Slam Chapter 14 Summary

  • Down at the Bowl one afternoon, Sam's mom shows up, huffing and puffing. Alicia's in labor and Sam needs to get his butt over there right away.
  • She tells him not to be scared, though, since it's an amazing experience.
  • Sam rushes over to Alicia's. When he arrives, Andrea tells him that Alicia is in the bath but he can go in and see her.
  • It's a little awkward to be able to go in the bathroom when Alicia is in there, but Sam goes in anyway.
  • She cleans herself off and the three of them head to the hospital.
  • Alicia wants Sam to time the contractions, but he's not sure how long it's been since her last one. They yell at each other before Andrea steps in.
  • Andrea explains that for the next couple hours, Alicia will be on edge but Sam shouldn't take anything she says seriously.
  • Even though Sam remembers this from the pregnancy class they took together, he still gets annoyed—Alicia is being really mean.
  • They decide to turn on some music, having each made a CD full of songs to listen to in the delivery room.
  • First up is Sam's CD. Right away, Alicia complains that she hates it and tells him to turn it off. So he puts her CD in.
  • But let's face it: No one wants to listen to a song about bringing "Sexy Back" during labor.
  • So Andrea puts her CD on. It's the perfect mix of classical music, and it's very calming.
  • Sam thinks back to when Andrea suggested making a CD and he wasn't so sure hers would be good. Now he knows she knew exactly what was needed.
  • After a little while, the contractions slow down. The nurse wants to send them home but Andrea insists they stay so Alicia doesn't give birth on the back of the bus or something. Again, Sam feels grateful to have her around.
  • He runs out to grab a soda while Alicia is asleep and realizes his whole life is about to change.
  • When Alicia finally has the baby, a song by Rufus Wainwright is playing. So that's how they come up with the name Rufus for their son (whose nickname is Roof).
  • Andrea calls Sam's mom to share the news and she rushes up to the hospital. She thinks Rufus looks like Sam when he was a baby.
  • Sam's mom and Alicia swap notes about giving birth.
  • His mom doesn't love the name, but she figures it's better than if a Coldplay or Fifty Cent song were playing. Then the baby's name would be Coldplay Jones or Fifty Cent Jones. Doesn't sound charming.
  • Uh, don't you mean, Coldplay Burns? Andrea's mom chimes in. Since Alicia and Sam aren't married, Alicia might give her last name (Burns) to the baby.
  • Sam's mom is annoyed at this suggestion. She doesn't know why Alicia would do that, but she doesn't want to fight about it right then anyway.
  • Just then, Robert walks in. He's excited to meet baby Rufus, and some of the tension is defused.
  • Alicia announces the baby's last name will be Jones (Sam's last name) after all.