33

A white bolt of lightning slashed the sky like a fiery sword. Sarah cringed, waiting for the thunder. In an instant its fury was unleashed in a loud, explosive blast. A low rolling rumble followed, rattling the huge tower windows above the gallery. Over one hundred feet in the air was a terribly frightening place of refuge during the massive storm.

“Mama! Mama! Another one’s coming!” Louise screamed and leaned forward. Sweat slid down her crimson cheeks.

Grace’s arms were wrapped tightly around knees pulled up to her chest.

Sarah hugged Rex.

The lighthouse stairs began filling with weary storm survivors.

Mama placed her hand on Louise’s round belly. “All right, honey. You just squeeze Melvin’s hands as hard as you can. It’s almost time to push. Just hang in there a little bit longer, sweetheart.”

“You’re doing a great job, Louise.” Melvin squeaked the words out.

Sarah moved from Rex’s side and knelt by Mama at the business end of the birth. She handed Mama whatever she asked for, vowing never to get pregnant as long as she lived. She’d heard how beautiful and natural the birth process was supposed to be, but after this day she would question that notion. It was one thing to watch a cow give birth. Seeing it happen to one’s flesh and blood sister was another thing all together.

“Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!” Louise hollered with each panting breath.

“That’s right, honey, blow it out. That pain means the baby’s almost here. Don’t push yet, all right?” Mama’s voice cracked and a tear rolled down her cheek.

Wind hit the lighthouse with unrelenting gusts. Sarah was knocked over from her kneeling position.

Louise released a bloodcurdling scream followed by heart wrenching sobs.

Rex whimpered from where he sat across the room with Grace.

“Shh, shh, everything’ll be all right.” Melvin stroked his wife’s hair away from her face.

“Mama?” Sarah whispered, half panicked. “Is she going to be all right?”

“She’s ready. Tear a strip of cloth from that rag. Make sure the knife is close where I can find it, and put those baby blankets right here.” She patted the floor beside her.

“I’ve got to push!”

Mama put her hands on Louise’s knees. “Don’t push yet, honey, just one more minute. Sarah, get over there with Melvin. I want one of you on each side of Louise. Get your shoulder in behind her so she can push against you.”

For the first time since Daddy died, the strong, brave woman her mama used to be returned. God was there with them.

Mama rubbed Louise’s knee. “Well, Melvin, are you ready to be a daddy?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“All right now, honey, whenever you’re ready you can start pushing.”

Louise didn’t waste any time. She planted her feet and pushed. Her body went limp. She panted; exhaustion was setting in.

“Come on, honey! Push! I can see the head!” Mama spoke firmly to her daughter. “I need you to give me one more big push so we can get this baby’s head out.”

“I don’t want to do this anymore,” Louise cried in anguish, shaking her head. “I can’t!”

“Well, you don’t have any choice.” Mama looked at Sarah and Melvin. “When the next pain comes, I’ll count to three, and you two help her push. Ya hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Sarah answered.

Melvin nodded and sniffed; his eyes brimmed with tears.

“It’s coming!” Louise yelled.

“One, two…three, push!”

“Good, good! Keep going a little more!” Mama called to Louise. “The head is out.”

Sarah craned her neck for a glimpse of the baby’s head. A reddish orb covered with dark wet wisps of hair came into view. Perhaps the baby looked like his side of the family.

“You’re doing a wonderful job, my love. I’m so very proud of you,” Melvin said.

Lightning filled the room with white light. The clap of thunder followed. It no longer drew their attention as it had before. There was a more important matter at hand.

“All right, now, honey, it’s time to get this baby out. Give me one more big push!” Mama instructed.

Louise released a deep, throaty holler, her face scrunching up.

“Good girl, Louise…push!” Mama yelled.

And seconds later, the baby was born.

Louise collapsed against Sarah and Melvin.

“Is everything all right?” Melvin’s voice was anxious.

The baby’s cry was a soft little noise that was barely heard above the raging storm.

Mama looked up with tears streaming down her face. “It’s a boy.”

“Give him to me.” Louise held up weak, shaky arms.

Mama quickly put him on the blankets. She used the topmost blanket to wipe him off. His cries grew louder as she rubbed his tiny body.

Gazing at his face brought tears to Sarah’s eyes. She was an aunt.

Swaddled tightly in the remaining blankets, Mama picked him up, kissed his forehead and handed him to Louise.

Louise lay back against Melvin, and they examined every facet of their baby’s little red face.

Grace looked at her new nephew. “Oh, Louise, he’s so beautiful!”

Melvin gently kissed Louise’s red cheeks. She reached her hand up and put her palm on the side of his face.

Sarah was moved by the love that flowed between them.

Someone knocked on the floor hatch on the floor and raised it slightly. Rex barked at the intruder. Grace motioned for Guy to come in.

Sarah went to one of the porthole-shaped windows to look out. Lightning lit up the sky, allowing a glimpse of the surroundings below. Nothing but rushing water covered the entire peninsula. Her heart grieved. She brushed tears off her cheeks and looked at her family. Louise had Melvin. Grace had Guy. Even Mama had her new grandson. Sarah was alone. Father, please protect Frederick. Thunder rolled, rattling the glass. She put her hand on the cold surface. It’s hopeless. No one could survive out in this storm. Sarah bowed her head against her arm. Oh, Lord, if it be Your will, please light the way that I might see him one more time.