Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Ever been hit by a freight train?

So LF sent me a few messages yesterday that gained my concern. One of which that she was in the hospital, to which I immediately placed a call to her.

She was bawling on the phone. (what follows is somewhat paraphrased)

Me: "Okay... what's going on?" (concerned voice)
Her: *sniff sniff sniff*... "I'm in the hospital..."
Me: "Yeah, got your message... what is it? Are you okay?"
Her: "I have an unplanned pregnancy." *sob*
Me: *shocked* (sound of the freight train hitting me) (However, I knew for a fact it wasn't mine... we haven't even slept together)
Her: "It's from that asshole that I got involved with that I told you about before..."
Me: "Uhm... okay... That's huge. (pause) So what do you want to do about it?"
Her: "I don't want to keep it. I can't afford it. It's not the right time.... Does that make me a bad person? Am I horrible?"
Me: "No. Everyone makes their own decisions for their own reasons. I believe in at least having that option available, as it's not my body."
Her: *sob* "Should I tell him?"
Me: "I would. There are few things that are a defining moment in a person's life, this is one of them."
Her: "I can't afford the procedure. I have credit card bills, my job isn't paying that well..."
Me: "Well, at least he should help you out with it."
Her: "Okay... I'm going to call him. I'm not a bad person, am I?"
Me: "No. If you're not ready, and you don't have a supportive family or environment, it's my belief that the timing isn't right. It's not beneficial to ruin two lives, when at a later time you'll be able to support the child fully. I don't think you are a bad person."
Her: "Thank you. I'm sorry about this."
*click*

We spoke multiple times during the day. Her emotions were across the board from anger at the guy who she did this with, to not being sure on keeping it or not, to being angry that she isn't in a better place in her life to make it a good event. Found out that in fact she did tell the guy about her unplanned pregnancy, at first he denied he was involved. He then offered to pay for half, and then finally buckled and said he'd pay for it all. Smart guy in that decision. It's either $400 for the procedure now, or child support for 18 years of his life.

All the while I was supportive of her, understanding, tried to help her regroup and focus her thinking. This decision has a lot of gravity and repercussions to it. I've been in this exact situation before.

*sound of the freight train running over me*

This particular situation with LF, where if a) I stick with it, the relationship will be weird or b) if I abandon it, then I'll be an asshole.

I'm not sure I can "win" in this predicament. I feel sorry for her, but I can understand her decision to not want to keep it. I'm just glad it isn't me right now, however if it were, I would keep the child. I'm at a better position in my life than before.

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