Shark Heart

by Emily Habeck

With electroreception, Lewis hoped to sense her, know her, and love her even thousands of miles away in the ocean. Nothing he read indicated that electroception extended further than a couple yards. But maybe, he thought, maybe if I practiced, I would never really have to say goodbye.

What a tragedy it is, being a woman, she thought with relief after another negative pregnancy test. I would rather be a million other things.

An incessant desire for fish became louder than all the things Lewis treasured: the heartbeat of language, the idea of living in a tree, the universal within the poetic, and his soft way of loving her.

Wren was the only person left who still approached Lewis as he once was. Did she not see how the man she married was already irretrievable despite himself? Lewis hoped she wouldn’t be the last to know.

WREN: What do you think about us having a baby? LEWIS: Really? Now? Are you serious? Wren shakes her head. WREN: I just wanted to know what it felt like to ask the question. LEWIS: I’m sorry.