Free A Constant Reminder by Lolah Lace Page A

weeks.”
    “That’s soon.”
    “Yeah...I hear you already have a good job?” Roxanne had heard it from big mouth Erika.
    “That company I interned with last summer. They hired me.”
    “That’s great.”
    “You got any plans?”
    “Well I plan to drop my load first.” Roxanne rubbed her pregnant belly.
    “Good idea.” Quincy chuckled showing all his perfect teeth.
    They shared a warm smile. Roxanne palmed her stomach with one hand. She smiled at him to fill the silence.
    “Quincy good luck. I mean that.”
    “Same to you, with the baby, with everything.” Quincy reached over Roxanne’s stomach to give her a hug followed by kiss on the cheek. Erika watched from the corner of her eyes. She always thought Quincy was fine and Roxanne said he was working with a supersized manhood so she wondered why Roxanne always played him to the left. It was apparent he still had a thing for her even though she was pregnant.
    Erika approached Roxanne while Margaret fumbled with the new digital camera she didn’t truly know how to operate. She sopped watching Margaret when she started going through her purse in search of something.
    “Woo, I saw that kiss on the cheek.”
    “It was more like a peck.” Roxanne rolled her eyes. She wasn’t in the mood.
    “Whatever, you know he still likes you right.”
    “No he doesn’t. He is dating Keisha. They are a couple now. I know you know that because you’re the one that told me.”
    “Girl please. He still likes you.”
    “I’m not thinking about him or any guy.”
    “Maybe you should.”
    “Roxy is about to be a mother.” Margaret’s voice chimed in from out of nowhere. “She doesn’t have time for men. So Erika don’t fill my daughter’s head with that mess. She will have time for these nappy head Negros soon enough.” Margaret rolled her eyes at Erika.
    “Why they got to be nappy head?” Erika mumbled to Roxanne for her ears only. “Yo’ mama ig-nant.” Roxanne chuckled at Erika’s true assessment.
    “You girls want some gum?” Margaret asked.
    “No mom I want food. I’m hungry.”
    Erika looked down at Roxanne’s belly. “Tell us something we don’t already know?”
    “Stop trying to come for me.”
     
    ***
     
    Right on schedule Roxanne went into labor. Her mother drove her to the hospital emergency room. Erika showed up just before it was time for her friend to deliver. Roxanne had been pregnant so long that she was eager to rid herself of her extra load.
    Roxanne lay on the table in the birthing room with her mother, Dr. Chase and two nurses. Her labor was long and hard but Roxanne was a trooper.
    It took several attempts at pushing until Roxanne was able to deliver her baby naturally. The initial dose of Demerol wasn’t enough to help with the pain so an epidural was inevitable.
    Roxanne was first to hold her baby. Her mother was next. Roxanne couldn’t believe how profoundly emotional this had was for her. Her tears were a testament to how much she loved her daughter as soon as she laid eyes on her. The bond was formed long ago but the birth sealed her love for her baby.
    Erika refused to hold the baby. She was muttered something about her being too little.
    The hospital staff took Roxanne’s newborn and placed her on a nearby table. They checked her vitals and cleaned her off. Roxanne had a direct view of what they were doing. She was exhausted beyond belief but she couldn’t take her eyes off her newborn daughter. A nurse whisked her daughter away for further testing.
    Soon Dr. Chase was pushing on Roxanne’s stomach to remove the amniotic sac. After Roxanne was stitched up she had a few sips of water. She tried to eat something but her exhaustion sent her to sleep.
    Roxanne woke up to Erika staring down at her. “How long have you been here?” Roxanne mumbled from her dry mouth.
    “I just walked in. I just came back. Where’s your baby?”
    “The nurse took her so I could eat and get some sleep. I was so tired. I don’t know how