Page 190 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland
P. 190

Reason To Sing


          losing your mind? Do I need to check myself in somewhere?
          I just don’t know how I’m going to continue to deal with the
          extreme stress. The whole mess is traumatizing me.
              I must move forward. I rebook with my doctor. I’ve made my
          decision. At this time in my life, I don’t have any other choice
          but to terminate the pregnancy. I have no desire to have a child
          that will be subjected to my husband’s abusive behaviour – even
          if I lie and say it is his. And the father of the child? That’s not the
          right path either.
              There is no way I could take care of a baby on my own. Right
          now, I can barely take care of myself. My mind is made up. I
          don’t receive any counsel, and my doctor never attempts to give
          me any other options. She does not speak to me about adoption
          or suggest I talk with someone else. Or maybe she does, and I
          just don’t have the ears to hear her. Perhaps I’m so resolute I don’t
          want to hear. All I can think is Get this baby out of me!
              The timeline is becoming serious. Hudson goes everywhere
          with me. And that includes today. I am booked for an ultrasound
          to see exactly how far along I am. I have concocted a story that
          I am suffering with ‘female issues’ and need to have a D&C.
          This also helps me to keep his advances in check. I am lying so
          often I’m almost starting to believe the lies myself. Any notion
          of carrying a real baby that is forming fingers and toes and has a
          heartbeat, is just not real to me.
              The appointment is downtown and Hudson insists on
          driving me. I am more than capable of driving, but he won’t
          have it any other way. Panic sets in as I attempt to circumvent a
          potential disaster.
              “Why don’t you just stay in the van and wait. That way we
          don’t have to worry about parking. I don’t think it should take
          that long. I’m fine doing this on my own.” I am trying desperately
          to keep my voice steady.


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