You Got Yourself a Boy, Part II (Conclusion)

November 1957

Another man wandered up to stand beside Bill as he stared at his son. “That your kid?”

Bill swallowed the lump in his throat. “My first. A boy.” 

He turned to the man. “Isn’t he something?”

The man smiled, showing off a black gap where his two front teeth used to hang out.  “He’s a fat one, that’s for sure.”

Bill stared at the man for a second and wondered if that comment should piss him off.  He turned back to his son. Red hair, miniature Michelin Man arms ending in chubby hands folded against round little pink cheeks. He laughed. “You’re right, he is fat.”

“That’s okay, though, means he’s healthy. Don’t want no skinny babies.” The man nodded his thanks as Bill handed him a cigar.

“Don’t mind if I do. Thanks.” He stuck the cigar in his shirt pocket and pointed at a bassinet kitty corner from Bill’s baby.  “That’un’s mine. Girl number five. Not as fat as your kid, but good and healthy.”

Turning away from the glass he smacked Bill on the shoulder. “You got yourself a boy, lucky you. Congratulations, man.” He ambled off down the hall.

“Yeah, thanks.  You too.” Bill raised his voice so the guy could hear as he walked away.

The man waved as he walked, turned the corner and disappeared.

He stood in front of the glass for a few more minutes, then motioned at the nurse. 

She nodded and placed the baby back in the bassinet. Stripping off her mask and apron, she walked to the inner door. A few minutes later she appeared, white uniform and cap as stiff as ever, beside Bill.

“Can I see my wife now?” He said, still staring at his son. “He’s so tiny.”

“He’s a beautiful little boy,” she said. “Red hair and blue eyes.”

“Thanks.” Bill turned and beamed a smile her way.

“Nice and healthy too.”

“Fat.”

The nurse’s eyes went wide. “No. That’s not what—”

Bill’s smile never wavered. “I know. I’m just kidding.”

She put a hand to her cheek and smiled. “Oh, good. I thought I may have offended you or something.”

“It would take a lot more than that to insult me.” Bill’s lopsided smile faded. “My wife?”

“Oh dear, yes, of course.” Smiling, she turned and started off down the hall in the same direction the gap-toothed father of five girls had gone. “Right this way.” She motioned behind her retreating back. “Follow me.”