First Person
You lie within me, cupped and curled. You're in me, I'm in you; we're each other's inside out.
They count your fingers, toes, chromosomes... twice.
They count your fingers, toes, chromosomes... twice.
My head spins. Are you upside-down?
They turn off the monitor. They speak in needles, numbers, and odds, while I strum my fingers to your kicks.
They say, "If you... we have pills... the products of conception would..." They don't smile.
My belly tightens. Can you feel me? I'm your first person.
I say, "The products of conception, please call them 'Emma'."
You lie still... but when you wake, you can call me 'Mum'.
They turn off the monitor. They speak in needles, numbers, and odds, while I strum my fingers to your kicks.
They say, "If you... we have pills... the products of conception would..." They don't smile.
My belly tightens. Can you feel me? I'm your first person.
I say, "The products of conception, please call them 'Emma'."
You lie still... but when you wake, you can call me 'Mum'.
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Author's Note
First published as part of the inaugural UK National Flash Fiction Day, using pen name Martha Williams. Highly Commended - 100 Word Competition 2012, included in the Jawbreakers anthology.
https://www.nationalflashfictionday.co.uk/index.php/competition/2012-microfiction-results/
Other stories by T. M. Upchurch
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"I strum my fingers to your kicks."
Effective brush strokes. **
I feel privileged being let in to feel this. *
Perfectly tender.*
Quiet, yet moving, each word well-chosen.*
*. It demands feeling. So sweet and tender.
*
Nice. Affirming. Lovely.
I like.
Thank you for your comments. This story is very personal to me, so your kindness means a lot.
"You lie within me, cupped and curled. You're in me, I'm in you; we're each other's inside out."
Superb!*