The Beach House

by Vicky Jones

  The delivery room door opened and the nurse from before appeared. Her concerned eyes looked over at Shona, her hands clasped. Shona looked down at the nurse’s apron. It was mottled with dark red blood.

  “We’re havin’ a little bit of trouble gettin’ baby out. Mrs. Clark is getting tired and not pushin’ hard enough,” she said, a worried look in her large brown eyes.

  “Get out of my way. I need to be in there.” Shona barged her way past her into the delivery room.

  “Ma’am, you can’t be in here,” another nurse said, taken aback by the commotion by the door.

  “I need to know what’s happening,” Shona replied, looking around the semi-dark room. There were three nurses bustling around, removing heavily blood-stained towels from Chloe’s bedside. There was a doctor leaning over her, checking her pulse with one hand and staring at his watch. He looked up when he heard Shona’s voice.

  “Are you related to Mrs. Clark?” he asked. Shona nodded. “Then I’m going to need your help.” He beckoned Shona to the opposite side of Chloe’s bed, over to which Shona bounded.

  Chloe, white as the sheet she was lying on, looked exhausted. Her hair was matted to her forehead with sweat, her eyes closed, her breathing ragged.

  “I need you to calm her down,” the doctor said softly. “Her heartbeat is racing. It’s putting the baby under a lot of stress. Can you do that for me?” His chocolate brown eyes eased Shona into action.

  Shona picked up Chloe’s free hand and began to stroke it. “Hey,” she began, catching herself before she whispered a word she shouldn’t in public. “Chloe, it’s me. I’m here.”

  The doctor monitored Chloe’s vital signs as Shona’s soft voice poured into Chloe’s ear.

  “It’s working. Keep talking to her,” the doctor said, smiling. Seconds later Chloe’s head lifted, her eyes opening a crack.

  “Hey,” Shona murmured. She shrank down to her knees, her head level with Chloe’s. Taking her opportunity while the doctor’s head was turned, she stroked her hair and put her mouth close to Chloe’s ear. “Come on, baby, you can do this.”

  Chloe turned her head to face Shona. “Promise me you won’t leave?” she said, her voice cracking.

  “I promise. Now with the next contraction you need to push, and push hard. Our baby wants to come out, but it needs a little help,” she whispered.

  Chloe nodded. There was a moment of silence before her face screwed up in pain.

  “Push. Now,” Shona ordered. Chloe lifted her head off the bed and let out an almighty groan, her teeth gritted, eyes clamped shut.

  “Here we go,” the doctor confirmed, resuming his position between Chloe’s parted legs. “That’s the head fully out,” he announced seconds later.

  “That’s it, that’s it, keep going. You’re doing great!” Shona yelled, squeezing Chloe’s hand. “Almost there, just one more push. You can do it, come on.”

  After one final massive push, Chloe fell back to the bed, her chest heaving up and down, her body completely spent. Shona looked on in bewilderment as the doctor lifted the motionless baby up, inspected it, then passed it over to the nurse standing over him. Their faces were unreadable as the baby disappeared out of sight over to the table in the far end of the room. Shona looked down at Chloe who was in a state of complete exhaustion, then back over to where the baby was.

  Nothing. No sound at all.

  Outside the delivery room, Dorothy paced the floor waiting. Over half an hour had passed since Shona had gone in there and she had begun to fear the worst. She sat down in her chair and leaned her head back against the cool tiles, her eyes closed.

  Please. Please, God, let them have this one, she prayed.

  Moments later, a smile crept across her face as a baby’s first cry filled the silence.

  Shona looked down at the baby sleeping peacefully in Chloe’s arms. The feeling inside her was indescribable, her mind completely blank.

  “What do you think?” Chloe said, looking up at Shona.

  “He’s perfect. Just perfect,” Shona murmured. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Now, you’ll have to stay with us for the night so we can keep an eye on you both,” the doctor said, appearing beside the bed. “But you can go home tomorrow. You did very well, Mrs. Clark, and your sister here was a godsend.”

  Shona looked at Chloe, both of them suppressing their knowing smiles.

