The Benefits of a Best Friend | Hat Films

Chapter Two: The Announcement

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Thirty-one Weeks Prior to January 2018
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I sat on a padded table in the examination room. I wore a white hospital gown and a sheet rested in my lap. I was nervous. The truth was I hoped I wasn't pregnant. I truly hoped that this was all a bad dream that I'd eventually wake up from. I didn't want a child let alone in the circumstances I was putting that child in.  I tried to calm down as I waited for the results of the blood test. That was the only sure way of finding out if I was pregnant and by the way my doctor walked in the news did not look good for me.

"You, Ms. Cooper, are 100% pregnant." My gynecologist said. She walked back into the room with a few pamphlets and handing me them. They were about pregnancy and what to expect. "Congrats-" I cut her off.

I sighed, "Please don't congratulate me..." I told her, I didn't sound ecstatic about the news like you always see on television. I actually rolled my eyes.

A smile pulled at Dr. Miller's face, "This wasn't planned I assume. If you choose, which you have every right to, we don't perform abortions here, I'm sorry." She told me and I shook my head.

"No, I'm keeping it... I think..." I said. An abortion, huh? I thought to myself, then this mess could all be over with and I'd never have to think of it again. Except this is a life I'm talking about, basically playing God in a way and for what? A night I don't want to think about? I shook my head, "I actually haven't thought much about it, can I think about it?" I asked my doctor.

She nodded, "You are about nine weeks. The fetus is still pretty small. I'd make your decision quickly but it does have a heartbeat if you want I can order an ultrasound,"

I shook my head selfishly, "No, I don't want to fall in love and not even have the father's opinion on the matter." I said thinking about how Alex would feel knowing I had to tell him now. I also almost forgot about Doug and the whole mess I'd be putting him through. She smiled and nodded understandingly.

"If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to call, Tessa." She told me, "If that's it, I will also have the front desk make you an appointment with an obstetrician in my office that way you can get the ball rolling with planning if you choose to keep the baby." She said kindly.

I nodded, "So take the prenatal vitamins  you suggested, right?"

"Yes, twice a day."

"So, I know this is probably deeply personal, but why do women have abortions?" I asked her and she took a seat in the chair across from me.

"Women have abortions for many reasons whether it be financial, or social. Some women feel they want to have children but not at that time in their life where they might be unstable with their partner or financially and don't want to bring a child into the situation. About 66% of these women do want a family further down the line and it perfectly okay to not feel ready to have a child, Tessa. Many women are in the same shoes as you."

I sighed, "I never saw myself as a motherly woman with a hundred children and I never had baby fever in my middle and late twenties. I just don't know if I'll be what that child needs and the situation I'm in isn't very good. This baby isn't my boyfriend's child... it's, and he has a girlfriend, and bringing a bastard child into this mix would just make matters worse. I was drunk, it was my birthday. We messed around with no protection and the pill failed." I explained to her knowing she'd keep everything confidential and she was only human too.