13 – FOOD

What is most bizarre about pregnancy, Tim thinks, is the unexplainable cravings for abnormal foods.

His mother had always talked about pickles with chocolate sauce, or potato chips dipped in ice-cream. But in all honesty, and Tim did feel quite bad for saying this, he hadn't really believed her. Well, not until Jill had fallen pregnant with Brad.

For nine months, she'd only drink sports drinks, yearning for that sugar and fake-healthy taste. She'd eat carrots covered in Tabasco sauce and only the skins of apples. For dinner, Jill wouldn't touch the meatloaf or pasta that lay in front of her, instead opting for tubs of mayonnaise. Tim couldn't count the number of times he'd had to do late night runs to the store for maple syrup and instant-lasagne.

He couldn't be happier when Brad was born, alas a state of normality would be re-introduced to the house.

Randy's pregnancy was different. Jill ate naturally and normally, instead feeding an insatiable hunger for knowledge. She'd read and read and read and read, about anything and everything. She lived at the library, sitting quite comfortably on the beanbags with her gigantic beach ball belly. Tim didn't talk to her about it. He ignored the stack of books by the side of their bed, and didn't notice the way she'd miss events and dates due to a cup of coffee and a good book.

After their second son was born, the books went quite happily back to the library, spines worn and pages well-read.

Mark was different again. Jill's hunger erupted in the form of darkness. Of dark chocolate and heavy metal music. She'd watch the martial arts on TV, the football with Tim, anything brutal and tough. But really, he couldn't say it was just that, she'd still have her ballet and opera binges, and a few times, he swore he saw her sneak mayonnaise and a book into the bathroom.

He figured he wouldn't say anything.


Next up: 14 - Heart break