  “Oh, and that little tyke’s gonna need a name. We need it for the register,” he added before nodding and leaving them alone.

  “What are we calling you then, little one?” Chloe gushed, gazing down at her son.

  “How about David?”

  Chloe’s eyes widened. “David? But that’s…”

  “Your brother’s name. I remember.”

  Chloe, tears now streaming from her face, nodded. “Perfect.”

  Dorothy was waiting on the veranda for Shona and Chloe to come home with David for the first time. Her hands were clasped to her chest in anticipation and excitement. She had seen David briefly the previous night and couldn’t wait to hold him again.

  “Here he is,” she called out as Shona helped Chloe out of the truck. Shona then reached over the seat to pick up the Moses basket.

  “Hi Dorothy. Gosh, what’s that I can smell? Is that chicken pie?” Chloe asked.

  “Sure is. Come in and get settled, then I’ll serve you some,” Dorothy replied, taking the basket from Shona to allow her to help Chloe into the house. As soon as David was settled into his crib, Chloe and Shona met Dorothy in the kitchen and sat down to tuck into Dorothy’s delicious looking pie.

  “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” Dorothy said as the three of them sat back in their chairs with full stomachs.

  “I’m fine now. Just exhausted. And a little sore,” Chloe replied, wincing.

  “Not surprising. Well, don’t you worry. We’ll take turns looking after that little guy in there.”

  Shona looked between Dorothy and Chloe, the words not able to form in her head for her to express her feelings.

  “I think I’m gonna go lie down for a while,” Chloe said, getting up from the table.

  “OK, baby. I’ll keep watch.”

  They both watched as Chloe disappeared into the bedroom.

  “I’m so proud of you both. You know that,” Dorothy gushed. “I made something today. I’ll go and get it.” She rose and went into the living room, then reappeared holding a little brown knitted bear. “For David.” She handed it to Shona. “Walt and I, as you know, were never blessed with a child of our own. I’ve always wanted an occasion to make one of these.”

  Shona took the bear from her wrinkled hand and gazed lovingly at it. “Dorothy, it’s perfect. Thank you so much. But, well, Chloe and I were talking before and we were wondering if…” Shona paused. “Well, we know it can’t be official like, but would you like to be David’s grandma?”

  A look of pure joy crossed Dorothy’s aged face. “Shona, that would truly be the greatest honor of my life. I accept.”

  Shona grinned and sat back in her chair. “I am the luckiest person on this earth right now. What more could I ask for?”

  “Another slice of pie?” Dorothy ventured, to which Shona laughed, nodded and held out her plate.

  Chapter 19

  Chloe was in the bedroom going through her wardrobe. She pulled out top after top, skirt after skirt and sighed as she held each up against her much more rounded body. She picked up her favorite red skirt and red and white polka dot blouse. It had always been Shona’s favorite outfit of hers too, accentuating her perfect curves. Curves that had turned to lumps though, even three weeks after having the baby.

  “Goddamn it,” she grimaced as she pulled the two sides of the blouse together. Her chest was far too swollen for the buttons to meet the holes. Giving up, Chloe then swept it off in a huff.

  “Probably no damn point trying you on either,” she scolded the skirt before throwing on a loose undershirt and elasticated shorts. She stood i
n front of the mirror and closely inspected her face. She was still undeniably beautiful, but her eyes had dark circles beneath them, her hair lank and outgrown. Her skin looked paler, even though the Californian sun was getting hotter with every day that passed closer to summer.

  “No wonder Shona doesn’t want to come near me lately,” she whispered to the mirror.

  “You OK in there?” Dorothy’s voice sounded from outside the bedroom.

  “Yeah, just doing a little bit of spring cleaning of my closet,” Chloe replied.

  Dorothy pushed the door open and saw Chloe standing in front of the mirror, lost in her thoughts. She looked over to the bed and saw a huge pile of clothes, some of Chloe’s best ones. “They might not fit now, honey, but it won’t be long before the baby weight drops off. You’ll see,” the old lady said, still standing in the doorway.

