Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970)

by Anderson, Sarah

“CeCe, CeCe.” I started to say as I heard the door open abruptly with the bell ringing loudly followed by familiar, obnoxious female voices.

  We turned to see Veronica Sweetly and several other girls from high school, along with a few new faces, laughing and talking.

  “Oh my gosh—I don’t want to see her today.” I said, hoping she didn’t see me as I quickly turned back around to my milkshake.

  “That blonde twit drives me nuts.” CeCe scowled. “I don’t know what Richie sees in her other than her fake boobs.”

  “Oww!” I said as my stomach suddenly knotted up sharply.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I just had a weird sharp pain all of a sudden in my lower belly.”

  “You might be in labor Char.” CeCe said looking concerned.

  “No, I’m fine. It’s gone now and I’m not due yet. Besides I have to get back to work but I wish I could hide instead.”

  “Why?”

  “Ughh, I don’t want to see Veronica or any other girls from school. I don’t want them to say anything about my belly.”

  “Just pretend she’s not here and if she says anything, I’ll introduce my palm to her face.” CeCe said sternly, giving Veronica the stink eye.

  “I’d love to but she’s sitting in my section. I have to go take their orders. I feel a little sick.”

  “Maybe you should go home.” CeCe suggested.

  “I can’t Trudy needs me—we are too short-staffed today. I’ll make it through.” I said, feeling another little sharp jab in my lower belly.

  “Are you sure you’re okay Char?” CeCe frowned.

  “Yes, it’s probably just more gas.”

  “Well, I’ll just go find a little seat maybe next to Veronica and her posse to keep an eye on her.”

  “Okay, it’ll be fine.”

  I pulled the order pad out from my small black apron and slowly wobbled towards Veronica’s table. Out of the corner of my eye I saw CeCe heading for the table directly behind Veronica. Just before reaching the table I felt another strange sudden pain stretch across my belly before it subsided.

  “Hi ladies, hi Veronica.” I said in the most cheerfully fake voice I could muster up.

  “Charlotte Renee—what happened? You look like you gained the freshman fifty.” Veronica said in a sickly nice yet counterfeit tone in front of her plastic Barbie-like followers.

  “Hmm, no that would be the fishbowl she accidently swallowed.” I heard from behind her.

  “I’m pregnant Veronica and due in about a week.”

  “That’s strange Richie didn’t mention that you got knocked up.”

  “No, it’s my personal life—he’s pretty respectful in not gossiping about me or other people. What can I get for you ladies to drink?” I asked, trying to end the conversation from going any further and keep CeCe from flying over the booth and strangling Veronica.

  “I’d like a diet Coke,” Veronica smiled in an arrogant way.

  I took the rest of their drink orders and disappeared towards the bus station to gather their beverages. I began loading up their drinks when I felt another sharp pain and movement in my lower abdomen. I quickly grabbed my belly as this pain tightened across my entire belly and was more intense than the others. I couldn’t be in labor, I thought, it would hurt a lot more than this. This felt like the cramps I got on the first few days of my period. I picked the tray back up and headed towards the girls table feeling a little perturbed by Veronica’s insolence.

  “I think we’re ready to order now too.” Veronica said as I handed out the drinks.

  “What would you like?”

  “Hmm, I want breakfast. Can I get breakfast still?” She asked nonchalantly.

  “You can get whatever you’d like my dear?” I said in a bubbly voice.

  “Okay, I would like two eggs over easy, with grits on the side and wheat toast. Please make sure they don’t put butter on the toast. This girl’s got a body to keep up.” Veronica smiled as she handed me her menu.

  “Absolutely, you don’t want your boobs to get any bigger.” I said, before quickly turning to the other girls at the table for their orders.

  That felt a little good, I thought to myself, as I took the rest of the orders and got away from that caddy table as soon as I could. I usually wasn’t rude and definitely not as outspoken as CeCe but that girl, for once, was starting to get on my nerves. I could see why she drove CeCe nuts.

  “Order in.” I yelled as I put their ticket up. “Oh and this one needs extra butter.” I said, pointing to Victoria’s wheat toast.

