The doorbell ring at 10:45 a.m. was unwelcome. It would take two hours to get Marian and Stevie back on task, trickling through the rest of her day, resulting in Karen missing her new Pilates class. Irritation laced through her voice when she pressed the porch intercom button. "We're Baptist," she stated. "If you're trying to give me Watchtower magazines, they'll end up in the trash."
"No, mam," came the reply. Glancing at the security camera monitor, Karen saw an Asian woman holding a basket. "My name is Felicity Ng, I'm with GS-QEO. We have a special delivery."
Groaning, Karen went to the door. Marian and Steve, springing from their work tables like hot popcorn, followed. "I didn't order anything," Karen said when she came eye-to-eye with Felicity.
"It's mandatory," Felicity replied, passing Karen the blanket-covered basket. "Don't drop it!" she warned, "the contents are delicate."
Karen noticed people behind the Asian woman. The camera crew was flipping switches and turning on lights. A tall redhead nodded to Karen before turning to the cameras and raising a microphone, "This is Tamara Nicholetti, reporting on day one of the Immersive Education Study taking place at the Parrish home where I'll be stationed around the clock."
Alarmed, Karen's voice raised two octaves, "What is going on?"
Felicity held up an identification card.
"Global Society for Qualified Educated Opinion?" Karen read. "What the hell is that?"
"It's a new program," Felicity replied, "designed to broaden incomplete perceptions."
At Karen's blank stare, Felicity motioned to the basket. "Open it."
Karen pulled the blanket away revealing a cherubic infant intently sucking his fist. Confused she looked back at Felicity, "It's a baby."
"He's yours, Mrs. Parrish. You'll be raising him."
"You can't give me a baby!"
"Don't you like surprises?" Tamara interrupted, aiming her microphone in Karen's direction.
"I love them," Karen replied automatically, "but a baby is too serious for a surprise."
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Life Rights, a Fertility Fable
ChickLitPregnancy termination is no more. Life rights for both mothers and their unborn children are preserved--with enforced help.
