In Pieces

This Piece of flash fiction appeared in Yellow Mama Magazine.

I was in Paris when it began.

I'd called downstairs to the hotel concierge for room service. "Un verre et certains glace, je vous prie." 

Crystal Rose, the 1990 vintage. I'd purchased a bottle just hours earlier and was eager to celebrate. I knew I'd only indulge in one glass; it would be my first in three months. 

Waiting in my room, I decided to open a window and let in some light. I rose from my spot on the edge of the bed and took two steps forward. That's when I felt the stab.

It was as if someone were prodding my insides with a poker. I doubled over on the floor, one hand on my belly.

I remember thinking, 'I've been hit and I've peed on myself'. I looked between my legs and watched as the red spot on my khaki skirt grew into what looked like a maroon inlet.

'A little bleeding,' I thought. 'Not so uncommon.' 

I tried to stand, but my knees buckled and I landed on the end of the bed. 

The reality came in spurts, the physical followed by the intellectual. 

I birthed my baby 

in 

pieces.

Reviews

[SRMarx]

Heartbreaking! I liked how you led up to the reveal. It was quite engaging!

[Bare trees]

I would agree this is powerful writing and creates strong images. I'm wondering if any pregnant woman read it and what they came away with mentally? A ood piece of flash fiction professionally written.

[Wandering Violet]

Wow. Powerfully written. Excellent!

[Vincent]

Powerful piece, the raw pain is here in plain sight, through the imagery of carefully selected words. Good job.
(oh and the french sentence is interesting, we can almost hear an accent)