New York - The Novel

problem.”
    She was a little bit scared. But only he would have known it.
    “Bit of an interruption to your meeting,” he joked. “You couldn’t ask the baby to reschedule?”
    “I guess not.” She smiled. “Obstinate like his mother.”
    “Did you call your mom and dad?” Her parents had retired to Florida recently.
    “Yes. I promised to call again, afterward. And you?”
    Gorham’s mother lived in Florida too.
    “I didn’t have time yet.”
    A nurse appeared with pale blue scrubs. Gorham put them on. He wondered what to do with his watch. He didn’t want to leave it in the room, he’d rather keep it with him. The scrubs had a pocket, so he put the watch in there.
    Dr. Caruso came back and examined the patient. A big smile.
    “Well, well. You don’t waste any time. I’ll return shortly.”
    Gorham went to Maggie’s side and took her hand.
    “All right?”
    Maggie had refused an epidural. Typical Maggie. She was going to do it all herself, without help, in her own way.
    “Okay,” said Gorham. He went to the foot of the bed and looked at her severely. “I guess it’s time you learned how to breathe.”

    The first breathing lesson had taken place three months ago. Husbands and wives were supposed to go together, so that they could learn to practice as a team. It was all part of being a modern husband and father, and he was fine with that. They’d gathered in a little conference room at the hospital. He and another father got there first. The nurse who was giving the class arrived a couple of minutes afterward. Then they waited.
    After five minutes, the nurse asked where their wives were. After ten she started to get cross. The other man, a small, balding guy of about his own age, sighed and looked at him.
    “What’s your wife do?”
    “Lawyer. And you?”
    “Mine’s an investment banker.”
    They’d both turned to the nurse.
    “We’d better start without them,” they said.
    Now that Maggie had made partner, the pressure wasn’t quite so bad. But if anyone thought she was going to break off an important meeting to go to a breathing class …
    And she hadn’t. Not to the first, nor the second. The third time, she did turn up. The nurse hadn’t been too happy, but Gorham didn’t mind—he was getting pretty good at breathing by now.
    “Okay,” said the nurse, looking bleakly at Maggie. “The key is to get a rhythm going that helps you to relax. You’re going to learn to breathe in, on RE … count one … two … three … four … and LAX … RE … one … two … three … LAX. As the contractions get a little closer, we may want to speed it up a bit. So, just follow your husband now while he gives you the time. And RE … one … two …”
    The duty nurse’s head appeared round the door. “There’s a call for a Ms. O’Donnell,” she said.
    “Would you please tell them she’ll call back later?” said the nurse.
    “I’m afraid,” said Maggie, “I’ll have to take that.” She started toward the door.
    “Would you please sit down?” The nurse’s voice was rising in anger.
    “Sorry,” said Maggie as she reached the door.
    “This is your baby,” screamed the nurse.
    Maggie turned, glanced lovingly at Gorham, and gave the nurse a brilliant smile.
    “Don’t worry,” she said. “We’re a great team. He’ll breathe, and I’ll have the baby.”

    “Breathe … two … three … Push,” said Gorham and the doctor. “Breathe … two … three … Push.”
    “Push now …” said the doctor. “Good girl … that’s it … almost there … push … hard as you can …”
    “Aagh,” screamed Maggie.
    Dr. Caruso wasn’t talking now. He was busy. He was pulling the baby out.
    “One more time,” he called. Maggie gave another scream …
    Gorham stared. Dr. Caruso took a step back. The baby cried out. Caruso smiled.
    “Congratulations. You have a son.”
    So that was it.
    A few minutes later the doctor remarked to them both: “I see you both went to the breathing classes. Good job.”
    Gorham looked at Maggie, and Maggie looked at Gorham.
    “Absolutely,” said Maggie.

    So everything was all right. After a while Maggie wanted to rest for a few hours, so Gorham decided to go back to the apartment. He took off the scrubs and the nurse told him to drop them into the chute that went down to the laundry. He got his things together, and prepared to leave. He was just about to walk off the floor with Dr. Caruso when he realized what he’d done.
    “Shoot. I