By William and Sherry
It was his idea; hefoundthe websites, downloaded and studied the information, made an appointment at the fertility clinic. He even went with her, met the staff, took the tour, watched the video.
The doctor saidthat that her best chances of getting pregnant would be to have sex right before the egg was released. He explained that her Basal Body Temperature would go up half a degree about twelve hours after she ovulated. They should record her BBT every morning for several months so they could predict when heregg would beready.
The doctor told him to go deep and stay inside for a long time after he ejaculated. It would help if she had an orgasm.Also, boy sperms swam faster than girl sperms, but girl sperms lived longer. She might have a girl if they had sex several days beforeshe ovulated.If they waited until her egg was released, she’d be more likely to have a boy.
That’s what he wanted.
He recorded her BBT each morning in a blue notebook.
He read that three sexual positions—the turtle, the anvil, and the jockey—were best for getting pregnant. He showed her the pictures, told her that she could choose the position.
One day he looked at the calendar. Its time, he thought. On the way home from work he picked upa bottle of Shiraz, fresh brie, rye crackers, red grapes. He hurriedhome, gave her a hug and a kiss, poured the wine, unwrapped the food, laid out napkins, lit the candles.She satnext to him on the couch, stared at the food and wine.
Silence settled between them, cool, white, soft as cotton.
Henry and Joanne
It was her idea, she wanted the baby, she made the appointment at the fertility clinic.
He drove her, shook hands with the director, the other doctors, took the tour, watched the video. The doctor explained that her Basal Body Temperature would go up about half a degree twelve hours after her egg was released. They had to measure her BBT every morning. Then they could predict exactly when she would ovulate. Then they should have intercourse.
Boy sperms swam faster than girl sperms, but girl sperms lived longer. She didn’t care about that; she just wanted a baby.
He was in the kitchen one Saturday morning when she yelled, “Hey—it’s time. We gotta do it.”
He texted Max and Phil that he’d be a late, then shucked off his clothes, climbed into bed with her.
When he was done she said, “Get off, I have to stick this pillow under my ass.”
“Okay,” he said.
When he met the guys at the ball field, they asked how his day was going.
“Good, real good,” he said.
Andrew Miller
Andrew Miller retired from a career that included university teaching and research in endangered species and aquatic habitat restoration. Now he has time to pursue his long-held interest in creative writing. Recent work has appeared in: Literally Stories, Foliate Oak Literary Magazine, Gravel: A Literary Journal, Storgy, Front Porch Review, Dime Show Review, Typehouse Literary Magazine, and Shantih Journal.
If you enjoyed ‘What They Wanted’ leave a comment and let Andrew know.
The SHALLOW CREEK Short Story Competition
Mallum Colt, proprietor of Colt’s Curiosity Shop, invites authors to explore the sinister shadows and crooked streets of his once splendid town of Shallow Creek.
Guests are gifted a Shallow Creek visitor pack consisting of a map of Shallow Creek, a character profile, a specific location, and an item of interest.
These items shall act as a source of inspiration as Mallum Colt guides his guests through Shallow Creek and reveals the secrets and stories of a town bereft of sleep.
For more information and full terms and conditions click here…
Twenty-four short stories, exclusive afterwords, interviews, artwork, and more.
From Trumpocalypse to Brexit Britain, brick by brick the walls are closing in. But don’t despair. Bulldoze the borders. Conquer freedom, not fear. EXIT EARTH explores all life – past, present, or future – on, or off – this beautiful, yet fragile, world of ours. Final embraces beneath a sky of flames. Tears of joy aboard a sinking ship. Laughter in a lonely land. Dystopian or utopian, realist or fantasy, horror or sci-fi, EXIT EARTH is yours to conquer.
EXIT EARTH includes the short stories of all fourteen finalists of the STORGY EXIT EARTH Short Story Competition, as judged by critically acclaimed author Diane Cook (Man vs. Nature) and additional stories by award winning authors M R Cary (The Girl With All The Gifts), Toby Litt (Corpsing), James Miller (Lost Boys), Courttia Newland (A Book of Blues), and David James Poissant (The Heaven of Animals), and exclusive artwork by Amie Dearlove, HarlotVonCharlotte, CrapPanther, and cover design by Rob Pearce.
Visit the STORGY SHOP here…
Unlike many other Arts & Entertainment Magazines, STORGY is not Arts Council funded or subsidised by external grants or contributions. The content we provide takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce, and relies on the talented authors we publish and the dedication of a devoted team of staff writers. If you enjoy reading our Magazine, help to secure our future and enable us to continue publishing the words of our writers. Please make a donation or subscribe to STORGY Magazine with a monthly fee of your choice. Your support, as always, continues to inspire.
Sign up to our mailing list and never miss a new short story.
