Page 35 of Home Is Where the Witch Is
The nurse smiled kindly, rubbing a comforting hand on Tammy’s shoulder. “You’re all good. You have a few hours ahead of you yet before that’ll happen.”
The orderly began to wheel Tammy away, heading for double doors at the end of the corridor. Tammy turned her head as far as she could so she could look back at Rosie.
“I’ll see you soon,” Rosie called after her. “I promise!”
Her hand was immediately on her cell phone, hitting ‘Myles’ in her contact list. There were six rings, and then Myles finally picked up.
“Hi—”
Rosie cut him off, figuring he’d forgive her terrible manners when she told him he was about to become a father for the second time. “Myles, it’s Ro?—”
“—you’ve reached Myles Bishop, Pastor at the Hand of God Southern Baptist Church. I can’t come to the phone right now, but leave a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you when I can!”
Rosie took a deep breath while she waited for the beep.
“Myles—it’s Rosie,” she said, hating she was potentially delivering this news via voice message. “Don’t panic, but Tammy’s gone into labor. We’re already at the hospital, and she’s doing fine. When you get this, please bring her hospital bag and come on over. Thanks.”
She hung up and dialed another number. Declan’s phone rang twice before he picked up.
“Hey, love,” he greeted her in his thick Irish accent. Rosie could hear a smile in his voice. “Everythin’ okay?”
“Tammy’s gone into labor,” she said, cutting straight to the chase. “We’re at the hospital, but I can’t get hold of Myles. I’ve left a message on his voicemail.”
Declan was suddenly all business. “I’ll drive over to the seminary now.”
“Thanks, babe. The address is on the fridge.”
“Got it,” he confirmed. In a heartbeat Rosie could hear the jingle of the keys to his truck as he swept them out of the bowl by the front door.
“How is she?” he asked.
“She’s okay,” Rosie replied. She sank onto the bench Tammy had occupied, checking for puddles first. “Nervous, I think.”
“Understandable. How are you?”
“Just concerned I can’t get hold of Myles,” she sighed. "It’s so unlike him not to answer his phone, especially when he knows Tammy’s so close. It’s not the kind of seminary where they can’t have their phones, I don’t think...”
“He could have just been in the bathroom or somethin’,” Declan reassured her. “I’m on it. Don’t worry.”
She shifted on the bench, feeling really uncomfortable. At first she thought she must have missed a puddle, but when she looked down her nagging fear was confirmed.
“I’m actually very worried right now,” she said, feeling the color drain out of her face. “Are you still at home?”
“Yeah, just about to jump in the truck. Why?”
She took a deep breath. “Because I’m pretty sure my water just broke as well.”
“We’re on our way.” If Declan was worried, he didn’t let it show in his voice. Bless his heart.
“Can you make sure you bring Myles and Matthew?” Rosie asked, her own anxiety starting to climb by the second. “And call your parents?”
“Yes,” Declan promised. She heard the truck rumble to life in the background. He had this. Declan would sort it all out. She was sure of it.
Meanwhile, the orderly had come back out to finish mopping up and noticed that Rosie now had a pool at her feet.
“I’m… just gonna go get another wheelchair,” he told Rosie, before making a one-eighty.
“See you soon,” she told Declan, not wanting to hang up the phone. “Love y’all…”
