The Baby-Sitters Club belong to Ann M. Martin.
It was father-daughter day at Dad's work. I would be going there after school. Cindy's daughter, Muriel, is really nice. We attend the same school. We both go to Stoneybrook High School. I'm 14 and a ninth grader. She's 17 and an eleventh grader. We plan to go there together. Our parents were fine.
After school, I was waiting for Muriel outside when she came out.
"Can we talk on the way?" asked Muriel. "I need your advice about something."
"Okay," I said as we went to her car.
On the way, Muriel said, "First off, I'm pregnant."
"Wow," I said.
Muriel was supposed to be in college, but she stood back in tenth grade and now, had to repeat her junior year. Her worse subject is Math.
"The thing is that I don't think I'll be ready to be the mother yet," said Muriel.
"I can see why. Are you afraid to stay back again?" I asked.
"Yes," replied Muriel. "I don't believe in abortion. I haven't told my parents yet. I just found out yesterday."
"If you feel that you don't want to raise the child, pick an option is right for you," I said.
"I'm thinking about going for adoption," said Muriel.
"What about your boyfriend?" I asked.
"He and I aren't speaking to each other today," said Muriel.
"Really? Pete was a nice guy," I said.
"He didn't take the news when I told him I was pregnant," said Muriel.
"Would he support your decision?" I asked.
"I'll tell him when the time is right," said Muriel. "I didn't want him to pressure me to do something I might not want to do."
"I get what you mean," I said. "Do you plan to tell your mom when we get to the law office?"
"I think so," said Muriel. "When I do decide, do you want to come to the adoption center with me?"
"Sure," I replied. "I'll support you no matter what you choose to do."
"Thanks," said Muriel. "You're a great listener."
"I know. That's what I do," I said.
When we got to the law office, Dad wasn't in the office.
"Hi, Mary Anne. Your father just stepped out to see a client and will be back shortly, but he said you can take over for him until he comes back," said Cindy.
"Okay, great," I said.
"Hi, Muriel," said Cindy.
"Hi. Do you have a moment to talk?" asked Muriel.
"Sure," replied Cindy.
Muriel told her mom about pregnancy and her plans.
"That's okay if you feel you don't want to be the mother. I don't blame you," said Cindy.
"She's afraid she'd stay back again," I said. "I was supporting her."
"That's good," said Cindy.
"Mary Anne is going to the adoption center with me once I make up my mind," said Muriel.
"Good," said Cindy.
"And, Pete isn't taking it too well, but I'm going to see if I could tell him about the adoption plans when the time is right," said Muriel. "I don't want him to force me to make a choice that I won't want to do like an abortion. I don't believe in it."
"It's okay to wait to tell him," said Cindy.
"I might go to the adoption center tomorrow," said Muriel.
"Or you can go now," said Cindy.
"I'll wait until my final decision is made," said Muriel.
"That's fine," said her mom.
The office was very quiet. There were no phone calls while we talked.
"Your office must be slow on some days," I said.
"Sometimes. We're busy other times," said Cindy.
"Where was this client that Dad's seeing?" I asked.
"At a courthouse. This young girl's father is in jail and DCF want your father to be involved to put her in foster child. She was abused," said Cindy.
"Wow," I said.
"At least she should be in foster care. Where's her mom?" asked Muriel.
"She died many years ago when the girl was a baby. She's 10 now," said Cindy.
"Poor thing must be so scared," I said.
"She is," said Cindy.
That was when Dad came back from the court.
"Hi, how did it go?" I asked.
"The girl's grandparents were fighting with DCF to take their granddaughter," said Dad.
"That must be a mess," I said.
"It was. The judge let the girl decide where she wants to go and she said she wants to live with her grandparents. DCF think they have a bad record, but the judge told they were wrong and made that decision to have the grandparents take custody," said Dad.
"Did DCF do a background check first?" asked Muriel. "That's usually the first step."
'They did and the record was fine according to the judge," said Dad.
"Good," I said.
"I know," said Dad.