“Not this way. This is against my beliefs. You know how I feel. We’ve talked about this before. I went along with you in Hawaii because I didn’t want you to get pregnant while I was in Vietnam. But now I’m here, so it’s different.” Alex became louder. “I . . . I just don’t want you taking those pills!” His voice vibrated as he spit out the words.

“And—What? It’s your way—or no way?” Jorden lashed back.

“Don’t put it like that. I can’t force you to stop taking them, but it upsets me.” His cold glare repelled her.

Jorden turned and sat on the edge of the bed with her back to him, looking down and covering her face with her hands. She flashed back to memories from last summer.

***

Summer of 1969

At the end of May, after Alex had left for Vietnam, Jorden took a couple of graduate courses at the university. All seemed well—until two missed periods changed everything. Frightened, she just knew she was pregnant. Her life began to spiral out of control. How would she face her own family, or even more, Alex’s family? The timing spoiled any happiness a baby should bring. Alex would still be in Vietnam when the baby was born.

Jorden’s thoughts went in all directions. The most extreme was not legal and definitely was not an option. Never, she reiterated to herself.

Jorden couldn’t bring herself to confide in her roommates. Finally, though, she broke down and called Madison. Of course, her friend laid it out in practical terms.

“See a doctor first to determine if you are pregnant,” Madison simply stated.

“And if I am—what then?” Jorden glared at the phone. “Please don’t tell me you told me so. I was a fool. Now I’m paying for it. If only we had gotten married. But no, Alex wanted to wait. I want this baby, but the timing is rotten. Alex won’t even be here. I figure the baby will come sometime in February. What am I going to do?” Jorden appealed to Madison.

“Married or not, if you’re pregnant you’ll lose your teaching position as soon as you start showing. That’s Georgia State law—and how the system works.”

“I know, but I keep hoping my period will come.”

“You need to make a doctor’s appointment. Do it soon. Remember, I’m here for you,” Madison said encouragingly.

“I know. Thank you. I’ll . . . I’ll have to go back to my parent’s home. It’s really the only solution. Mother and Dad will flip, but what else can I do?” Jorden looked defeated.

“Try and be positive. See the doctor first and go from there,” Madison firmly stated.