Chapter 30 Summary

Yvonne is going into labor in the maternity ward of Waite Memorial Hospital. Astrid has brought everything they've learned to use in baby class, but all Yvonne wants is to suck on the white terry cloth, let Astrid wipe her face with ice and sing to her in her tuneless voice. Rena doesn't stay long after dropping them off. Whenever Astrid begins to like her, something like this happens.

"Mama," Yvonne whimpers, tears rolling down her face. She squeezes Astrid's arm as another contraction comes. They've been there for nine hours, through two shifts of nurses. Astrid's arm is bruised from hand to shoulder. Yvonne implores her not to leave her. Women's bravery, Astrid thinks as she continues to nurse Yvonne. It puzzles Astrid to hear Yvonne calling out for her mother when she hates her so much. It's not just Yvonne, but...