PseudoPod 451: The New Arrival
The New Arrival
by Miranda Suri
I stood in line at the grocery store with my mother, ignoring Simon as he pawed through the carnival-bright offerings on the candy rack. Suzette, the check-stand girl who sometimes babysat for us on Friday nights, ran the items across the scanner.
“What great news, Mrs. Waverly,” Suzette said. “You must be so excited!”
Simon finally settled on a chocolate bar and held it up to our mom, his eyes eager. Watching my older brother, his ten-year-old body twice my size but his mind still years behind, I felt something between pity and disgust.
My mother took the candy bar and slid it onto the belt. Her other hand held mine.
“I know,” she responded. “We’re thrilled! We didn’t want to say anything until we were out of the first trimester.”
About the Author
Miranda Suri
Miranda Suri writes speculative fiction, teaches anthropology at Queens College, and goes on archaeological adventures that would make Indiana Jones green with envy. When she’s not curled up with a good book at her Brooklyn apartment, she can be found indulging one of her hobbies, which include knitting, practicing Pilates, and traveling the world.
Her writing has appeared in anthologies and magazines, including Abyss & Apex, Mothership Zeta, Flash Fiction Online, Penumbra, Electric Spec, Every Day Fiction, Fictionvale, and Pseudopod.
About the Narrator
Rock Manor
Rock Manor is a voice actor specializing in audiobook narration and audio plays. His voice work has been featured on multiple horror podcasts and programs. He currently produces the horror audiobook web series and podcast, Manor House. Web series episodes can be found on YouTube at youtube.com/RockManorHouse.
