CHAPTER FORTY–EIGHT–A Test of Loyalties
As they reclined on chaise lounges, sipping detox water and waiting for their first treatments, Jessie turned to Laura. “So, want to talk about what’s really bothering you? I have a feeling it’s more than just a bad interview”
Laura hesitated, weighing how much to reveal. “It’s… complicated. There’s this guy.”
“Aha!” Jessie exclaimed. “Ilonew there had to be a man involved.”
Laura couldn’t help
Chicago in college.”
chuckle at her roommate’s enthusiasm. “Yes, there’s a man. His name is Ryan. We… knew each other back in
“And now he’s here in New York?” Jessie prompted.
Laura nodded. “He works at Sivarra Tech, actually. That’s why I was so keen on getting that interview.”
“Oh honey,” Jessie said sympathetically. “You were trying to get a job just to be close to him?”
“It sounds pathetic when you put it like that,” Laura admitted. “But I thought if I could just see him again, talk to him….
“What happened between you two?” Jessie asked gently.
Laura swallowed hard, choosing her words carefully. “We had a connection. But the timing wasn’t right. I thought moving to New York might be my second chance.”
Jessie reached over and squeezed Laura’s hand. “Listen, you’ve only been in the city for what, a week? There’s plenty of time to figure things out. And hey, even if it doesn’t work out with this Ryan guy, New York is full of eligible bachelors.”
“You’re right,” Laura said, feeling a weight lift from her chest. “I shouldn’t pin all my hopes on one person.”
“Exactly,” Jessie nodded. “Now, let’s focus on getting pampered and forgetting about men for a few hours.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur of massages, facials, and mani–pedis. By the time Laura and Jessie left the spa, both women felt refreshed and rejuvenated.
“I have to admit,” Laura said as they walked back to their apartment, “this was exactly what I needed. Thanks for suggesting it.”
Jessie grinned. “Anytime, roomie. That’s what friends are for.”
As they approached their building, laughing about a story Jessie had just shared about a disastrous date, a piercing scream cut through the early evening air. Laura and Jessie froze, exchanging alarmed looks.
“That came from inside,” Laura said, her heart racing.
They rushed into the lobby, where they found their neighbor, Samantha, doubled over near the mailboxes. Her face was contorted in pain, and a puddle of liquid was forming at her feet.
“Samantha! Jessie exclaimed, hurrying to her side, “What’s wrong?”
Samantha looked up, her eyes wide with panic. “My water broke,” she gasped out between labored breaths. “The baby’s coming!!
Laura’s mind raced. “Okay, let’s get you to the hospital. Can you walk?”
Samantha nodded, gritting her teeth. Laura and Jessie each took one of her arms, slowly guiding her towards the elevator. But when Laura pressed the call button, nothing happened.
“No, no, no,” Jessie muttered, jabbing the button repeatedly. “Don’t tell me…”
Laura spotted a handwritten sign taped to the elevator doors: “OUT OF ORDER. MAINTENANCE SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Laura groaned.
Samantha let out another cry of pain. “I don’t think I can make it down the stairs,” she panted.
I
Panic started to set in as the reality of the situation hit them. They were going to have to deliver this baby right here in the lobby.
“What do we do?” Jessie asked, her voice rising with anxiety.
Before Laura could respond, the door to the stairwell creaked open. Mrs. Cheyenne, their elderly neighbor from the second floor, emerged, leaning heavily on her cane.
“What’s all this commotion?” Mrs. Cheyenne asked, surveying the scene.
Mrs.
- s. Cheyenne!” Laura exclaimed. “Samantha’s in labor, and the elevator’s out. We don’t know what to do!”
To their surprise, Mrs. Cheyenne’s face lit up with a determined smile. “Well, you’re in luck, girls. I used to be a midwife back in my
day”
With surprising swiftness for her age, Mrs. Cheyenne made her way over to Samantha. “How far apart are your contractions, dear?”
“About… five minutes,” Samantha managed between gasps.
Mrs. Cheyenne nodded. “Alright, we’ve got some time, but not much. Let’s get her comfortable.”
Under Mrs. Cheyenne’s direction, Laura and Jessie helped Samantha to a nearby bench. Jessie ran to grab cushions from the lobby’s
armchairs to make her more comfortable.
you to
“Now,” Mrs. Cheyenne said, her voice calm but authoritative, “Jessie, I need you to run up to Samantha’s apartment and
clean towels and a blanket.”
Jessie nodded, sprinting for the stairs.
ah some
“Laura,” Mrs. Cheyenne continued, “go to my apartment – 28. In the hall closet, you’ll find a red duffel bag. Bring it down here.”
As Laura hurried off, she heard Mrs. Cheyenne speaking soothingly to Samantha. “You’re doing great, dear. Just remember your breathing.”
Laura found the bag exactly where Mrs. Cheyenne had said it would be. When she returned to the lobby, she was out of breath but filled with a sense of purpose.
Mrs. Cheyenne rummaged through the bag, pulling out various supplies. “I always kept an emergency kit, just in case,” she explained. “Old habits die hard.”
Jessie returned with an armful of towels and a soft blanket. Under Mrs. Cheyenne’s guidance, they arranged them around Samantha.
“Alright,” Mrs. Cheyenne said, “Laura, you’re on hand–holding duty. Samantha needs someone to coach her through this. Jessie, you’ll be my assistant.”
Laura took her position next to Samantha, gripping her hand. “You’ve got this,” she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
Samantha managed a weak smile before another contraction hit. She squeezed Laura’s hand so hard that Laura had to bite back a yelp of pain.
“Remember your breathing,” Laura coached, demonstrating the technique they’d seen in movies. “In through your nose, out through your mouth.”
As the next hour unfolded, the lobby became a flurry of activity. Jessie ran back and forth, fetching hot water, more towels, and anything else Mrs. Cheyenne requested. Laura stayed by Samantha’s side, offering words of encouragement and letting her her hand through each contraction.
Mrs. Cheyenne remained a calm presence throughout, checking Samantha’s progress and giving clear instructions.
“The contractions are getting closer together,” Mrs. Cheyenne announced after what felt like an eternity. “It won’t be long now.”
Samantha let out a groan of pain and fear. “I can’t do this,” she sobbed. “It hurts too much.”
squeeze
Laura leaned in close, her voice firm but gentle. “Yes, you can, Samantha. You’re the strongest person in this room right now. Your baby needs you to be brave for just a little longer.”
Samantha nodded, tears streaming down her face. As the next contraction hit, she bore down, her face turning red with the effort. “That’s it!” Mrs. Cheyenne encouraged. “I can see the head. One more big push!”
