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CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE

SEVEN YEARS EARLIER

L aurie wished the butterflies fluttering around in her stomach would disappear. With the gown on, she sat on the bed and swung her legs over so she was lying flat. Placing her hand on her tummy, she couldn’t stop wondering if her baby was a boy or a girl. Would it feel any pain? She didn’t want there to be any more pain.

The nurse asked, ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Okay,’ said Laurie.

‘I’m just going to insert an IV and then give you a mild sedative. Okay?’

Laurie nodded.

‘If you could lift your feet into these stirrups. There’s a good girl.’

Brenda used to call her a good girl all the time. Would she think she was a good girl now?

‘Will it hurt?’ asked Laurie.

The nurse assured her that her cervix would be numbed and that she might feel a few stomach cramps.

‘No, I mean, will it hurt the baby?’

‘No, it won’t.’

Laurie felt the butterflies again. Thought of the monster that had done this to her and said, ‘Stop.’

The nurse stepped back.

‘I’ve changed my mind,’ said Laurie.

‘Absolutely, your right,’ said the nurse, helping Laurie get off the couch. ‘Of course. It’s important to remember, however, that if you leave it too late, we won’t be able to terminate.’

Laurie nodded her assent. All she wanted to do was get out of there. Anika didn’t seem surprised to see her so soon.

‘You changed your mind,’ she said, smiling.

Laurie began to cry. He was the monster, not her, not the living thing inside her. It was pure, innocent, and had the right to live.

‘Let’s go home,’ she said, taking Anika’s hand.