OUTSIDE THE RESERVATION

Jake, along with Mariettas dad and brother built the additon for their baby soon to be born. Marietta was with Maddie looking at material to make coverings for the bed and curtians for the window. Maddie was secretly making a quilt for the baby and would present it to Marietta when The baby was born. Chet was helping the men build the room and make the furniture for for the baby. Chet was pretty good    at making furniture among other things. They fashioned a deep bed using small trees that would bend without breaking. Then they used strong leather straps to hold it all together. The padding was made from balsam trees stuffed into a huge bag made of soft leather and sewn with strong sinew that would hold. They all stood back to look at what was the finished room for the baby. And agreed it would be a good place for the baby to sleep in and grow in.

Then they went in the kitchen to have some Chickory that was brewing on the wood stove. While sitting there talking about the days events they heard Marietta and Maddie coming up the path. Jake thought to himself, what wonderful people they had for friends and family. How lucky it was to have the help that was offered them. He went out to greet Marietta and Maddie. Jake embraced his wife gently and said, "Hello Maddie, what have you two been doing all morning?? Come on in and have some chickory, I'll make Marietta some herb tea." The men stood to great them when they entered the kitchen. "I'm anxious to see the new room for our child Jake. Maddie wants to measure for bed coverings and a curtian for the window. We've been looking at all the material Maddie has stored and picked out some nice patterns for bed covers, also a curtian I hope you'll like them Jake. "

So Maddie had a cup of chickory and Marietta had her herb tea before they got into measuring the material. Chet spoke up,"Maddie I'm going to get some food and cook a good meal for all of us I'll be right back. C'mon you guys and help carry the food up here !!" When the guys left Maddie started laying out the material on the bed. It was a nice colorful piece of material, soft colors. When she was satisfied with the fit she cut the material and began making the stiches for the hem. Marietta seemed to become very quiet holding onto her belly, rubbing it seemed to ease the hurt she was beginning to feel. But she didn't say anything to Maddie about the hurt she was feeling until it got to be real strong pain. " Maddie I'm in bad pain right now I don't know what is happening to me. Please come and help me ? " Maddie put the sewing aside then went out where Marietta was sitting. She did look very uncomfortable and looked like she might be in the early stages of labor. " What do you have planned for the delivery of the baby Marietta ?"

" Don't be alarmed dear girl but soon you will be ready to have your child. We must prepare some cloths for your bed now. Tell me where I can get them them. Let me know when your pains start to get harder alright ??" Marietta said, " Under our bed is a box with old material in it we can use that cause it is clean. I want my Momma to be here with me Maddie. " Then they heard the men coming up the pathway. Soon they were coming in the door and when Jake saw Marietta he knew something was about to happen. " Jake, please go fetch my Momma I want her to be here with me when our child is born which will be soon. Please hurry Jake !! " "I will be right back with your Momma !! " He was on a run all the way up the path to get Melva.

"Melva !! " Jake holered out to her as he got near the house. " Marietta is going to be having our baby pretty soon and she wants you there with her !! " Melva got up and was ready to go, she left the supper for Wiley to fix. " I'll be back when the child is born no need for all of us to be crowded in that tiny place right now. " Out the door they went and headed down the pathway it was still light out so they could see there way to Jake's place. When Marietta saw her Momma she was so happy !! " Momma I'm so glad you're here to be with me when this child is born, it's your first grandchild Momma !! " Meantime Maddie was preparing the bed for her to birth the baby. Getting ready the breechcloths for the baby too. " I told your Paw to stay home and fix supper for him and your brother, didn't want to crowd you. "

Then then strong pains started, her faced showed it even though she tried to stay calm. Jake went to her side wanting to be of some help. "Your bed is ready now, you can come in and get ready Marietta !! " Maddie said. Jake helped her into their bedroom with her Momma right behind him. Just before Marietta was going to get into bed her water broke which was a good thing that way her bed didn't get soaked. Chet grabbed some hay to cover it up. Marietta got into bed with Jakes help and got settled down. Maddie came and handed her a strong piece of leather and said, " When the pain gets stronger you need to bite down on this leather. It will help you to concentrate on what your Momma and I tell you to do. " Right then the pain started getting stronger and Marietta was really scared cause this was all new to her. " Don't you worry now Marietta you're going to do just fine. " Her Momma was so excited but felt her daughters pain too.

Maddie had Marietta set up just a little bit with her hands to support her that way the baby could work it's way down much better. Her Momma got a wet cloth to mop her brow with and soothe her. Maddie said, " Jake you need to get over here so you can help with the birth of your child." Jake was really nervous about doing this but he went over where Maddie told him to sit. Pretty soon Marietta was really straining hard to push that child out. Then Maddie said, " Jake wash your hands in that basin and be ready to catch your child. " He did what Maddie siad and was waiting for their child to be born. He looked and saw his child coming into the world and grabbed hold, then Maddie handed him the knife to cut the cord which he did then wrapped sinew around it.Maddie wrapped the little boy in a warm blanket and handed him to his Daddy and he handed him to his Momma who was glowing with love for her child.

"It's a boy Jake !! We have a son !! Momma your a grandma now !!" Every one was very quiet and so happy for Jake and Marietta cause they now were parents of a big baby boy !! "Have you both chosen a name for this child??  Seems he should have one now !! " Maddie was so happy she was there for Marietta as was her Momma. "We haven't really thought about a name yet. But I'm sure before night falls we will have a name for him. " Jake said. Melva said, " I'm going to run up and tell your Paw and brother about your baby boy !! I'll be back after I eat supper. I know they will be happy to hear this great news. "  Chet offered to walk Melva up the pathway but she said, " I've been walking this path for all my life Chet without any one beside me for the most part, but thank you anyway. "

Maddie had made a nightie for the baby and was bathing him he wasn't liking that so well and was fussing. But Maddie had dealt with this before and had him all bundled up in no time and handed him back to his Momma. Jake was sitting by her side and telling her how much he loved her, how proud he was of her. Then they had  to come up with a name for this handsome baby boy !!

TO BE CONTINUED.......WRITTEN BY...BARBARA J BRIGGS...10/11/09