Missing Your Smile (41 page)

“I've never heard a man pray except on TV.”

“Not even in church?” Susan asked.

“I've never been to church,” Teresa said. “Except for what I've seen on TV, and that's not really church.”

“Then you have plenty of new experiences in front of you,” Susan said.

Teresa ate quietly, seeming lost in her thoughts.

“Can we leave tomorrow?” Teresa asked when Susan looked her way.

“I don't think so,” Susan said. “I have to help out in the bakery for a few days yet. But we'll go as soon as possible. I'll tell you what. We'll talk with Laura about that tomorrow.”

Teresa nodded. “How will you let your parents know we're coming?”

“I'll write,” Susan told her. “Or better yet, I'll call my sister Edna's place if there isn't time for a letter to arrive. There's a public telephone near their mailbox.”

Teresa finished her plate of food, and Susan cleared the table.

“Thank you so much!” Teresa said, pushing away from the table.

“Do you want to go to bed now?” Susan asked. “I only have one bed, but it's big enough for both of us.”

“Even with me…like this—so huge?”

Susan laughed. “I think so. Help yourself to what you need. The bathroom is over there,” she said, pointing.

Teresa left, and Susan finished kitchen chores.

Finally Teresa came out of the bathroom. “I'm really tired, Susan. Do you mind if I go to bed now?”

“I don't mind one bit,” Susan told her. “I hope you sleep soundly. I'll try not to wake you when I come to bed.”

The rustling in the bedroom soon ceased, and Susan finished washing the dishes, drying them, and putting them in the cupboards. She walked over to the front window and looked out on the street. All seemed the same, the traffic in the usual quiet roar and a few people out walking.

It's
gut
that I'm leaving this place
, she decided.
The time spent with Laura and Robby has been a blessed season, but Teresa's situation and needs are definitely
Da Hah's
doings. Teresa's like a shining torch leading the way back home
.

“Keep us safe, Lord,” Susan whispered to the sky as she wiped her eyes. “For Teresa and the baby's sake, and for the sake of her faith. She may not want much out of life, but already she has moved mighty mountains.”

S
usan dreamed she was at home, lying on her bed late at night, listening to a vicious autumn thunderstorm. The window went white with blinding sheets of lightning, filling the air with crackling hisses. She held her hands over her ears as the booms of thunder rolled over the house. Rain drenched the old window panes, the water running down in rivers. The wind heaved against the wooden siding with each gust. The bed was even shaking.
How can that be?
she wondered.
This is only a thunderstorm. No…wait…

Susan screamed and sat bolt upright in bed.

“It's me, Susan!” Teresa said, her voice hoarse. “Remember? I'm staying here for the night. Are you okay?”

“Oh!” Susan inhaled deeply. “Did I just scream?”

“Yes! I suppose I frightened you. I was shaking you, trying to get you to wake up!”

“I was dreaming,” Susan said. “Are you okay? Did you hear something on the street?”

Teresa groaned. “I think the baby is coming!”

“The baby!” Susan exclaimed and jumped out of bed. She turned on the light and looked at Teresa. “But it's not time yet!”

“I know, but he's coming!” Teresa shielded her eyes with one hand while the other clutched her stomach.

“Are you sure it's not a false alarm?” Susan asked.

“I don't know, but the pains are coming right regular. Just like they told me they would,” Teresa said.

“I have to go down to the bakery and call Laura!” Susan grabbed her coat. “I'll be right back. You'll be okay until I get back, won't you?”

Teresa nodded and laid back down.

Susan hurriedly took the steps one at a time and made her way into the bakery office where the phone was. She switched on the light and quickly dialed Laura's number. After five rings, the answering machine came on. She hung up and dialed again.

“Hello,” a sleepy sounding Laura answered.

“Laura, it's Susan! Teresa came over this evening. I was going to wait to tell you the whole story in the morning, but she thinks she's in labor. And I think it's the real thing.”

“How far apart are her contractions?” Laura asked.

“She said they're regular, but I didn't time them. Should I call an ambulance?”

“You could, but I live so close. Wait until I get there. I'll come as fast as I can. Keep her calm until I arrive. Okay?”

“Okay. Thank you!” Susan hung up the phone, turned off the office light, and hurried back upstairs. Teresa was still lying on the bed, her breath coming in gasps.

“That was a big one!” Teresa said. “I don't think it will be long now.”

“Laura's on her way.” Susan ran her hand over Teresa's forehead. “I think babies take a while to come. I sure hope we get to the hospital in time. I've never delivered a baby.”

“You have eight sisters,” Teresa reminded. “And don't the Amish have their babies at home?”

“
Yah
,” Susan said. “But I've never been at a baby's birth.
Mamm
takes care of that, and a midwife comes...”

“Then this might be your first time! Mine too!” Teresa's face contorted again and she moaned.

Babies do take a while, don't they?
Yah…
most of the time, but we never know what's going to happen
. Susan directed her thoughts heavenward.
Lord, please help Teresa!

