Son of Abortion

By Della Howe

Godly Connie has fallen from her intentions to stay a virgin until marriage and an embryo is growing. She informs her boyfriend, Ken, of her predicament and that conversation becomes so heated it ends their relationship. Ken assumes she will get an abortion, in fact, he just knows she will.

Connie being strongly in Gods camp has lots of shame, but abortion is out and until she decides what to do with the coming baby she hides in solitude except for Brian, her ten-year-old paperboy, and her lovable cat, Snowtom.

Meanwhile Ken has no worries until he finds a large box addressed "Dear Daddy".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462878444

Della Howe

I worked in a paper manufacturing plant for forty-two years. I am retired and now spend most of my time reminiscing and entertain myself by writing. I have written and published a community historical and had several magazine articles published. I am a past member of Willamette Writer's in Portland, Oregon and study writing enthusiastically. .

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

How did I end up pregnant? This wasn’t supposed to happen. God, you know I need your help now more than ever.

The night was brisk, September 24, 1955. Sitting in her little blue Dodge Coronet, Connie looked over at her son in a makeshift bassinette box on the car seat beside her. The baby was here, alive, wrapped up warmly in the box.

God, I promised you I wouldn’t get an abortion, well I didn’t. No one here on earth knows I was going to have a baby except for my newspaper boy. God, should I do what I’ve planned? You know I’ve walked in the right way all these years; that is until I met Ken. God, I’m sorry I’ve made this mistake. I beg of you, especially tonight—give me the courage I need.

Connie sat dazed while her mind flashed back to one Easter when, she, a little girl of six held on to her mother’s hand and walked down the aisle of the church showing off her new Easter dress. She carried a small white crocheted purse and wore a tam to match. Orange flowers topped it off. Her outfit was designed and made by her mother. She felt so beautiful and oh, so happy.

Tonight, she wanted to feel the happiness of having a new baby, but there was only sadness and fright at giving up the baby that she already loved.

Her mind flashed back to how it thrilled her to pray with a group of children on another Easter day many years ago and the joy she felt holding the Sunday school paper in her hand on the way home from church. In it were beautiful pictures of Jesus with words telling her how much he loved little children.

These words and pictures were why she believed in his great love and why she knew she could call on him in time of need. She certainly needed him tonight. She prayed. Dear Jesus, help me just a little longer.

She thought back to the summer camp meeting when she was a teenager. Elder Dossett came out on stage in front of five hundred young people and begged, "Give your life to Christ today! He wants you! Just let him into your heart. Let’s all sing now, ‘Into my heart, into my heart.’

Open up your heart and let him in. Yes, little girl, yes, little boy, I plead with you out there. Just come forward. Let’s gather a flock for Jesus. You will have everlasting life if you do. There is hellfire and damnation for the ones who do not accept Jesus as their savior. Now let’s form a line and come right up here on this stage. God is calling you now, so come forward little ones, and stand up for Jesus today!

A line slowly formed. Come on, rise and take your stand. Don’t be bashful. In God’s kingdom he wants the bashful ones, too.

Connie stood up and moved forward along with other eager ones wanting to be saved. At last, she was on the stage in front of Elder Dossett. He looked into Connie’s blue eyes. What is your name dear one?

Connie Adair.

God bless you, Connie, the Lord has called you, Amen.

That afternoon, Connie was baptized, immersed in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The congregation sang, Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.

The baby fussed bringing Connie out of her daze. She reached over and patted the baby softly. It quieted. She started the car and drove two blocks and stopped near the bus stop where she hid her suitcase in the brush. She then drove on. I was the one who attended church regularly, and read my Bible religiously. I was the one who saved enough to own my own car and bought my house. I never made Mom worry about me. That sis of mine, Mary, caused Mother all kinds of worry. Mary’s the one who Mom might have expected this from, but not me! She thought I would marry some nice young man before giving her a grandchild.

Connie’s blonde hair curled softly over her shoulders and her blue eyes accentuated her oval face. Other people had called her beautiful, but inside she felt lonely and worried she’d never find a husband. It seemed to her that every one she knew was messing around with smoking or out partying wildly, or doing something else against God’s way.

