Time After Time

 Melissa felt miserable without Sterling, but she couldn't face him either. Truly, she never expected her life to be such a mess at twenty-seven. Yes, such an odd number, and it meant trouble, or so it seemed.

She'd never felt so lost. And she thought she'd get it taken care of all on her own, but somehow she'd forgotten all the legal chaos of politics.

The doctor informed her it was too late to terminate the pregnancy. Of course, she didn't even vote this election year. None of that women's production rights ever seemed to mean much to her until now. Of course, she got an earful from a co-worker about how feminists weren't really feminists anymore. Like that meant anything to her now.

She only had her sister Victoria to turn to and of course, her little sister spilled it to their parents right away. Naturally, they wanted her to come home, but she wouldn't hear of it.

"I do have a job and ..and with that I  have insurance," She did not want to be a bother.  On the upside she had her own place, but of course, it didn't feel like home without Sterling. And she did miss his half of the rent.

"You should get him back," Victoria told her it wouldn't be that hard. "You're so stubborn."

"Well, I can't." She was brazen to say, and ready to hang up on her little sister when they were on the  phone.

"It's not about you," Victoria told her it was time to grow up. "I thought you loved Riley, but obviously you never cared about what she wanted. And now you have Sterling and you're kicking him to the curb when you need him most."

Melissa didn't want to hear this, but she couldn't help but listen. It was as if she was building a brick wall around her and she didn't see a way out. Of course, Victoria kept asking to help.

"What, you want to raise this baby?" Melissa blurted.

"Not exactly, but I know two people who would, if you'd just let them, but you need to talk to Sterling, first." Victoria told her it wasn't as bad she thought it would be.

Melissa didn't want to believe her. Of course, she needed to go throw up. Funny, how she only wanted pickles and peanuts lately.