Carmen Soleil Sookoo
April 18, 2007
Bedridden. Feet Swollen. Fat. But most importantly, BORED. Going on my 22nd day of “house arrest” I was in desperate need of sunlight, outside human contact, and maybe some chilli cheese fries that I had been craving. Well, maybe I could leave? It was the first day back from Spring Break, how could I miss all of the new tans, fresh clothes, and juicy stories that would be circulating the hallways. And while my only narrative would be my newfound obsession with LOST, which I had binge-watched the first two seasons, the state of my being would cause enough commotion to be a near center of attention.
Decisions made, I’m O-U-T.
I find my best elastic-waistband pants, my favorite babydoll dress, my comfiest flats, and I’m out the door.
The walk to the bus station felt like a marathon but it awakened my senses that had been doormat from the lack of stimulation that the bounds of my houses suppressed. I felt as if I was witnessing Photosynthesis by simply looking at the trees, decoding the language of the birds that were Incessantly chirping around me, smelling pollen that was abundant being the first day of spring.
Once at the bus stop, I realize I’m starving. Maybe I could run into bodega and get a bacon, egg and cheese? Lord knows my appetite could handle it, along with the chili cheese fries that were waiting for me. As juniors, we were able to leave the campus for lunch and everyone took advantage. But the bus comes strolling in as soon I could come to my conclusion.
As I board, I get a quizzing look from the drivier as to wonder why I was using the student metrocard. Whatever. I waddle to the back of the bus getting numerous seat offers along the way but politely declining. I was in no mood to be a charity case. After 30 minutes of standing, my tune has changed with my feet throbbing and starvation turning into nausea, but the subway is a whole different beast. Boarding the packed F train, I was hoping to find a seat but instead was met with hoards men pretending the sleep. Chivalry is clearly dead in 2007.
2 stops in I’m hit with a world of pain. A gut wrenching blow that lasts about 30 seconds, which leads me to let out a wince of agony. A well-dressed woman in her 50’s sees this and offers me her seat. Maybe there is faith in humanity? I sit as she gives me a once-over for concern, but that look turned into a scolding towards the now awaken men all peering at me. Pain over, she wishes me a good day as she hops off at 63rd & Lex. I wonder if she is going shopping at Bloomingdales?
I reach 23rd street and BOOM, pain again. I managed to get off the train but decide to sit at the platform until it’s over. What the fuck was happening? I get to school and the security ladies are all head-over heels to see me but instead the attention-seeking joy I hoped for, I instead was overwhelmed with concern. It had been about 7 minutes since episode but head straight for the school nurse hoping she could decode the symptoms. As soon as get to her office, she is shocked to see me.
“What are you doing here”
“Trying to get an education” I sarcastically but lovingly replied.
Before she could respond, I was hit with another guy wrenching round of pain. She rushes over to me in concern but it was over faster than I had expected. She pries the symptoms out of me then disbelief washes over her face.
“You’re in Labor” she reponses mirroring my tone.
“*F*CKKKKKKKKKK” I instantly respond.
My brain is clouded with thoughts, but the most prominent one is the anger that my mom is going to have with me. Not because I left the house at 9 months pregnant, or even the fact that her newly 17-year-old daughter was even pregnant, but more so that the cost of an ambulance ride was going to eat up her deductible.
I could have used my cell phone but I was almost out of minutes for the month, so I ask to use the school phone and the nurse obliges. I call my mom and she hesitantly answers. I chuckle in my head because I’m sure she thinks it’s a debt collectors call she’s always trying to dodge.
“Mom”, I start slowly unprepared for the pending reaction, “I’m at school and the nurse says I’m in labor” I say in a child-like tone, which is a reminder that I’m just a kid, about to have a kid.
She’s silent for the longest 5 seconds, than blurts out, “STAY RIGHT THERE, I’M COMING IN A CAB!!!” I Agee. Before she hangs up, she says slowly “this is the biggest blessing life could give you. I love you and I cannot wait to meet my granddaughter.”
6 hours, 17 rounds of contractions, 1 huge knitting needle to break my water, and an epidural that did jack shit for my pain, Carmen Soleil Sookoo arrived into this world.