And now look what I’ve done! She thought.

Connie shook her head and came back to reality. She pulled over to the edge of the road underneath an old oak tree, turned to the bassinette box and unwrapped her new born. He squirmed and cried. She put the covers back on him and gave him the bottle again as she tried to unravel what happened.

From the day that I met Kenneth Barton at my sister Mary’s place I knew I should be wary. He didn’t smoke and that impressed me right away. He was always at their house. I didn’t have to go over there, but I wanted to. That twenty-four-year-old Ken is just so handsome. I’ve always liked the curly headed ones with deep brown eyes and that six foot frame of his . . . I just couldn’t resist. I really enjoyed listening to Ken and Frank, Mary’s husband telling their nonsensical stories from the aluminum plant. If I just wouldn’t have gone with them to the Century Room when Frank asked me that night, I might not be in this predicament.

*     *     *

Connie’s light began to shine for Ken as time went by, and although she didn’t tell anyone . . . it was obvious.

One evening when Ken was at Mary and Frank’s place, Frank asked Connie if she wanted to go with them to the Century Room night club, a place out of step with Connie’s Godly convictions.

Connie asked herself: What do I do now God? Will it be okay or not? She hesitated. Mary will be there. Everything will be all right.

The hostess led them to a candle-lit table. What will it be? a cocktail waitress asked.

Connie looked over the drink menu while the others ordered.

Tom Collins, Mary ordered.

I’ll have a rum and Coke, Frank said.

A 7-Hi for me, Ken said looking over at Connie expectantly. She threw her hands up signaling that she was lost. Frank asked, Do you like sweet or sour?

Frank and Ken each made several suggestions before Mary said, Try a Vodka Collins.

Okay, make it a Vodka Collins, Connie said.

Frank said, That’s a good choice, Connie. I think you might like that one.

A live band played on a small stage until a special guest for the night, a magician, started his act and entertained while they waited for their drinks.

Connie took a sip of hers. Not bad, she said.

Mary cautioned in a whisper, Connie, be sure and drink it slow because some of these drinks can throw you so fast you won’t know what hit you.

Ken heard what she said. So what if she gets a little tipsy? He offered, We’ll take care of her. I can teach her a few dance steps, and she’ll be all right.

As soon as the magician show was over, Ken said, Come on, Connie, let’s dance.

Connie insisted, Ken, I can’t dance. I don’t know how.

It’s easy. Come on, Connie, he urged.

Taking her by the hand he got her to the dance floor.

It’s like this . . . he said.

And before long, she was dancing.

Back at the table, she continued to sip cautiously at her drink. Ken asked her for another dance and another. Frank and Mary danced, too, but the evening wore them out early and when Frank said, We’re ready to go home, but it looks like you two are having such a good time you might as well stay and dance the night away. They decided to.

Frank said, Ken, I know you’ll see to it that Connie gets home safely.

They continued to drink and dance on into the night until Connie said, Ken, I feel kind of funny. Could I be getting drunk?

How do you feel? Can you see straight? he asked.

Sorta, but not really.

You probably just have a buzz on.

Oh no, Connie squeaked out, I didn’t wanta get drunk!

She lowered her voice. God says to do everything in moderation, and that is what I thought I was doing.

It’s okay, Connie, I’ll walk you home.

He took her by her hand and together they slipped out of the Century Room. They weaved down the street laughing.

Just hold my hand and follow me, Ken said.

She stumbled past a fire hydrant.

Ken, you’re forgetting about me over here. You’re just walking for yourself. You must be drunk.

They laughed hysterically and gave each other a friendly hug. They noticed a man across the street watching them. They became stiff as soldiers at attention. Connie said, Ken, he’s watching us . . . I hope he doesn’t know us.

Probably not, Ken said. Oops!

Connie laughed. Ken, why are you sitting beside that phone booth?

I don’t know, thought we could rest, he said. Connie flopped down beside him and laughed loudly. Ken laughed even more loudly.

Connie, I got an idea . . . let’s call Frank and Mary and tell them we had a good time.

No, they’re asleep by now. I don’t think they’d like that.

