Enduring Labor

The nurse approached him, smiling. ''The labor is going great," she said. "Wouldn't you like to come in?" "Oh, no." The man shook his head. The nurse returned to the mother's side, and the labor progressed smoothly. As the birth neared, the nurse returned to the man, now pacing frantically in the ball. "She's doing so well," she assured him. "Would. you like to at least come in and see her?" The man seemed to hesitate slightly, then shook his head again. ''No, no, I couldn't do that." He jingled car keys in his sweaty palm and resumed his pacing. The nurse went back into the room and coached Mom's valiant efforts in pushing the baby into the world. As the baby's head began to exit the birth canal, the nurse raced to the halt grabbed the man by his elbow and dragged him to the bedside, saying, ''You have got to see this!'' At that very moment, the baby boy was born and placed on the tummy of his mother, whose radiant smile shone through her tears. The man began to cry openly. Turning to the nurse, he sobbed, ''You were right! This is the greatest moment in my life!' By now, the nurse, too, was tearful. She put her arm around him, and he rested his head on her shoulder. She soothed, ''No one should miss the birth of their son." "This isn't my son," the man blubbered. ''This isn't even my wife. I've never seen her before in my life. I was just bringing the car keys to my buddy across the hall!"