  “I know. I just never thought I’d change so much. Physically. I doubt Shona will ever come near me again, judging by the whale looking back at me in that mirror.” She sat back on the bed and placed her face in her hands.

  A loud bark of laughter rang out from Dorothy, making Chloe jump a little.

  “Are you serious? Shona is more in love with you now than she ever was. And as for whether she still finds you attractive? Well, you could be dressed in a sack cloth and she’d still be making eyes at you. Anyone can see that.” The old lady shuffled over to the bed and sat down next to Chloe.

  “Then, why haven’t we?” She paused. “You know…” Chloe’s face reddened.

  “Listen, honey, that baby in there is younger than some of the food we got in that pantry. You are both so exhausted, and Shona working long hours at the garage is just what has to happen right now.” Dorothy clasped her wrinkly hand over Chloe’s. “You both need to forget that happening in here for a little while yet.” She chuckled. “No, the only thing you two should be doing in here is getting some shut-eye.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m just a mess of emotions right now. One minute I feel on top of the world, the next I feel like jumping off it. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, Dorothy,” Chloe said, rubbing her palm over her face.

  “I tell you what, why don’t you put David’s crib in my room for a bit? I sleep like the dead anyway, so I’m sure he won’t be any trouble. It’ll give you and Shona some space to reacquaint.” Dorothy flashed a little smile.

  “Really? You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Of course not. Now, you go take Junior out for a bit of fresh air. Do you both the world of good. We’ll sort everything out later when Shona gets home.”

  Chloe looked at Dorothy and smiled. “You know what, I might just do that.” She leaned over to kiss Dorothy on the cheek, then rose up off the bed.

  Chloe wheeled David’s buggy along the sidewalk, stopping for a moment at the news stand. She picked up a copy of Vogue and began flicking through, frowning when she saw models in their elegant poses wearing the latest Dior fashions and Chanel suits. Pastel pink high waisted dresses reminded her of the old days working at her father’s factory, but even though she’d hated being ogled by the less-than-polite workers there, she still couldn’t help but think of how good she’d looked back then. After putting the magazine back down, now feeling a little downcast, Chloe carried on walking. Up ahead of her was a store that sold the sort of clothes she was much more used to wearing these days—patterned summer dresses, halter neck tops, white shorts with an elasticated waistband and pleated floaty skirts. They were comfortable, but no matter what color combination she tried on, they just weren’t flattering. Sighing, Chloe took to the counter two tops that looked exactly like the two she’d bought the previous week. Afterwards, she headed over to the grocery store with a list Dorothy had handed to her just as she was leaving. There wasn’t much to get, but it would save Shona doing yet another chore on her way home. Inside the store, Edie sat behind her register talking to Nurse Marion. They hushed their conversation at Chloe’s entrance.

  “Why, Mrs. Clark, how are you and baby doing?” Marion began, rushing over as Chloe struggled through the doorway with the stroller.

  “I’m fine, thank you for asking. We’re both doing well.” Chloe nodded her thanks, then set about browsing the aisles. Cocking an eyebrow, Marion returned to the register to resume her conversation with Edie. About five minutes later, Chloe appeared at the register with a small basket hooked over one arm, her other hand pushing the stroller.

  “How’re you getting on with motherhood, Chloe?” Edie broached, her keen eyes watching Chloe’s reactions.

  “Fine, but thank you for asking,” Chloe replied, feeling as if she were beginning to sound like a broken record.

  “Well, if you ask me, a woman like you shouldn’t be doing this on her own. When’s your husband home?” Marion chipped in. “You got your folks close by?”

  “My father is away on long-term business and my mother is at home in Alabama. I live with my sister and a family friend now. How much, Edie?”

  Edie flashed a sympathetic smile. “That’ll be three dollars forty-five,” she replied holding her hand out for the bills Chloe was offering her.

  “Thank you. Have a nice day,” Chloe said after taking her change.

  “Look at them,” Lula said, nodding her head in the direction of Shona and Chloe, the former picking David out of his stroller and cradling him. “The way Shona looks at that Chloe. Makes you jealous, don’t it?” She clenched her teeth together in frustration, after finally having seen her competition.

