Chapter 2 : Between life and death
- shwdolls
- Nov 3, 2024
- 5 min read
I had never heard Bruno cry... Never...
This revelation hits me like a thunderbolt, plunging my mind into sudden darkness. Between Bruno, Samuel, and me, a solid bond has been woven over the years, stitched together with secrets and laughter.
Samuel gives me a serious look:
— Alex, come on. We have to go. Now.
Questions whirl in my mind. I haven’t seen Bruno in weeks. Between exams and my part-time job, we’ve drifted apart despite ourselves. Without waiting, I hop onto the back of Samuel’s scooter, gripping tightly around his waist. It’s not his driving that scares me, but the dull anxiety that’s taken hold of me.
Suddenly, Samuel slows down and parks on a narrow concrete path, just steps away from the bar where we were supposed to meet Bruno. He senses my unease, much better than I could express it.
— "Alex, everything will be okay," he murmurs, placing his hand on my shoulder. I remain silent, clenching my teeth. What could Bruno possibly have to tell us? He’s always managed to get through every situation, always the king of jokes and wild plans.
— "Do you remember," Samuel continues, "when he glued the teacher’s chair in class? We didn’t find out it was him until a week later!"
I can’t help but smile.
— "And that time he let the lab rats loose in the cafeteria?" Samuel chuckles, remembering the little critters and the screaming students.
— "And that one night when he convinced his ex to stick her nose in a bottle? We found her in the emergency room, unable to pull it out! And despite all that, he still has that irresistible charm…"
We exchange a knowing look, our smiles tinged with a hint of nostalgia. Then, silence takes over. We know that this carefree moment is suspended, like a bubble ready to burst.
As we enter the bar, Samuel grabs my hand and gently kisses my forehead, a gesture that barely soothes me. In the distance, Bruno is there, slumped on the couch. We approach him; his gaze is dull, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. He looks at us, then turns away. I’ve never seen Bruno so downcast. In a trembling voice, he finally murmurs:
"My father… he had a stroke three days ago. He’s in a coma, stable for now… Hackett and I are taking turns running the bar, but everything feels so overwhelming. I told him to take it easy..."
The pain in his eyes is raw, almost unbearable. Then, suddenly, his sadness shifts into a quiet anger.
"This bar… it’s a wreck! The till is empty, bills are piling up, and now it’s on me to handle it all. I’m not cut out for this!"
I take his hand and gently murmur:
"Bruno, breathe. We’ll find a way. Samuel and I are here with you."
In an instant, our carefree youth evaporated, plunging us into a brutal and relentless reality.
Meanwhile, at the Ella Baker Hospital, I approach the reception and speak to the nurse.
"Good evening, I’m here to see Mrs. Consuelo Sundberg."
The receptionist gives me the room number.
I knock on the door, and a relieved smile lights up my face as I step into the room.
Consuelo is there, nestled with a tiny baby resting peacefully on her chest.
"Hello, Consuelo. I would have brought a gift, but I didn’t think this little one would be in such a hurry!"
"Don’t worry," Consuelo replies gently. "This little Esteban arrived a bit earlier than expected. He really surprised me, but everything went well."
Gabrielle watches this tender scene, this moment of skin-to-skin where the child calms down against his mother’s heart.
"Esteban, that's a beautiful name. A tribute, I suppose?""Yes, to my father. The choice was obvious to me as soon as I saw him."
A brief silence falls, then Gabrielle takes a breath:
"Don't you think Esteban should know his father?"
Consuelo looks away, her features hardening slightly.
"It's my choice, Gabrielle. If he wants to find him later, I won’t stop him. But for now, I absolutely don’t want it, and this topic is closed."
I nod, wondering if she might change her mind one day. I take out my phone to capture this moment between Consuelo and her baby, but I notice missed calls from the office. I apologize and slip away reluctantly to make a call outside the hospital.
"Harvey, you need to come right away, I need to talk to you about a new client."
"Alright Norbert, I’m coming..."
I return to the room.
_ I’m truly sorry, Consuelo, but I have to go. I have an emergency."
_ Already, but you’ve only been here fifteen minutes…"
_ I know, but it’s very urgent. When I have my own practice, you’ll see, it’ll be different."
_ With your boss, everything is urgent ; what will he do when you have a family? Don’t you realize that your social life has become very limited and that you’re condemning yourself to be unhappy..."
_ I feel like I’m hearing my mother. Family isn’t in my plans right now; my family, for now, is my work."
_ You’ll see, when it’s your turn, you’ll change your mind. Go on, off you go, we’ll talk later…"
Human bonds are woven in a complex way, blending silent support and outstretched hands in the darkness. Perhaps it is there, in those moments of fragility and uncertainty, that we understand the true essence of friendship, love, and the choices that shape our lives.
Dis-moi tout
The benefits of skin-to-skin for the baby :
Several positive effects of skin-to-skin have been observed in newborns :
Stabilize body temperature
A baby will stay warmer in skin-to-skin than if simply placed fully clothed in their mother's arms. Studies have shown that breast temperature increases by 0.5°C in 2 minutes during skin-to-skin and remains so for up to 10 minutes after it ends. This warmth transfers to the baby. The heel temperature of babies in skin-to-skin is 2°C higher than that of babies placed fully clothed in their mother's arms.
Stabilize breathing and heart rate
Babies in skin-to-skin have fewer apnea episodes. Their heart rate is also more stable.
Stabilize blood sugar levels
Babies in skin-to-skin have higher blood glucose levels. This reduces the risk of hypoglycemia.
Facilitate breastfeeding
When the baby is in skin-to-skin, they instinctively make the right movements to latch onto the breast. The first feeding can therefore occur earlier. Babies in skin-to-skin are also more likely to latch on correctly. Additionally, the production of oxytocin triggered by skin-to-skin stimulates the milk ejection reflex in the mother. It is also common to see milk flowing from the mother's breasts during skin-to-skin. Thus, skin-to-skin promotes exclusive breastfeeding, and mothers who experience skin-to-skin breastfeed longer. These mothers also have greater confidence in their ability to breastfeed.
Reduce crying
When the baby is separated from their mother immediately after birth, it causes them stress, which they express through crying. In contrast, skin-to-skin creates a feeling of relaxation for the baby. Infants in a crib cry about 10 times more than those in skin-to-skin. According to a study, babies in skin-to-skin with their father stop crying within 15 minutes. Moreover, one hour of skin-to-skin reduces the baby's stress hormone levels.
Reduce the sensation of pain
Some babies must undergo heel pricks, blood tests, or injections. Being in skin-to-skin during these procedures can lessen the pain they feel.
Source : Naitreetgrandir.com
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