Getting used to the night shift had been a big adjustment. Originally she had agreed to take the shift because the fifty cents an hour higher pay looked very good. It also meant she could avoid paying for a baby sitter, since the children now slept through the night and a neighbor was willing to look in on them. Still, at nine dollars an hour she was having trouble making ends meet.Just off the emergency room was a consultation room; a quiet spot where doctors and nurses could meet with a patient's family. It was here that Anna sought a place to sit in the dark early morning hours. She had no more than sat down when she heard a gentle voice say, "Hello, Anna." Anna stood and turned toward the voice. When she saw who it was, her mouth dropped open in amazement. She was rendered speechless.
"There is no reason to be afraid, Anna. I see that you remember me."
Remember? Anna thought to herself. How could I forget. After all it was Gabe who had come to her in her darkest hour. It had been Gabe who gave her the strength and determination to survive, to start a new life - to be reborn. His sudden appearance brought back a flood of painful memories. Anna fell back into her seat, the memories and emotions overwhelming her.
How awful it had been. Growing up Anna just assumed that it was a parent's job to punish children for being bad. As a small child, Anna had been spanked for wetting her bed or slapped if her parents thought she was too loud. There was the time all her sheets, blankets and pillows were tossed out the window from their second story apartment into the pouring rain, because she had not made her bed. As she got older her father's spankings became more like beatings.
When she was fourteen and a freshman in high school, she met Jude, an eighteen year old senior. He had taken an interest in her, listening to her troubles, offering his support. Jude seemed to be the answer to her prayers and she latched on to him, blind to warning signs of trouble - too much alcohol and a quick temper. But she was in love and her father's abuse had dulled her instincts.
Anna was sixteen, when she became pregnant. With her parents' permission she and Jude got married. Shortly after their first child was born, Anna was pregnant again. With the pressure of having a wife and children, Jude's quick temper picked up speed and he began to lash out at his wife and children. Anna was caught again. Where could she turn? Her parents were glad to have her gone and Jude's family, she had since found out, had a history of abuse and didn't understand Anna's problem.
Several times Anna had gone to the local women's shelter only to weaken and return to Jude. One evening Jude had been in an especially foul mood. He had come home drunk and began to beat the baby for crying. That is when Anna walked out of the apartment with both children never to return.
As she walked down the street, uncertain about where to go and feeling completely lost and alone, she was approached by a tall African-American man dressed in black. It had been Gabe. Gabe's reassuring words, "Fear not", and his gentle manner calmed her initial fear. It was Gabe who directed her to a good shelter. The shelter gave her great support, took care of the legal paper work for separation from her husband, and provided the initial counseling that she needed. Her counselor encouraged her to move away and start life anew, which is how she had ended up in Springfield, took the training to be a Certified Nurse Assistant, and began working at Memorial six months ago.
"Anna," Gabe said gently, calling her back to the present. Tears were now streaming down her face. Gabe handed her a handkerchief. "Anna, do you remember the couple that were in here yesterday evening?"
"The young woman, who was pregnant, and the Hispanic man?" Anna asked. Gabe just nodded agreement. "Yes, I remember them. They looked so tired. And she seemed about to deliver. But the doctor sent them away. Why do you ask?"
"They need your support. She has given birth and they could use your assistance. They are just a few blocks away from here on "
"But I don't even have enough for myself." she pleaded. "How can I assist them?"
"Anna, you know the needs of a baby. You know how alone a mother in such desperate straits feels. Just go and see. It is a baby to cry for. They are at an empty lot on North Glenwood Ave. I know you will do the right thing." With those words, Gabe turned and left the room, leaving Anna watching his departure with amazement.
This is crazy, Anna thought. But Gabe was right, she did know how alone a mother can feel. So she got up and headed toward the hospital's cafeteria. With the kitchen closed for the night she went to the vending machines. She got a couple of bottles of juice, a carton of milk, two bags of chips, and a candy bar. Stopping at her locker, she picked up her coat and remembered the two oranges still in her lunch bag. Dressed for the cold and with food in hand, Anna stopped at her supervisor's counter to tell her that she would be on break for about a half hour and left.
Walking briskly it still had taken Anna almost fifteen minutes to get to North Greenwood. Anna had gone only a block, when she spotted Maura and Jose huddled close to the burn barrel. They did not see or hear Anna approach, concentrating instead on Hope, who was still nursing. "Excuse me," Anna said softly.
Startled, Jose turned and rose. "Who are you and what do you want?" Jose asked more gruffly than he had intended. Before him stood a small, slight woman. Bundled as she was in her coat all Jose could really see was her face - thin, taunt, worn. She probably was only a few years older than Maura, but her eyes looked much older and tired. Below her coat's hem line Jose saw white pants and shoes. A nurse perhaps, he thought to himself.
Anna extended her hand, which was still holding the plastic bag filled with food. "My name is Anna. I brought you some food and drink. After giving birth, liquids and salt are helpful."
"Thank you," Jose said gratefully, as he took the bag of food.
"How did you know I had given birth?" Maura asked.
"A friend of mine told me and asked me to stop by." Anna replied and paused. Then, as if on cue, all three said, "Gabe."
For the first time since arriving, Anna turned to look at the baby. "What is the baby's name?" Anna asked.
"Hope," Jose said softly.
Maybe it was the name, maybe it was how Jose had spoken the baby's name, maybe it was the loving support one sensed in the couple's relationship, maybe it was the baby, but whatever the reason Anna was filled with a peace and joy that she had never known before. Somehow all the bruises her body and soul had born were being washed away.
Without saying anything more Anna left. Walking briskly back to the hospital under the clear star filled sky Anna felt herself - body, mind, and soul - filled with Hope.