Labor

Pain startled me awake.

The contractions were coming a bit faster than before. It hurt so badly, I was afraid something was wrong. I think I was in an ambulance. I could hear beeping and worried voices.

“My babies,” I whispered. “Are my babies okay?”

“She’s awake!” A man announced. “Ma’am can you tell me your name?”

“I-I’m Scarlett…is everything okay? Are my babies? Oh!”

“Scarlett, you are going into labor.”

“Where’s my phone? I have to call them! My babies’ fathers need to know!”

“My name is Phillip. I know you are scared right now, but we can call them when we get to the hospital.”

“I’m not ready Phillip!” I sobbed. “Th-they’re not supposed to come this soon. Something is wrong! I-it hurts!”

“Do we have your permission to give you an epidural?” Phillip asked.

My mind was racing. Should I risk it? I was in so much pain, but what if this is just a gateway back into drugs? What if I was still too weak to handle this?

“I don’t know! I’m um…I’m an addict. I don’t think it’s good, but