Free Emily Taylor - The Teenage Mum by Vi Grim Page B

after Zula's mum, perfect. Caroline Nwella
Taylor.
'How do we get a birth
certificate?' I ask.
'Birth certificate, why?' says
Jesus.
'Everyone needs a birth
certificate; it means they can get a passport.'
'It's all a load of rubbish.
The only sensible reason for having a birth certificate would be if
you get banged on the head and forgot who you are. If your mum
wrote you name on the inside of your jumper, you'd be just fine.
Teroids love control. Papers mean control, they use them to make
sure you pay tax. It would be a lot easier if they just branded you
or implanted a microchip when you were born.'
'But I want one.'
Jesus gives in, 'Okay, I'll
make you up a nice little certificate; Caroline Nwella Taylor was
born on Camillo at 11 minutes past 11 on the morning of 17th
December 2012.'
    'It's done,'
says Castor. 'A nd by the way,
congratulations from Pollux and me. We want to see her soon. Do
come and visit.'
     
I wrap her in my dark red shawl
to keep her warm and put her back against my boob. I'm still
shaking from the effort of squishing her out. I'm going to need
clothes for her. I don't want designer stuff. I want simple clothes
like Mum uses for her baby. Just for the winter, when it's warm in
the summer, she can run around naked.
'We can sort that out when you
come and visit,' says Castor.
I must be thinking loudly.
     
'Florence, do I need to feed
her?'
'She's already feeding; the
milk won't come right away but should be on tap in a day or two.
Your milk is all she needs. We'll just need to make sure you eat
well and stay healthy. I'll stay and help for a few days, there'll
be lots of little things that need sorting out.'
'And what about her going to
the toilet?'
'Good question,' says Florence.
'She'll go, there's no problem there. It's just a question of how
you clean up the mess. I recommend starched cotton nappies.'
They sound a bit stiff and
Victorian to me. Personally I like the idea of disposable ones but
when I was in the desert I didn't see babies wearing anything at
all. I'll check things out when we're up visiting the moons.
     
Whaa, whaa, whaa.
She wants attention. I've been
too busy talking and worrying about things and not looking after
her. I give her a little kiss and hold her tight. She's all covered
with blood and gunge; we'll have to clean her up.
Suddenly I have another
contraction and the placenta pops out.
Yuck!
Florence inspects it closely
and when she's happy it's all there, she sends Jesus out to bury it
amongst my roses. I'm glad to see it go, I don't want it sitting in
the fridge or cooked up with Bolognese sauce.
     
I'm absolutely bushed.
I sit back against the pillow
and look in wonder at my little baby.
Jesus brings me a cup of sweet,
milky tea and a couple of biscuits. Just what the doctor
ordered!

 
     
     
12
     
It's a bit of a shock being a
mum. I've had quite a challenge looking after myself these last few
years and now I have someone else to look after too. Her fragile
life is in my clumsy hands.
     
It's great having Florence
here. She's quite severe and a little scary but her no-nonsense
approach to motherhood is just what is needed. We'll start off
doing things her way. I can always change later.
I'll like to go and visit
Castor and Pollux but I'd better wait until Florence has gone. She
would freak if she saw me teleport, that's something for gods and
aliens.
     
After a week, Florence says,
'Emily, I really must go, my patients need me. Take care and don't
hesitate to call if you need help. If you need a governess I could
ask that Poppins woman. Let me know.'
I thank her, give her a hug and
say goodbye, then Jesus takes her on her way.
     
As soon as they go, young
Caroline and me go visiting. So it doesn't look like I have any
favourites, we visit Pollux first. Caroline has her father's dark
skin, thick black hair and green brown eyes. To start with, she's
scared of Pollux's huge round eyes but after he winks and smiles at
her, she looks at him, fascinated, then hides her