Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 16
"We don't have to get married, Carmen. I'll support you and the baby no matter what," Edward broke the silence in the car as he drove them toward the downtown area. He called in sick for his rotation before leaving the parking lot, sensing that he shouldn't leave Carmen's side while she was so distraught, or until they had managed to reach some kind of consensus with regard to the baby.
"I'll be done with school in less than a year. I'll have a job and make a decent salary. Plus, I'm sure my parents will help. I can make it work. Please, just think about it, okay?"
"No." She shook her head.
"Why not? I know things aren't perfect for us, but... but it's not so bad either that you should consider aborting our baby..."
"What? You're a bible-thumping, pro-lifer now? Jesus!" Carmen spoke with clear derision. "I'm not ready to bring a baby in this world, so I'm evil? Is that it? Well, I've got news for you, Edward; it's my body, it's my decision. So stop with all the pressure tactics, okay?"
"No, no! Of course not. I am not trying to pressure you here, or judge you," Edward tried to protest. "I just think it will be wrong for us-"
"There is no 'us', Edward," Carmen interrupted him. "There's just me. This is my problem. And I'm the one who needs to fix it. So, please just stop with whatever it is that you are trying to do here."
"That's where you are wrong, and that's all I'm trying to tell you, Carmen. It doesn't have to be just your responsibility. You have me. I'll take care of you, both of you. Just hear me out before you do something that you might regret later.
"Give me an hour, give me thirty minutes; just hear me out. Please."
Edward looked at her pleadingly, hoping she wouldn't shoot him down simply out of spite.
After a whole minute of staring out the window, Carmen finally gave a quick jerk of head.
"You have thirty minutes."
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
FYI, all remarks on pro Vs. choice debate strictly belong to these characters.