Carla smiled bitterly and replied, “I had dreams of putting up my own practice. I planned to work my ass off raising the money to do that. Now I have to shelve all my dreams in favor of a baby I never planned for.”
Dr. Beasley sighed. “I understand. When it comes to a choice between career and a family, the former always seems more important than the later. A job represents financial security that every woman wants. A child just feels like financial obligation. Money you probably haven’t saved for. But they can also be a source of inspiration. A reason to keep on going. I’m not saying you keep this baby. But I want you to know where your heart truly is.”
Carla stopped pacing. The doctor assured her she still had time if she decided on an abortion.
“How can I do that? This is Falcon’s baby.” Getting rid of it meant betraying Falcon in a way she couldn’t really explain. Nevertheless, she came to a decision. “No. I’m keeping it,” she decided firmly.
Dr. Beasley said she probably won’t be showing for months. Small consolation. She could keep on working. She still needed the money- badly now- more than ever. Then she would disappear until she gave birth, return to the city and start all over again. It wasn’t going to be easy but she could still pursue her dream, couldn’t she?
Carla wanted to wail and scream, lash out at the complicated turn of events in her life. It was all so unfair. She drew in a sigh to relieve the tightness in her chest.
“This is my fault too. Wanting a man who never felt anything for me. Even worst is having that one-night stand. I’m so stupid! He’s a friend and now I can’t even have that without fearing he will find out. I just know he won’t want any part in this. He isn’t in love with me. That’s so clear. So why did I go to bed with him?”
Carla didn’t have the answer on that one. The “one-night-stand’ tag stung. It made her angry at herself and angrier at Falcon. If she saw him now she’d probably give him the finger and tell him to shove it up his ass. To hell with him.
But the words of Dr. Beasley returned. On hindsight, Carla supposed Falcon was where her heart truly was.
