A Story to Tell

Roger meandered to the hallway in search of a vending machine. He could hear his wife, Melinda, behind him going through another contraction. He wandered down the hall noticing the full OB unit – every room occupied. He trudged by the nursing station and overheard their conversation.

“Busy tonight. We have thirteen expectant mothers.”

“Yeah. Full moon. It gets them every time. Is Dr. Carr coming in? I haven’t…”

Roger dropped a few coins in the vending machine when the fire alarm began to blare. The alarm resided in the tiny room and Roger covered his ears against the ear-piercing ringing. People started running. Gurneys rattled down the halls and wheelchairs seemed to appear out of no where with patients whizzing to the elevators.

“Oh my God. Melinda!”

He ran back to an empty room. Confusion reigned as black smoke billowed from the end of the hall. Roger raced to the stairs and descended. Among a crowd, he frantically searched for Melinda. Pregnant women seemed to be everywhere. Patients crammed into ambulances and waiting cars -- the most critical getting priority for transport to other hospitals.

“Melinda!”

Roger could hear nothing but people shouting. His eyes scanned the chaotic scene of dim streetlights and beams of flashlights in search of his wife. “Melinda!” he called again.

A faint voice from his left called. “Over here!”

He ran to a nearby taxi where the doctor stood with his beloved laying in the back seat. “Push!” he shouted. “He’s almost out!”

With a mighty grunt Melinda pushed out the newborn, and a cry added to the commotion.

“In the back of a taxi? Are you serious?” Roger said perplexed.

The doctor held up the baby boy. “It wouldn’t be the first time.” He grinned as the flashing strobes of the fire engines arrived.



300 Words
Flash Story Must contain the line: "It wouldn't be the first time."