“Are you praying?” Teresa asked.

Susan nodded.

A big smile covered Teresa's face. “Someone is praying for me while my baby is being born. Now I know for sure that God is good! And He will help me in my new life ahead. You are still taking me to Amish country, aren't you? Even if my son is born here?”

“Of course!” Susan said. “If that's what you want.”

“Yes, more than ever,” Teresa said.

“Then let's get you ready to go to the hospital, okay?”

“I think I'd better go like this—just putting my coat over the nightgown you loaned me.”

“Okay,” Susan agreed. “Do you want to sit out in the kitchen until Laura arrives?”

“It might be better,” Teresa said. “Walking around is supposed to help.”

Susan helped her out of bed, guiding her to the kitchen. They heard a door open below them, followed by hurried steps coming up.

“Laura's coming!” Susan said. “Let me help with your shoes.”

Susan was on one knee when Laura rushed in.

“How regular and often are the contractions?” Laura asked.

“I don't know,” Teresa said. “I know they hurt a lot.”

“I'd judge about every three minutes,” Susan said, standing up. “That's about how long between the ones she's had since I've been awake.”

“Let's go then.” Laura helped Teresa up, and Susan followed them downstairs. Together they helped Teresa into the backseat. Susan slid in beside her. Laura got in and took off down the empty streets, going as fast as she dared.

“I'm sorry about getting everybody up at this time of the night,” Teresa said and gasped as another contraction came.

“Babies have their own timing,” Laura said, watching Teresa in the rearview mirror. “It's nothing you can help or should feel badly about.”

Five minutes later Susan saw a blue hospital sign. Laura turned down a long driveway.

“Almost there!” she said. “How are you doing back there?”

“About the same,” Teresa answered.

Parking near the emergency doors, Laura went inside while Susan helped Teresa out of the car.

“You don't know how much this means to me,” Teresa whispered. “The two of you taking care of me in the middle of the night.”

“We're glad to help,” Susan said. “Just think about your son right now, okay?”

Laura reappeared at the hospital entrance. The automatic doors into the emergency room opened moments later, revealing a wheelchair being pushed by a white-clad attendant.

The attendant parked the chair next to the car and reached out to help Teresa into the wheelchair. “Are you doing okay, ma'am?” the attendant asked.

Teresa nodded and lowered herself with the attendant's help.

“Will you stay with me?” Teresa asked Susan, clutching her hand.

“If they let me,” Susan said.

“That's a great idea,” Laura said.

The attendant and Teresa disappeared through the ER doors.

“Let's talk with the front office,” Laura said, holding open the door. Susan entered, and followed her over to the desk.

“Excuse me,” Laura said. “The young lady in labor who was just admitted has requested that one of us be with her.”

“That shouldn't be any problem,” the girl said. “I'll take you back now.”

“Just give us a minute.” Laura took Susan aside. “Do you want me to stay with you? Or I can wait out here. Or we can take turns if you get sleepy.”

Susan shook her head, “There can't be much to do, and you have responsibilities at the bakery. Go back home and get some sleep.”

“If you have any qualms, I can stay. I can even go back and try to get Teresa's mother if you think that's wise.”

Susan shook her head, “Birthing babies comes most every day in the community. I think we should wait until after the baby is born before we contact Teresa's mother. They had kind of a rough parting tonight.”

“Then you'll call me when the baby's born?” Laura said. “You have my cell number.”

“I'll let you know,” Susan assured her.

“Oh,” Laura said. “Why didn't Teresa call me from the pay phone close to her place? She had my cell number. I can't imagine why the girl walked all the way over to your apartment at this time of the night while starting labor.”

“She didn't,” Susan said. “She came last night before the labor started. Teresa's mom is taking her leaving pretty hard. I guess her mother thought Teresa should get out of the house before she changed her mind and tried to get Teresa to stay.”

“Then Teresa shouldn't go back there before she leaves with you. But don't worry, she can stay with us at the house for a few weeks at least.”

“Perhaps that might be the best decision,” Susan said.

“First, we have to get this baby safely into the world. I'll be praying for Teresa, the baby, and you.”

Susan tried to smile. She waved one last time as Laura went through the doors, then turned to the receptionist who was standing behind her, waiting.

After a brief walk down a hall, the girl said, “Here we are.”

“Do I just go in?” Susan hesitated.

The girl nodded, “I called back and told them you were coming.”

Susan pushed open the door and stepped inside. Teresa lay on the bed breathing hard and draped in white sheets. A weak smile spread across her face.

Susan went over to Teresa's side and took her hand. The nurse on the other side of the bed gave her a quick nod.

“It's almost time,” Teresa said, her brow sweaty. “I told you the baby was coming!” She tried to laugh.

The door opened and the white-clad doctor came in, his face cheerful for this time of the night. Then Susan realized he was obviously on duty and this was like day to him.

“Well, well,” he said, “so are we ready to deliver, young lady?”