Chapter 2

David worked for Eversharp, a corporation that commissions people to sell high-end knives. He paid for his own training, but had enough wealthy acquaintances via his family that he was able to maintain a relatively good living. Every day he had between three and five appointments, with each one lasting about an hour. Most days he was gone for close to nine hours, between driving across town and the gaps between sessions. His meals were usually rushed; which meant chocolate-chip protein bars and kombucha, with the occasional package of beef jerky thrown in.

Ariel tied together her blue dress and walked down the steps of their apartment complex. She worked for Billy's, an independently owned clothing boutique on the strip. Seventy percent of the clientele were college-aged locals, the other thirty were tourists asking for directions.  Her manager, Victoria, never took a liking to her. Victoria was the type of woman who voluntarily listened to the music Ariel was forced to.  The products were to her taste, so Ariel dismissed the majority of her silent complaints. She would come home with a new scarf, skirt, or dress, and David never objected. The job was to support her hobbies and their savings account.

Today, they came home at the same time. She threw her keys on the kitchen counter and lazily opened the refrigerator door. David went straight for the couch and put on The Daily Show.

"Well, either we need to go to the grocery store, or we can go out," she said finally.
"Grocery store. Going out sounds painful."
"Fine, I'll go."
He turned towards her. "I'll go with you."
"No, you finish your show. Just tell me what you want."
 "I want for you not to be mad at me."
"We're mad at each other, but I don't feel like talking about it." She started towards the door.
"Fish, brown rice, and broccoli."
"Do you have a preference what kind of fish?"
"No, you can pick that."
"Thanks. I'll be back." She left.

Chapter 1

When Ariel was single, she made the same thing for herself every morning; two eggs, double fiber wheat toast, and three slices of tomato. Sometimes she would assemble these to make a sandwich. Before she met David she was an avid coffee drinker, but in years past he had convinced her of the benefits in drinking green or white tea instead. Whenever she would pass by a coffee shop she would stop and stare longingly inside before walking away.

This morning she prepared hard boiled eggs, sliced avocado, and opened two small containers of yogurt. David walked to the kitchen and put on the kettle.

"Why didn't you come to bed?" she asked.
"I didn't want to wake you." He faced the stove.
"I always want you to wake me."  She put her fingers through his soft black hair and he turned around. He put his arms around her.
"I fear I'm not interesting to you anymore. There's something else that's caught your attention."
She held him tight. "Nothing could divert my thoughts from you."

She watched him tie his tie in the mirror and wrapped her arms around his waist.  "I love you so," she whispered in his ear. "Let's have a baby."
His eyes widened as she saw her expression harden.
"Why?" he said. "We're so young, and only been married three years."
"We're not that young," she sighed. "And we've been together seven years." Her hands left his waist and she walked into the living room. He followed her.
"Haven't I always been good to you?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"I'm not planning an attack, David. I'm trying to build a family with you."
"I can't do this right now." He grabbed his coat and hat and walked out.

An Introduction

She was born in late September in 1980 and never learned how to ride a bike. She grew to accept this fact as one of many irregularities in her childhood. Everyone that she became close to in her post-adolescent life challenged her, however. Timidly, she would put one foot on the ground and whirl the other over the seat and attempt to pedal. Naturally, she fell and would continue to fall like the withered leaves every year. 

In the winter, her husband gave up. He left her to her books and shelves of vintage nick knacks. Her most prized was a wind up baby doll who waved its tiny plastic arms in circles. She would watch it come to life on her pillow and fall asleep to clicking sounds. He would come home late from work and sleep on the sofa so as not to disturb her.


She dreamt of another life. One that was free of concern over in-laws, date nights, and intercourse. She saw a child, a girl. She would push her on a swing set and sing "Suzanne." She bonded with the other mothers about scheduling nap and snack times, the lonely evening hours, and clothing swaps. 


She woke up and started to make breakfast.