a rough day,” Nicky said. “You’re allowed to kiss him. Everyone kisses babies. You’re not going to ruin your career if someone sees you kissing a baby.”
    “Depends on whose baby.”
    An orderly came in with a tray of food, and the nurse returned to take Paul back to the nursery. That’s when Barbara left for rounds. That’s when Nicky lit a cigarette and dialed her sister. “Hey, Carol-Ann,” she said, “I had a boy.”
    “When?”
    “A few hours ago.”
    “I knew you were having a boy,” Carol-Ann responded. “Didn’t I tell you you were having a boy? That’s why you were late.”
    “I was on time. On my due date.”
    “Yeah, but my three girls were all early. What’s he look like? What’s his name?”
    “He doesn’t have much hair, but what he has is dark,” Nicky said. “I think he’ll have dark eyes. They have Daddy’s shape. You know the way his were deep and all.”
    “Like yours.”
    “He’s gorgeous, perfect. I just love him.”
    “What’s his name?” Carol-Ann said.
    “Paul.”
    “Daddy would like that,” Carol-Ann said. “How are you feeling?”
    “It’s nice not to be pregnant anymore.”
    “What was the birth like?”
    “I hated it,” Nicky said. “You did this three times?”
    “I might do it again.”
    “You pregnant?”
    “Not now. Take pictures,” Carol-Ann said. “Lots of pictures. And send me one right away.”
    “I’m getting tired.”
    “Give baby Paul a big kiss from his Aunt Carol-Ann.”

    *

    Nicky sat on the porch holding Paul while Barbara unloaded the car. The afternoon sky was bright and cloudless. Barbara brought over the carriage and Nicky placed Paul inside and covered him.
    “I can’t wait to stop wearing these maternity clothes.”
    “You look great,” Barbara said, leaning over to give Nicky a long kiss. “You both look great.”
    “Let’s take Paul to the pond.” Nicky stood.
    “You don’t want to go inside?”
    “First I want to show him the farm.”
    Barbara pushed the carriage while Nicky walked