Cause for Alarm

"It says here that you're new in town?"

"That's right."

"We need to have your records sent to us. You don't list an obstetrician on the questio

"I don't have one." She looked at her hands, working to find the courage to say what she had to. "I went to my regular doctor for the pregnancy test and…and-"

"You haven't seen anyone since." She nodded. "So, I take it you're not taking prenatal vitamins?"

"No. I-"

"Not to worry, we'll get you on those right away." He took out a prescription pad and began to write.

"I want an abortion."

The doctor lifted his head. "Pardon me?"

"I don't want this baby. It was a mistake. The whole thing was a mistake."

For a moment he was silent, then he cleared his throat. "What about the father?"

"He's…no longer a part of my life. And he…he made it plain from the begi

Dr. Samuel folded his hands on the desk in front of him. "Then you have a problem, young lady. First off, I don't perform abortions. Personally, I became an obstetrician to bring lives into the world, not to end them."

"But couldn't you refer me to someone who-"

He cut her off. "Secondly, you're no longer able to make that decision. An abortion isn't an option for you."

Her heart dropped. "I don't understand."

"You're too far along." She gazed blankly at him, and he shook his head. "In your pregnancy. The law allows abortions up until the twenty-fourth week after the date of the last menstrual cycle. You're past that. By a week and three days."

A week and three days. Hardly anything. Julia

"I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do."

He started to stand; she caught his hand and clutched frantically at it. "Couldn't someone…someone who does do abortions, just…fudge a little on the dates? I mean, don't they just suck it out with a little vacuum, or something?"

Color crept up the physician's cheeks, and he extricated his hand from hers, his dislike obvious. "You'd be asking a doctor to lie, Ms. Starr. To break the law. To put his or her medical license on the line. Not only that-" He made a sound of a

He crossed to his bookcase, selected a hardcover text and brought it back to her. He flipped it open, thumbed through, then set it open on the desk in front of her. It was a photograph of a baby in a womb.

"See that? That's two months' development." Julia

He flipped forward several pages, then stopped. "Here's your baby."

Julia

"Positive." He cleared his throat. "Babies at this stage recognize their mother's voices from inside the womb, they respond to light and sound. You're far enough along that if you had this baby today, there's a slight chance it could survive outside your womb."

"I…didn't know." She lowered her gaze to the image once more. "I just…I thought…" Tears welled in her eyes, then spilled down her cheeks. "What am I going to do, Dr. Samuel? What am I going to do?"

He handed her a box of tissue, his expression softening. "Julia

"No," she said. "No, I don't want it. And I won't change my mind, I know I won't."

"Have you considered giving this baby up for adoption?"

"Adoption?" she repeated, knowing she sounded like an idiot. Feeling like one "No. I mean, I haven't…thought about much of anything but…"

But John. And about surviving.

The physician sat across from her once more. "There are thousands of infertile couples in this country, couples who are desperate to adopt healthy infants. These are nice, solid people. Committed couples. They would give this baby a good home, a loving family."

He leaned toward her, his expression serious, earnest. "You're already into your third trimester, Julia

Julia

"There are several reputable agencies in the area as well as quite a number of lawyers who specialize in adoption. I work with one of the agencies, the finest, in my opinion. Citywide Charities."

She hesitated a moment, then shook her head. "I don't know."

"It's a loving solution, Julia

He swung around and took a framed photo from his desk and handed it to her. "My wife and I adopted all three of our children through Citywide."

He named them, a girl and twin boys.

Julia

"They're the light of our lives."

Her eyes filled with tears again. "I don't know what to do. I just thought…I thought that you…that after today…" Her voice trailed off miserably.

"Think about it. Take a little time." He stood, went around the desk and took a business card from his center drawer. "Here's a card with Citywide's number. Ask for Ellen. She can answer any questions you might have."

Julia

"I want to see you back here in three weeks." He must have seen by her expression that she had no intention of coming back, and he shook his head. "You need medical care, Julia

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. "I know. It's just that it costs so much."

"If you do choose adoption, Citywide can help you with both your medical and living costs."

"You mean, they'll pay for my doctor visits and stuff?"

He smiled and stood. "And stuff. They base the amount of support on individual need, so I can't quote you exactly what they'll do for you. But I promise you this, you won't have to worry about any medical expenses. And, if you choose, you can continue to see me."

He walked her to the door. "Promise me you'll at least think about it."

She promised, then paid her bill and left the office, head spi