Choices

 The set up:the women's writing group I belong to offered me a challenge with a writing prompt via a selection of photographs. Instructed to choose one picture and write a story about it led me to this.(photo credit Anita van der Elst) 

Shandy was walking across campus when she saw the reporter setting up. Instinctively she ducked her head, hugged her bag of textbooks closer to her chest, and picked up the pace. She’d seen the journalist around the campus earlier; her political agenda crystal clear as she’d barraged some of Shandy’s friends with questions about pro-choice vs pro-life. The last thing Shandy needed was to be intercepted by this reporter.

Then, out of the corner of her eye she saw something then that gave her pause. Stopped in her tracks, she let her book bag sag beside her. Why in the world would Drew Kirkland allow himself to be pigeon holed by the reporter?

She didn't know Drew very well. Which was a shameful thing to say considering the one night they’d spent together several weeks ago. The party at a friend’s house off-campus had been exactly what you might expect for the college crowd. Shandy was introduced to Drew and there seemed to be an immediate attraction on both sides. Drew was attentive and kind, bringing her drinks and engaging her in enthusiastic conversation. There had been a lot of laughter, Shandy recalled, then kissing but after that things got hazy. Waking up the next morning with a cotton mouth, a pounding headache, and her clothes in disarray had been confusing enough. Realizing Drew was snoring next to her wearing even less than she was, was horrifying. Unsure at that moment of what had really taken place, she’d gathered her things and made a hasty escape, too mortified to face him.

Since then, whenever their paths had crossed, Shandy had avoided eye contact. Drew had made no attempts to interact with her and for that Shandy was torn. Embarrassment and disgust over what had obviously taken place that night won out over any desire to reconnect with Drew. The fact that she didn't seem to register on his radar told her he must feel the same way.

When the test result came back positive there was only one solution Shandy could think of, devastating as that seemed. But how could she tell anyone she was pregnant when she couldn't even recall the night it had happened? Forget about telling Drew. There was no way she could broach him about this!

And, now, here was Drew engaged in conversation with the reporter, presumably about the very thing weighing so heavily on her own mind and heart. Judging by the look on Drew’s face he felt passionate about whatever he was saying. Shandy wished she could hear him. Maybe she’d hear something that would give her direction about her pending decision. Something that would offer her even the slightest sliver of hope.

Cautiously she dared to come just a little closer.