Chapter 13: Practicing for Lucy
Awake again and only 5:30 AM this time. I needed to figure out how to change this baby’s sleeping habits before she came out thinking its normal to wake up before the chickens. She went to bed late, moving and kicking my bladder, and got up way before the sun. This little one, growing in my tummy, already had a mind of her own. I rolled onto my back, feeling slightly short of breath. I looked down and a saw my belly rolling around while I laid still. Lucy was at it again. She must think she’s a gymnast I thought—doing summersaults and back flips, rearranging my ribs, bladder and everything else in there. I saw a bulge ripple up and then to my right side. I rubbed the little bulge and felt her gravitate towards my hand. It was like she was trying to snuggle up under my hand. She was still again. I was so tired. My hips were starting to hurt more when I slept and kept me up a while before I could finally fall asleep. I didn’t have work or school today and just wanted to sleep some before CeCe arrived later tonight. I rubbed my belly again and didn’t feel her moving around anymore. She must have gone back to sleep. I yawned and closed my eyes.
“Charlotte, you have a phone call.” I thought I heard my mother say. “Charlotte honey, CeCe’s on the phone.”
“What time is it?” I asked with my eyes closed.
“It’s almost noon—here take the phone. She’s waiting for you.” My mother said putting the phone in my hand.
“Hello?” I said yawning.
“Good morning sunshine!” CeCe said in a perky voice.
“CeCe, hey, I can’t believe I fell back asleep for that long. I was up at 5:30 AM with Lucy. Never mind that—when are you going to be here? I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’m not sure. Did your mom get a new car?” She asked with a grin in her voice.
“What, no?”
“Are you sure?” CeCe urged.
“Yes, I’m sure.” I said sitting up in my bed, attempting to get up and look out the window.
“Hmm, I wonder whose car that is.” She said.
“What are you talking about CeCe?”
“That black car sitting in your driveway.” CeCe said.
“CeCe; you’re here!” I yelled excitedly as I looked out to find CeCe waving at me.
“Yes, I got up at the crack of dawn and came early to surprise you.”
“What are you talking on?” I asked realizing that she was sitting in a brand new black Volkswagen convertible.
“Oh, it’s a cell phone. My mom and dad got it for me when I went back to school. They were worried about me driving back and forth alone. It’s a little big but it comes with its own bag and I don’t have to stop to use a payphone now.”
“Wow, that’s so cool—talk about futuristic! And the car—that’s a sweet ride CeCe!”
“Thanks, my dad wanted his SUV back. I wanted an old VW bug but he said he didn’t want me to break down on the highway and be stranded somewhere so we agreed on this little gem. Isn’t it cute?” She squealed delightfully.
“It’s so cute and I’m so jealous.” I said smiling back down at her through the window.
“Stop being jealous and get down here so I can hug your neck and take you for a ride.”
“Okay, I’m throwing on some sweats. I’ll be down in a minute.”
I threw on my bra under the tank top I had slept in, pulled on my overalls and flip flops and headed downstairs. Half way down, I heard CeCe talking with my mom and Richie.
“Oh my gravy, it’s so good to see you!” I screamed trudging over to tackle CeCe with hugs.
“I missed you too. It’s not the same without you bestie!” CeCe said as she met my embrace.
“Wow, she’s gotten so big, Char!” CeCe said pulling back to look at my stomach.
“I know; it’s like I’m trying to shoplift a soccer ball under my shirt.” I said, so happy to see CeCe.
“Is she awake? I want to feel her moving.”
“She’s sleeping right now. I’m sure she’ll wake up the moment I sit down. We’re still trying to figure out a schedule here.” I said reaching for my mom’s coffee cup.
“Oh that’s funny. She’s feisty just like her Auntie CeCe.” CeCe said dropping down to her knees to talk to my belly.
“You do what you need to do and just let me know if that momma’s keeping you awake. I know she likes to poke you when you’re trying to get comfortable. She told me so when we were on the phone last week.” CeCe said nodding her head and rubbing my belly, hoping for any kind of movement from Lucy.
