Exposed

I watched him sleep, said nothing. I marveled at the strange way he slept, his body atop the covers and tangled in the blanket, his head not on the pillow but buried beneath it.

“Zac,” I whispered softly.

He remained amazingly still, the deep sighs that escaped his mouth every few moments the only indications that he was indeed alive.

I nudged him, unable to help myself. He responded by rocking in several jerky motions on the bed, finally settling into a position on his side.

“Zac,” I spoke this time.

“Mmmph,” his words were indecipherable in slumber as he curled into a tight ball. I smiled at the sight before me. His large body was now in the fetal position, and he cradled his pillow in his arms the way one might hold a small child.

He was sleeping a seemingly impenetrable sleep. I scooted to the edge of the bed and my feet hit the ground, the bedsprings creaking as I moved.

“Zac,” I announced, “I’m pregnant.” I stared up at the December morning light that hung from the window in thick white sheets.

His eyes opened. “Did you just say something?” he murmured, his voice thick as he squinted against the harsh light.

“No, go back to sleep,” I said.

He seemed to be following my directions as he nudged his head towards my torso and closed his eyes, his soft hair tumbling onto my arm and tickling it; but then, he spoke.

“I heard you, you know. It’s alright to be scared, but you don’t need to hide from me - we’re going to give that kid one hell of a life.”

(word count: 276)