H&H Magazine
Lost and Found
Summer 2018
away, wings moving in an awkward spasm instead of a graceful flap. Like so many things these days, it seemed on the fritz. These failing presents weren’t the fault of Amber’s father, Paul. He thought he was being a good dad; distant and dutiful as ever. He read her bedtime stories over the holo, glowing by the bed, his eyes welling up when he couldn’t tuck her in or kiss her because he was just an image, as she was to him. He sent these occasional presents to try and make up for the time and space between them. Edith’s love had only stretched so far and for so long, and then it had snapped. She thought this “doll” was as much a gift to Amber as it was to her. Even after the divorce, he was still guilty about Louise. But they would always be connected by Amber, so Edith couldn’t deny his gifts. The shiny black pod opened itself like some exotic fruit, puffed a little dry ice smoke, showed a convincing holo of some fireworks and finished with a short fanfare. Amber giggled gleefully and a holo of a cheerful woman began talking. “Congratulations, it’s a child!” she said, beaming. “And in just two short weeks you will know whether it’s a boy or a girl! You will be our next proud parent, part of the ever growing, ever loving family that is Baby Ever Real.” Inside the black egg was a onesie, laid out as if it were already occupied by a baby lying on its back. Around and beneath it were various vials, boxes, and jars marked as hazardous with several black and yellow symbols in a row. The relentlessly cheerful woman smiled her way through telling them not to get anything wrong when combining the chemicals. Like a pre-flight safety message, glossing over the prospect of something horrible. Amber fussed over every container with anticipation and glee. Edith could only hope that it would self-destruct like the others had, before its care inevitably fell to her.
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