  I headed back over to CeCe for a few minutes while the order was being made. Victoria’s group was the only table so far in my section.

  “She’s such a you know what—but I won’t say it because I’m a lady.” CeCe whispered.

  “Since when?” I asked smiling.

  “Oh miss, can you get me another sweet tea please?” I heard one of the girls say behind us.

  “Sure, coming right up.” I yelled. “I’ll be back, CeCe.”

  I made my way over to the counter again.

  “Isn’t that Veronica over there?” Trudy asked.

  “Yes it is and she is as pleasant as never.” I said, filling up her friend’s cup with ice.

  “Her boobs look even bigger than last time. She looks like Dolly Parton’s younger sister. Doesn’t she?”

  Trying to hold in the giggles and pee I answered, “Yeah I noticed that too.”

  “Too bad they can’t do brain implants, she could use one.” Trudy snickered.

  “Order’s up.” One of the cooks hollered.

  “Wow! That was fast Jimmy! Good job!”

  “Thanks Char—oh and I put extra butter on the wheat just like you asked.”

  “You’re so good to me.” I said as I suddenly felt another sharp-tightening pain on my abdomen.

  “Char, let the bus boy carry that tray—you should not be carrying or lifting anything heavy like that.” Trudy demanded from behind the counter.

  “I’ve got it. It’s okay. I’ll ask him for help if I need it. Can you hand me a butter dish please.” I said with my tray all loaded and ready to go.

  “Here you go.” Trudy said, frowning at me with disapproval for carrying the tray.

  “Thanks. I’m okay, really.”

  I turned and trudged towards Veronica’s table while CeCe looked onward. The girls were all busy talking, probably about their summer plans or all the fun they were going to have.

  “Okay ladies…” I started to say as I felt a sudden and stumbling pain attack my body, causing me to drop the tray on their table abruptly.

  “Oh my God—you put grits in my hair!” Veronica scowled from behind her grit-covered face and hair. “You idiot!”

  “Char, are you okay? Let me help you.” CeCe offered from behind as she picked up a dishtowel from the bus station nearby and walked over to us.

  “Are you hurting?” CeCe asked as she placed the wet dishtowel on Victoria’s hair and started rubbing vigorously to mop up the grits.

  “Get out of my hair! Now!” I heard Victoria scream as my attention turned quickly downward—towards an unexpected gush from below.

  “Eww! My feet and legs are soaking wet,” shrieked one of the girls followed by Victoria’s grousing of wetness on her shoes.

  “Trudy put your girls in check!” Victoria demanded as she came swiftly over to me.

  “I told you not to carry those trays—are you okay Char?”

  “I don’t know, I think I just wet myself. And I think I might be having contractions.”

  She looked at me and the pool of fluid surrounding myself and the floor under the table as the girls continued to moan and complain. “I think your water broke Char—we need to get you to the hospital right away,” Trudy urged.

  “Her water broke?” Victoria asked disgusted. “Oh my God, you peed on our feet!”

  “I will take her to the hospital.” CeCe instructed, “Trudy can you call her mom and tell he
r we’re on our way to the hospital?”

  “I sure will; don’t worry Char, you’ll be okay.” Trudy said as she hugged me.

  “Is somebody going to help us?” Victoria said indignantly as CeCe and Trudy were focused on helping me to the door towards CeCe’s car. “Hello, somebody?” Victoria raised her voice, stomping her foot in the puddle of amniotic fluid, causing her to slip and fall in my slimy mess.

  The last thing I remember hearing as we neared the car was Victoria screaming in repulsion, followed by, “Oh my God, Oh my God!”

  The contractions were coming quickly now and I had never felt pain like this before. It was worse than any imaginable pain or cramp. I started to go white in the face, sweating, and contracting every few minutes with them lasting longer and longer. My lower back burned with pain and I was trapped on a wet garbage bag in CeCe’s tiny convertible.

  “I promise we’ll be there in a minute.” CeCe urged, looking very nervous.

  “It hurts so bad!” I said, grimacing between contractions.

