It's an Aubergine!

by Arthur Hide

The day had arrived when Mr and Mrs Avocado were going to find out the gender of the miracle growing inside Alice's belly. Alan and his wife, whilst waiting in the maternity unit, were bouncing on their chairs, huge grins on their faces.

In the scan room, Alan tenderly stroked his wife's cheek. Alice nervously took his hand in hers. After many years of disappointment, they were about to embark on the exciting journey of parenthood.

"Um...well," the sonographer stuttered. Alice noticed his expression. Her spirits crashed. Was this to be another heartache?
"What's wrong?" Alan asked.
"Your baby is perfectly healthy." The doctor reassured. "It's just it's ... it's not an avocado, it's an aubergine!"

Despite their differences, Alice, Alan and baby Gene loved each other very much. As the day arrived for Gene's first day at school, Alice became increasingly nervous. She was concerned that he would be bullied because of his shiny, smooth skin, unlike the dull, wrinkles of the others.

Gene bubbled with excitement as he tied the laces of his new shoes. Alice took his hand and walked through the gates, trying to ignore the pitying looks of other mums. She glanced over to Ava, the typical 'Super Mum'. Eve, her daughter, had gorgeous deep-set grooves in her skin. Alice pretended not to notice Ava pull Eve tightly towards her and avert her eyes as she and Gene passed.

The children darted off into the building. Ava approached Alice with a sympathetic smile. "It must be difficult for you to have a son that is so different." she simpered. "Is this a problem that runs in your family?"

Alice hid the tears as she replied firmly, "He is NOT a problem." She walked away. As she left, she heard Ava muttering false sympathies to the other mums about her.

By half three, Alice was beside herself. She desperately hoped that Gene had had a good day. She stood alone in the bustling playground as Ava stood surrounded by all the other parents.

When the doors opened, parents' heads bobbed up and down like a family of meerkats, in search of their little ones. Children rushed to the arms of mums and dads, chattering excitedly about their day. Eventually, only Ava and Alice were left waiting.

Ava's jaw dropped as Eve and Gene skipped out, holding a picture of purplish, pear shaped splodges. Alice knew they had painted themselves together but couldn't determine which of the splodges was which!

"Mummy!" exclaimed Gene "I've got a friend!" And he gave Eve a big hug.
Ava gasped, "But Eve, he's so ... different."
"No he's not mummy." replied Eve. "A vegetable's still a vegetable, no matter what skin they're in."
Alice smiled and put an arm around each child. "I hate to be the one to break this to you," she said, kindly. "But actually, we're fruit!"

Ava laughed and the four of them left together, chattering excitedly about their plans for the rest of the week.