Feeling conflicting emotions of anguish and excitement, Leslie checked the test again. No matter how many times she checked, the answer was still there, plain as day. She was pregnant. She had suspected it a week ago, when her period never came and she had feelings of general unwellness. Tender breasts, weird crampy feelings, she hoped it was a sign that she would start menstruating soon.
What the fuck am I going to do?
She thought, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. She had never been this careless before, and feelings of dread washed over her. What was Donny going to think? Perhaps she should wait, and see if it all came out, she still had 3 months until it was a viable pregnancy, maybe she would have a miscarriage.
Abortion is not an option, I couldn't be so heartless. Is hoping for a miscarriage any better though?
Leslie felt terrible, emotionally conflicted.
How could she have been so stupid? Leslie didn't even know how it happened, maybe she forgot to take a pill one day, or it didn't work like some freak occurrence. The package does say 99% effective, maybe Leslie was in that 1% that just didn't luck out. She wasn't one for unprotected sex either, but since being in a steady relationship with Donny, she felt comfortable and they had both been tested before they had sex without a condom. Freaking out, she did the only thing that made sense to her. Leslie picked up her phone and dialed a number. The tone rang a few times before a woman answered, sounding clearly distracted,
"Yes Les, what is it?"
"Mummy, I need help. I'm, I don't know how to say this to make it sound any better, but I'm pregnant." There was a stunned silence on the other end and it was a few seconds before Leslie heard anything. She checked the phone to make sure the call didn't drop.
"Well honey, congratulations!" Her mother said, sounding generally pleased and excited for her daughter. Leslie was her only child, and she had always wanted grandchildren and was secretly disappointed that her daughter had failed to settle into a steady relationship. This may be a child out of wedlock, but it was a child nonetheless. Her own daughter had been an accident, and she didn't want the same for Leslie. All she could do was to lend her full support and make sure that the baby was looked after.
"Mum, I don't want it. I'm so scared. What will Donny think? I don't even know if it's his. I can't have an abortion I don't think I could ever do that, I'm just so scared!"
"Calm down baby, it will be okay. You just need to take care of yourself, have you seen a doctor yet? You need to see your GP before you can make a booking at the hospital. Oh I'm so happy for you Leslie!"
Leslie was shocked. She thought her mother would be the stern force telling her to get rid of it, that she didn't want Les to make the same mistakes that she made. It was strange to hear her being so supportive, and a comforting though.
Maybe it will be okay,
Leslie thought to herself. Feeling better after having a chat with her mother, she set about taking care of business. No more drinking or drugs, no more extensive coffee breaks, no more smoking. The sacrifices she was going to make to her life, to her body were unimaginable. The prospect of being responsible for someone scared her the most. How was she going to tell her boyfriend? She picked up the phone again and called speed dial number 2: Donny. He answered almost straight away,