The phone rings and gets me out of my thoughts. Who could it be ?
How interesting, an unknown number !

Not finding anything to say when picking up, I went with a simple "Hello ?"

— THIS IS IT !

By reflex, I take away the little engine from my ear.

— What is up with the yelling ?

— SOME 4 KILOGRAMS LIVING MONSTER JUST CAME OUT OF MY VAGINA. BELIEVE ME, THE SOUND OF MY VOICE IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES.

— Wait... Linda ?

— WHO ELSE WERE YOU EXPECTING ?

— You're gonna laugh, I completely forgot you were giving birth this month...

— WHAT AN AWESOME SISTER YOU ARE ! ARE YOU COMING OR SHOULD I CALL UNCLE BOB ?

— Who's Uncle Bob ?

— HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW ? JUST SHOW UP.

My sweet sister is definitely crazy. Even more since she's pregnant ! One's better off not pissing her off. Anyway, I've got a feeling that the whole crazy-mad thing isn't gonna just vanish now that she gave birth.

After hanging up, I went straight to my bedroom and changed from my bathing cape to decent clothes. Then I took my new car heading to the hospital, or maternity, or whatever, the GPS's there to show me.

— Good morning ! said I to the woman at the reception, Linda Moreno, if you please.

— Are you a relative ? She asked without even getting her eyes away from her... journal ?

— I'm her sister.

— Um, Very well. Room 608.

My bad, it was an IPad, she was probably looking there to answer me. Maybe her question was just to save time ?

— Excuse me, I asked the receptionnist again, and I could see in her eyes that she was exasperated, where's the elevator ?

— To your left, but it's not working. The stairs are on the other side.

Firetruck. 608, wouldn't that be on the sixth floor ? And the elevator that's out of service, I recognize there my legendary luck.

Well go on ! Random openings songs from shows of my childhood began playing in my head. Probably to encourage me in this great battle. I'm about to knock-out those damned stairs ! Not the other way around !

Unfortunately, when I arrived at the headed-to sixth floor, instead of seeing the room I was looking for, I saw something else. Something much more terrifying then the cries of a new born baby. Something that just took down all of my hopes and dreams.

"Rooms 801 ➡ 850"

I should've asked where to find that damned room 608 instead of just going on a journey by myself.

Four floors down, I finally saw salvation in another sign that brought comfort in the little heart of an auntie who had just spit her lungs after the superhuman effort resulting from a merciless fight against the nemesis (the stairs) following the horrific abandonment of the ally (the elevator).

"Rooms 601 ➡ 650"

I slowly take back my breath then knock at the door that says 608.
As I come in, I notice my sister Linda holding a baby in her arms. Her baby.

However, her husband isn't around. I guess that's for the better, I can't stand his smell when he's nervous !

I don't even think it's humanly possible to sweat that much !

— Where's Ronald ? I asked anyway.

— Who cares ? Answered the witch that is my sister. Here, how about holding your niece !

I followed the new-mother's advice (that wasn't an advice) and took the little pink squishy thing in my arms and she automatically started to cry.

— Come on ! I had to go up six floors and down fours. Using the stairs ! I nearly lost it ! I'm your aunt, you ungrateful sweet !

— What exactly were you expecting ? said Linda, with a light smile.

//December 2020//