The snow of the winter was melting, and the crocus were beginning to bloom. Shell leaned over the bladder bowl hanging over the fire, adding some of the dry herbs to the soup that cooked. Straightening up with her hands supporting her back, she looked around at their lodge and their fire the things they had harvested and stored. She was proud of all that she and Keith accomplished in creating a life here that satisfied all their needs.
Smiling she pulled the deer hide closer around her shoulders. The air was still a bit chilly. She moved away from the fire and in an instant grabbed her belly and catching her self against a nearby tree. Shell realized her contractions were getting closer. She looked up at the sun, with one hand shielding her eyes. Only about an hour of sunlight left. She was hoping to give birth before the day was out, but it looks like it will be a night time event.
Shell moved to the lodge and asked for Keith to come out. Pulling away the deer hide door, Keith stood there and asked, “Are you okay, you look a little pale?”
Shell smiled and replied, “Come sit by the fire, I want to talk a bit.”
Keith held her by one of her arms as he led the way back to the warmth of the fire. Gently he helped her sit upon a boulder nearby. Keith patiently waited for Shell to speak.
“Keith, the baby will come this night. There are some things I am in need of.”
Keith eyes widen, “Anything my sweet, I will do and get you anything.” He reached for her belly and laid his hand there to feel the baby move.
“I will need your knife and I need you to go to the river and clean out one of the hides to wrap the baby in when it comes. Also, have some tea made with some red raspberry leaves and the chamomile. I will need some good tea for after.” She smiled at Keith and gripped his hands tight as another contraction began.
Keith looked worried and wished he could take the pain away from her. But he understood this was a woman’s world and a woman’s gift to birth. After the contraction eased, Keith asked, “Shell what can I do during the birth, what else can I do to help?”
Shell put one of her hands on his cheek, “Keith, I need you to let me do this on my own. You can stand at a distance, but this is my job to do. You may burn some of our sage and pray for a safe and healthy delivery. Once the baby is born, I will bring him…or her to you. Then your job will begin.” Shell kept her smile even.
“I am so proud of you, Shell, so proud.” Tears began to well up in Keith’s eyes. Shell tenderly wiped them off his cheek as they began roll down his face.
After Keith gathered the items Shell requested, they both sat by the fire waiting for the sun to fall and the contraction to come closer in time. It was not long into the night that Shell decided she and the baby were ready.
“Keith, I need to go near the river, by the grove of willows. It is about time.”
Keith walked with her a ways. Not a word was spoken between them. He held her hand. Just short of the willows, Shell stopped and turned to Keith, “Here is where I want you to wait. I will call you if I need anything.” After a moment of silence passed, Shell added, “Keith, I am proud of you too.”
Shell reached up to his face and lightly kissed his cheek and moved over to the willows. Once among the trees, Shell found the perfect spot for her to squat and hold on to a tree on either side of her for leverage and support. Taking the now clean hide she unfolded it and laid it beside her. Using the butt of the knife, she positioned it between her teeth to bear down on during the upcoming pain.
The contractions where extremely close and the baby was beginning to push. Shell bent down and squatted and wrapped both her arms around each willow tree and in her mind she prayed she would succeed. She closed her eyes tight and began to push with her abdomen.
Keith paced back and forth at the distance in which he promised to remain. He could hear her muffled cries with each push she gave. To him, the time seem to almost stand still. He looked up at the full moon and took mental note of it’s brightness, but noticed a shadow beginning to ease over the light. A moon eclipse was beginning. Looking back down at the ground he could still make out the blue, yellow and white colors of the crocus now sleeping in the night. What a beautiful flower he thought. Then he heard Shell scream out loudly with pain.
In the shadows of the tree the wolf watched and waited too.