The Handmaid: A Short Story

Facing her grandmother was harder than Allie expected it would be. It was not because of her pregnancy, she had resigned herself to the fact that in a few months she would bring another life into the world- the hardest part, was the feeling that she had a red, “A” emblazoned on her forehead when under her grandmother’s concerned gaze. It took several minutes, but she overcame the intuitive feeling that her grandmother knew she had been unfaithful to her husband; how could she know? How could anyone know other than she, Christopher, and Eli know? Gabriel was on the boat with Eli, but he was just a boy, there was no way he could have known. Maybe what had her on edge was knowing that Eli was in their grandmother’s room rummaging through her stuff hunting the elusive bible.
“Now tell me dear, how

There are many that never get to experience what its like to nurture another human being- to form a bond so deep that time nor distance can drive a wedge between you…”
Hearing the sadness in her grandmother’s voice, Allie turned to look at her. “Are you all right, Grandmother?”
“Oh, yes,” said her grandmother cheerfully. “I am going to be a great-grandmother- what could be better? I do, however, wish this had not happened until after this blasted war is over.”
You and I both thought Allie, but dared speak it; she did not want her grandmother to be disappointed in her.
“My grandmother’s name was Keziah, and my granddad‘s name was Joshua- Old family names are the best; I could go and get my bible and we could pick out several to choose from.”
“Oh, no ma’am, not right now,” said Allie, hurriedly, knowing Eli was probably still in her grandmother’s room. “Tell me what to expect from this point on… I am nervous, not knowing what to expect.” Allie tried to sound as if she meant it, and in a way, she did; she knew nothing about birthing