2024 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 15

For today’s prompt, write a story about a reluctant character.

Remember: These prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.

(Note: If you run into any issues with posting your story, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.)

Here’s my attempt at a story about reluctance:

Unsure

Marjorie was not ready for another baby.

This was particularly unfortunate seeing as she was just rounding out her 32nd week of the pregnancy. Her stomach loomed in front of her like an omen.

Don’t misunderstand—she was fully prepared to give birth. All things considered, her experience with birth hadn’t been all that exciting (she’d gone with the epidural, obviously). Her son was five now, but if she closed her eyes, she was right back in the hospital room, doctor wrists deep inside her, guiding Evan into the world in one bright burst of joy and chaos.

But the circumstances this time were…tricky. Her boyfriend had been excited abou the little oopsie, showing off the ultrasound despite their not knowing each other all that long, despite the way they got the side-eyes in church, despite the way they’d only met each other’s families in passing glances, like test flights that never got off the ground. A girl this time. John was over the moon.

But then he lost his job, the listless days making him distant and vague around the edges, like he might disappear if she reached for him too quickly. He was texting his ex a lot, though he swore it was just platonic. Marjorie was weepy this pregnancy, which aggravated John, and Evan aggravated them both, though he didn’t mean to.

Inside, the baby’s feet nudged up against her ribs before rolling toward her pelvis in one long sweep. Every movement felt like the ticking of a clock winding down. To what? That was what Marjorie feared most.