Meet the Parents
This is strange, where am I? It’s so dark, I can’t see anything. At least it's warm and cosy in here. Should I take a nap? Maybe I just woke up from one, I’m not sure but I don’t feel tired. Oh well, what should I do? I know, I’ll see if there’s anyone else around. I’d like to have a chat with someone. I don’t know why I think that. “Hello, anybody there?”
“Yes,” a male voice said.
“Hello, where are you?”
“I’m here.”
“Sorry I can’t see you at the moment.”
“I know.”
“Can you see me?”
“Yes.”
Well, that doesn’t seem fair but I’m not upset because it’s just for a time. I don’t know how I know that. Maybe this nice man knows, “Who are you?”
“Your father.”
“Oh, sorry I didn’t realise that.”
“That’s because we haven’t been introduced yet.”
“Do I have a mother too?”
“Yes.”
“Is she here?”
“Yes.”
“Can I speak with her?”
“You can but she won’t be able to respond to you yet. It’s not time.” That’s strange but okay, my father knows what he’s talking about, I can tell.
I began to hum a melody. I don’t remember ever doing that before but I know this tune really well. I like it. “Father?”
“Yes.”
“Can I call you Dad?”
“Of course you can.”
“Dad, how did I learn that tune I was just singing?”
“I taught you.”
“I don’t remember that.”
“I know.”
Dad sure likes to be vague sometimes, “Should I be concerned?”
He chuckled, “No child.”
“I like talking to you.”
“I like talking with you too.”
“I have more questions.”
“I know.”
“If you want a break or need to go for a while, I understand.”
“No child, I’ll never leave you alone.”
“That’s so nice.”
“Well, I love you dearly.”
I went to ask another question but notice something is different. I’m taking up more space and the warm wet walls of my room seem closer. I’d better check in about this, “Dad?”
“Yes.”
“What’s happening?” I love how I don’t have to explain to my Dad, he just knows me so well.
“You’re growing.”
“That’s amazing, you did that?”
“Yes.”
“That was so fast.”
“Yes and no. Remember when I described time to you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it’s been over four and half months.”
“That can’t be right. I know we’ve been talking a lot but surely not for that long.”
“You’ve been so engaged with me you haven’t noticed.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. How much bigger will I get?”
“You have a fair way to go.”
I just remembered, “Dad, when will I be able to see you?”
“Very soon.”
Whoah, what was that? Dad has never made those sounds before. Sounded like a burp. I don’t think I like it. Some part of me moved automatically and hit my bedroom walls. I swear I didn’t do it myself. They’re still slimy but I like touching my walls with any part of me. Then I’m sure I heard something else, a distant muffled sound, a screeching noise. “Dad, what was that?”
“Well, you’re beginning to hear sounds from the outside world I’ve been telling you about. That was your mother.”
“Why did she make that sound?”
“She’s excited because she just felt you kick.”
“Really, I wouldn’t have thought that would be a nice thing to do.”
“That’s another example of something that will make sense to you much later on. Believe me when I say she’s very happy about it because she already loves you dearly. Your kick allowed her to feel you and connect with you even now.”