Chapter 87

Bette looked at the monitor screen. She could tell that another contraction was coming but she sure as ***** wasn’t going to mention it to Tina. As Tina’s contraction reached it’s peak she screamed in pain and squeezed Bette’s hand again. It was nothing short of a vice grip. Bette was sure she’d never be able to move her fingers again.

“You’re doing great Baby…” Bette managed to utter those words through the tears that were forming in her eyes and through the lump that had formed in her throat – she was on the verge of tears – from the pain in her hand!

“What’s wrong Baby? Are you ok?” Tina was genuinely concerned about Bette.

“I’m fine T – I just hate to see you in so much pain. That’s all.” Well – that was the truth too – but the pain in Bette’s hand was blinding. She hated to be in so much pain too. She knew though that Tina’s pain was much worse than hers and somehow that made her pain insignificant.


“Tina…would you like an epidural?” Dr. Wilson’s voice seemed to come out of nowhere – but the words she spoke had a nice ring to them.

“***** yeah – I want an epidural – and anything else you can give me. This sucks!”

“Ok – I need you to sit up – and while I insert the needle – it’s VERY important that you don’t move.”

“Ok.” Tina sat up with Bette’s help – her legs hanging from the side of the bed. “Have at it doc – this pain blows!”

Bette looked at Tina – she’d never seen her act and talk quite like this before. Perhaps Tina had Multiple Personality Disorder!!! Bette chuckled – inadvertently, she did so out loud. Oh – oh!

“Baby – what the ***** do you think is so funny?”

“Ahhhh…nothing T – just nervous I guess….nervous laughter…that’s all.” Bette lied – but was sure that she’d be forgiven – after all – the lie was an attempt on her part not to be killed by Tina during labor. How could anyone not accept that as a reason for a small white lie?

Dr. Wilson’s voice brought Bette back to the task at hand. “Ok Tina – first some antiseptic. Dr. Wilson rubbed something on Tina’s lower back. It was cold and Tina jumped.

“Ok Tina – now remember don’t move…it’s very important that you don’t move at all.”

Bette looked at the needle. In reality it was a couple of inches long – to her it could have just as easily been 5 inches long. Bette felt her knees go weak. She thought to herself. ‘God -please don’t make me throw up or pass out!’

Jackie saw the look on Bette’s face and walked over to her and gave her a hug. She whispered in her ear. “Sunshine – you’re doing great – hang in there..”

Dr. Wilson inserted the needle. Tina began crying …”God that hurts – it’s like an ice pick going into my spine.”

“Just don’t move Tina – please don’t move.”

Tina obeyed the command as tears flowed from her eyes.

“Are you ok Tina. Almost done…almost….Ok!” Dr. Wilson pulled the needle out of Tina’s lower back..

Bette put her hand on Tina’s. “You ok T?”

“Yeah!” Tina leaned over and kissed Bette. Bette helped her lay back down on the bed. Another contraction was on it’s way.

“OH *****!!! GOD – *****! BETTE – THIS HURTS – *****!”

Bette’s hand was in Tina’s again. Tina squeezed it hard – but it was numb from the last time – so the pain didn’t seem THAT bad – all things being relative and all!

“***** – the ***** epidural is working on the left side but not the right. What the ***** is with that?” Tina was clearly angry that the epidural fell short of her expectations.

Dr. Wilson tried to explain to Tina that the epidural did what it was supposed to – unfortunately – it didn’t work as well as hoped – but there should be some relief..

“Yeah – you call that relief…I’ve got news for you doc – this SUCKS!”

“Tina…the babies haven’t moved in a while. We’re going to have you use the squating bar…” Dr. Wilson gently rubbed Tina’s arm.

“You’re going to have me use the WHAT? What the ***** is a squating bar?”

“You hold onto the bar – above your head and squat. The hope is that it will help the babies move down the birth canal – well in your case – one of them – which ever one is more anxious to come into the world!”

“Ok…I guess…you’re the one who went to school for this ***** – ok let’s just do it!” Tina was not having a good time and her tone of voice made that painfully clear to everyone.

Dr. Wilson and Bette helped Tina grab hold of the bar.

“This is ***** stupid – should have just gone into the back 40 – squated – dropped the babies and gone back to working in the fields!”

Bette looked at Tina. “What are you talking about T?”

“Just do me a favor and shut up Bette! Ok?”

Tina tried to hang from the bar and squat – but her legs gave out from under her – the work of the epidural no doubt.

“Oh gee – this is ***** great – I’m never going to have these babies AND I’m never going to walk again. ***** GREAT!” Bette started to say something. “Shut up Bette!” Bette closed her mouth and helped Tina lay back down – just as another contraction hit.

TBC