“Auntie CeCe—are you going with Char tonight to her childbirth classes?” My mother asked.
“We’re working on breathing and relaxation exercises tonight. I heard we are teaching our partners how to massage us.”
“Well that was nice of you.” CeCe said turning her head to look at my mother and Richie.
“Yes, indeed. I get a mini massage from the Doula and then one from you—since you missed me so much—it’ll be like a little gift from you to me.” I smiled from behind my mother’s coffee mug.
“Char, I can get you a cup of coffee.” My mother said, wondering if she was going to get her coffee back.
“Nah, I don't need to drink too much caffeine—just a little of yours to open my eyelids. Thanks mom.” I said, taking another gulp before pushing it back across the table.
“CeCe, would you like some coffee?”
“No thank you; I drank about four cups this morning on my here. I do need to use the bathroom before we go though.”
“Yeah, I might have to go supervise these ladies so they don’t get into any trouble.” Richie spoke up.
“Of course Richie—because I might get more pregnant?”
“I wasn’t thinking about that—but good point Char. I just wanted to make sure there was no crazy driving in that little convertible out there with a baby in the car and all.”
“CeCe, Richie wants to drive your car.” I hollered into the bathroom.
“I know; I figured he would.” She said drying her hands on a towel, as she walked out of the bathroom.
“Can I, can I?” Richie asked like a little boy getting his first bike.
“I don’t care.”
“See you later mom. I love you. We’ll be back before dinner.” I said throwing a kiss at her from the front door.
“Bye mom.” Richie yelled before running down the steps.
“I’ll see you for dinner Mrs. B.”
“Bye guys, be careful and have fun.” She waved to us from the front door.
“Wow CeCe, this is so nice! Leather and a CD player, I’m so jealous! I don’t even have a car. I’ll have to put the baby on board sign on my bike.” I joked.
“You can borrow it whenever you need it—this summer.” CeCe said as we all buckled in.
“Oh, thanks. But you’ll need it and anyway, you can drive us to the beach.” I said stretching out my arms in the backseat, as Richie adjusted the rearview and side mirrors.
“Well, about that. I’m going to be traveling with my dad and grandma.”
“For the whole summer?”
“No, I’ll be here for Lucy’s birth. We aren’t leaving until the end of June.”
“Oh—oh good. My heart would be sad if you weren’t here for her big day.”
“I wouldn’t miss her birth for anything.” CeCe turned around from the passenger seat, smiling.
“Awe—thank you Ce. Where are you going anyway and when are you getting back? I want to be able to see you before you have to go to college.” I said grabbing her hand.
“We are going to France and Germany. My grandma wants me to go and see where my roots are from—at least on my dad’s side. My dad didn’t trust me to go alone with her because he thought I’d probably sneak out at night to go exploring or something.”
“You’re going to France and got a brand new car?” I asked, dumbfounded.
“One, I’m super jealous and need to be adopted. Two, I think they miss you and are tr
ying to bribe you into coming home more often! I’d try to bribe you myself but I couldn’t keep up with your parent’s gifts.” I said, slightly jealous, on the inside, and excited on the outside, for her.
“Yes, I wish you could go with. I’m not sure about spending the whole summer with my grandma. She’s nice—nicer than my mother most of the time. But she always makes snide, little comments about my mom—about her lack of cooking or doing anything herself other than helping to split families apart and billing them for it. She only helps those whose families are already broken and, anyway, I’m the only one allowed to talk about my mother not cooking or whatever.”
“I know CeCe. But it’s France—you could ignore her little comments and just enjoy being in the most beautiful place in the world. My Aunt Juanita just came back from Paris and brought me the most incredible painting I’ve ever seen of the Seine River with the Eiffel Tower in the background. I wish I could go to places like that but I’ll have to wait before I can go.”
“I know; I’m very appreciative. I just don’t know that I want to be away almost all summer, in the most beautiful place, without my most favorite person to see it with me.”
