15
Grace
Iwas in dire need of groceries so that was how I found myself at the local Midnight Pack and Grab with a basket full of crap I didn't need. It didn't help it was in the middle of the night and that was when all the cravings for bad things were the worst. So far my cart was filled with Cheetos, Twinkies, Zebra Cakes and two cartons of ice cream. All stuff that would in no way impede me fitting into my shorts later next week.
I was rolling on by about to reach out and grab another box of processed goodness when a heavily pregnant woman caught my eye. She smiled prettily at me and waved, and just as I was about to wave back, a frown wrinkled her brow, followed by a grimace and a pained bend at the waist.
Oh my freaking god.
"Ma'am?" I looked around. We were the only two losers in the store this late at night. Of course. I abandoned my cart and hurried over to her.
She was breathing heavily and groaning.
"Oh my goodness. You're in labor. Holy shit."
The woman reached out and took my arm in a death grip. "Help me," she hissed. A sheet of shiny, dark hair fell across her face.
I plundered through my purse and reached for my cell. "I'll call the hospital."
"No!" The woman slapped the cell out of my hand sending it clattering to the ground. "No hospital." She turned her face up to me. "Please." She bent over again in pain. "It's a very painful and difficult story. But please. Take me back to my house."
"I think that's a terrible idea!"
She let go of my arm and started to reach for her cart to hold her upright. "You're trying to leave? Are you serious, crazy lady? Where are you going to go? The alley?" I rolled my eyes and whispered some terrible curse words under my breath. "You want to give your baby tetanus before he's even an hour old?"
What passed for a smile flickered on her face. "If you get involved in this there's no walking away."
I rolled my eyes. "What is with people in this town and all this cryptic nonsense?" I shrugged. "Your funeral, lady. I'm documenting all of this so you can't sue me later." I pointed up. "This store has cameras, too." I waved at them. "See, I'm friendly and assisting you."
The woman let out another soft groan. "For the love of the gods." I took her by the hand and let her throw an arm around my waist to steady herself. "Let's go."
I managedto wrangle the pregnant woman into my car. I rushed around to the other side and started the vehicle, but hesitated before I pulled out of the parking lot. "I strongly suggest you go to the hospital."
By now the woman's face was white with pain. "No. Home. Please."
I shook my head but pulled out of the store lot. "Is anyone there?"
She shook her head. "My doctor hasn't shown up in weeks. I don't know where she is."
I took my foot off the gas. "And what, pray tell, are you going to do when you get home?" I stared at her in abject disbelief. "Because taking a mirror and trying to see your hooha is not going to help you deliver that baby."
She snorted with laughter and abruptly whimpered. "I don't know what I'm going to do. I just know that I can't have this baby in a hospital."
My gaze drifted to her stomach. An alien hand wasn't punching out of it, so I wasn't sure why she was so worried. "Why not?"
Her lips pressed together. "I can't tell you."
"Listen, lady -"
"Marissa."
"Listen, Marissa. That's a pretty name, you weirdo. You're about to spill amniotic fluid all over my car, so the least you can do is tell me why the hell you aren't screaming into the hospital asking for enough drugs to take down a mule."
"It's dangerous to know."
"Then it's dangerous for me to have you in the car with me, but I'm not going to pull over to the side of the road and kick a pregnant lady out!"
"What's your name?" she asked.
