Changing Lives

Changing Lives.

Rebecca sat on the edge of the seat in the almost empty waiting room
listening for her name to be announced over the tanoid system,
nervously she clasped and unclasped her hands trying to avert her eyes
from the inquisitive looks of Mrs Foster, her neighbour, seated
opposite a woman notorious for carrying stories and exaggerating any
tip-bit or information, right now she would be wracking her brains with
imaginings as to why Rebecca was not at school. Rebecca determined not
to engage in conversation, fortunately at that moment her name was
called out.
" Rebecca Clarke for doctor Johnston's surgery please."
Rebecca sprang quickly to her feet, and moved off down the corridor, in
one sense relieved in another terrified, for she knew the truth of her
situation, and relief from the eyes of Mrs Foster would be short lived.
From to-day onwards she would be the butt of many unkind comments. She
felt like crying, knocking lightly on Dr, Johnston's door she heard a
kind voice say "come in Rebecca, sit down, now what can I do for you."
Rebecca sat down abruptly, and before she could think, blurted
out.
"Dr, I am pregnant."
Dr, Johnston caught so unawares, temporarily lost her composure.
" Good Lord Rebecca are you absolutely sure do you realize what you
are saying."
" Yes I am, I used a pregnancy testing kit, and twice I have had a
positive result."
Rebecca promptly burst into tears, it was almost a relief that another
person was aware of her terrible secret, and she knew that her Dr was
sworn to confidence.

Dr, JOhnston quickly moved to comfort Rebecca grasping her hand, she
was totally lost for words she knew if Rebecca decided to have her baby
the next few months would be hell for her,her parents were very
religious people, in fact her father was the was the local minister in
the small community of Springtown
This would be devastating news, with wide spread implications.
Rebecca's tears were Unstoppable eventually they faded of into
intermittent sobs.
" Dr. I haven't told anyone yet but I do intend to keep my baby,"
Many thoughts raced through Dr Johnston's mind, what options were
available since no-one was aware yet, what advice should she give this
young innocent child sitting in front of her why she was younger than
her own daughter, what right had she to make firm suggestions or assert
her opinions, none really, so she just made another appointment, to
give Rebecca time to decide what her final decision would be. But
Rebecca just reaffirmed.
" Dr I have already decided, I have known for three weeks now, I know
everyone will be angry and disappointed but no-one can force me to do
anything I don't want to do."
Dr, Johnston could not help but admire the courage of this young girl,
who knew what lay ahead yet underneath was determined and sure of her
own decision.
"Well Rebecca I can only offer you my full support throughout your
pregnancy, I want you to know I will be here for you at any time, What
will you do now?"
"I will have to tell my parents to-night."

Rebecca left the surgery, her watch read 3.30 it took fifteen minutes
to walk home, she knew her father always checked in home around
four
O' Clock, and her mum would be preparing for the evening meal.

Everything was like clockwork in the Clarke household Breakfast at
eight, lunch at one, dinner at five, everything was scrupulously clean
and tidy, it was very regimented and systematic, sometimes Rebecca
wanted to scream at the orderliness of it all, rebellion would break
out in her bed-room in protest Rebecca would leave her clothes lying on
the floor scatter her things about leave her bed unmade just to make a
statement of individuality.
Slowly she made her way home, wondering what way she was going to break
the news to her parents. They would be asking her about her day at
school
Looking for improvements, always you had to improve. Rebecca knew in
her heart that her parents meant the best for her, but sometimes it was
all too much to difficult. She was nearly there now and sure enough she
could see her father's car pulling into the drive way and the tall
figure of her father disappearing into the house. Rebecca decided to
slip in the back door into the kitchen where her mother would be,
before her mother could speak she, she quickly said.
" Mother I need to talk to you and father it's very important, I need
to talk now. Her mother sensing the urgency in her voice said ok I
would fetch your father now I hope this is important you know how your
father doesn't like to be
disturbed at this time."
" Please mum said Rebecca it's very important she was getting visibly
nervous again."
Rebecca sat down at the kitchen table she felt she need something to
lean on, for support, she took a deep breath as her mother and father
entered the kitchen suddenly she felt physically sick as fear replaced
her former bravado. In her mind's eye her father looked menacing her
mother accusing, Rebecca tried to speak but her throat was dry and her
tongue seemed to stick to the top of her mouth.
" Well what is it Rebecca," her father said in a sharp tone, " It can't
be that bad I've things to do before tea important things."

" I am pregnant " Rebecca whispered in a barely audible tone but she
was heard.
" What nonsense is this child, what kind of story are you fabricating
now, Rebecca I know you have tried all kinds of ploys for attention but
this is going to far."
" I am serious Father and what is more I am going to have my
baby."

