Jenelle snuck up behind them, whispering softly. “I still think with all the stress from the storm, she’s going to be going into labor. But let’s not panic Kerilyntaryn.”
* * *
By Friday morning, the island had finally been given the all clear from other threats of storms. They were working on restoring the power, since southern Bali was the only area still without it since it had received the most damage from the cyclone.
Some of the men staying here were on their way into town so they could check out their homes and assess the damages.
Janelle and Emma were standing in the kitchen and chatting with Ciara, surrounded by kids and a couple of the wives who’d remained while the others had gone to check out the hurricane damage, when Rand appeared, wearing a fierce frown on his face.
“Uh, oh,” Emma said to Ciara. “It looks like something’s up. I can handle things here.”
Ciara met him halfway across the kitchen, reaching for his hand. “What is it, Rand?”
His eyes searched the room, before he whispered, “Let’s go outside for a walk. I’ve got some bad news.”
Janelle had a feeling that Rand might be needed elsewhere. His air of authority had not gone unnoticed this past week, and Janelle and Emma knew he was something other than he pretended to be.
When Ciara finally returned several hours later, it was to tell Janelle and Emma that Rand was on his way off the island. She wasn’t allowed to talk about specifics, but yes Rand was a special investigator whose identity might have been compromised. So, he’d been reassigned, because of being identified by local terrorist groups.
* * *
The following seven days ended up being some of the strangest of Janelle’s life. Janelle, Ciara and Emma stuck to a schedule. In the mornings they’d travel to some of the more essential areas of the city and help with cleanup, while later in the morning they would distribute food and care packages which were being delivered regularly via chopper. After that, they would assist with temporary evacuation of children and more fragile individuals who’d been hurt, although not severely.
When they returned to Rand’s home exhausted during late afternoon, Ciara spent time downstairs in Rand’s living space sorting through his things and packing boxes of items to send back to the states and put in storage. Apparently, Rand had spoken with his grandparents and given Ciara the address of where to send his things since Bali was the one place he would not be able to return for a long while, if ever.
Although Kerilyntaryn didn’t end up in labor the night of the storm, after insisting to Janelle that she wasn’t, it was definitely a prelude for what was to come.
With only two more days on the island, Janelle was awakened by someone calling her name.
“Missy? Missy Janelle?” Wayan stood near the open door, looking shaken. “I think baby is coming.”
Since she’d been expecting this to happen any day, Janelle had been going to sleep wearing sweats and a t-shirt, so she wouldn’t have to take the time to dress.
Janelle sprang from the bed, giving orders to Wayan. “See if any of the ladies are awake Wayan. We’ll need plenty of boiling water to sanitize equipment.”
Wayan was still looking panicked when a painful cry echoed through the air.
The expression on his face was priceless, so she decided to give him something else to do to keep him busy.
“How about having someone start some coffee brewing too?”
Definitely worried, Wayan looked toward the master bedroom where Rand had insisted Kerilyntaryn and Wayan should sleep.
“She’ll be fine,” Janelle reassured him, gently pushing him toward the kitchen before she continued through the hallway into the master bedroom, where Kerilyntaryn was laying on the bed.
Janelle approached Kerilyntaryn, smiling. “How are you feeling?”
Kerilyntaryn grimaced, confessing, “Not good.”
“That’s pretty normal under the circumstances,” Janelle admitted, studying her closely. “I’m going to check to make sure everything is alright.”
“Yes,” Kerilyntaryn murmured, seeming to become calmer with Janelle’s presence.
Janelle checked to see if her water had broken yet.
Ciara came running into the room, breathless. “What can I do?”
“Hmm. Her water still hasn’t broken,” Janelle answered. “How about bringing me that spare plastic sheet that I left outside the door? That way we can just remove it from beneath her once the baby is born.”
As Emma walked inside the bedroom, Ciara appeared with the folded plastic sheeting in her hands.
“Let’s put this beneath her,” Ciara said. “Emma, why don’t you try and slip it on the mattress while Janelle and I lift her a little from the bed?”
“Where’s Wayan?” Emma asked, as she did as she was instructed.
“Pacing outside instead of in here. He was driving us nuts,” Ciara muttered.
Emma grinned.
Walking up to Kerilyntaryn, Emma asked softly, “How are you feeling?”
“Not good,” Kerilyntaryn murmured, crunching her teeth as another contraction started. “I am glad you ladies are here.”
“We are too,” Janelle answered. “Emma? How about wetting down a washcloth? It’s awfully warm tonight, so maybe you can wipe Kerilyntaryn’s face and try and keep her comfortable. Also, we could use a small tub filled with warm water for when the baby comes. Ciara and I will handle the rest.”
“How can you be so calm?” Emma asked.
“Simple,” Janelle answered. “My mom was a midwife. I also delivered two of my sisters and a brother while I was a teenager.”
Both Ciara and Emma looked at her in obvious astonishment.
What she didn’t mention was the fact that her mother had died in childbirth, but it was something Janelle didn’t want to think about now.
“I don’t know about you, Em, but I think there’s a lot I’d like to know about our friend. Janelle.”
“Ditto,” Emma murmured, smiling at Ciara.
