Genesis

There it was: a chick, slimy and grey, ninety seconds old, living proof of her Chloe’s ability to figure things out — incubator, heat lamp, rotation, humidity, predators. She watched it unfold a tiny wing and stretch a leg, and held her breath when it fell head first into the fluff of wood chips.
The advice she’d read in the online forums was clear: she wasn’t supposed to help or touch. Chicks that couldn’t hatch on their own were too weak to survive. There was no point in forcing fate.
She waited.
The chick turned on its side, panting.
She lowered the heat lamp by an inch. A bit of extra heat was fair game. It wasn’t like she was giving CPR.
“C’mon little buddy.”
The chick lurched forward on its stomach, half a wing poking out, the other stuck to its ribs. Its left leg pushed hard against the shell. The other leg followed. Its whole body shook. Its head lifted. Blink. Another blink. It was going to be fine. They were going to be fine.
That evening, she posted a picture on the forum’s website, FIRST CHICK, in neon pink letters.
Among the congratulations came more advice about the dangers of drowning and the need for a backup battery and also DON’T NAME HER OR PICK HER UP, OR YOU’LL GET ATTACHED.
But it was too late.
She was already Gaia, her firstborn, tucked into the sleeve of her sweater — tiny, asleep and exhausted — her minuscule heart beating against the skin of Chloe’s wrist. Gaia, who would answer to her name and be raised like a child. Advice be damned.
“Genesis” is the 13th story of Project 105 — illustrated flash fiction. All 105 hand-embroidered original illustrations of Project 105 are being gifted to individuals who express an interest in art and fiction. Preference is given to first time art owners and to those who might not otherwise have access to art, fiction or both. Each art recipient is also given a free original copy of the story. To learn more about Project 105 or to sign up and become eligible to receive a Project 105 illustration visit www.pmneist.com

