Baby Face

Henry Kuttner's short story "Baby Face" is an imaginative, eerie exploration of the power of love and the lengths people will go to protect it. The story follows a young couple, Joe and Mary, who live in the small town of Ocala, Florida. Joe works as a clerk in a store owned by a Mr. Sims, while Mary is a housekeeper for a wealthy family. As the story opens, Joe and Mary are expecting their first child.

One night, Joe has a strange dream about a baby with a face that is strangely familiar. He wakes up in a panic, and Mary tells him that she had the same dream. Joe then goes to Mr. Sims' store to find out what the dream could mean, only to discover that Mr. Sims had a son who died when he was a baby. Mr. Sims then reveals to Joe that he had a vision of his son, and he believes that Joe and Mary's unborn baby is the reincarnation of his son.

Joe is overwhelmed by this revelation and is desperate to protect his unborn child. He decides to build a special room in his house to keep the baby safe. He builds the walls thick and strong and puts locks on the door. He even goes as far as to construct a moat to protect the room from intruders.

When the baby is born, Joe and Mary name him Robert, after Mr. Sims' son. Joe and Mary are relieved to find that Robert is healthy, but as he grows older, Joe notices that the baby's face is exactly like the one in his dream. Joe is terrified by this coincidence and believes that if anyone else finds out, they could take Robert away from him.

Joe and Mary keep Robert's identity a secret, and Joe continues to protect him from outsiders. However, Joe's fear of Robert's identity is so strong that it begins to take a toll on his and Mary's relationship. Eventually, the couple's love for each other is put to the test, and Joe must decide if he is willing to risk everything to protect his son.