Frigid Affair(17)

“It’s okay. I gather it comes as quite a shock.”

“I was just explaining how she’s going to have to change her life,” the obstetrician said.

My regular doctor agreed. “She’s right. You’re going to need to start taking vitamins daily. We’ll need to do another blood workup to test for levels. If it’s okay with you, I’m going to ask you to stay a couple more days. We’ll run a glucose test, and monitor your blood pressure to rule out preeclampsia being a factor. I may send you home with a monitor. Since I might not be able to check you monthly we’ll do video chats where you can give me your vitals. This is where things will get tricky and could become life threatening. I urge you to find a place in town until you deliver, but if you can’t, we’ll have to make the best of the situation. You’ll have to prepare for the baby inside of your home. You’ll need certain items on hand, especially during the winter months. This pregnancy won’t be like we would normally want to treat. Because of your location, we’re going to have to rely on you to give us the information we need. If you know someone who could stay with you it would help greatly. I’d hate for something to happen and you not be able to contact us. With only four and a half months left to go, we’ll have to play it by ear to see if we can get you down the mountain to deliver. Normally I wouldn’t recommend flying, but we might not have a choice. I’ll make sure Jack is aware that you’re going to have an infant up at that cabin in case of any sort of emergency that would require an airplane ride. You’ll need to stay healthy. No overexerting yourself. I understand you do it all on your own, but you’re going to have to hire someone to help with the heavy lifting. You’re carrying something fragile, so being safe is the key to a healthy pregnancy and making it to full term. According to this, it looks like you’re going to be due around August or early September. Hopefully we can beat the weather. I’ll make sure you have a room at the hotel and notify them you’ll be receiving medical care while you’re here. If for any reason you experience problems, you’ll need to call Jack. We’ll do our best to get to you.”

“I get it. I remember when my mom was pregnant with my brother. She would have an appointment each month, and then as it got closer she had to go in each week. What do you think I should do? Maybe it would be better if I closed up my place and stayed in town before the first snow hits. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m still in shock, to be honest. All I know is that I don’t want to deliver a child on my own.”

“If you did that you’d get the best care. In case of any emergency you’d be close to the hospital. I’m not trying to alarm you, Amantha. You may carry to term without problems. You’re healthy, and that helps, but you never know when you might trip or become ill.”

I hated thinking about leaving my house unattended, but I knew I had a limited amount of time to make a decision. “No. I think it’s best if I find a place to stay in town. I’ll have to make a trip up to the cabin to close up, but it’s not like anything is holding me there.”

“Good. I’m going to send you home with books. If you want, I can see if my husband would be willing to help you gather some of your things. Maybe you could rent one of the cabins. It would give you and your pup some extra space instead of being cramped in a small hotel room.”

“Good idea. I’ll ask when I get back to the hotel. I know they own a couple they rent out. I stayed in one when I first came to look at properties. My neighbors stayed in them when they came to do repairs on the house that burned.”

“I know this isn’t the news you expected, but you’re making a smart decision. Things can happen during childbirth, even with the medical advances that have been made. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

I agreed. This was my life. I had to do what was necessary. It was no longer just about me and the dog. We were adding to our family.

The moment the word entered my mind I thought about the ones I’d lost. For the first time in forever my heart had a reason to keep beating. I’d have a family again. This child would have my blood. He would love me the way no other would be able to.

I made it out into the parking lot before the tears came. While Ava hopped out of the truck to relieve herself, I bawled. So much was about to change. There was a ton to do before it happened.



I’d met the local hotel owners, Clark and June, when I’d first moved to Alaska, and stayed there until my cabin was ready to be occupied. It’s also where I’d picked up my puppy Ava.

She was such a little white puff ball at ten weeks old. I fell in love instantly, and knew she’d be the only companion I needed.

With a lot of time on my hands, I spent most of my days and evenings training her. She was the biggest help. Believe it or not, I’d trained her to help me carry things. She pulled a contraption I’d made to hold firewood across the property so it was easier to get into the cabin. She went wherever I went. She was my very best friend.

Ava and I stock-piled the back of the truck full of dog food and supplies to do maintenance around the cabin on the first day we were there. Afterwards, she played with her parents and siblings at the hotel the breeders owned. I always enjoyed seeing them together, like a family reunion they looked forward to.

As I sat down with the owner, June, I watched Ava in her glory. “So what’s up, Amantha?”