ABSTRACT
Being there was a supreme moment. The fathers at the birth took the baby. They smiled almost all the time. They stroked, inspecting everything from fingernails to testicles – ‘Amazing – it’s all there, in working order’. They were astounded at the softness of the skin and the blueness of the eyes. Spontaneously they began that first conversation: ‘Tall girl…quiet, ain’t you? Tall, cuddly …cuddly … cuddly … cute, cuddly baby … pretty eyes … choo choo … sweet, ain’t you?’
