Page 89 of Troubles in Paradise
“It’s on,” Maia says. “Is everyone at the house?” Maia knows this hurricane is going to be very destructive, but she can’t help feeling something like excitement anyway. Shane and Bright and Colton and Joanie were all at the volunteer effort, and Bright said that every news station in the States is focused on the Virgin Islands. They keep calling it “America’s paradise.” Maia is happy people are paying attention; normally, the USVI are overlooked because they’re a territory and not a proper state.
“Cash is on Lovango with Tilda,” Irene says.
“Ahh,” Maia says. She has been waiting for those two to get back together. Maia had caught Cash texting Tilda under the table during Irene’s birthday breakfast at Jake’s, and when Maia asked if they were starting back up, Cash said,She’s dating someone else.And when Maia kept staring at him, he said,It’s one text, Maia, relax.
“Your grandfather will hopefully be back by the time we get home,” Irene says. “And Maia…”
Maia has just popped fudge in her mouth. “Mmm-hmm?”
“Ayers is in labor.”
“What does that mean?”
“She’s having the baby.”
“Tonight?”
“Tonight most likely, yes. Or first thing tomorrow. Her water broke.” Irene sighs. “Her contractions were close when I left the house to get you. And she doesn’t want to go to the health center…”
Maia asks,“Why not?”
“She thinks that because of the storm, it will be better to have the baby at home.”
“Like in the olden days, when there were no hospitals?” Maia says.
“Yes,” Irene says, shaking her head. She hits the gas.
When they get to the Happy Hibiscus, it’s chaos. The front door is the only thing left unshuttered for now because people are still going in and out. Phil is on the front lawn on the phone with a doctor friend from Reykjavík, who is giving him advice. Sunny is guarding the bedroom where Ayers is. Nobody’s allowed in, not even Baker.
“Is Huck here?” Irene asks.
“Not yet,” Baker says. “Floyd fell asleep, thank God,The Dirty Cowboydoes it every time. Someday I’m going to learn how that book ends. We filled both bathtubs and every pot we could find with water.” He looks at Irene. “You made a lot of food.”
“We have a lot of mouths to feed,” Irene says. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s working through the contractions on her own for now,” Baker says. “That’s what she wants, and who am I to argue?”
“Huck told me help is on the way,” Irene says.
Maia hears Ayers groaning in the bedroom.
Sunny says, “Make a knot and hang on, Freddy!”
“What should I do?” Maia asks.
“There’s nothing any of us can do but wait,” Irene says.
Phil comes inside as he finishes his call. “Anders says she needs to work with each contraction until it’s time to bear down.”
“That’s not helpful!” Ayers shouts.
“Does she want some fudge?” Maia says.
“No, sweetie, thank you,” Sunny says. “She already lost her dinner.”
“Is that Maia?” Ayers says.
“Yes,” Maia and Sunny say.
