Family Bonds 38

Just a few miles away, Sadie and her two chipmunk companions were walking back from the gas station. Sadie was carrying the gas can while Vinny and Priscilla were walking quietly.

“Hey, girls,” Sadie said as a subtle wind blew through her hair. “Why so quiet?”

“No, reason,” Vinny said, looking up at her. “I’m just worried about the boys.”

“I’m sure you are,” Priscilla said and looked on Vinny with disdain.

“How would you know how I feel?” Vinny asked. “I love those boys. I always have.”

“You loved them so much you left them,” Priscilla fired back at her.

“And what about you?” Vinny said. “Remember what you told me back at the theater.”
Priscilla raced on ahead. Sadie was confused. “Vinny, what’s going on with Pris?”

“It’s nothing,” Vinny said and walked a few paces ahead.

Priscilla was far ahead of them. There were tears in her eyes, and she didn’t want them to see. She fought back memories that were fighting their way to the surface, memories she thought she longed buried.

Flashback

“Pris, you have to push!”

“No, I can’t,” she screamed. “It hurts too much.”

“You have to,” the midwife said, blotting the sweat off her brow. She let out another scream until she heard a tiny cry. She breathed deep and looked at the midwife.

“It’s a girl, Pris,” she said. Priscilla smiled at the tiny baby chipmunk, but no sooner did she looked upon her new offspring that another pain hit. “I can’t take it anymore.”

The midwife laid the baby in a small nest and returned to her patient. “It’ll be alright, Pris. Now, push.”

She let out another scream and another baby made its appearance. She had no time to relish in the new life. She moaned in agony as she was about to lose consciousness.

“Pris, don’t quit now,” the midwife said as she wrapped the baby warmly. “You have another girl.”

“I can’t,” she cried. “I need to sleep.”

“No, Pris, stay awake,” she demanded. The baby started to cry as if it were in pain which prompted the other baby to cry as well. “Shhhh…. It’s alright.” The midwife looked down at the baby. “Here, you go. Lay down next to your sister.”

To Be Continued...