“Good. You can start them right away. Now you’ll be protected,” Madison said with a sigh. Silence followed. “Jorden, are you there? You still plan on taking them—don’t you?”

“Definitely! I just don’t know what I’ll tell Alex. You know he’s Catholic and against birth control.”

“So what, he doesn’t need to know.”

“I have to tell him,” Jorden mumbled. “But no matter what he writes, I’ll take the pills.”

Jorden wrote Alex right away, but waited until the end of her letter before she mentioned the pills. She tried to be positive and read her words out loud.

“I have great news. Madison is giving me birth control pills so we can be together. We won’t have to worry. I’m doing this for us. I hope this is all right with you. Please let me know what you think. I love you and want to be with you.”

She hoped Alex wouldn’t be upset. Even if he was, Jorden wasn’t taking chances.

The next day, Madison handed Jorden two circular disks. “It’s crazy you can’t get birth control pills from a doctor. You’re twenty-two—more than old enough to make this choice. I guess it’s one way the state of Georgia pushes the issue of morality down our throats.”

“Amen! I wholly agree.” Jorden turned one of the disks over to read the directions.

“They’re easy to take—one pill every morning until your period comes. Repeat after your period is over.”

Jorden held onto the disks. It was hard to believe these little pills gave her the power to take charge of her body. Whatever Alex thought, her mind was made up. She looked up at Madison. “Got a glass of water?”

“You bet! You’re making the right decision.”

Jorden pushed out the first pill and let it rest on her tongue. She reached for the glass and downed the water. “I’ve done it—started the process.”

“Have you written Alex?”

“I wrote him last night. I hope he approves or at least he’s happy for us.” Jorden figured it would take a couple weeks before she would know his answer.

“He shouldn’t upset you so much. I think Alex is being selfish. Don’t have any regrets.”

“I won’t. Thank you, Madison.”

“Any time.” They heard the front door open. “Luke has to be back. Hey Honey, we’re in the kitchen,” Madison called out.

Jorden slipped the disks into her pocket.

Luke gave Madison a kiss. “What are you two conjuring up?”

“We’re solving the world’s problems,” Madison replied.

“We sure are,” Jorden agreed. “Now I better get going.”

“Stay for dinner. We’re having turkey sandwiches.”

“Again? Let’s go out for a pizza,” Luke shot back. “I’m sick of turkey.”

“You poor thing!” Madison leaned into Luke to push him off balance, only he didn’t budge.