Rodent Society Journal

This is a story idea that may or may not flesh out into something larger.  Would love to know what you think, if anyone reads this thing accepting myself, of course.

There was a strange pain like an increasing ache in my lower back.  I moved around the small apartment that had a moldy, wet quality to it.  The pain continued, not increasing but not going away either as I fried rice and ate it for lunch, as I drank Kool-Aid, as I attempted to forget it was happening.  Around 11:00 AM, I woke him up.

"It's time."
"Are you sure?"
"No.  But I want to go anyway."

Entering the hospital felt intimidating.  We entered through the ER and sat at a booth to get registered.  They put me in a wheelchair when I told them why I was there.  I felt small and short in the wheelchair, and out of control.  I was wheeled into a small room that the staff had attempted to make pleasant, with a rocker, wall paper, soft cushions.  The attendant came in and asked me to change into a gown, an examination would be given.  They take your clothes from you when you go to prison as well;  it's like becoming a patient in a hospital steals your identity, a bit.

He peered at me anxiously while the nurse violated me with rubber gloved hands.  I grimaced and twisted.

"When was your last doctor's appointment?"
"Wednesday."  Today was Friday.
"What were you dilated to at that time?"
"3".  I didn't remember this at all, but it seemed like she expected me to know this information.  I plucked a number from the thin air.

"You are still at 3.  We are going to keep you here and watch you for awhile.  Can I get you anything to make you comfortable?".

"No, I think I am OK."

She looked at me with eyes that were measured, honest, a bit cold.

"If you go into labor, it will be a long time before you can eat.  Are you sure I can't get you anything?".

"I'm sure."

My body didn't want food.  My body wanted to get this over with.  I watched television with him and waited.  We made cautious jokes and worried together;  the benefit of a companion.  The hours passed and the nurse came to examine me again.  My body began to open, wider and wider to prepare for what was coming.

"I think we are going to have a baby today".  Her cheeriness felt strange, out of place, in this context.  I could tell she wasn't comfortable with caring for me, having to forgo her usual cheer.