By Steven Murphy
The same ultrasound tech does it every time. Her grimace, frown, and grunt of confusion spark a wave of panic I try to hide. She moves the paddle, sliding over the jelly, letting the silence build.
My wife forces a smile. I wonder if she’s thinking of the overnight pains, the trip to Cedars, the saltines promised and never delivered, the parking lot that didn’t validate. The darkness of thinking we’d never have another shot.
The tech leaves to fetch the doctor, who continues moving the paddle, talking about the summer heat, and then stops, as an image fills the screen.
I remember that anxiety; it’s almost palpable. The tension is heavily built but in a subtle way. Well written.
Good forward momentum. It’s easy to feel the apprehension and then the anticipation of the couple.
I felt this story in a personal way. Love the hopeful ending.
Very good.
I love the quiet anxiety of the piece, the hopeful tension, and the unresolved ending. We are left to imagine what the image shows and where this couple is headed.
This story is so powerful, experienced by many!