  “Just breathe—remember what Megan said.”

  “I’m breathing but it feels like a semi-truck is trying to come out of my vagina.”

  “I’m sorry, we’re almost there I promise. They can give you something when we get there.” CeCe said, mashing on the gas pedal.

  “Ahhh, I want an epidural.”

  “I can see the hospital emergency sign. We’re there, we’re there.” CeCe looked relieved as we pulled under the ER awning.

  “I’m feeling a lot of pressure all of a sudden down there.”

  “I’ll be right back; I’m getting you a wheelchair. Don’t have that baby while I’m gone.”

  “CeCe hurry, please.” I moaned.

  “I’ll be back, don’t sneeze.” She giggled nervously running towards the ER doors.

  “So not funny Ce—hurry!”

  Tears were streaming down my face and I could barely breathe as another contraction struck across my belly, causing a lot of pressure below. As I lay there, trying not to have the baby in CeCe’s car, I heard someone calling my name from off in a distance.

  “Char, honey, we’re here. We’re coming.” I heard my mother say as I looked up to see both of my parents serious-faced, running across the parking lot. “Hold on baby; we’ll be right there.” She said, again, just several feet away now.

  “I got it, I got it!” I heard CeCe saying running towards me with the wheelchair and a lady in green scrubs close behind.

  “What do you want us to do?” My mother asked concerned.

  “I’m in so much pain.” I cried.

  “My name is Beth, I’m a nurse. I need you to tell me how close your contractions are.” She said calmly.

  “I don’t know, they just keep coming, from one to the next.” I said bent forward, holding onto my stomach.”

  “She said she has a lot of pressure down there and her water broke about 20 minutes ago.” CeCe said anxiously.

  “Okay, before we move you into the wheelchair, I need to take a quick look.” Beth, the nurse said.

  “Here, in the parking lot?”

  “Yes, I need to see if the baby is crowning.”

  “Okay, dad can you turn around?” I asked still writhing in pain.

  “Yes honey.” He said tenderly.

  “Okay, I’m going to pull down your pants. I need your help. Stay with me.” Beth said, opening the car door.

  “Ahhh, it really hurts.” I cried, “I need something for the pain. It hurts so badly!”

  “Okay, let me take a quick look and we’ll get you going.”

  “Can you do that inside?” My dad asked quickly.

  “I don’t want to chance having the baby pop out on the way to the delivery room.” The nurse said bending down to look.

  “I need you to spread your legs as much as possible.” She said in a calm and professional manner.

  “I’m trying, it really hurts.” I said sniffling and knuckling the middle console to help the pain shooting throughout my body.

  “Okay, you are crowning but I think we have enough time to get you to the delivery room.”

  “Mom, I forgot to call Megan. Can you please call her? I want her there.” I said, crying.

  “I called her before we left the house. She’s on her way.”

  “Thank you mom—it really hurts. Don’t leave me please.” I said grabbing her hand as she and Beth helped me into the wheelchair.

  “I’ll be right there Char; I’m going to park the car. Hold on sweetie, you’re almost done.” CeCe said as she gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.

  “Okay, hurry. I want you in there, CeCe.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for anything!” CeCe exclaimed as my mother pushed me towards the ER doors with my dad beside me and Beth directing us.

  Bright lights covered my face doubling me over. I just wanted this baby out. It was so bright and I hurt all over. I cried as I had no idea how I was going to actually push this baby out. It hurt so much.”

  “Okay, right in here.” Beth directed us straight into one of the birthing rooms.

  I looked over and caught a glimpse of my father’s face. He looked worried—unlike any expression I had seen before. He stood quietly in the corner holding onto our purses and things as my mother and Beth helped me into the bathroom to change into a hospital gown.

  “Okay, things are going to get really busy in a few minutes. You need to tell me who you want in the birthing room. Everyone else can wait outside.” Beth said firmly.

  “I want my mom and CeCe, my best friend. She’ll be right back. Can I have an epidural—it really hurts—I need something for the pain. I feel like my vagina’s going to explode.”

