Free Finding Bluefield by Elan Branehama

he’s healthy?” Nicky sat up.
    “I’m sure he’ll be. But you know there aren’t any guarantees. Is Dr. Phillips still renting from you out at the farm?”
    “She is,” Nicky said.
    “Good. It never hurts to have a doctor in the house.” Dr. Roberts stood. “Keep doing what you’re doing. This close to your due date means you should avoid trips more than an hour away from the hospital.” He sat next to Nicky. “Have you made any decisions,” he asked, “about what to do after the baby is born?”
    “What do you mean?” Nicky said.
    “I want to make sure you are aware of your options,” he said.
    “Options?”
    “It’s my professional obligation, as well as my personal responsibility to the memory of your mother and your father. With all his troubles, man still found a way to help out my father during a tough time—”
    “You’re losing me, Doc.”
    “Should you be considering giving the baby up, it’s much easier to do that without seeing the infant.”
    “I’m not giving the baby up.” Nicky took a deep breath and tried to steady her hands. “Where did you get that idea?”
    “I’m not saying you are. I just want you to know what to expect in case that’s what you decide.”
    “What circumstances?”
    “Less than optimal,” he said, facing Nicky. “Look, Nicky, I’m just concerned. And so is your sister.”
    “You spoke to Carol-Ann?”
    “She called me. She gave me the impression you wanted to know your options.”
    Nicky dressed quickly and quietly. “When did she call you?”
    “Carol-Ann was just looking out for you. It’s difficult to marry when you have a child. She said that you were also considering having her adopt the child so that he would remain in the family. That would be very nice of her.”
    “I appreciate your concern, Doc, but I am not giving up my baby. I am staying right here and raising my baby,” she said, moving toward the door. “His name will be Paul Stewart and I will teach him to farm.”
    “Like your dad. That’s nice.”
    “And that’s the only option I’m considering.”
    “I must have misunderstood Carol-Ann. You know my family feels indebted to your father.”
    “I’m sorry my sister put you in the middle of this.”
    “I must have misunderstood her. That’s the last I will ever speak of it. I don’t want you to get worked up. The important thing to focus on is that baby is doing great. You’re doing great, and the two of you will be meeting soon enough.”
    Once outside, Nicky checked the time. If she left right away, she could make Richmond and be back in time to meet Barbara for dinner. The ride would do her good, take her mind off the conversation she just had. And she could pick up a bucket of Bub’s ribs. She’d mentioned those ribs often enough that it was time Barbara had some.
    Finding the First Baptist was no longer difficult, and Nicky shut her engine in the parking lot. She waited behind the wheel, lacking the energy to get out of the car and look around. After a few minutes, Reverend Peters emerged from the chapel and walked toward her. Nicky rolled down her window.
    “Thank you for coming,” the reverend said. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
    “I’m sure.” Nicky pressed her cigarette into the astray and lit another. She was trying not to let on that she was shaking and wondering what she was doing.
    “Leroy’s going to the bus station,” the reverend said.
    “I know where that is.”
    “You’re not in a rush, so don’t speed. Needless to say, you don’t want to be stopped.”
    “I’ve never gotten a ticket.”
    “If you’re stopped, just tell them that he works for you.”
    The reverend turned and waved toward the chapel door. Two men emerged with Leroy, who they helped down the steps. A third man carried several suitcases. When they reached the car, one of the men asked for Nicky’s keys and he put Leroy’s stuff in the trunk. The other men lay some blankets on the rear floor.
    “It’ll