  “You’re just gonna have to try a little harder then, ain’t you. Because after that Chloe’s lost her baby weight she’s gonna be the town’s Hot Mama. And you won’t have a cat in hell’s chance of prizing them two apart,” Dee teased.

  “Well, we’ll just see about that,” Lula replied.

  “How’s my little monster been today?” Shona asked as she lifted David up in the air, then held him close to her. David gurgled and grabbed her blonde locks in his pudgy fists as he wriggled in her grasp.

  “He’s been fine, slept most of the day. I got your lunch here,” Chloe replied, handing her a small brown paper bag containing a bologna sandwich and an apple.

  “Thank you,” Shona replied, taking the bag from her. Unable to resist, Chloe left her fingers on the bag a second longer than she’d intended to, feeling her heart flutter as they came into contact with Shona’s. “Baby, no, we gotta be careful. People might see that,” Shona warned, but her own heart raced too. “Why don’t we have an early night tonight, huh?”

  “Yeah, OK. I hate it that we can’t just be open about how much we love each other. I mean, with all the hate and the killing that’s gone on in the world these last few decades, would it really be so bad for folks to see two people madly in love, just holding each other’s hand?”

  “Maybe one day it’ll be OK? But for now, we just gotta deal with it. I hate it as much as you do. God, I just wanna throw my arms around you both and shout it from the rooftops, ‘I’m in love with the most beautiful girl on the planet, and have the most perfect life with her and our boy,’ but I know I can’t. The worst thing is there are people in this town in normal relationships that aren’t happy. Some of the things I hear the guys saying about their wives? I could never think that about you.” Shona’s words were loaded with emotion.

  “I know. It’s just not fair. Listen, I gotta go. But come home soon, yeah? I’m holding you to that early night idea.” She bit on her bottom lip, feeling butterflies in her stomach.

  “As soon as I get this truck fixed, I’m coming home. You can bet your bottom dollar on that,” Shona replied, aching to kiss Chloe right there and then.

  Chloe pushed the stroller away, looking back over her shoulder to Shona, who grinned and skipped back over to the truck.

  Marion had stopped at the corner of the garage, just out of sight, seconds after Chloe had arrived. Four minutes later, she was striding away in the other direction after hearing every word of her conversation with Shona.

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sp; “Sisters, my ass,” she muttered to herself. “That poor baby.” Her face like stone, she headed straight over to the police station.

  Shona had fixed the truck in record time and in less than twenty minutes she had cleared her tools away, locked up for the night and was skidding into the driveway and jumping out of the truck.

  “I’m home. Chloe?” she called out after slamming the front door shut. Within seconds a screeching cry rang out from the bedroom. Chloe appeared and was standing in the hallway in front of Shona holding David. He’d been sick on her shoulder and was red-faced and screaming through the second wave of vomit.

  “Shhh…it’s OK, sweetie,” Chloe soothed, rocking David from side to side. “I can’t seem to settle him. I fed him earlier but he seems a little grouchy tonight.”

  “Here, let me try,” she whispered, reaching out to take the baby from an exhausted looking Chloe. Gently, she began singing in David’s tiny ear. “I need you so, that I could die, I love you so, and that is why, whenever I want you all I have to do is dream.”

  Within seconds, David was settling, gazing up at Shona with his large eyes, which slowly began to close. After cleaning his face with a towel Chloe handed her, Shona looked lovingly down at him as he snuffled softly and thrust a fist into his wet mouth. Several gurgles and sneezes later, David was lying contented in Shona’s arms.

  “Oh my, how d’you do that?”

  “Not sure. I guess he’s just worn himself out. I used to listen to that song all the time when I first fell in love with you.” Shona blushed, as did Chloe. “You look beautiful, by the way.”

  “Liar,” Chloe joked, but smiled back. “I smell. I haven’t showered or changed yet. I’m such a letdown. I wanted tonight to be special for us.”

  Shona leaned into Chloe, David nestled between them. “I don’t care, you’re still the most beautiful girl I ever saw.” Wrinkling her nose, she added, “But maybe a quick shower wouldn’t hurt.”