Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: New (01/01/26)
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TITLE: Hello Baby Isaac | Previous Challenge Entry
By Francie Snell
01/03/26 -
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“That’s right, honey,” Carl offered, “just think of gripping a baseball bat like I taught ya. Hold tight with a firm grip and focus on hitting that ball across the park. Watch the ball, focus, then swing.You can do it!”
Dr. Patrick eyed Carl with a puzzled look. “Baseball?”
Carl shrugged.
Lisa shrieked. “I can’t do this. I need a shot!”
“Too late for a pain shot now; you’re almost there,” the doctor said, eyes fixed on the baby’s crowning head. “Looks like a redhead. Okay, this time I want you to push.”
She cried. “I can’t do this!”
“Yes, you can. Now, on the next contraction, you need to push... okay… ready…here it comes…PUSH.”
The baby wailed his first cry as Sam charged into the room, breathless, wearing scrubs and a baseball cap turned backwards. “Sorry, I’m late; traffic was crazy, and I had to wash up before they’d let me in.”
“About time you got here,” Carl said, as Dr. Patrick placed the baby on Lisa’s stomach.
“There ya go, little guy, meet your mama,” the doctor said and glanced at Sam. “You the father?”
Sam bobbed his head.
“Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?”
Sam recoiled. “Oh no… no…I think I’ll pass.”
After cutting the cord, the doctor handed the baby to a nurse who weighed and measured the infant.“Eight pounds, ten ounces, twenty-two inches,” she announced, then wrapped him in a warm blanket and laid him on Lisa’s stomach.
“Well, hello my little boy,” Lisa cooed. The baby stopped crying and gazed in the direction of her voice.
The group stood in awe around Lisa and the baby until Joann earnestly asked, “May I hold him?”
With an exhausted smile, Lisa conceded. “Sure, Mom, here, take him.”
Joann cradled the baby. “Hello, little man, I’m your gramma, welcome to the world.” She held the child for a short while then glanced at Sam. “What do you think Sam? Want to hold your son?”
Sam slowly stepped up and gingerly took the baby as she placed him in his arms.
“It’s okay, Sam, he’s not going to break; just relax…and breathe.”
Carl chuckled. “That’s right, breathe. Don’t need you passing out on us.”
Sam beamed at the baby in his arms, then at Lisa. “What are we going to name him?”
“We? I’ve already named him Isaac… Isaac Samuel Harrington.”
***
A few days later, early on a Saturday morning, Lisa awoke to the ringing of the doorbell. Groggily she rolled out of bed, wrapped her robe around her and shuffled down the hall. When she opened the door, there stood Sam clutching a handful of daisies. His lanky build towered above her.
“Hi,” he whispered sheepishly. “Um, hope you don’t mind me coming by so early. Thought I’d stop by on my way to work to see the baby.”
She eyed his crisp blue uniform and matching baseball cap. “You got a new job?”
He pointed to the logo on his shirt’s front pocket. “Yep, look familiar? He stood straight with a broad smile of large white teeth with gaps in between. “I work with your dad. Didn’t he tell you?”
“You work with my dad at the machine shop…since when?”
“Yep, seven months now, working after school and Saturdays. Wasn’t sure the job would pan out, but I already got a raise, and I’m part of their softball team. So, I guess that means I’m in.” He tilted his hat, exposing a new look of short-cropped hair. What do ya think? You should come out and watch us play sometime.” He stood a moment as if wondering what to say next, then remembered. “Oh, here, these are for you,” he stammered and thrust the flowers toward her. “They’re from my mom’s garden. Mind if I see the baby…uh…just for a minute?”
“Well, I guess. But he’s sleeping and so are my parents, so we’ll have to be really quiet.” Lisa laid the flowers on the entryway table then gestured for him to follow.
Down the hall they tip-toed into her bedroom and stood by the crib.
Sam leaned in for close inspection. “He’s so small,” he said with a tone of wonder.
“Yeah, newborn babies usually are.”
“He has red hair like your dad.”
“Yep, he sure does. Isn’t he beautiful?”
“Yeah, he sure is.”
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