Making Space (The Time Traveler's Passport)

by R.F. Kuang

“But more often than you realize, and despite all the mistakes they might make—the parents often know better.”

It was Chris who first wanted to have a child. Jess had never dreamed of being a mother. She liked her freedom, she liked her spare time, and frankly everything she’d ever heard about pregnancy seemed like body horror. But Chris wanted so badly to be a father.

By now, a child has become a purely hypothetical prospect, a symbol neither of them believes in. Parenthood is like heaven, a concept they are making desultory gestures toward, but a dream neither of them really thinks might come true.

These are the unspoken rules of their neighborhood. Drink your vinegar, but pretend it’s champagne.