Jun. 22nd, 2014

metaphortunate: (Default)
When you see a person who is visibly pregnant, you feel:
  • vaguely grossed out and embarrassed for her, as though you were seeing someone loudly hawk up phlegm or perform some other unattractive and probably sticky biological function in public.
  • a protective tenderness. You want to offer her a seat, or get her a snack, or stand between her and the person who’s about to try to touch her belly.
  • a creeping biological horror, as if watching a video of Cordyceps fungus infesting an ant, changing its behavior, killing it, and erupting from the back of its head.
  • like giving her a high-five!
  • a strange, slight jealousy. You don’t want to be pregnant; and yet.
  • an impotent terror, as if watching someone trip and fall towards a counter and reflexively put out their hand down into the sink where a garbage disposal is running. You want to shriek NOOOO! STOP! and you know it is far, far too late.
  • welcoming. Another member has joined the club; you’ll have so much to talk about, and now there will be someone else who always has wet wipes that you can borrow.
  • a jealousy so strong it tastes bitter. If she already has children, you might have to just look away; keep your face still.
  • pleased that you might have found someone who could use your outgrown newborn clothes, or baby swing.
  • irrationally terrified that she might break her water or throw up or something and you’ll have to deal with it.


ETA:
  • "Better you than me, sister."

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