Flash Fiction: May 13, 2025
The writing prompt: A person discovers their romantic partner has created a clone of them.
“What do you mean you made her?” Carol asked Gene.
“I had her made at that new machine store ‘round the block,” he answered his wife. “They put in one of them computers and gave ‘er a real brain.”
Carol’s frown had deepened. She was now grimacing while her husband was beaming with pride at his new purchase. The life-size mannequin was standing opposite her in the dining room. Gene hadn’t gone to the trouble of modeling the doll after his wife, but its eyes were spot-on. Carol felt like she was looking at a mirror.
“Hello there,” the mannequin suddenly said. “My name is Bella. What is yours?”
“Bella?” Carol said, turning toward Gene.
Gene enthusiastically romped into the dining room and stood next to his newfound artificial friend. Together, they almost looked like a believable couple. Gene, in his denim overalls and the same white tee he wore most days of the week. Bella, outfitted with a knee-length denim skirt and a fuchsia cardigan. Carol folded her arms upon feeling what she considered to be unreasonable jealousy, and then turned her gaze toward the floor.
“Go on, honey,” Gene said. “Tell Bella your name.”
Carol noticed Gene’s change in tone. She knew he could tell she was uncomfortable, but didn’t know what to do. For his sake, she decided to play along.
“Hello, Bella,” Carol slowly uttered. “My name is Carol.”
The doll looked as if it was staring back at Carol, trying its best to make eye contact—evoke emotion from the woman standing across from her. Anything to get closer to feeling alive.
“Nice to meet you,” Bella said. “I think we will get along great.”
At that moment, Carol could’ve sworn she saw the doll’s lips move in an attempt to smile. In fact, she was positive Gene had noticed it, too. To her surprise, she was not startled, and neither was her husband of 43 years. Now she was smiling as well.
Gene left Bella’s side and walked over to Carol, grinning widely. He took her by the hands before delicately planting a kiss on her cheek. Together, they turned back to Bella, who looked as if she might inch toward them any minute. Neither of them knew what the doll was going to say next, but suddenly it didn’t matter.