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Dithereen

That quantum particle in a probability cloud before it settles on what it is.

By Gerard DiLeoPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 1 min read
Going my way

What did Tyler want to be when he grew up? What a question for a fetus! He had enough on his plate, certainly, such as navigating that time tunnel into life outside the womb; to cutting the umbilical cord where he must make his own breaths; to how to pay for college.

Tyler's life was a blank slate. Its first inscriptions would be an APGAR score. Would it read 10/10 — perfect? Or: 5/7 — not good. His blank slate clouded a bit.

But Tyler intended to prevail. He wanted birth. He hoped to thrive. How would it play out? He was a prisoner of possibility and could go one way or another.

His father was a famous athlete. His mother was a supermodel. Where would he go with that? Do admirable qualities skip generations, or is there vertical tranmission of the fineness, finesse, and finished fruition?

Would he be happy, unhappy, or vascillate between?

The outside world has a strange sense of irony. Would he be a drug addict? Would he lower the APGAR score of the others around him? Drag them down? Could he help anyone, much less himself?

He dithered.

Tyler turned to his placenta moments before his birth. He tugged on his umbilical cord, like pulling the pullstart of a lawnmower, whatever that was. The traction provided a bit of separation, which evoked stronger contractions.

He didn't know how he would end up, but he decided to press on and would end up something, someone.

MicrofictionYoung Adult

About the Creator

Gerard DiLeo

Retired, not tired. Hippocampus, behave!

Make me rich! https://www.amazon.com/Gerard-DiLeo/e/B00JE6LL2W/

My substrack at https://substack.com/@drdileo

[email protected]

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insight

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

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Comments (3)

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  • Dharrsheena Raja Segarran2 years ago

    Whoaaaa, like chill Tyler. Why you stressing up about all that now! Just enjoy swimming in the womb. Lol. Loved your story!

  • Rachel Deeming2 years ago

    Such clever word play with the dithering of the dithereen, from a foetus, no less! Blimey, that is starting them early. Loved the humour that went through this as well.

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Awesome story and word!!! Fabulously written!!! Loved it!!!💕❤️❤️

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