"Hi...I'm Henley...and this is my baby boy." I rub my huge stomach. I am so ready for the baby to get here.I just want the damn thing out of me. But I'm not sure what will happen once it does come.

She looks at me but quickly looks down at her trembling hands. In a very shy conservative voice she says, "Hi..I'm Charlotte."

"So how far along are you?"I ask...only because she is not showing so I know she must only be a few weeks...maybe a two months at most.

"A couple of weeks." She looks back up and tries to give a simple smile.

"I remember those days...I was so sick but I promise it gets better. I'm going on eight months...whew...two more months to go." I continue to rub my oversized belly.

Her eyes grow wide with curiosity "Are you scared?"

"A little...but it is what it is. I've been coming to these meeting for a few months now...they seem to be helping some. I just get so emotional especially as it gets closer to time."

Mrs. Andrews gets everyone's attention by clapping her hands and gathering everyone around. "All right... expecting mothers to be...can everyone have a seat...let's get started? We have a few new faces in the room so if possible can we please go around the room and introduce yourselves."

I wait as everyone else talks and then it's my turn. "Hey guys...it's me Henley...and this is Morgan..." I rub my belly, "or I believe that is what he will be named...you never know I may change my mind once I see him."

Charlotte goes after me. She looks so young and fragile. "Hi...I saw the flyer in the bathroom at the clinic. I don't know why I am really here. I guess I just need someone to talk to. I just found out that I'm pregnant...and...and my parents want me to have an abortion. But what if that is not want I want...what if I want to keep it?"

"Do you want to keep it?" Mrs. Andrews asks her.

"I don't know...everyone wants me to get rid of it like it never happened. I don't know what to do. We scheduled the appointment already it's in two weeks. I'm scared." She starts to cry.

I lean over and hug her."Hey...we were all there once too...we are here for you."

After the meeting, I go up to her. "Hey...Charlotte...would you like to go get a coffee or something?"

She looks around like she is ready to bolt out of there but then nervously says, "Sure."

We walk over to the coffee shop across the street.

"So the father...is he still with you?" She asks right before she seats down in the booth.

"No...he got accepted to Vanderbilt...and left me behind to take care of the baby. My parents keep reassuring me that they will help me but I know it will be just me doing it."

"Do you want to be a mom, Henley?"

"I don't know...a part of me does...the other part of me just wants to be like my friends. They all left and went to college and here I am fixing to have this baby. I probably would have had an abortion but it was too late to have one."

"Do you think I should have one? I mean everyone wants me too even Danny?"

"Danny...I guess that is the father to be?" The waitress brings over my cup of coffee and hands Charlotte her hot chocolate. I take a sip of my coffee and then grab a packet of sugar. I open it up and look back at her.She nods her head."I can't tell you want to do. I don't know how your life is. I mean you might be an awesome mom you never know or you might not be. You have to do what is best for you and what you think is right."

"That's just it...I don't know what is right for me. I'm scared of having an abortion. The doctor at the clinic went over all the details and it sounds horrible. I mean...what if I die in the process."She keeps twirling her hot chocolate with the tiny red straw.

"I doubt you will die...Charlotte." I stir the sugar more and then take another sip. "So I assume your parents were really pissed off when they found out?"

"Yeah...I never thought the words would come out of my mother's mouth...but she was just like... 'you are too young...it will ruin your life...my life...how could you...you will get rid of it.'"

"Ouch...mine were also upset...but they got over it. They keep saying that I will be fine and that they will help me but the only thing that they have been doing is giving me a place to stay."

"At least they aren't forcing you to get rid of the baby."

"Charlotte...I don't even know if I want the baby...I would have gotten rid of it months ago if I could. I'm not ready to bring this thing into the world...I'm not ready to be a mom."

She looks down and makes a 'o' shape with her lips..."Oh...I...just thought..."

"It's fine...everyone just assume that if your seven months along...that one is supposed to be so happy. I put up the front, this fake smile." I gesture to my face and flash her a cheesy smile. "I have people believe that I am happy with this decision...but in reality...I am also scared shitless. I just want my life back to the way it was you know."

"Yeah...I know what you mean...I just want my life back to the way it was....before this. Danny said that I couldn't get pregnant...being my first time and all and I..."

"Believed him...guys will say anything to get what they really want."

She looks up and tears glisten her eyes full of sadness. "Well thanks for inviting me for coffee...hot chocolate...I guess I better get back home before the parents put out a search party."

"Ok...so maybe I will see you again next week at the session?"

"Maybe." She gives me a half hearted smile back and walks out the door.

I wait a few minutes and then leave to go home. The house is empty as usual. My parents are never home. I know once baby Morgan comes into this world...I will be on my own. I go up to my room and get out my journal. I have been writing more in it since I became pregnant. I get out my favorite gel pen and start to write.

I meet a new girl tonight...Charlotte. She is actually lucky in a way she just doesn't know it. See her parents want her to have an abortion and she is early enough to actually go through it. I shouldn't be thinking this way...I wish I could have done that and then I would be off to college right now instead of working at a fast food joint a few miles away. I know she is hurting and she is sad...but at least she has that option to end it now. I'm not saying that I don't love you...you big ole bump in my belly...I just don't know how to be the mom that you need me to be.

I close the journal, placing it back between the mattress and roll over on my side and drift off to sleep.