Anton Makes A Wish

Note: “Anton Makes a Wish” gained recognition in the 2009 Penticton Short Fiction Contest when it was chosen runner-up. It was published in the Penticton Writers and Publishers 2009 Anthology “Mining for Crystal Gems”.

Anton’s family is excited about the pending birth of a second child. Anton prays day and night for a baby brother. When Mom is ready to leave for the hospital he makes his wishes known. He tells her to take a good look at what they have at the hospital and be sure to choose a boy as there’s no room in his life for a baby sister. He furthers his argument by giving examples of how several of his friends have to cope with younger sisters and how a girl is nothing but an inconvenience. Mom tells him that God knows best and he will decide whether a boy or a girl will join their family. Miliana is born and Anton is rude and completely ignores her when Mom brings her home. However, his curiosity gets the better of him one night and he sneaks into her bedroom. He’s shocked at how pretty she is and how wonderful she smells and decides there and then that he’s going to enjoy being a big brother after all.

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