The glow of it makes strangers smile. Women rub their stomachs fondly, either remembering those days of happiness or wishing for those days to come. Men grin, wanting to hurry home to play with their own children or their friends' children. Few people are unmoved by the sight of it. Few don't smile at the sight of a beautifully rounded belly, swelled with life, even those who know better than to put any child through their deficient parenting skills. It reminds all that life goes on in a beautiful circle.
Boy, girl… none of it seems to matter as people gather around an expectant mother, giving advice, sharing stories, asking progress reports, suggesting names… a few hands stretch out expectantly, hoping to feel a kick, a head butt, a sign of life. They will walk away feeling better about the world, about their reality. They will struggle to make their portion of the world better for the child to come.
As the mother reaches out to the edge of the table, pulling herself up to her feet from her chair, helpful hands reach out to steady her. She smiles at them fondly. She will remember them with a smile during her maternity leave. Her eight-month old stomach looks small between her baby tee and low riding jeans and her feet don't look the least bit swollen in their high heel mules.
“See you guys in a year,” she says waving to her friends as she walks out, taking one long drag of her cigarette before putting it out, “I'm off to deliver this baby.”
She walks away, still glowing, not seeing the heads shaking in despair as they remember the reason she'd flippantly given when a few of them had asked her why she kept on smoking when she was pregnant… It'll keep the baby small…