Calm before the Storm ch.1

Thunder rumbled threatening in the distance as Lloyd rode on his cart back home; following the rocky beaten path. His state of mind seemed just as gloomily as the clouds above him.

His thoughts mulled over his beloved wife Lisa; wasn’t marriage supposed to be a time of joy and happiness? Sure it had its ups and downs and rough patches. But they’ve always managed to work things out before! Until they tried to start a family that is…

Lisa couldn’t wait to be a mother, to hold a bundle of joy made from the love they both shared. Sadly it just wasn’t meant to be. The first time she became pregnant they were so excited. Life was progressing like it should be. Then it happened, he had just gotten to the wash room to shave his morning stubble when he heard her cry out for him. “Lloyd!” it startled him so that he nicked his cheek with the razor. Dropping it into the sink and rushed to her side. “Lisa! What’s wrong?!” he skidded to a stop at the foot of the bed at what saw.

Lisa held the bloodily soaked sheets with shaky hands. Her face was pale with horror and despair, their baby their child… It hadn’t made it to full term. Only 3 months and she had miscarriage.

The other women came over shortly after to help her clean up and reassured her it wasn’t uncommon for such a thing to happen sometimes. “Keep trying” they encouraged. “It’s not the end of the world. You are young and healthily. You still have plenty of time to bare a child.”

She hoped they were right. She wanted it to be true. But after the two miscarries, she knew something was wrong. They had gone to one of the few remaining cities nearby for a physical exam and learned her worse fear. “Secondary Infertility.” When the doctor uttered those words it was if her heart had been ripped out. There was nothing that could be done. She zoned out the rest of the world, too lost in despair to hear the rest of the conversation.

Either one of them spoke as they rode back home. There was a lifeless look in her eyes now. No longer did they glisten with warmth and affection when he looked into them. Her once hazel colored eyes were a dull grayish mud color as she stared out into nothingness.

“He’s wrong.” Lloyd stated with a hardened tone. “The lord always provided us so far! Why would he deny us this now?” He wrapped his arms around her and spoke to her warmly. “Don’t think about what the doctors said. It will happen. We just have to keep praying.”
She sobbed and clung to him till she fell asleep, all the while praying with all her heart.

Fourth miscarriage. Whatever hope she had left, was gone; taken along with the lives of her unborn children. She became deeply depressed, staying indoors and sleeping or simply sitting and staring at the wooden crib that would never be filled.

He was worried that she would try to commit suicide while he was away on his deliveries, but if they wanted to keep food on the table he had no choice. He clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth to encourage his mare Sadie to go faster.