Consolation Prize

“Babe, we can’t just …swap bodies,” I laughed.

“George. I need a break from this pregnant body,” said Ali, “It’s been six whole months.”

Her voice had a familiar edge, the one that usually meant she’d already made up her mind.

I paused and looked at her for a moment, “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

She nodded, “Completely.”

“But how? Even if I wanted to–”

“Astral projection,” she said, leaning in, her eyes wide with excitement, “I found a guide online. It’s not that hard.”

“Ali, this sounds insane.” I rubbed my temples, trying to wrap my head around it.

“Think of it as a little vacation,” she continued, undeterred, “You get to experience being pregnant for a few days, and I get to tie my shoes without getting winded.”

“Yeah, but…what if something goes wrong?”

“Nothing will go wrong!” She waved her hand dismissively, “People do this all the time. It’s like lucid dreaming.”

Her confidence was unnerving me, “So, what? We just lie down and poof?”

“Well, there’s more to it than that,” she admitted, “It takes focus. And intention.”

I sighed deeply, “I don’t know…”

She took my hands in hers and looked straight into my eyes, “Please, George. Just for a few days. If it doesn’t work, no harm done.” 

The thought of living in her pregnant body was terrifying. And yet, there was something intriguing about it. I had to admit, the idea of giving her a break was appealing, too.

“Fine,” I said finally, “We can try.”

Her face lit up like I’d handed her the moon. 

“Great! We’ll do it tonight!” she exclaimed.

“Tonight?” I stammered.

I’d been hoping for at least a day to process.

“No time like the present!” 

She was already making plans, talking logistics—reminding me to eat small meals more frequently and how to sleep with a pillow between my legs. Her excitement was overwhelming and contagious despite my doubts.

When night fell, we sat across from each other on the bed, legs crossed and hands clasped.

“Okay,” Ali said softly, her voice grounding us in the moment, “Deep breaths.”

I followed her lead, inhaling slow and steady.

“Focus on leaving your body,” she whispered. 

I closed my eyes, trying to concentrate. My mind flitted from thought to thought like a restless bird. What if it worked? What if it didn’t? What if—

“George!” 

I snapped back to Ali’s voice.

“Right, right,” I muttered and took another deep breath.

“Picture yourself floating,” she continued, her words soft and hypnotic, “Imagine reaching out to me.”

I did as she said, trying to see this invisible link between us. It was hard to ignore the absurdity of it all, but I pushed through. Minutes ticked by in silence. I was about to give up when—

—something gave way inside me. A sudden sensation of being stretched thin and pulled taut. My heart thudded wildly in my chest—or was it hers? The room spun, colors blurring into strange trails. I felt a dizzying rush, like the first drop on a roller coaster.

And then—

A jarring snap.

I opened my eyes to see myself sitting across from me, just as dazed and wide-eyed. My hand—no, Ali’s hand—flew to my face, touching cheeks and lips that didn’t feel like mine. 

“Did it work?” I gasped, startled by her voice coming from my mouth.

She—me—burst into laughter, deep and incredulous, “I think it did!”

We stared at each other, marveling at the impossible. It was like looking in a mirror but seeing something entirely different.

“Oh my God,” I said, feeling the weight of her body anchoring me in a new reality, “This is…so weird.”

“It’s amazing!” she shouted through my voice.

My hands smoothed over her stomach where I felt the subtle movements beneath. A little flutter, a kick.

“Wow,” I breathed, each movement a revelation.

Ali watched me—watched herself—amusement and satisfaction written all over my face.

She stood up, wobbly at first, adjusting to her old center of gravity.

“Oh my God, George!” She flexed her fingers and toes like she was trying them on for size, “This is incredible! I can breathe!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

I moved my hands up to her breasts, “Whoa…”

I could only manage a breathless, “Whoa…”

“Consider it a consolation prize!” she laughed, “Now you can finally touch my boobs whenever you want!” 

My face flushed, feeling heat rush to my cheeks.

Her body felt so different, and the newness was thrilling and overwhelming all at once. Of being Ali. Of being pregnant. Of being a woman.