Final Conversation

(Writer's Note: This story is the follow up to "Derailed" .)

“Hello?”

“Sasha, it’s Todd. How are you?”

“What do you want?”

“Is that any way to talk to your boyfriend?”

“Ex-boyfriend. Have you developed amnesia in the past two weeks and blocked out our last conversation?”

“Sasha, I’m sorry. Graduation Day wasn’t the best time to deal with this issue. I want to set things right between us.”

“I have no problem with the way things are. Are you in Woodland?”

“No, I’m staying with a relative out of state. I haven’t settled in, though. I’m having second thoughts.”

“How noble of you.”

“Seriously, how are you?”

“I’m still pregnant if that’s what you’re asking.”

“So you didn’t have an abortion. Are you still considering it?”

“As my ex, that’s none of your business.”

“It’s my child too. It’s completely my business.”

“I’m not having an abortion. I decided to have the baby and put it up for adoption.”

“What? Sasha, you can’t be serious.”

“Why not?”

“I told you I can’t be a father. You know you’re too young to be a mother. I can’t believe you actually want to have it.”

“Why not? It’s a win-win situation. You go on with your life. Once I have the baby, I go on with my life. A couple that wants a child gets one, and the baby has a chance with a loving family. I don’t see the problem.”

“That child is still ours and it might come looking for us one day. That’s the problem.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.”

“I do.”

“Too bad. You left me. I made the decision. You have no right to step in now and tell me what to do.”

“I’m sorry. I was in shock and I reacted badly. I want to get back together. I’ll come back tomorrow and we’ll work this out.”

“No we won’t. I don’t want to get back together. You don’t either. You just want to change my mind, but it won’t work. I’ve made my decision. I’m having this child and putting it up for adoption. End of story.”

“Are you sure you’ll be able to give it up once you have it? You know; maternal instincts and all?”

“I’ve talked to people with social services. They’re already screening couples.”

“Sasha, I’m surprised at you. I thought you were pro-choice.”

“I am, but that doesn’t require me to have an abortion. Honestly, I don’t think I could live with myself if I did it. This way the child has a chance.”

“What about us?”

“There is no us.”

“What about the future?”

“We move on. Let it go. I’m not getting an abortion to win you back. I think you’ll leave me eventually no matter what I do. I know we don’t have a future together no matter what happens. I’ve made a decision I can live with. If you don’t like it; too bad.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Life isn’t fair. Don’t come back to Woodland for me. This is my final conversation with you. I’m changing my cell phone number. Don’t try to find me.”

“Sasha, don’t do this!”

“Goodbye Todd. Have a nice life.”

Word Count: 521