The metal stool swayed from my heftiness as I took a seat, quite larger than the previous year, our first child due come winter. I stared at my reflection in the centuries old mirror, the one grandmother left in her attic to tarnish. Roger brought it down for me when we took residence here after her passing. I didn’t much like the place, but he insisted with a little work, we were sitting on a gem. “So, you said, Roger. So, you said.” I whispered, unheard but by the empty space in which I secluded myself.
I ran my sterling comb through the locks of inherited golden curls and batted my eyes while I quirkily smiled, hoping to find Audrey internally lost in the chaos I called self. I tapped the mirror with my finger. “Audrey, Audrey, is anyone home?” It was useless, my emotions had been sucked out of me. A hazy skull corrupted my vision, I supposed it was the only thing that could freely answer my call, confirming my desolation.
Roger walked through the door. “Why the monstrous face, my dear?” Could he see what glared back at me. I shook my head quickly and smiled. “You cannot fool your old husband.” He laughed. “Are you not feeling pretty? Sad and lonely, are we? ….. Hungry?”
I rested my hand on my belly and sighed.
“Pregnant women are the most beautiful women, especially my wife.” He knew exactly how to arouse a smile. He leaned down and kissed me, brushing his nose slightly against my cheek. His hand joined mine just in time to feel our offspring kick. “The little fella has strength, doesn’t he.”
“Yes, she does.” I laughed. Hormonal self-pity left with Roger’s arrival. I decided to look to the future instead of in the mirror…… for now.
Leesa Writes 