Mr, Clarke was visibly stunned as if he had been hit with a heavy
object. Mrs, Clarke stumbled to the nearest chair the colour drained
from her face, this was her worst nightmare, her perfect little
daughter, pregnant, this was not happening any moment now the alarm
clock would ring and the nightmare would end, but that did not
happen.
All three fell silent, each trying to access their own thoughts and
each other's, right now
every-one needed time out.

Julie Summerville awoke there was a lot on her mind, a week ago she had
been ecstatic and excited as she and her boyfriend announced to her
parents that she was pregnant, Julie's parents had no trouble accepting
this news, she had been a young mother just like Julie would be, she
had had no regrets in fact they grew up to-gather, and Julie's mum
would not have changed any of it. So Julie had al the support a young
girl in her position could hope for from her parents. But Julie was
beginning to have second thoughts, Fears and doubts were beginning to
replace her previous feelings of happiness, she was only seventeen
years old, was this what she really wanted, she was beginning to regret
having confided in her parents so quickly, this would make any new
decision very difficult to make.
Julie was not content she did not feel ready for this commitment to
motherhood and marriage for that is what every-one would be expecting
that she and Paul would get married after the baby was born.
Paul was only eighteen and although he was very supportive and
understanding, Julie and Paul could not really say they were deeply in
love. Even though Julie was very young she knew that Love was the
number one ingredient in keeping a couple to-gather, and besides all
that Julie
wanted to continue her business studies she wanted to own her own
Boutique one day. Right now she was torn in two and didn't feel there
was
any one she could turn too, her family would despise her if she
reversed her decision now, at least that is what she thought. If she
decided not to have the baby, she may well have to move away from
Spring-town, and build her life elsewhere, she wished now that she had
listened when at school they were told about the consequences of sexual
relationships at seventeen years of age, but it was too late. Julie
felt a kind of cloud settling over her, she knew she was going to have
to grow up fast, if she was to take responsibility for the decision she
was about to make she knew she would have to be strong, something died
inside her she knew her childhood had just come to an abrupt end.

Mr, Clarke sat in his study holding his head in his hands, trying to
assimilate the information racing through his brain his feelings raged
from anger, frustration guilt fear, anger at Rebecca
For bringing this news home, fear of how this would be perceived by his
parishioners and how it would affect his reputation, and guilt that
this was Rebecca's way of reaching out for love, a love that she didn't
feel she received in the home, his home, regret that he hadn't paid
attention to tell tale signs, and ignored other simple pleas for
attention.
This proud man was broken, a tear slipped down his cheek, he
experienced a sadness he had not known until now and he knew he would
need a greater love that any he had known before to deal with this
situation. His primary concern was the well being of his family now he
must support Rebecca in her decision. His mind quietened and a calm
pervaded. He got up and walked into the sitting room where Rebecca
expecting a huge reprimand was cowering in an armchair, wide eyed
and fearful, Mrs Clarke was absentmindedly tidying up in the kitchen
working on automatic pilot. He called his family to-gether, and in a
gesture formally unknown to him he encircled his wife and daughter in
his arms, they just stood there, drawing strength from each other, then
quietly he said,
" I love you both dearly and in the past I have been wrong but
to-gether we will cope with our new circumstances, and they just stood
there.

Julie was quiet at home, while her mother talked almost excitedly about
the unborn child, as she busied herself with evening tea, she was a
born mother so- to -speak, she had four more children as well as Julie,
so the house was always filled with the noise of children's activities
and tiny grubby fingerprints were every where. Julie loved he little
brother and sisters, but she didn't feel the same way as her mother,
she wished she wouldn't make reference to her pregnancy.
" What would you like Julie a boy or a girl?"
Julie forced a smile and said.
" Hope it's a boy."
Julie felt guilty she knew more than ever now that she could not tell
any one what she was planning. There was only one thing that she could
do, and that was to leave Springtown without telling anyone, she would
go to London, it was too risky even to tell Paul because he would tell
her parents and that would spoil her chances, she didn't want any kind
of confrontation.

It was difficult keeping it all to herself, she would need to think
quickly and work out a plan, she searched the internet for names of
London work agencies and registered for work with several, she would be
willing to try anything until she got properly trained, it was an
enormous step, but she told herself that many others had taken this
step and made a good like for themselves and anyhow Springtown was
small in comparison to the bright lights of London, although she loved
home, things had changed and would never be the same a gain.
" I am strong I can do this ,"
she kept repeating to herself. All her savings amounted to ?170 so she
decided to sell her valuables her C.D player her gold necklace any
thing of that would help pay her way She also needed an alibi, some one
to stay with the night before she made this trip so she could leave
without undue suspicion.
Julie caught that train to London early one morning two weeks later and
it was many years before she returned to Springtown, but that's another
story.