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A Cautionary Tale [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2023-07-04
A Cautionary Tale
Sandra sat on the narrow iron railing, watching the people below, scurry about, oblivious to what was about to happen. She prayed it wouldn’t hurt too much when she hit the ground, she was 20 stories up, that should be enough to get it done shouldn’t it? Lights out. It would all be over.
Everything that had led her to this moment was now a blur.
She remembers hearing the Doctor say the word pregnant, after that, it felt as if they were under water, everything sounded muffled.
The Doctor’s lips were moving, but for some reason she couldn’t hear what he was saying. She suddenly felt very tired and sleepy, her eyeleds were heavy. Was her mother crying? She couldn’t look at her.
Sandra had always wanted to spend a weekend in a fancy hotel and the room did not disappoint. She believed her last night in this world should be special.
Her Aunt Sylvia had bought Sandra’s story that they should have a weekend get away, just the two of them. Sylvia was like a second mother to Sandra. She knew Sylvia would keep everything a secret if Sandra asked her to. Sandra had given her Aunt the money to pay for the room. She told Sylvia she saved up the money babysitting, which was partly true. Sylvia didn’t ask any questions about the money and they had checked into the hotel that morning. Sylvia said she’d be back that evening after work to start their weekend get away. Sandra was proud of how clever she had been.
She had stolen the money from her Uncle Reggie. He always had lots of cash. Sandra smiled she would have loved to see his face when he discovered his money was gone. He was gonna be in big trouble, his dealer didn’t tolerate anyone being short. All of that no longer mattered to her.
She considered the money payment for all the nights he had snuck into her room and stolen her innocence. His pants had been lying on the floor, she could see his wallet sticking out of the pocket, beckoning her.
Reggie was snoring as he usually did after he had satisfied himself with her body. It had been easy, she just leaned over the edge of the bed, didn’t have to move that much. He hated when she tried to get out of bed without asking.
“Come here girl let’s cuddle, I thought ladies liked to cuddle after...”
Lady? I’m only 11, she thought. Just a little girl, until the first night Uncle Reggie came into her bedroom.
Her mother was constantly drilling into her head that she was just a little girl.
She’d say, “Baby girl you don’t know nothin about life, or girl wait til you’re grown and have to be out there scrappin.. or girl, you better enjoy being young and care free while you can.”
Carefree, that’s just how she felt, as her bare feet dangled over the balcony. But she couldn’t sit here much longer, the railing was so uncomfortable, she shifted her weight, the time had come.
BAM, BAM, BAM!!
Sandra was startled by loud banging at her door. “Ms. Simmons open the door please!! Open the door, or we’ll be forced to break it down!!”
Her mother had always said she wasn’t too bright. Of course someone would spot her sitting there. She hadn’t looked down for a while so she was shocked to see so many people gathered on the street looking up at her.
They were watching her, pointing up at her. News trucks were parked along the street. Reporters talking through microphones. A news helicopter was hovering close by at the same level as her hotel balcony.
A photographer sitting at the open door of the helicopter was pointing a camera at her.
She had felt invisible all her life, until now.
Her phone rang, no caller ID. Sandra answered and listened.
“Ms Simmons?”
“Yes” Sandra said, surprised at how her own voice sounded foreign and unfamiliar.
“I’m Michelle Lee from WBTA news, can we talk? Can you tell me why you’re doing this?”
“Yes”...
Silence
“Sandra?” Michelle asked cautiously, are you still there? What has happened to bring you to this point in your life?”
Sandra took a deep breath.
“I’m pregnant and I don’t want it, I want it to go away but my mother says it’s not legal to make it go away. I’m not a bad girl.” Sandra wept quietly.
More silence...
“Sandra, Michelle said gently, will you tell me your story?”
At that moment, they both heard a loud boom, as the door crashed open!
[END]
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