Decrease

Monday - September 13

I'm puzzled as to why she would want a child with the world being so disarrayed. Now, in 2050, the world's population is nineteen billion. When the world's population was fourteen billion in 2020, all countries forbade natural conception, and all children at birth had to be sterilized. Some natural birthing has made it through the cracks, and the population continues to swell upon our tiny little planet. Humans were brought up to believe in multiplying; not knowing that one day the breeding of humans would be their demise. Even so, the past can't help me with the current situation with Claire.

I glance at the clock and see that I'm running behind. Scurrying out of the bedroom, I enter the kitchen to grab a cup of pre-made coffee. Needing some half and half, I go to the refrigerator, when suddenly, I hear a crashing sound. Throwing my cup onto the table, I rush back into the bedroom yelling, "Claire! Claire!" Panning throughout the bedroom, I see no sign of her. I dash into the bathroom to find her lying on the floor. I reach down to pick her up, placing her carefully into my arms, asking, "Claire, what is it? What's wrong?"

Gasping for air, she blurts out, "John, something... something needs to be done." She faints. I pick her up and place her on the bed. I go to the living room to grab my medical bag. I find my stethoscope and quickly place it on Claire's chest to listen to her heart beat. As she starts to come around, she tries earnestly to lift herself.

"Claire, don't move. What happened? Do you remember what happened?" I ask.

Rubbing her hand on her forehead, she says, "John... John... I think..." She rubs her stomach and continues to speak slowly, stuttering, "John, I think... I'm pregnant."

I stand up and gaze down into her eyes. In amazement, I say, "What? What did you say?"

Still looking at me with a daze, Claire repeats, "I'm pregnant."

I continue to stare at Claire thinking she must be delusional. I take her hand and sit down next to her on the bed saying, "Claire, you must have hit your head and hard, because you said you're pregnant; which, of course, is impossible."

Claire takes my hand and places it on her stomach. She looks deep into my eyes, whispering, "John, I'm pregnant."

I soon find my hand rubbing her stomach as if she is pregnant, and then I yank it away. I jump up, and in astonishment I screech, "You... you can't be! That's impossible! We haven't gone to a clinic, and you were sterilized upon birth!"

Claire gets out of bed and tenderly touches my face saying, "John, it's not impossible. My parents paid a hefty price to make sure I would not be sterilized. I am pregnant."

The combination of confusion and being pissed off forces me to pull myself back. I yell at her, "What? What are you saying? That you can have children? Now, nine years after we've been married? Claire! Claire! I don't believe you! I don't believe you!" I grab my bag, stomp out of the bedroom, and head towards the hallway closet to grab my coat.

Claire follows me out, and grabs my arm, saying, "John, it's true. I'm not lying. I am pregnant. I'm three months pregnant. I went to a doctor and he verified it." She releases my arm, and turns away crying, "It's true!"

I stare at her as she walks away. Looking at the clock and seeing that I'm now late for work, I get my phone and call my employer to inform them that I'll be late. After I hang up, I silently enter the living room, and in total mystification, plop myself onto the couch. Not sure how to respond to "it's true", I place my head in my hands and begin to mutter nonsense.

Claire sits next to me, caresses my head and says, "It'll be all right, John. No one will find out."

I lift my head, and sarcastically ask her, "How do you expect to hide a pregnancy, Claire? You do know what happens to your abdomen, right? You get bigger!"