-Riley sat in her room in her bay window area. Her head was up but she had her body curled in a ball. There was late afternoon sunlight coming into her room but every light was turned off and most of her curtains were pulled down. Some light still came through the curtains but everything looked very dimly lit in the room. From the bedroom door, Riley's mother: Topanga walked in and sat down next to Riley.
Topanga: Okay. It's the first time in weeks it's been just us girls at home. You ready to tell me this big thing on your mind.
Riley: I... I don't know if I can.
Topanga: Well let me see if I can start the story correctly. I know you haven't looked the same since you snuck out that one night early in the summer.
Riley: How did you know I snuck out one night?
Topanga: Because sitting in your room alone wouldn't cause your entire personality to change between the evening of one day and the morning of another. It was obviously a place you shouldn't have been or you would've told me where you were.
Riley: I... I... I went to a college party. Maya, wasn't with me mom. I was missing her. So I wanted to relive some of the exciting times we've both had in the past.
Topanga: A college dorm party?
Riley: How did you know?
Topanga: What other kind of college parties happen late at night? What happened there Riley?
Riley: I... I was just talking to a guy and... He gave me something to drink. I didn't know what it was. I just thought it was soda but... I started to not think straight and... I barely remember what happened. All I know is at one point I wasn't wearing my clothes, we were on a bed, and I remember feeling something I never felt before down below and I... I... I was rapped mom.
-Riley then burst into tears as her head fell against her mother's shoulders. Topanga held Riley in her arms and began to speak in a soothing voice to her.
Topanga: Oh Riley. I am so, so sorry.
Riley: I didn't even get his name mom. I even tried going back to the dorm a week later but no one knew his name. He was a person that wasn't supposed to be there. Just like how I wasn't supposed to be there.
Topanga: Riley, it kills me inside you had to experience this. But I have to ask... why didn't you tell me or your father about this?
Riley: I wanted to mom. I really did. I was just looking for the right moment. But before that moment could come I...
Topanga: Wait. Oh no. Do you mean...
-Riley put her head up so she could still look at Topanga even though more tears came from her eyes.
Riley: I found I was pregnant mom. I wasn't feeling well and I... I thought it couldn't happen to me. I just snuck into a store in another neighborhood to take a test to be sure and... oh God... when I saw that stick change colors it wasn't just the stick that changed... my entire life did. I was a 14 year old girl and was pregnant.
Topanga: Riley, I... wait. You said was pregnant. Do you mean...
-Riley suddenly fell off the bay window and onto the ground. Her hands covered her face as she sobbed but continued to attempt talking.
Riley: I didn't know what to do mom. I was so confused. I was worried about how my life would turn out, how the tiny thing growing inside me would turn out and... I... I... I had abortion! I had an abortion mom.
-Riley began to sub loudly as Topanga came onto the floor and hugged Riley closely. Tears began to come out of Topanga's eyes too as she spoke.
Topanga: Oh Riley. I love you so much. And it kills me inside that I wasn't there for you when you were going through. But please... I don't understand. Why didn't you come to me with this?
Riley: I was worried you'd hate me.
Topanga: Oh Riley. I would never hate you for anything. You are the amazing little miracle of my life that I love so much.
Riley: I... kind of knew you would still be there for me mom. But I was worried about how everyone else would think of me. How'd they make fun of me, and spread rumors about me. And I was worried about the life I would be bringing a baby into. There are a lot of things I'm still uncertain about, but one thing I knew I always wanted was to one day be was a mom. Just like you. I wanted to bring a child into a world with an ideal situation set up exactly right for them. But I couldn't.
Topanga: Riley... how far were you along when you finally...
Riley: Three months mom. I was three months pregnant. It was that point where I was starting to show but just barely. I took a train to the other side of the city where I was sure no one would know me. I walked into this place where they were tons of other women. A whole bunch of older women were present but there were also a lot of teenagers. One of them was short but I was pretty sure she was older than me. I... I was the youngest one there mom. I don't think there were any other people my age there. I was 14 years old and I was all alone.
-Topanga continued to hold Riley close as she spoke.
Topanga: Oh, Riley. I'm so sorry you had be so alone. What happened after you...
Riley: Once I walked into the room, it was all a blur. I just remember at one point I knew it was all over. I remember sitting up and realizing I was in a room full of other girls who had also just been through the procedure. Some of them were crying. One was screaming. She was yelling over the realization that she had just murdered an unborn life, and that she was so mad at herself that... she wanted to kill herself. I didn't say anything but, for a moment... I wanted to kill myself too.
Topanga: Riley. Don't ever think that. You are so...
Riley: Important? Of course I know that mom. But what makes my life more important than the unborn child I had that now will never live? That child never had a chance. Never an opportunity to speak for itself. I thought I was just saving it from a life of misery and torment. But instead, I just threw myself into one.
Topanga: It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay.
Riley: Mom... are you mad at me for...
Topanga: Mad? No. Disappointed, yes. But anything else I could say on that matter I know wouldn't make you feel any better... Did you tell anybody else about this?
Riley: Just Maya.
Topanga: Of course.
Riley: And... I kind of talked to my unborn child. I wrote a letter to them. Trying to explain how I felt and how I was so, so sorry for what I did. Do you think that somehow someway that know what I wrote?
Topanga: Yeah. I think they so.
Riley: Do... do you think this whole situation means that... I'm going to be a terrible mother one day?
Topanga: No. No, no Riley. Because I know you. And you are an amazingly sweet, wonderful, and loving young woman. And that you have the capability to take any situation life gives you and grow from it. And I know you will indeed grow from this. And whenever you need me or your father, we will be there to help you through.
Riley: Mom... thank you. I'm so sorry I took so long to tell you this. I love you so much.
Topanga: I love you too Riley. Now and for always...
THE END
*Dedicated to my mom. Thank you for always loving me no matter what.
