By Clive Aaron Gill

Charles agreed that he and Patricia were ready to try for a baby. But her diet, which included ice cream and doughnuts, would not do for a future Sullivan child.

While pregnant, Patricia maintained a doctor-recommended diet every day for eight months and resisted cravings for junk food. She enjoyed spring mix salad with small pieces of chicken, walnuts and chia seeds, and low-fat, plain yogurt. 

On a summer morning, when a brisk breeze rocked pine tree branches in their large backyard, her overwhelming craving for a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake, and Bacon, Egg and Cheese McGriddles stood between her and the future Princeton PhD child of Charles’ dreams.

While Charles was at his office in an architecture firm, she drove to McDonald’s. She pulled open the front glass door and was greeted by the mouthwatering, pungent smells of burgers, fries and hash browns.

The secrecy thrilled her.

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Fifty-five stories by Clive Aaron Gill have appeared in literary journals and in “People of Few Words Anthology.”  He tells his stories at public and private gatherings.

Born in Zimbabwe, Clive has lived and worked in Southern Africa, North America and Europe. He received a degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and lives in San Diego.