Chapter 10- The Consequences of Our Action

"You did what?!" Riley was attempting to pull a book out of her locker before health class started. Maya was speaking in a lowered hush so the entire school would not hear.

"SHHH!" Maya shushed her. "The whole school is gonna hear you. Can we keep this, you know." She put a finger to her lips. Riley looked around, sheepishly.

"Sorry, Maya. So what happened now?" As they walked to class, Maya recounted all the details of that weekend. By the time they reached the classroom door, Riley's mouth was agape in shock.

"Wow." That was all Riley could say. "Just wow." Maya nodded in agreement.

"I know." The bell rang and the girls hurried to their seats. There was another teacher standing at the front of the classroom, waiting to be introduced. The students were still talking amongst themselves, buzzing about the prom weekend. Furrowing her brow, Mrs. Forste clapped her hands, loudly.

"I don't know about you, but I believe I heard the bell!" The class fell silent. "I know it might be a little late for some of you, since prom was on Friday, but we have a special guest speaker with us today." Mrs. Forste gestured toward the stranger. "This is Professor Nichols, from the University and she is here to talk to you about safe sex, STI prevention, and consequences. Please be respectful and listen." She stepped back and let Professor Nichols take the floor.

"This students, is a condom." She held up a silver foil package. "And this is a banana." In her other hand, she held up a large yellow banana." The rest of the class giggled. Maya groaned and plunked her head on her desk, covering her ears with her hands. She felt like the entire class instruction was meant just for her to hear and she did not want to listen.

"That was actually really informative, Professor Nichols." Maya stayed after to ask her some questions about pregnancy and what her options were. "I admit, at first, I did not want to hear it, but some of the matter really resonated with me. Thank you for coming in today." Professor Nichols smiled warmly.

"I am just glad someone got something out of today. Say, you mentioned wanting to know your options." Maya quickly looked around, hyperaware of the conversation. She walked over and shut the door.

"Yeah, I just want to be prepared. For whatever." Maya looked at her shoes. Professor Nichols nodded, understanding. She reached into her bag and took out two pamphlets, handing them to Maya.

"Adoption and-" she flipped to the second pamphlet. -abortion?" Maya's eyes went wide, letting the word sink in. Alarmed, she looked up at Professor Nichols. She saw the fear in Maya's eyes and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"They are just pamphlets. Read them and make the best decision for you. No judgement." She picked up her bag and gave Maya's shoulder a squeeze. "No matter what you choose, everything will be okay." She walked out of the classroom and closed the door behind her. Maya sighed deeply. She had a LOT to think about. And only one person would understand.

"Mom, can we talk?" Maya had called her mother at work right after school. "I need some advice."

"What's wrong, baby?" Katy replied.

"It is not a phone-type conversation, Mom. Face to face."

"All right. Come down to the coffee shop and we can talk over my lunch hour. Do you want me to make you something when you get here?"

"No, thanks, Mom. I'm too anxious to eat."

"All right. Head down here and text me when you're close. I love you, Maya."

"I love you, too." Maya hung up the phone and caught the bus to the coffee shop." She texted her mom when she was about a block away. Her mother was already sitting in a corner booth, waiting. When she saw Maya approaching, she smiled and stood up. Her smile faltered when she saw how nervous Maya looked.

"What is it, Maya?" Katy asked, concerned. Maya pulled out the two pamphlets that she had stuffed way down to the bottom of her backpack. She smoothed them out on the table and turned them so they were facing Katy.

"Adoption?" She read the second one. "Abor-" She quickly looked up at Maya and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Abortion?" She took Maya's hands in her own. She could see so much of herself in her daughter.

"I know this is a really hard decision, but ultimately, it HAS to be yours. I cannot make this one for you, honey." Maya's eyes filled up with tears. "That is not to say, I won't help you, but it is your decision." She wiped Maya's falling tears with the corner of a napkin. "Did you read the pamphlets, yet?" Maya nodded silently, sniffing back more tears that were coming.

"I did not really like either of the options, Mom. I don't like the idea of having a baby of mine out there in the world somewhere. And the other option, forget it. I don't even want to think about it. I read about the procedure, and I can't." Katy's brow furrowed.

"That only leaves one option, Maya. Are you sure you are ready for that?" Katy lifted up Maya's chin and looked into her eyes.

"I'm not sure of anything anymore. I don't even know if I am yet." Katy squeezed Maya's hands.

"Then we will talk more if and when the time comes, all right?" Maya nodded, silently. Katy stood up and kissed the top of Maya's head. Maya grabbed her mother's arm.

"Hey, Mom?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Katy started to walk away, but Maya stopped her again.

"Hey Mom?"

"Maya?"

"I think I am hungry now. Can I have some chili with cheese?" Katy smiled at her daughter.

"Of course, honey."

Now was the moment Maya had been dreading. She had waited three weeks to do this. The test was sitting the bathroom counter, processing under a paper towel. The three longest minutes of Maya's entire life. She had been staring at the clock the entire time. Now it was down to seconds. 10, 9, 8. What if it was positive? 7, 6, 5. What if it was negative? 4,3,2,1. Maya took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and uncovered the test stick. She read the words through blurry, tear filled eyes.

Pregnant.