“Babies”

Packer, Ann. “Babies.” Mendocino and Other Stories. New York: Vintage Contemporaries, 2003.

Reason read: June is short story month.

“Babies” in the epitome of pregnant woman syndrome. Women who worry they might be pregnant as well as women who yearn to become a mother see pregnant women everywhere. It becomes a taunt; a nagging. This is what happens to the lead character in “Babies.” Everywhere she looks, women are getting pregnant and she can’t even get a date. Try as she likes, she can’t share in their joy event when three women she works with are with child all at the same time.

Telling quote, “I want to have a baby, but I can’t think of having a husband” (p 54). In this day and age this thinking is becoming (or already is?) the norm.

Author fact: Packer is a past recipient of a James Michener award.

BookLust Twist: from More Book Lust in the chapter “Good Things Come in Small Packages” (p 102).