Phoenix

This story is by Nia Ellis and was part of our 2018 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

Jamani believed in God but doubted her trust. She had a baby developing in her. She doubted if she was worthy to carry it to full term.

Jamani sat in the living room looking at the Oaktree outside the window. Shades of copper, red, and yellow leaves dropped to the ground. A gentle breeze swirled. Leaves danced in the air.

A stream of negative thoughts emerged. “Was it abnormal to believe a mother could parent without the dad? Did she make the right choice? Will the child be safe?” The constant stream of thoughts incited sleep. Awakened to strong kicks, punches, and jabs from the baby. Jamani used her hands to stroke her belly. She whispered, “Blessed be the fruit.”

Pounding on the door interrupted the moment. Jamani stormed to the door. Dark circles beneath her eye and tensed muscles in her face. Charles the father of her child stood.

“I have rights to my unborn child. You can’t just cut communication off and act as if I don’t exist,” screamed Charles.

Jamani replied, “I pursued you. You were a donor nothing more. Get the hell away from my door.” The door slammed in his face.

Posted with her back to the door, breathing heavy. “You are insane, I will not just disappear,” Shouted Charles. The car door slammed. The sounds of tires screeched the road.

Jamani collapsed into the chair facing a huge floor mirror.

She saw an ancient gruesome cunning eyed witch figure in the mirror. The Witch. Jamani’s heart was pounding. It overheated her body as if it were on fire.

Panting and exhausted, wished she’d never agreed to Jennifer’s witchery. She reached for a bottle of water then drank the entire bottle. The witch subsided. Jamani returned to the calmness of the Oak tree. No judgments, no worries, no negative thinking.

Obscure thoughts didn’t interfere but, they always came back. The mind could justify everything to sustain its position of rightness.

Jennifer Jamani’s twin sister appeared in the room. Jamani asked, ‘When did you get back?’

Jennifer replied. ‘I’ve been here the entire morning. Would you like a cup of tea?’ Jamani nodded her head.

Overwhelmed by Jennifer presence. A constant stream of thoughts emerged. “When did she leave? Did she know Charles visited? Why was she back? She didn’t announce her arrival. Stop talking! La, La, La, La stop.” Jamani thoughts ceased as Jennifer returned to the room. ‘Drink your tea dear you look tired,’ said Jennifer.

Jennifer reached to touch Jamani’s belly. Jamani blocked her with a strong outward push. Jennifer smiled then said to the old witch possessing Jamani. ‘Oh dear, you don’t scare me. How is my baby doing inside you?’

Thoughts spiraled out of control in Jamani’s head. The old witch emerged inside Jamani and said. ‘Maybe your baby is gasping for air or hates you as much as I do.’ The old witch’s dark eyes stared downward at Jennifer. Jennifer walked out of the room.

Pacing back and forth, Jennifer thinks, ‘Hell no, Jamani is my sister, I promise I would keep them safe. That old witch will not take possession of my child.’

The old witch and the child didn’t enjoy Charles, but Jamani loved Charles, he was her first. Jennifer replayed that evening (nine months ago) in her head when Jamani and Charles conceived the baby and Jamani’s possession of the witch.

Candlelight dinner for two, wine and good food. Jennifer excused herself to the bathroom. Jamani returned to the dinner table. Charles and Jamani danced and made out.

Nine months ago on that night, Jamani got pregnant. Jennifer was desperate. Jennifer couldn’t have children. She convinced Jamani to try for her. She assured Jamain her witchery would work. The witchery possession of the witch was a mistake. Jennifer reinvented that night Jamani and her deceived Charles. When Charles was with Jamani he thought he was with Jennifer.

Jennifer distracted both the witch and Jamani. She gave Jamani a light sedative to relax her nerves and induce sleep. While feasting the sedative kicked in.

The doorbell chimes ringed. Charles walked into the room. Jamani seated at the dining table in a dreamlike state. Charles pulled Jamani from the chair planted a passionate kiss on her. Jamani thought she was dreaming. The passion she felt inside sped up. Charles and Jamani were one. Charles stayed that night with Jamani.

Late into the night, Jamani awakened to strong labor pains. Charles called the ambulance. Jennifer back in the shadows watching.

Jamani’s labor was hard. The baby was born. Charles found both Jennifer and Jamani in the room together. Flabbergasted and in disbelief. His eyes saw two twins.

The doctor entered the room and said. ‘Jamani you had a healthy baby boy. Would you like to see him?’

Both Jamani and Jennifer replied ‘yes doctor.’ Jamani opened her arms to receive the baby. A beautiful baby with black eyes smiled at Jamani. The baby blinked its eyes they reopened to blue eyes.

Fear came over Jamani with shaking hands she passed the baby to Jennifer. The baby cooing planted a huge smile on Jennifer’s face. Charles could not feel the floor under his feet. Charles had fainted.