My mother calls at 4:17 p.m. the day before Thanksgiving to tell me I was born 51 years ago today. My grandmother came to Savannah on the train from New York. My great-grandmother, who wore heels at 90 and married a much-younger second husband, met my grandmother at the train station and drove her to the hospital. My grandmother said to my mom, you’re holding her wrong and you’ve gained so much weight with this one. And honestly, 9 pounds 4 ounces, six hours of labor, the least I can do is listen to her lifelong grievance again.
Finnian Burnett is a college instructor, doctoral student, and writer. When they’re not writing, studying, or teaching, Finn watches Star Trek and plays with their cat. Find Finn at www.finnburnett.com and on Twitter @FinnianBurnett.