Dominique sat on the edge of the bed, her swollen belly resting heavily on her lap. The small apartment was cluttered with baby supplies, hastily bought in the last few days. Ashtray had insisted they get everything their baby would need, but Dominique's heart wasn't in it. She had tried to summon excitement, but all she felt was dread.
Ashtray bustled around the room, sorting through tiny clothes and assembling a crib they had managed to get secondhand. "Look at this, Dominique," he said, holding up a little onesie with a big smile. "Isn't it cute?"
Dominique forced a smile. "Yeah, it's cute."
Ashtray's happiness was palpable, and for a moment, she felt a pang of guilt. He was so excited about their son, so hopeful for the future. But Dominique couldn't shake the feeling that they were bringing their child into a toxic, dangerous world. She felt trapped, suffocated by the life they led.
