excerpt
But there were more important things on her mind at this moment.
Miss McMurtry stood near the head of the table, injecting the
contents of a syringe into the intravenous tubing in Jeannette’s arm.
Tyne whispered to her, “Why is the Paediatric resident here?”
Miss McMurtry motioned her to one side. “There are signs of fetal
distress. The heart rate has dropped dramatically. Dr. Kendall called
Dr. Baldwin for extra assurance.”
Tyne felt the blood drain from her face. Oh, God, don’t let Jeannette’s
baby die. Please let it be all right. Holy Mary, Mother of God,
help her. Help the doctors. Keep the baby safe ….
Tyne did not realize she had closed her eyes until they popped
open when she heard Jeannette call her name. She leaned over and
looked into the young woman’s frightened eyes. “Is the baby all right?
Tyne, what’s happening? Where’s Guy? Did he get here?”
Tyne searched for the right words. Mother of God, help me. As if in
answer to her prayer Dr. Kendall said quietly, “You’re doing fine, Mrs.
Aubert, but you have to help us. The baby will soon be here. Okay,
now push with this contraction. Bear down now, that’s a girl … keep
it up … you’re doing fine ….”
His voice was gentle and soothing, and Tyne could see the calming
effect it had on Jeannette. No wonder Curly felt the way she did
about him.
Jeannette gave one piercing cry, then bore down with what seemed
to be her last ounce of strength. Her swollen abdomen grew rigid,
her features contorted. The room suddenly became quiet. Tyne, her
eyes riveted on Dr. Kendall’s gloved hands as they worked to deliver
the baby, was aware of the tension around her. She saw the baby’s
head appear slowly, the face blue and bloated, and the umbilical cord
wrapped around the neck.
Please, Jesus, have mercy, don’t let this baby die.
Dr. Kendall’s agile fingers worked quickly but gently to free the
cord even as Jeannette made one last effort and the baby slipped out
onto the delivery table. “Suction,” he said, his voice clipped but still
quiet. Dr. Tingle had been standing ready with the suction tube in
her hand. With one deft movement she turned on the machine, and
slipped the tiny catheter into the infant’s mouth. There was a soft
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