Tony Came Home

"It's time." Her daughter-in-law's voice was unsteady on the other end of the line.

"I'll be there as fast as I can, Cheryl."

"Thanks, Maxine."

Maxine navigated her car through the rainy development streets. Wind gusted, smacking gobs of wet leaves on her windshield. Why do babies always have to come on nights like this? she thought as she pulled into the driveway. Her daughter-in-law stood on the front porch clutching her overnight bag and an umbrella. Maxine jumped out of the car to open the door for Cheryl as she waddled down the walk.

"You should have waited inside," Maxine shouted above the thunder. "You'll catch your death and leave this child an orphan."

"I'm fine," Cheryl said through gritted teeth as she heaved herself into the front passenger seat.

"Here, let me put that back for you. You'll be more comfortable." Maxine popped the recline lever and eased Cheryl down.

"Thanks." Cheryl's smile was erased by another contraction. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"Don't try to be strong on my account. God knows I know how painful labor can be." Maxine shut the door on the panting Cheryl.

The suburban streets were deserted. Maxine swerved to avoid a trash can that had been blown in the street by the storm. Dirty diapers and empty formula cans were strewn across the sidewalk.

"It's not too cold is it?" Maxine asked. "I can turn up the heat, or turn it down if you're too hot?"

"No, I'm fine thanks."

"Did you remember to call the doctor?"

"Right after I called you." Cheryl shifted to try to find a more comfortable position.

"What about the hospital," Maxine asked. "Did you call them?"

"I'm already pre-registered, I don't need to."

"You should always call the hospital," Maxine said. "I always did."

Great waves of rain dropped from the trees above. Maxine twisted the steering wheel left when she saw a pale smear step off the curb. She narrowly avoided a man that seemed to be wearing her son's face. She shook her head hard and told herself to pay attention. A wind gust rocked the car and forced Maxine to grip the steering wheel hard, like a lifeline.

"It's time." Her daughter-in-law's voice was unsteady on the other end of the line.

"I'll be there as fast as I can, Cheryl."

"Thanks, Maxine."

Maxine navigated her car through the rainy development streets. Wind gusted, smacking gobs of wet leaves on her windshield. Why do babies always have to come on nights like this? she thought as she pulled into the driveway. Her daughter-in-law stood on the front porch clutching her overnight bag and an umbrella. Maxine jumped out of the car to open the door for Cheryl as she waddled down the walk.

"You should have waited inside," Maxine shouted above the thunder. "You'll catch your death and leave this child an orphan."

"I'm fine," Cheryl said through gritted teeth as she heaved herself into the front passenger seat.

"Here, let me put that back for you. You'll be more comfortable." Maxine popped the recline lever and eased Cheryl down.

"Thanks." Cheryl's smile was erased by another contraction. She bit her lip to keep from crying out.

"Don't try to be strong on my account. God knows I know how painful labor can be." Maxine shut the door on the panting Cheryl.

The suburban streets were deserted. Maxine swerved to avoid a trash can that had been blown in the street by the storm. Dirty diapers and empty formula cans were strewn across the sidewalk.

"It's not too cold is it?" Maxine asked. "I can turn up the heat, or turn it down if you're too hot?"

"No, I'm fine thanks."

"Did you remember to call the doctor?"

"Right after I called you." Cheryl shifted to try to find a more comfortable position.

"What about the hospital," Maxine asked. "Did you call them?"

"I'm already pre-registered, I don't need to."

"You should always call the hospital," Maxine said. "I always did."

Great waves of rain dropped from the trees above. Maxine twisted the steering wheel left when she saw a pale smear step off the curb. She narrowly avoided a man that seemed to be wearing her son's face. She shook her head hard and told herself to pay attention. A wind gust rocked the car and forced Maxine to grip the steering wheel hard, like a lifeline.