“Hey so…” I began recording my message “I know you didn’t answer my message from last night and that you don’t agree with me right now, but I need you right now more than I have ever before.” There was a pause as I tried to choke back tears. “I’m scared Tom. Please just meet me…Please. I love you” I pleaded before hanging up the phone.
I threw it down at the wooden floor of my bedroom. I didn’t understand how he could just suddenly ignore me after around twelve years of friendship and over a year of dating. I threw myself down on the bed face first and screamed into my pillow for a good five minutes before my phone started making its way across the floor and back towards my bed. I prayed to see his face lighting up the screen but unfortunately it wasn’t Tom: It was Tonia.
“Hey Munchkin, you feeling any better today?”
“Yeah…” I lied to her for the third time in two days. I’ve felt like shit since Tom stormed out last night and now lying to Tonia was making me feel even worse than I already did: Tonia and I never lied to each other it was an agreement we made a long time ago. But desperate times call for desperate measures.
“Since we have an off day today do you wanna get lunch together?” It shouldn’t have even been a question: Tonia and I always got lunch together on days when there was no practice. We always went to the cute little café a couple blocks away from her house and sat there laughing and talking about what was going on in our lives from boys, to my school work, diving, etc.
“I really want to, and wish I could but I can’t” I made a frowning face as if she would be able to see it through the phone.
“Hot date with Daley?” I wanted to burst into tears for the hundredth I don’t even know how many times today because I’ve lost count. I wish I could tell her that Tom and I broke up, but I thought if I kept denying that every happened and never came to grips to it that maybe he would show up and apologize for everything and we would be back together.
“Unfortunately no, but I have to go. I’ll talk to you later”
“Bye Laci, have fun with whatever you have to do.” I cringed at the words have fun- I’ve never had an abortion before but I knew today was going to be anything but fun.
“I doubt I will but I’ll try. Bye Tonia” I hung up the phone before smothering myself with the pillow again.
Eventually I couldn’t just lay in bed and scream bloody murder into my pillow anymore; it was time to leave. I threw the pillow off of my face and regretfully got up off of the bed making my way over to my closet. I exchanged the oversized sweatshirt from last night with a pair of grey Soffe shorts and a light pink v-neck from Victoria’s Secret. As I get into my car I call Tom one last time praying he picks up.
As I pulled into the Planned Parenthood parking lot I was shaking from nerves. I was almost positive I wasn’t able to go through this alone but I had a feeling I was going to have to when my call went straight to Tom’s voicemail for the fourth time in a row.
“One last phone call’ I thought and dialed the number I knew by heart. It rang twice before being answered.
“Hey Sweetie, what’s up?” was the cheerful response from the opposite end of the call.
“Mom, I really need you right now…” My shaken and scared voice put in perfect juxtaposition with hers. I felt the waterworks beginning to pour from my eyes again.
“Laci what’s wrong? Where are you? What do you need me to do” The carefree cheer in her voice had disappeared with the response from me, her youngest child and only daughter.
“I’m pregnant Mom…”She said nothing, waiting for me to answer her other frantic question. I took a deep breath and continued. “I’m in the parking lot of Planned Parenthood. I really need you right now Mom, can you please co-“ She cut me off
