"What should we name her?" The words spilled slowly out of the mouth of a sleepy, pregnant, sun-kissed woman.
It was dusk on the ranch, the sky lit on fire and slowly burning out in brilliance. They sat together on a sturdy wooden bench covered with an old blanket, on the front porch of the cabin they shared. Insects were coming out of hiding, the night air softly and slowly filling with their myriads of noises. Her head was in his lap, her fingers tracing the outline of her swollen belly. His head was tilted back, propped against the cabin. His fingers were tangled in her hair, lost in the waves the humidity brought to it.
"Well..." He began. "I don't know. What do you think we should name her?"
She opened one eye and poked him lightly in the ribs. "I asked you first!"
The man grinned lazily, simultaneously stretching his legs out in front of him. "We can go through the alphabet again. How about 'Alice'?" He swatted at a gnat that landed on his nose.
"Ehh...too Brady bunch."
"What?"
"The 70's sitcom? She was the maid?" She started softly humming the theme, then realized who she was talking to. "Never mind, pop culture." She waved her hand dismissively.
"Oookay. Alright, next in the alphabet, B….b for 'Bertha'?"
"Seriously?" The eye came open again to stare at the bemused face of her husband.
"What's wrong with 'Bertha'?" He asked with mock innocence.
"I would even subject that name to a dog, Jane."
"Cledith?"
"Jane."
"Darlene?"
"Okay, okay. we don't have to talk about names right now. Happy?" She laughed sleepily.
"Happy."
Thank you so much for the lovely reviews, guys! I wasn't planning on posting so soon, but the wonderful feedback provided some much-needed motivation. ^-^ You're the best!