Page 139 of The Last Man on Earth
After my fifth contraction, Vincent says, “Fuck this,” and pulls onto the shoulder.
Even in the midst of my pain, I’m irritated that people keep honking at my man.
“Fuck.”
There’s a stalled semi on the shoulder, so Vincent has to jump back into traffic.
I’m gripping the door handle now, in extreme discomfort. Vincent’s watching me closely, worry etched all over his face.
“I can’t…” I gasp when another contraction hits. “Something’s happening.”
His eyes go wide. “What you mean?”
“Pressure,” I croak. “Really low. Like she’s right there.”
He throws the car in park and pulls back onto the shoulder. “Alright, stay calm. We’ll figure this out.”
I barely hear him. I’m already fumbling with my seatbelt, trying to get out of the car. The cold air hits me as I open the door and stumble onto the gravel shoulder. The world tilts for a second as I squat down instinctively, trying to relieve the unbearable pressure.
I hear Vincent telling JR to stay where he is, then he’s at my side with his phone to his ear.
Another contraction rips through me. I go to exhale and a scream comes out.
Vincent sets his phone down and says, “Go ahead.”
Oh. He’s talking to Dr. Ellery.
“How far apart are the contractions?” she says.
“Like every two minutes,” he says , looking at me for confirmation. But I can’t speak. I can’t even think. All my energy is focused on not dying right here on the side of I-20.
“Ariana, can you hear me?”
I can only nod.
“She said yes.” Vincent’s hands go to my back.
“Okay, sweetheart. Listen to me. I know this is scary, but your body knows what to do. You got this. Vincent’s going to help, and I’ll stay on the line until help gets there. Okay?”
I nod again, my eyes squeezing shut as another wave of pain tears through my pelvis. Tears stream down my face. I taste blood in my mouth from where I bit my tongue.
“Vincent, is she in a safe position?”
“Nah, she’s…we’re on the shoulder. She got out and squatted.”
“Okay. Is she wearing pants?”
“Yeah.”
“Get her pants off.”
“Right here?”
“Yes!”
He rubs my back, speaking to me softly. “I need you to stand up for me, baby. Real quick.”
He jumps up and pulls me to a standing position. I can see his wheels turning, and his reluctance to strip me naked in front of all these cars, especially after what I went through earlier.
