Carrying the toys of her five-month-old, Matilda paused at the television. Her teenage son was watching the Olympics javelin tournament. As the athlete flexed her muscles, yearning gnawed at Matilda. She caressed her love handles, instead, the present for birthing a daughter. It wasn’t meant to be; she had given up field sports long ago. Her father’s modest income couldn’t pay for training or travelling. Besides, as a woman, marriage had seemed real while success a mirage.
Her baby wailed. Matilda signed, following.
Observing in silence, her husband decided on the perfect birthday gift: spikes and a lifetime of support.
The Chaos Within 