“Awe; thanks CeCe. You’re such a sweetheart. I wish I could go to France with you but I just got cast into my next big play.” Richie said pretending to be sad.
“Congratulations Richie, that’s wonderful! CeCe said leaning over to kiss his cheek.
“Thanks CeCe, I’d love to be able to go but you’ll have a great time—I know you will. One day we’ll go together.” I said trying to make myself sound and be optimistic.
“Ladies, I don’t mind driving but where are we going?” Richie asked loudly as the wind kicked up with the convertible top down.
“I don’t care. Drive wherever you feel like going.” CeCe said laughing.
“Hey, Lucy said she’d like some ice-cream.” I yelled from the back seat.
“Ice-cream it is.” Richie yelled back.
I sat back and enjoyed the ride to the ice cream parlor. I had never been in a convertible before. It was really windy from the back seat but it felt nice and open with the warm spring sun shining down on us. I leaned into the side of the car and made myself comfortable. I could see CeCe and Richie talking but only heard muffled sounds, which was okay because I was still a bit tired and now hungry. I looked up into the big blue sky. There were only a few clouds hanging out. It was nice to be together again with CeCe and Richie. I missed her company and her silliness. I had been so tired and very busy between work and school that most of the time seemed to pass by quickly, although my heart felt her absence. I looked forward to hearing her stories and what I had missed. I wondered if she was dating anyone seriously. Probably not, I thought. I thought about all the time she had spent with her new sorority sisters and hoped that she didn’t have a back-up for me. Not that I didn’t want her to be happy, I just didn’t want to be replaced especially by someone who was fake and wouldn’t appreciate CeCe for CeCe. I knew there was no replacement for CeCe. She’s a one-of-a-kind. I missed the laughter and the trouble that we got into, the times we just hung out when we weren’t doing anything special but were together talking or quiet—watching a good movie. I was so glad she was here even if it were only for spring break. I didn’t even want to think about her being gone for most of the summer yet. Inside, I felt honored that she was holding off going to France until after Lucy was born; she’s a true friend.
We pulled into Oink’s Ice Cream Parlor and ordered our ice-cream. I had a triple brownie-fudge sundae with pecans. I loved hot fudge with brownies and pecans and a little bit of vanilla ice-cream. I was craving chocolate. It made me smile after the first bite touched my taste buds. The ooey gooey warm fudge with equally warm brownie bits and pecans mixed with the melting vanilla ice-cream and whipped cream swirled around in my mouth until at last I swallowed it down. I quickly took another breath before reaching for my next bite.
“So, how are the childbirth classes going so far?” CeCe asked as she took a huge bite of blue moon.
“It’s okay; I’m the youngest one of course. There are about six other couples in there.”
“Are they nice?”
“They’re okay. The first class I got a few stares. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m so young or they thought mom was my ‘partner’.” I giggled.
“Hmm, I could be your partner tonight? Hmm?” CeCe smiled with her nose wrinkled, raising her eyebrows again and again.
“Oh my gravy woman—Jerry Springer would call me for his next show then.” I continued. “The instructor is really nice and I’m super excited about the Doula too.”
“Yeah, that doula thing sounds nice. Do you have to watch the birth video with the baby’s head coming out—like in sex ed?” CeCe asked nervously.
“Yuck CeCe! Thanks for putting that image in my head!” Richie said in disgust.
“No, we didn’t watch it because she was afraid some of the dads might get sick and she didn’t want to scare them off.”
“Wussies!” CeCe said loudly.
“Shhh CeCe—not so loud.” I said embarrassed by her frankness.
“Hey there, don’t be hating on us guys.” Richie barked out in between gulping up bits of banana, fudge and pecan sprinkled vanilla ice-cream.
“It’s okay Richie. I’d still love you even if you are on the floor when Lucy comes out. I’d just tell her that you fainted over her breath-taking beauty.” I said licking my spoon clean of hot fudge.
“Thanks sis, you know I’m there for you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know.”
