Astronomically Imposterble

Black

A young Carter Harris, age five, sits in the backseat of his grandparents car, his legs beating against the seat as he swings them. He attempts to read one of the many picture books his mother keeps buying him but he can't seem to concentrate on the pictures and words right now. His mind is racing with the excitement of getting to meet his baby sister today. Elizabeth Harris, his mother, went into labor two days ago; he was then sent off to spend the time away at his grandparents. She finally had the baby sometime late last night after Carter had fallen asleep and both mother and child were ready for visitors today. Carter jumped at the chance to see his mother again along with meeting his baby sister. His grandparents, who were also eagerly awaiting the arrival of their newest grandchild, wasted no time in packing the car and setting off to the hospital.

When they arrive, Carter runs ahead of his grandparents and up to the glass doors of the hospital. Melissa, his grandmother, laughs softly as she catches up to him and helps open the door. James, his grandfather (and the man he was partially named after), goes up to the desk and tells them who they are here to see. Carter bounces the whole time as he waits for something to happen. Melissa squeezes his hand to help calm him down, offering a soft smile. He playfully rolls his eyes and sticks out his tongue. She starts laughing and taps his nose. He scrunches it up and looks to his shoes. Eventually, a nice looking lady wearing blue-green scrubs rounds the corner and shows them to where his mother and sister are being kept. The only thing preventing Carter from running down the halls is his grandmother holding tightly onto his hand.

They stop in front of a light brown wooden door with the name Harris written on the white board hanging outside. Carter glances up at the door before looking to the nurse, his eyes wide and full of excitement. She laughs and ruffles his hair. James opens the door, sending Carter flying into the room. His mother looks up from the bundle of pink laying in her arms and holds a finger up to her mother, signalling for Carter to remain quiet. He nods and starts tip-toeing into the room. Elizabeth giggles and shakes her head.

"Is this her?" Melissa asks as she makes her way over to the right side of the bed. Elizabeth lightly rolls her eyes.

"No, Ma, I stole somebody's baby," she remarks. Carter giggles. Elizabeth looks to him and winks, sending him into a fit of giggles. Melissa closes her eyes and sighs. "Yes, Ma, this is her."

Elizabeth moves some of the pink blanket out of the baby's face to reveal her scrunched up features. Carter stands up on his tip-toes to get a better look at the baby; he still can't see anything but pink. James scoops him up to help. He coos as he studies the baby's round face.

"She's beautiful, Lizzie," James whispers. Elizabeth looks up, a tired smile on her face. "Almost a spitting image of you." The room falls silent as Elizabeth twirls some of the baby's light brown hair around her finger. Carter shares the same light brown hair--a trait they received from their father. "Where is he?" Elizabeth raises an eyebrow, not taking her eyes off her daughter. Carter frowns, unsure of who they're talking about. "He might have walked out on you, Elizabeth, but-"

"He doesn't know," she whispers, stroking her daughter's face with the back of her index finger. James and Melissa splutter.

"I'm sorry?" Melissa asks, a hand resting over her heart. Elizabeth looks to her mother. "What do you mean he doesn't know? Doesn't know what? That you were pregnant or that you gave birth?"

Elizabeth looks back down to her daughter who begins to squirm in her sleep. She adjusts the grip she has on her and fixes the blanket around her face. "Doesn't know I'm here," she finally answers. Melissa snorts. "Mom," she scolds, glancing up. "He walked out because he couldn't handle a family."

Carter's frown deepens as he buries his face in his grandfather's sweater. Now he knows who they're talking about.

They're talking about his father.