The Cage (part 1)

Miss. Greenrew had always been a friend of Thomas Honett. And when she found out she was pregnant just after her boyfriend had walked out on her, he was the best friend that anyone could imagine. He had been amazing. He lent her a room in his small cottage. He found her a job.
Once, when she came home from work, he was resting on the sofa, covered in blue and yellow paint.
'What have you been up to?' She had asked, cheekily.
He sighed.
'Painting the baby's room. Hey- do you like blue or yellow?' He laughed.
'Err... Yellow?! Blue's a bit cold.' She smiled.
'Oh, goodie. You see, I painted it blue, but then I realized that you might prefer yellow. So I painted it yellow'- he laughed- 'and now it's slightly green!'
'Don't worry 'bout it.I didn't think you would even let me stay here when the baby came!'
He stood up, clearly shocked.
'Are you joking?' He whispered. 'Whether that thing is inside you or out- regardless- you will always be welcome here. Always.'

So on the 6th July, when Lisette Greenrew went into labour, her best friend in the world was there to love and support her.
She was 8 months, 1 week and 5 days pregnant- the baby was very early. Thomas rushed her to the hospital; trying to keep her calm all the way.
'Have you decided any baby names?'
'Yes. I. Have.' She panted. 'Boy: James. Girl: Louise.'
'Lovely names.'
She started screaming.
'Soo... Err...' He was stuck for words.
'Maybe Gemma. Or Darcy. Polly, Olivia... I don't know!!!' She yelled.
'Calm... Shh. There, now. That's it; just breathe. Well done. And again. Good!' He soothed.
They finally got there. It turned out that, despite all her pain, she wasn't even dialated enough.
They were in the labour ward for a long time and before too long all their conversations had been worn out.
Then Thomas realized that her mother had not been called during the rush.
'Hey, Lisette, how 'bout calling your parents to tell them that a live thing is emerging from your body?!' He laughed.
She fell silent.
'Tom... My parents are dead.'
He went red.
'No, it's fine. I'm just realizing that in the 8 months I've been living with you how stupid I was for not telling you. It's okay. I hardly even remember them.'
'I am SO sorry.' He whispered. 'Is there anything I can do?'
'Well, my sister would be great to call, but I don't know her number. You see, she ditched me after I found out that I was pregnant. Sisters are like that, you know?! Don't ever think about anyone else. Isn't bothered about what pain I'm going through. God.'
'Mine passed away last spring, so I wouldn't know.' He sighed. 'Oh sorry! I didn't mean to say that! It just slipped out.'
'No, it's fine. It's my fault. As always.' She grinned. 'If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine, but... How did she die? Oh, sorry!'
'No. Don't be. I have to talk about these things once in a while. She was pregant, but she had cancer. Well, really, she was pregnant because she had cancer. She was dying and she knew it. She wanted to look into a childs eyes before she did. Her child's. But time over-took her, and soon all her hair had fallen out and she was lying in hospital, stone cold.'
'And the baby?' She asked, horrified.
'Dead. To feeble and small to survive.'
'What was your sister's name?'
'Annabella. Why?'
At that point a nurse walked in.
'Miss, you're going to have your baby in less than 5 minutes. Well, at least, you're goingto start having your baby in less than 5 minutes.' She grinned. 'Oh, I do just love births. I love seeing the expressions on mother and fathers' faces.' She nodded to Thomas.
'Oh no! I'm not the father! Just a friend.'
Lisette smiled sorrowfully. Thomas did not notice.
'Ohh...' She sighed. 'We get so many single mothers in these days; it makes me so sad.'She smiled sympathetically at Lisette. 'Oh! would you look at the time?! We better had get you off to have a baby.' The nurse laughed.
Lisette was rushed out of the room and whisked away by a couple of doctors.
The next time Tom saw her was ina bedwearingone of those hospital night-gowns. She held a tiny baby in her frail arms.
She looked up at him.
'Isn't she beautiful?' Lisette asked.
'A girl?! Of course she's beautiful. Oh look- she has your eyes! And this head holds a tiny little hair. And it is... Blonde! Just like yours! In fact, I can't identify any of her that doesn't look one bit like you.'
'Thank you, I guess...'
'So, chosen a name?'
She smiled up at him.
'Annabella.'



To be continued...