“What time did you say your class was tonight parent?” CeCe asked.
I looked at my watch, “about 6:30 PM—we should leave here soon.”
“Oh, okay. I just need to stop at home first and change into my yoga pants” CeCe added.
“Since when did you start doing yoga?” I asked curiously.
“All my sorority sisters do yoga every morning—it’s kind of like a requirement. You should try it Char. It hurts at first but makes you really limber.”
“Obviously, she’s already limber enough if you know what I mean.” Richie teased.
“Ouch! Stop hitting me!” Richie yelled after moving away from my jab to his right bicep.
“You totally deserved that one!” CeCe said laughing as she we walked out the parlor door.
A short while after dropping Richie off and changing our clothes we were walking into the large carpeted classroom for my childbirth classes.
“I can’t believe Richie said that.” I said leading us over to where the Doula was standing.
“I know, what a turd! It was a little funny.” CeCe said letting out a little chuckle under her smirk.
“Yeah, he’s so clever. At least he’s on my side even though he loves to give me grief.”
“Is that your instructor?”
“Yeah, I’m going to introduce you. She’s really cool and down-to-earth. She didn’t look at me crazy or judge me when I walked in for classes.”
“Hi Megan, this is my best friend CeCe that I told you about. She’s home from college and is going to be with me for the labor.”
“Hi. I love your hair—those are really nice highlights. Thank you for being good to my Char—she’s an incredible person with a ginormous heart! She deserves to be around people who are good to her.” CeCe said, holding out her hand to shake Megan’s.
“Well, thank you. I think Char’s going to be a great mom—she always comes in here, smiling and has the best attitude. I love helping new parent’s discover the awesome gift of parenthood. We’re glad Char’s here.” Megan said smiling and rubbing Char’s back with one hand.
“Awe, you can keep doing that—that feels really good. Remember I’m the guinea pig tonight.” I reminded Megan.
“Yes, yes, I remember. Although some of the dads tried volunteering after they heard I needed a guinea pig to exhibit the different types of massage strokes.” Megan said, laughing.
> “You know they just wanted you to massage them.” I added.
“I know. It’s always the dads wanting to be comforted during childbirth.” She said, laughing.
“That’s funny.” CeCe smirked.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. We’ve got to get started—I hope you two have fun.” Megan said, before she walked towards the front of the classroom.
“I like her.” CeCe said as we found a good little spot in the middle of the classroom.
“Okay everyone; find a spot quickly so we can get started.” Megan raised her voice slightly above the murmur of the classroom voices.
“I think almost everyone showed up. There are a lot of people here tonight.” I whispered to CeCe.
“That’s because they’re all hoping for a free massage.” She whispered back.
“Probably; I’m so excited I need a little massage. My hips and back are starting to be really sore—especially at bedtime when I’m lying in bed.
“As promised, we are working on massage techniques and special stretches tonight to help manage pain during labor. Some of these stretches may also help progress labor.” Megan said.
“So are you doing all natural or having one of those shots in your back to help with pain?” CeCe whispered.
“I’m not sure yet. I’ve been talking to Megan about it. She thinks that I could probably do it naturally since I’m young and fit. I can always change my mind if the pain gets too bad.” I whispered back.
“Char, can I have you walk up here? She is my first volunteer tonight. I am going to demonstrate on her to show you where to massage and some techniques to employ when massaging. I will have everyone watch and then you can practice these techniques with your partner while I walk around and check on how people are doing.” Megan instructed.
“Char, I’m going to have you sit on one of our exercise balls. These are excellent to use in the labor room when contractions start to progress. Ladies, you can sit on them like you are sitting on a chair. I like to have you bounce lightly to work through the contractions while holding onto a chair to maintain your balance. Partners—while she is bouncing gently you can begin massaging her at the base of her neck. You can also start at the side of her hips, using your palms, if she is having back labor. Go ahead and watch me demonstrate with Char.” She finished, pausing to sit down on a chair behind me to begin massaging my neck, while I bounced gently.
Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) Page 16