  “Honestly, you are past the point where you can get an epidural. As soon as we get you on the bed you’re going to need to start pushing.” Beth said.

  I cried harder. I couldn’t take any more pain.

  “I can’t do it. I need something—it hurts.” I sobbed.

  “You’ll be great. This baby will be here in the next 20 minutes or less.” Beth encouraged.

  “Honey, you can do this. We’re here with you.” My mother said.

  “Okay, are you ready?” Beth asked. “Let’s get you on the bed.

  “There you are! Just the pregnant lady I was looking for.” I heard Megan say jokingly as my mother pushed my wheelchair into the delivery room.

  “I’d laugh if I weren’t in so much pain. You’ve got to get me something. It really, really hurts. I can’t take the pain.” I moaned feeling immense pressure and pain radiating throughout my abdomen and down to my feet.

  There were now several people in the room dressed in green scrubs setting stuff up rapidly. There was a large bright light shining over the upright bed, covered with blue and white chux pads, with stirrups. Over in the corner was a tiny clear basket-like table, with a soft light beaming down.

  “Let’s get this show on the road. That baby is waiting to meet you. You can do this, trust me. You are strong and able Char.” Megan said, looking me in the eye.

  “Okay dad it’s time to have you go outside. We’ll keep you posted.” Beth urged.

  “Okay,” my father said obediently.

  “Dad, wait—can you pray for me please?” I asked wanting my father near enough to be the watchful, protective father he had always been to keep me safe and assure me in times I was scared.

  “Sure honey.” He said, walking towards me.

  “Okay, as soon as you are done, it’s time to push.” Megan said.

  My father smiled, gently, at me. This was the first time he had really looked at me or spoken to me in months. “Dear heavenly father, thank you Lord for my Charlotte. Thank you for giving her to me and for the light she shines in our lives. Lord I pray that you would bring her daughter safely into this world, that she may also continue to shine your light and that you keep my baby daughter and Lucy safe from all harm. Lord give her the strength now, we pray, and a healthy baby girl. Lord, we also ask
that you give peace and wisdom to those helping her bring this new life into the world. We thank you Jesus and praise you for your goodness and love.”

  I opened my eyes, filled with tears and squeezed my father’s hand as tight as I could. I saw the love in his eyes that had seemed empty these last few months. He too had tears in his eyes.

  “I love you Char.” My father said as he hugged me tightly, sniffling back tears. “You’ll do great honey. I’ll be right outside.” He said as he released me and walked toward the door, with his face shinning back at me.

  “I love you too daddy.” I said crying.

  “Okay, Lucy is crowning. That means I can see her and she’s got a head full of hair.” Megan said smiling.

  Just then the door opened and in came another lady in blue scrubs with CeCe right behind her.

  “I’m back sweetie. Thanks for waiting for me.” CeCe giggled.

  “Yea! This is Barb—do you remember her? She’s one of the nurse midwives and she and I will be working with you to deliver Lucy.” Megan said excitedly.

  “Hi Char.” Barb said as she moved into position beside Megan.

  Another stronger contraction hit and I could barely breathe. My mother stood by my left side while CeCe stood on my right.

  “Okay Char, I want you to take a deep breath in after this contraction and then I want you to give me a nice steady, strong push as you exhale out during your next contraction. You let us know when you’re ready.” Barb said confidently.

  “Ahhh!” I screamed as I inhaled in feeling the next contraction hit.

  “Okay, give me a nice push.” Barb directed.

  “Ughh….ahh.” I screamed again, “it hurts!”

  “You’re doing great.” Megan encouraged.

  “You’re doing wonderful.” My mother said holding my leg.

  “I want her out! It really hurts.”

  “Give me another push when you’re ready.” Barb said.

  “Char, where’s it hurting the most?” Megan asked.

  “It hurts all over; but my back is the worst and my vagina feels like it’s on fire.”

  “Okay, do you trust me?” She asked

  “Yeah, just get this baby out.”

  “Okay, she’s ready to come but it looks like she might be stuck on your pelvic bones.” Barb said.