As soon as my dad opens the door, I know something is wrong.
Or not wrong exactly buthappening. There is a charged energy in Jenna and Marty’s narrow entryway and it only notches up a little when my ma’s small frame rushes down the stairs towards us.
“Oh, Maeve. Thank Christ, you’re here. I told your father to call you but he said you were on your way anyway so it would only worry you but then I was thinking to myself, but what if she gets stuck in traffic? What if you decide to take Loncey on a little detour of all your childhood haunts? What if you didn’t get here until it was too late and you didn’t have a clue what was going on?!” Mum is standing in front of me now, her cheeks red with exertion and her hands on her narrow hips. I have both my parents to thank for my lean limbs but only my father deserves credit for my height as Ma is a little over five feet, although her personality more than makes up for it.
“The thing is, Ma, I still don’t have a fecking clue what is going on.” I put my hands on her shoulders as if to ground her. Then I pull her into a hug and over her shoulder, turn to Loncey. “And don’t worry, there will be no such tour of my childhood haunts.”
Loncey smiles at me and rocks on their heels until Ma finally seems to realise she is yet to be formally introduced.
“Oh goodness, where are my manners?” She steps back from me and holds out her hand. “I’m Cynthia. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Loncey.”
“And you, Cynthia.” Loncey shakes my mother’s hand and offers her one of their most dazzling smiles.
“Grand, well, now that’s done, I think we should get the car ready. James?”
“To go where?” I ask, utterly confused. “We only just got here. Where are Jenna and Marty?”
“Upstairs,” Da says and I realise it’s the first time he’s spoken despite answering the door. “Jenna’s in labour.”
“Jenna’s in what?!” My mouth falls open.
“The baby’s on her way,” he confirms and while he sounds calm, there’s a very deep frown on his forehead.
“But it’s too early… it’s too soon. Why isn’t she at the hospital?”
“It all happened so fast,” Ma explains. “We just got here not half an hour ago and she was having some pain so was having a lie-down and Marty was making us a coffee, but then she thought she needed to pee and her water broke and she’s still stuck on the toilet now.”
“Jesus,” I say. “Where’s her doula?”
“Marty just called their doula but she is already with another client right now so she can’t even make it. Jenna’s that early she’s not even on call for her birth yet. And her back-up is at home with three kids who have a tummy bug.” Ma brings her hand to her temple and starts rubbing away at the skin there. “She says she can’t move right now. The pain’s too much.”
“Then call an ambulance!” I practically yell.
“That’s what I said we should do!” Mam shoots daggers at Dad with her eyes.
“I just think we should wait for Marty and Jenna to decide what to do,” Da says, hands held out in defence. “We were all panicking and I just wanted us to calm down a bit.”
I’m not surprised that was what Dad wanted. He has long been the voice of calm and reason in our family but I feel like time could really be of the essence right now.
“Ma! Ma!” Marty’s frantic voice thunders from above.
“What is it?” Mum takes a few steps up.
“We need an ambulance,” Marty says appearing at the top of the stairs looking as pale as a ghost and like he’s about to burst into tears.
“Oh, Jesus, no,” Mam says, full of doom. She grabs hold of the banister for support.
“No, I think it’s okay,” he tries to smile. “At least I hope it is. But the baby’s coming. Now.”
“What?” Dad and I chorus.
“Jenna… she wants to push.”
Right on cue, a stomach-curdling groan comes from the bathroom and Marty rushes back to Jenna.
“Oh, Jesus,” I mumble and feel a cool wave of panic rush over me.
“Mother of God,” Dad whispers.
