Lucky Me

The next day, I got up early to walk near the beach. My doctor advised me to have frequent walks so I can give birth easily. I'm so excited to see Athena. One month more and I will be able to hug her. The place is so calm and listening to the sound of the waves and the chirping birds make me love me love this place more. Marshville is more than 500 miles away from my city and I never imagined myself to be in such a place until my retirement.

After an hour of walking, I went back to the apartment and found Danny setting up the table for breakfast.

"Good morning madam. I bought some eggs and bacon from the store downstairs while you are out. You need to eat breakfast."

"Thank you, Danny and please, call me Joan. We need to go grocery shopping later. We have a lot of things to buy. Please don't hesitate to get what you want and need, I will pay everything. I put you in this mess so I have to take care of you."

"I don't regret coming here with you. This place is so good although I have to admit quite boring but I will get used to it. Don't worry about me."

"Thank you so much Danny. I don't know what to do without you."

"Stop saying thank you, Joan. I have to get used to calling you with your name. As you said, we are now a family and stop being so emotional, you might start crying again."

These are the times I feel that I am still so lucky with the people around me. I may not be lucky with the man I chose to love but I am the luckiest with the friends I meet.

After breakfast, we prepared to go out when someone knocked on the door. It was Dorothy and some women her age.

"Good morning, Joan. I hope we are not disturbing you. I told them they don't need to come here but they really want to meet you. We have some things for you, Danny and your baby." They handed many bags filled with different stuff.

Dorothy introduced the ladies and I can't remember their names exactly. They were all smiling.

"I have some extra blankets at home. You can have them," says one.

"I have some baby clothes from my first granddaughter since she stayed with us when she was a baby. Luckily, I didn't throw them away. You can use them so you won't buy new ones anymore," says another.

"I and other grannies chipped in some money to buy diapers and feeding bottles."

I was overwhelmed with everyone of them and I didn't realize I was already crying. Coming to this place is the best decision I have done so far in my life.

"Don't cry, Joan. You are making all of us cry too. If you need anything, you can always come to any of us and we are willing to help you. We have also talked to the sheriff about your situation and he promised not to tell anyone about you and he will help us in protecting you."

"I saw your picture in the newspaper this morning and .."

"Stop it Martha. You're talking nonsense!" A woman stopped her from giving more information.

"Thank you, everyone. I'm speechless. I don't really know I can repay all your kindness."

"Just let us visit your baby everyday when you give birth. We are so excited to meet your baby," says one of the women.

"That's correct." They chorused.

"Her name is Athena Gabriel. You can call her Athena."

"Oh, it's a girl. I can't wait to see her running around this village." Dorothy said.

"That will be a year or two from now. Don't be too futuristic," snapped one woman.

"Anyway, we don't want to take much of your time since I know you want to do many things today. We will go now. Don't hesitate to ask for help, dear. You are now our family."

"Thank you so much. I'm so happy that God brought me in this place."

After they left, I and Danny hugged each other and we both cried.

"You are now safe, Joan. You should stop worrying about anything. You and baby Athena can live peacefully now."

"Thank you, Danny. I am overwhelmed with all the help I am getting from everyone."

She slapped my shoulder after what I have said.

"Ouch! What is that for?" I said smiling.

"I will do that again if you don't stop thanking me. Don't forget, you still promise to pay me so helping you is my job."

"Haha! Let's go shopping now before we cry again."

We were driven by John to the grocery store. We declined his offer at first but he was so insistent in driving us there. He said although this place is small, going around is not that easy since there is no available public transportation so most homes have either a car, motorbike or a bicycle for them to go from one place to another easily. The only public transport that brings people from Marshville to other cities and vice versa is the old train that runs once a day.

John dropped us off in the grocery store and promise to come back after he did his errands. He also made us promise to wait for him just in case we finish shopping before he comes back.

We got all the things we need from the store: shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, laundry soap and bath soap, slippers, some frozen goods like ham, bacon and sausage, eggs, some vegetables and a lot of biscuits and crackers. John said we can buy vegetables and meat from a roving store that sells fresh vegetables and meat daily.

After we got what we need, we moved to the store next to it which is a small clothing store. We got undies and shirts since we couldn't bring many clothes with us. Danny kept asking me from time to time whether I have enough money for these purchases, reminding me that we have to save money but I am so prepared for this time. I have enough cash from my online sales and I closed my savings account a long time ago. I also withdrew money from Geoff's card so I'm sure we can survive for a year or two without working.

After shopping, we met John in front of the store and headed home.

While on our way, I could feel a slight pain from my tummy which I tried to ignore since it is tolerable. I don't want to panic and tried to calm myself down. I read a lot of stories from social media that some women had to be sent back home by their doctors because their babies are not yet ready to go out. I'm thinking this is just an example of those instances.

When we arrived in the apartment, I had to take a rest taking each step on the stairs. It doesn't only make me feel tired climbing up but also gives me more pain every time I take a step. Luckily, John helped us bring our purchases upstairs. Dorothy also came out to help us.

"Are you okay, dear?" Dorothy asked when she saw me inhaling deeply.

"I'm okay. I was just tired walking for walking for three hours in the store."

"Do you feel pain?" She asked.

"A little, but it's tolerable." She ran immediately upstairs to bring the bags of stuff and came back after 5 minutes with a bag. She is now with Danny who looks tense.

"Let's go to the hospital. I think you will give birth. John, honey, we need to go to the hospital now!"

John rushed to us and got the bag while Danny and Dorothy held both my arms and lead me to the car. I wanted to protest at first since I think I can still manage the pain but as time goes by, the pain becomes more and more unbearable.

Will I see Athena soon? Please hang in there baby, we are on our way to the hospital.