Ken didn’t listen. Weaving into the phone booth he grappled with some change, fed the slot and dialed. A voice on the other end said hello? Ken slurred, Hi, Frank. I’m here on a street corner with a nice girl, and I think we’re drunk, but she’s okay.

Connie was having fits. No, no, Ken.

Ken ignored her. Hey, is this Frank? he asked.

Connie snuggled into the booth beside him in time to hear, Blasted drunk, got the wrong number. Connie grabbed the phone from him and hung it up. Reaching her hand out to him, she said, Let me help you. I don’t think I am as drunk as you are.

He reached his hand out to her, and hand in hand, they weaved another block.

Connie, are you sure we’re going the right way?

Sure, I can see my house from here.

Her porch showed up as a long shadow underneath a crescent moon. Ken stumbled coming up the first step. He caught himself. Connie fumbled for her keys and dropped them. They both scrambled to pick them up. The two of them bent down cracking their heads together. She pressed her hands against the top of her head while Ken did the same to his. Their laughter escalated as they sank onto the top step of the porch. By then Ken had the keys in his hand. They both got back up, and he tried unlocking the door but only fumbled. Connie said, Ken, I’ll do it.

No, no, I can do it, he insisted. I’ll get it in a minute. But he continued to fumble and eventually handed the keys over to Connie. She fumbled, too, but finally managed to get the door unlocked.

As soon as she got inside, she said, Ken, I’m really sick. Go get a sandwich or something. I got to go to bed. But instead of going for a sandwich, he followed her.

She woke to a daylight-filled room. Sitting up abruptly, she looked over and saw Ken sound asleep beside her. Oh God, what have I done? What will people think if they find out he spent the night here? Her hand brushed against the silky rayon of her dress. Thank God, I’m covered. Her head pounded. So this is what a hangover feels like?

Ken snored. The bed jiggled as Connie jumped up, waking Ken.

Good morning. What a night we had, he said groggily.

Ken sat upright and looked over at her. She dropped her head. I’m embarrassed, and I didn’t have any intentions of getting drunk. I don’t want Mary to know.

Don’t worry. We didn’t do anything wrong, Ken said.

I did, Connie said. I got drunk.

Ken didn’t respond. He looked at the clock and jumped up.

Oh Connie, I didn’t tell you but I’m getting a new Buick this morning. I’m supposed to pick it up in less than an hour.

He rushed into the bathroom. Connie heard water running. When he came back out, his hair was freshly combed. She followed him through the house. Got to go now, he called as he pulled the front door open.

Connie jumped as the door slammed behind him.

She looked out the window and saw him going around the corner.

He only went out with me because Frank and Mary suggested it. She paced the floor. It was never his idea, and now, he’ll never call me again. Then she calmed, God has plans for me. He’ll forgive me for getting drunk. I guess I don’t need to know what plans those are because he’s in charge.

She peeked out the window again, surprised to see Ken coming back. Maybe he does care.

When Ken knocked on the door, she counted to three before she answered.

Oh you’re back, she said.

Yeah, I thought I’d walk to Frank’s and get him to take me over, but then just as I went around the corner, I got to thinking you might not mind giving me a lift over to Anderson’s car dealership. Connie, would you do that for me? By the time I walk to Frank’s I’ll be late. I sure appreciate this, Connie. I’ll make it up to you sometime.

What’s he mean he’ll make it up to me sometime? I’ll get my keys. Come on, the car’s in the garage.

He followed, stepping around her and opening her driver’s side door. She stepped in. Thank you.

Will I even be able to drive?

"Just go to twenty-sixth, and I’ll direct you from there when we get closer."

Okay, I know where that is.

Things got quiet before Ken said, You know I was over at Frank and Mary’s two weeks ago and, boy, can they put on a great barbecue party. I think there were about twenty of us there, you know the guys from work and their wives. That Frank guy, he’s sure a good guy to work with, too.

Connie drove the three miles to the auto dealer where she left Ken off.

He didn’t say anything about wanting to see me again. He only talked about Frank and Mary putting on a great barbecue and how great Frank is. He’s not interested in seeing me again, she concluded. But to her surprise, he called the following Thursday and invited her to dinner at his house. His house! He likes me after all. He