The Future and Other Twists: A collection of short and super-short stories by Sikora Mardra

Author:Sikora, Mardra [Sikora, Mardra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-09-25T07:00:00+00:00

Shot B

ISABELLA GLARED BACK at the sun on her way to work in the city’s outer-circle. At least while she interned in the lower-city clinic she never had to worry about sunglasses. The dark streets and the double credits, those were the few positive points from her pre-graduation work. Of course, while she was there, the dark streets were actually neither safe nor positive. She went into the lower-city each day with the hope that nursing would enable her to make an impact not only on the lives of those she treated, but also on the future of the world.

But today she knew nothing more than the churning within her belly and so she focused on one step in front of the next as she stepped past the front desk and leaned against the wall while gathering her tablet from her bag.

“Isabella, you’re looking rather green this morning,” Norah said with a quick wink, “Is there something you want to tell us?”

Instead of giving Norah a smile and witty response, Isabella shook her head, wrapped the tablet around her forearm, and replied, “No. Not today.” She flipped open the cover, tapped out her entry code and the screen lit. “Is Mrs. McKinley here?” her right index finger hovered in motion over the tablet, quickly mapping her other morning inquiries.

“Room six,” Norah took a sip from her mug and indulged a satisfied sigh. “You know, I do think this baby likes his morning coffee, too.” She rubbed her extended midsection. “I swear he kicks me harder if I give him decaf. Do you think he’ll go into withdrawal after he’s born?”

“Not if you breastfeed.”

Norah laughed. “That’s cute, Isabella.” She retreated to her desk, chuckling, “Breastfeed…”

Isabella stared a moment longer than usual at the information that levitated in her vision. Dr. Reiter passed her without a word. He raised his left elbow, which prompted room 8’s door scanner, while his fingers continued their uninterrupted directions over his wrist-tablet.

Isabella stepped to the door of room 6 and knocked gently. “Come in” replied from within and the door slipped open.

“How are you feeling?” Isabella asked while she forced a small smile.

“Fine. Everything’s going fine,” Mrs. McKinley beamed back at her.

“Good.” Isabella scanned the woman’s blood pressure and temperature while the woman chatted, her joy bounced around the room.

“Connor seems to be sure this peripregnancy will advance.” Isabella appreciated Mrs. McKinley’s obliviousness to her own color and mood. “Is it true women used to be pregnant for nine months? Can you imagine?” she continued, “Nine months!”

“Yes,” Isabella replied, “Medicine was different then.” Isabella made notes into her tablet. “Any concerns or questions?”

“Nope. Just here for the vaccination.”

Isabella nodded. “I’ll be right back.” She went into the hall.

The doctor stood with his brow furrowed, still focused on his wrist while his fingers moved quickly across the tablet. His chin remained in its most common position, pointing towards his neck. Isabella stood still while the room six door closed behind her. Without moving his head, Dr. Reiter’s eyes shifted to Isabella.

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