The Cops Are Following Us

  Now where did I leave my cell phone? Did I put it back in my purse?
 I’ve got to call Mom. The pains are starting and we are still several miles
 away from Bethlehem.  Surely she will know what we should do. 
I am sure it is just false labor but it would be nice to get some advice
 from a--woman! 

        Joseph  is exceeding the limit as it is, and is swerving in
 and out of traffic. Eeek! I see red and blue lights flashing!

       “Joseph slow down! Slow down! It’s the cops!”

       Later: Joseph convinced the policeman that it was awful urgent to
 hurry, so he lead us all the  way to the hospital, siren wailing. 
I'll be so embarrassed if it is a false alarm!

            Wait! That isn't how it happened! Let’s get it right, straight 
off that  yellow and crumbing parchment  and  peer at Mary’am’s
 own fading script.
 I am not feeling very brave today even though the stars are
 twinkling brightly in the otherwise 
black, early morning sky. Yosef is loading Mojo, our donkey.
 Somewhere,far, far away in a place called Bethlehem the stars
 are also shining, I suppose, but the track is so rough and dark
 between here and there. 
There are treacherous mountains just a few miles from the road we must 
take, and who know what kinds of animals might come prowling 
around at night.
 It will take us many days to get there, and this is happening so close
 to when the baby is expected to arrive! 
I have never been far from home except for the time I went to see 
Aunt Elisheva, and I dread this journey! At least this time I will have 
Yosef with me! What a consolation! My deepest fear is for the Baby
 because I am so near the end. Oh, if only it would have worked out to
 leave earlier! Will He be all right?