CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE
(part six)

“Get the FUCK out of my way.”

Tanesha. Tanesha. Is that you?

“It’s me, honey.” Tanesha’s face appeared in front of her. “Who are you?”

“I’m…” Tres sputtered. Tanesha whipped around to look at him.

“I’ll tell you who you are – you’re the guy who’s going to do exactly what I tell you to do. First, you’re going to close the doors to this shop. We do not want some passerby watching our baby be delivered. Then you’re going to find me towels.”

Tres jumped at Tanesha’s commands.

“WAIT!” Tanesha said. “Give me your jacket.”

Tres took off his jacket. Tanesha placed the jacket under Heather’s head. Tres stopped for a moment to say something.

“GO!” Tanesha made a motion with her hands. “Blane, you ready with your needles? You’re going to have to do the needles and help her breathe. Can you do that?”

“I’m ready,” Blane said.

Tanesha? I feel funny. Lightheaded.

“Her blood pressure is up,” Blane said.

“You better get to work then,” Tanesha said. “Something happens to Heather, you’re going to have to deal with Jill AND Sandy AND, more importantly, ME. You don’t want to have to deal with me. Now get to work.”

Blane began placing needles.

“Heather? I’m going to take your pants off and underwear,” Tanesha said.

But what about… you know…

“Can’t have a baby through your undies,” Tanesha laughed.

Tres gave Tanesha a stack of towels.

“Where did you get these?”

“I bought them next door,” Tres said. “I also got some fleece blankets for the baby.”

“Place the towels around her. Leave a stack down near her knees. You will not look at what’s private. You hear me!”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I’m going to wash my hands,” Tanesha said. “You did call 9-1-1?”

“They’re on their way,” Tres said. “I told them she was having the baby but…”

“How’s her blood pressure Blane?”

I feel better, good, not so scared. Did you see? Blane’s here? He came through!

Laughing, Tanesha disappeared from sight. Heather was jostled back and forth as Tres put the towels around her. The contractions ripped through her one after another.

“There’s a couple people here,” Tres said. “Women.”

Jill? Sandy?

“No, they say they work here,” Tres said. “One woman says she’s your manager. She said she’s closing the shop.”

“Don’t worry about us or the store, Heather. Just worry about yourself and the baby.” A woman’s voice wafted over the counter.

“We love you, Heather!” A teenager’s voice said. “Can we help?”

“You sure can,” Tanesha said. “We need some water or ice for Heather. We also need someone to wait for the paramedics at the door so they don’t get lost.”

“I’ll wait for the paramedics,” the high school girl ran out the door.

“She’s crowning!” Tres yelled.

“Excuse me,” Tanesha said to the women. Walking around the counter, Tanesha punched Tres in the shoulder. “You were not supposed to look.”

“I have done this before,” Tres said. “More than once. In my family, birthing babies is an entire family affair.”

“Great,” Tanesha said. “You can help Blane with the breathing. Heather?”

Yep! I’m here! I’m doing my breathing! Tanesha? I think he’s coming now.

“On my call ready, Heather?”

I’m ready! I’m ready!

“One – Two – Three! PUSH!!”

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…