Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

A Loss and a Gift

The sun was beaming through the window shades as I open my eyes. I could not remember where I was until I heard the hungry cry of my newborn. My engorged breasts responded on cue. The nurse gently placed him in my arms. He easily latched on and I felt the tug of his sucking. My emotions were vacillating from joy to depression. I was overjoyed to be swaddling my newborn, but I also felt a great sense of loss.

“Why you are crying?” my concerned husband asked.

“It must be the hormones.” I stated not wanting to face the truth that I was grieving the loss of my former life.

“I’m sure you’ll feel better in no time once your hormones settle down.”

Despite not feeling convinced, I smiled anyway not wanting to appear ungrateful for just giving birth to the miracle of life

Once we arrived home from the hospital I sat in our cushioned blue glider in our small apartment as I was rocked our baby to sleep. On the kitchen table, I saw my briefcase splayed open on the table with documents that needed approval. How could I manage going back to work when I feel so over whelmed with a new born?

My tennis racket was propped up in the corner of the room. As I fondly thought of memories of laughter and friendship I wondered, Will I ever be able to play tennis again?

I could already tell that my relationship with my husband was changing. We used to be the center of our life, now it was our baby. I wondered, what will happen to our marriage?

Despite my many concerns, I felt reassured as my husband leaned over the rocking chair and held me as I held our newborn.


WC 298
No Prompt