July 22, 1984, just an ordinary Sunday. Your dad went to visit your grandpa for lunch, same as we have both done every weekend since your dad moved me up from Georgia back on January 11th. I didn’t feel so well so I stayed home this Sunday; the toxemia made it too uncomfortable to move around. Time went by and by and by, then finally your dad came home. Something was different; his face had so much guilt on it as he walked toward me up the stairs. He assured me nothing was wrong as he locked the bathroom door behind him. He never was a good liar. It was to be weeks before it dawned on me why the water was running and what he was doing in there. Of course I jumped in the car and sped over to the only friend’s house I knew. I never put the scent of the apartment and the sent of your dad together, so I sat at her house crying. “I think he is having an affair.” and began to tell her of all the signs.
Skip right through July 23rd to the 24th, nothing unusual about these days; your dad was distant and I spent my day afraid we were gonna lose him. I walked around like some pathetic existence of a person. What would I do if he didn’t want us? I had no one in New York; I was from Georgia and all alone. Another day of him being in control of my emotions. I was a wreck; I’m sure you could feel it. I’m sorry, but I didn’t know.
A visit to the doctor that morning was a little scary for me; Dr. Etkin kind of yelled at me for gaining 50 lbs of water in two days. My blood pressure had shot up to 160/90 (don’t know if that’s right but the number sticks in my head). I should have kept off my feet and had them elevated like he’d told me. I was so distraught and preoccupied I didn’t understand when Dr. Etkin said “…induce you tomorrow.” It was if he had said something in French. I did however understand “I’m worried you’ll go into convulsions that will kill you and your baby.” I immediately asked for your dad. Once he was in the room I calmed down and understood what the doctor was saying.
Later back at home, there I sat, on the couch feet up. Nothing to do but watch TV and think. So much swelling from the toxemia today, but I was a nervous wreck and I just couldn’t stay still. I know, I know, doctor’s orders were bed rest, but…I had to stay busy. A busy mind is distracted.
It was the night of July 24th around 10:30pm, I was so nervous around your edgy dad. Nothing I said, nothing I did was right; he wasn’t very nice to me, or at all. I was having pains, but that was normal so I didn’t give them a second thought. I went to the bathroom; I had to go so bad. As I sat there literally shaky from my nerves I felt a pop and then I really started to go. Then there was this clear stuff…ok now that was unusual! I called Dr. Etkin and he told me to go to the hospital. I guess telling me I would be induced the next day scared you right out of me!
